topic Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS in Wellness

OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

BarbiHollywood — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:15:20 GMT

Any info on osteoporosis meds?

My DEXA showed a decline in my numbers and am now considered to be in the osteoporosis category. My primary wants me to think about Prolia, Fosamax, etc. I've heard too many stories from friends who had to stop these meds and all the side effects. I told my doctor I was not interested, and I have upped my calcium intake and will exercise a bit more. Apparently, osteoporosis runs in my family. My Mom and most of the females on her side have/had it.

Anyone care to share? I'm curious what your experiences have been.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

theresa — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:19:38 GMT

@BarbiHollywood my Dr referred me to a bone specialist recommended Fosamax 70 mg 1X weekly. I'm going for my dexa scan next month so let's see if there is any improvement. I'm in my early 60's. One of my girlfriends started Prolia and she is 71. She just got the injection (1st one) in March no side effects. She said it's every 6 months. I don't have any information to give you because I have not had my recheck until next month but my orthopedic Dr told me not to ignore this diagnosis.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

FLtricia — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:29:21 GMT

I agree with your lack of interest in these products. There are other nutrients to help with bone health (Vitamin D, magnesium for example). Yarrow has a product called "Bone-Up" you can research.

I say this because my mother fractured her femur getting out of a chair. We now believe that this happened from her taking Boniva, not from standing up with socks on. A femur fracture is major like from a car accident. That is a large bone! She had to have metal rod inserted and spent weeks in re-hab. A colleague of my husband in her 50's also ended up with a femur fracture. She didn't even fall. Just had severe pain and testing revealed the fracture. If you listen to the commercials for these products they list jaw problems and bone fractures as a possible side effect.

Best wishes on your health journey, put your research hat on and ask lots of questions. It is your body and your health.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

amyb — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:35:35 GMT

I'm 68, have had Osteoporosis for several years now (started with Osteopenia in my 30's.) Have had most of my docs, including an endocrinologist, tell me to "just take the Fosimax." But same reasons you state @BarbiHollywood I've held back, trying diet, strength training etc. NONE of the options don't have scary contradicting info on them, with possible crummy side effects. Runs in my family too.

My mom had it. Took Fosimax for about 5 yrs, in her 70's with no problem, lived to be 91, almost 92, in decent shape. Fell a few times at home, never, THANKFULLY, broke anything. Strong woman.

Mom was a bigger boned lady than I am; I'm more petite boned, and she was strong, withstood meds and didn't think anything of just "listening to the docs" (generational) not questioning anything. Worked for her.

As for me, I'm not going to be negligent with this...I'm being careful, I'm an active person, and in good shape for my age. I have Osteo in my spine and one hip. My last Dexa scan it had not gotten worse and slightly better in the hip.

I don't do extra Calcium, as heart disease runs in my family, my dad had lots of heart issues, and I'm on meds for hereditary type cholesterol (I'm healthy weight, eat a healthy diet), but have "high lipo protein-a" that is the hereditary genetiics for cholesterol being high they can't medicate. Adding calcium can cause plaque in the arteries, though there's all kinds of info on this, back and forth, but I'm not going to take a chance.

My new (and even my former) PCP was ok with my feelings of wanting to hold off on meds for now, be diligent about consistent strength training, and healthy diet, and see what the next scan says. I don't expect to actually have "grown" much new bone, as it's very hard to do, but we'll see, maybe it isn't worse, hopefully!!

Also, some women in my online workout community have posted some good advice of what they've been doing to mitigate things without meds...I need to go back and take down this info for myself and my next doc visit and scan, so when I do I'll post it here. There was another type scan this woman did, she recommended, that gave more than the basic bone numbers that helped her know how she could treat things.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

SilleeMee — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:44:21 GMT

That publication was given to me by an osteop clinic where I have been going to get treated for my osteop. It shows you that there are only three categories of osteop drugs and only one of them builds bone while the other two will only slow bone loss.

I had the once-in-lifetime Evenity and it gave me a 13% increase in bone density. Prolia x2 doses followed to prevent a rebound effect from the Evenity where rapid bone loss could occur after the Evenity wanes which is usually around 3 to 6 months after the last Evenity dose.

I am currently waiting for my next Dexa scan to see my progression from the Prolia Then my doctor will determine what will come next where a bisphosphonate is highly likely. I will opt for the once-yearly Reclast infusion and not pills such as Boniva or Fosamax. My gut will not tolerate oral bisphos.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

on the bay — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:07:08 GMT

@amyb,

You gave such good info on all this.

I commend you for doing your research, and including info about too much calcium and heart disease esp in women, which many are still unaware of.

There were many news stories about this several years ago but it hasn't really been emphasized since. Many doctors are just not knowledgable or keep up with info about supplements and vitamins.

Also your info about generational high cholesterol was right on.

The generational thing! My mother too took everything her drs told her. She had most of the osteo meds, including prolia and didn't complain about the side effects.

Me, I had them all -fosamax, boniva, reclast and the nose one that starts with an m. I took all but prolia. Had too many really bad side effects from them all.

@BarbiHollywood,

Like @FLtricia said, put your research hat on and then go from there. I hope you find solutions you feel comfortable with

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

amyb — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:29:33 GMT

@SilleeMee I'll have to review closer your info...tks for sharing. Glad you've had luck with your forms of treatment.

There is just SO much info out there, overwhelmingly so, contradictory, confusing to me...and, to me, it says something that, of all conditions and meds I've educated myself on, over the years, that it's the Osteo meds that SO many people are skittish and confused about. I also know, like my mom, like @SilleeMee, like others...many have taken it with no problem.

I don't want to be foolish, not helping myself in some way I should with this. I realize a fall, as we age, can destroy our quality of life, and shorten it too. But at 68...even my doc says I have some time to be conservative in my approach.

My roomate from college and I have discussed this a lot. She also refuses to take the meds. Says her parents had the shots...I forget if they had side effects. But she did tell me she had the shots only once....then got tested, and doc said she ...get this...."had small bone fractures caused by the shot?!!" by a drug that's supposed to HELP you with bone loss? That was enough for her...never took the shot or anything again yet. Not sure she ever will.

So, THAT scared me.

But, I don't claim to know it all when it comes to this or to be right taking the approach I am taking so far....I'm just doing what I always do...going by my gut, and so far it tells me to go slow, investigate more....EVEN though my docs have all said most their patients did fine with Fosimax, and that more of them have fear over it, than any had bad experiences with it. But still, they understood my hesitation, and like I said...okay with me waiting on that...even though my gyno was concerned, said my spinal number was not great, and that "I should JUST TAKE THE FOSIMAX!!"......tbc........appreciate this thread, and all info shared.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

Jo1313 — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:32:35 GMT

A friend started to use Prolia...She has a bad reaction..since it is an infusion..There is no way to get it out of your system until close to your next dose.

My Dr. wanted me to take it ..Told her NO and the story..

Asked her if there was an antidote..she said no and looked at me like I have 4 heads!..

I am not going to suffer if I have a bad reaction if there is no way to get it out of my system quickly!

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

ThinkingOutLoud — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:41:04 GMT

It's good you're looking into these meds. Aside from doing strength training that was mentioned, stay away from carbonated beverages as they leach calcium from the bones.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

willowbark — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:46:03 GMT

One of the richest women in the world with access to concierge medicine at the snap of her fingers and lo and behold, she broke a hip.

Conversely, my mother of modest means was lassoed and cattle roped by her GP and she went on to break her collar bone and a few years later her femur which ended up killing her before she could get help while waiting in the ER.

As for myself, I will never take any of their filthy, money-making useless drek. I take calcium (with D3 and K2) and exercise.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

Cheriblossom — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:53:54 GMT

I am at the border between ostoperosis and osteopenia. Instead of taking prolia, which my doctor said I could, I started taking Algaecal. It's a natural supplement and I've been taking it for 2.5 years now. I excercise too and eat 5 prunes a day. There are studies that show eating 5-6 prunes daily can help preserve bone density at the hip and potentially reduce fracture risk. On my last bone density scan, I edged back to osteopenia from osteoporosis.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

amyb — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:58:40 GMT

@Cheriblossom My college roommate told me about the prune thing too! I was doing it for a while...I need to start again...tks for that reminder! I may be way beyond prunes being "the thing" that helps me most, but couldn't hurt.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

SilleeMee — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:59:18 GMT

Osteop drugs are only part of the picture when it comes to 'risk for fracture'. Changes in lifestyle, diet, exercise and supplements all can help. Rx drugs are there but pick your poison wisely.

My 'risk for fracture' was extremely high when my osteop was first discovered. No amount of lifestyle change would have helped at that point. I needed the help of Rx drugs to help me get started. Without the drugs I might have ended up with broken bones before I could start with changing my lifestyle to begin with.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

PamfromCT — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:05:42 GMT

I won't bore you with my history - did take Fosomax without the desired results - but have been getting Prolia injections twice a year for several years now. I am doing well with no side effects. I am being treated at a university Bone Clinic.

I would rely on what a competent specialist in this field recommends for your treatment. Every medication can have potential side effects, but this is a situation I would not fool around this, My mother took Fosomax with limited success

many years back with limited success, and the results helped spur her rapid decline.

I will say that while on Prolia, I follow a limit of how much Calcium I take in through my diet. Had to cut my coffee habit.
I am happy I made this decision to take this drug.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

dimin — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:18:51 GMT

You still take stuff. I don't know why you had to go there with the filthy, money making useless drek. You don't know everything.

@willowbark wrote:
One of the richest women in the world with access to concierge medicine at the snap of her fingers and lo and behold, she broke a hip.

Conversely, my mother of modest means was lassoed and cattle roped by her GP and she went on to break her collar bone and a few years later her femur which ended up killing her before she could get help while waiting in the ER.

As for myself, I will never take any of their filthy, money-making useless drek. I take calcium (with D3 and K2) and exercise.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

Shelbelle — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:18:57 GMT

Fosamax is very old and outdated drug, I would look into something more current.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

Shelbelle — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:20:21 GMT

I also take calcium, D3, K2 and magnesium and have managed to stay away from osteoporosis for over 20 years.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

shy bobcat — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:44:09 GMT

@amyb wrote:
I'm 68, have had Osteoporosis for several years now (started with Osteopenia in my 30's.) Have had most of my docs, including an endocrinologist, tell me to "just take the Fosimax." But same reasons you state @BarbiHollywood I've held back, trying diet, strength training etc. NONE of the options don't have scary contradicting info on them, with possible crummy side effects. Runs in my family too.

My mom had it. Took Fosimax for about 5 yrs, in her 70's with no problem, lived to be 91, almost 92, in decent shape. Fell a few times at home, never, THANKFULLY, broke anything. Strong woman.

Mom was a bigger boned lady than I am; I'm more petite boned, and she was strong, withstood meds and didn't think anything of just "listening to the docs" (generational) not questioning anything. Worked for her.

As for me, I'm not going to be negligent with this...I'm being careful, I'm an active person, and in good shape for my age. I have Osteo in my spine and one hip. My last Dexa scan it had not gotten worse and slightly better in the hip.

I don't do extra Calcium, as heart disease runs in my family, my dad had lots of heart issues, and I'm on meds for hereditary type cholesterol (I'm healthy weight, eat a healthy diet), but have "high lipo protein-a" that is the hereditary genetiics for cholesterol being high they can't medicate. Adding calcium can cause plaque in the arteries, though there's all kinds of info on this, back and forth, but I'm not going to take a chance.

My new (and even my former) PCP was ok with my feelings of wanting to hold off on meds for now, be diligent about consistent strength training, and healthy diet, and see what the next scan says. I don't expect to actually have "grown" much new bone, as it's very hard to do, but we'll see, maybe it isn't worse, hopefully!!

Also, some women in my online workout community have posted some good advice of what they've been doing to mitigate things without meds...I need to go back and take down this info for myself and my next doc visit and scan, so when I do I'll post it here. There was another type scan this woman did, she recommended, that gave more than the basic bone numbers that helped her know how she could treat things.

@amyb I am impressed with how well you are taking care of yourself, and I believe your doctor feels the same way.

I was wondering why your mother stopped taking the Fosamax. She was fortunate not to have broken any bones.

Many of us have concerns about bone health, so I hope you decide to keep us informed on your decisions regarding your own bone health.

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

freakygirl — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:07:55 GMT

read about the ONERO PROGRAM and if you’re interested, find out if there’s a doctor or physical therapist in your area that’s certified trained in it. it’s supposed to be very good and has helped so many women with osteoporosis

Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS

amyb — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:16:37 GMT

@shy bobcat You can only take Fosimax for a limited time. I believe 5 years would be the max. I'm estimating how long mom took it by memory, but it felt like 3-5 years she did it. She never did anything else that I know of for osteoporosis.

Her two falls were sliding down her 5 stair stairway one day, not a bad fall per se, and off her bed once at night! 😳 She went into assisted living around age 88, for safety, and living closer to me...so luckily her home with stairs was no longer an issue then. She never had any other falls, thankfully, and really was a vibrant 91 year old...it was "Covid" in the end. Sad as that was, she'd have hated a year and a half of lockdown at her assisted living, and she lived a good life 'til then. ❤️