Wellness

[Winkk]

Some good points were mentioned that I didn't think about.  I'm going to take my time and think about.

[on the bay]

@Winkk,

Please read the boxed warning for Evinity as reported on fda dot gov website and others.

Increased risk for heart attack stroke and death. Wonderful.

I've tried them all including Boniva. All except Prolia and this newest Evinity. I won't try anymore due to all the side effects I had. With Boniva, after a year of infusions they were called, the osteoporosis in my hip or neck, can't remember which, got worse.But other than that for that one I don't remember side effects. I did have to get a special xray before going to the dentist to make sure my jaw bone was not deteriorating.

My mother was on Boniva and then Prolia. In that time she broke 8 ribs. There is also increased risk for hip fractures.

Scary stuff and I hope the doctors advise patients of these risks but of all the ones who have suggested these drugs, I've never had drs talk about the side effects as much as they just prescribe it because so many take them.

 Some people don't have side effects, but they may have fractures or other things down the line that they might not even attribute to these meds.

Drs seem to be very freely  prescribing these for all, even with just osteopenia.

As with any med or even supplement, they are not for everyone and not always safe or worth the risks. Just my experience with it all. And no one needs to agree or disagree with mine as they may have a completely different experience.

[Winkk]

@on the bay. Thanks for the information.  I'm going to take my time and do more research.

[Winkk]

@grandma2pkmh -- Thanks for the feedback.  Ladies are mentioning issues I never thought  of.  I'm taking my time before deciding on what to do.

[Shelbelle]

Older drug, maybe some of the newer ones are improved. 

[SilleeMee]

@Winkk 

If there is an osteoporosis treatment center where you are then I would ask for a referral to go there. I am currently going to one and my NP has taught me so much about available treatments and who they might work the best for. You have options and it takes some extra blood tests and risk factor numbers to get you the best drug for your particular needs. 

[Effie54]

---

@on the bay wrote:

@Winkk,

Please read the boxed warning for Evinity as reported on fda dot gov website and others.

Increased risk for heart attack stroke and death. Wonderful.

I've tried them all including Boniva. All except Prolia and this newest Evinity. I won't try anymore due to all the side effects I had. With Boniva, after a year of infusions they were called, the osteoporosis in my hip or neck, can't remember which, got worse.But other than that for that one I don't remember side effects. I did have to get a special xray before going to the dentist to make sure my jaw bone was not deteriorating.

My mother was on Boniva and then Prolia. In that time she broke 8 ribs. There is also increased risk for hip fractures.

Scary stuff and I hope the doctors advise patients of these risks but of all the ones who have suggested these drugs, I've never had drs talk about the side effects as much as they just prescribe it because so many take them.

 Some people don't have side effects, but they may have fractures or other things down the line that they might not even attribute to these meds.

Drs seem to be very freely  prescribing these for all, even with just osteopenia.

As with any med or even supplement, they are not for everyone and not always safe or worth the risks. Just my experience with it all. And no one needs to agree or disagree with mine as they may have a completely different experience.

---

I couldn't agree more. My doctor never warned me about the side effects of the Actonel. I never had such terrible reflux as I did with starting that drug. And it's forever....sometimes it's better, sometimes terrible, but it never went away. What made me angry was the medication did absolutely nothing for my bone density. After seeing a naturopath, my bone density increased due to the right supplements and exercise. 

[SilleeMee]

I took pics of my brochure given to me at the osteoporosis treatment center. This gives some info about the latest drug options and how they are classified.

[DJK1003]

I took the generic form of Boniva (1 pill a month) for almost 10 years.  One side effect I had was achy bones for a day or two after taking the pill.  My best friend who was also supposed to take it, told me she could not tolerate the painful side effects and stopped taking it and took vitamin D instead.  I began to research Boniva and discovered you should only take it for 3 - 5 years.  No doctor ever questioned me on how long I had taken it.

My cousin, who is the same age as I (72) was getting Prolia injections every 6 months for years.  She takes good care of herself, exercises and weighs the same as she did in high school.  Earlier this year she was closing her window shutters and suddenly fell.  Long story short, she fractured her femur and now has 2 metal rods supporting her leg permanently.  She switched doctors and was told she never should have been getting those injections for so long. 

That terrified me.  I immediately stopped taking the Boniva generic and began taking Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K.  I informed my doctor of this at my yearly checkup and he had me get a bone scan.  My bone scan came back negative for osteopenia and he told me to continue taking 5,000 mg of Vitamin D3 and the Vitamin K.  I take ProCaps from HSN.

This is my experience.  I would never advise anyone what to do medically, but I will say this:  do your research!  These drugs may do more harm than good. 

[SilleeMee]

I have an AI disease (scleroderma) and it has caused me to have osteop terribly. I will never be able to go w/o medication. I'm in it for the rest of my life unfortunately. I'm 68. Osteop never goes away for anyone. Once you have it, it's your's forever. 

My AI disease wrecked my GI tract so I can't take osteop pills. I have to get injectables or IV. It's either that or break bones. No choice for me.