Silicon: A Review of Its Potential Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I will be getting my first Evenity shot real soon. Just waiting for some price adjustments. Going to get one shot a month for the next 12 months and then I'll be put on some kind of bisphosphonate, possibly Reclast intravenous once yearly for 2 consec years and then back to Evenity. This is will be the treatment plan for the rest of my life.

ETA-

Evenity is given as a subcutaneous shot in the arm, stomach or thigh. It's classified as a biologic (monoclonal antibody to be specific).

I'm fortunate to have an osteoporosis treatment center here locally. I got the entire rundown about what drugs were out there and how they work. It was very educational and I learned a lot the day of my initial consultation.

chessylady · ‎05-01-2010

@SilleeMee Good luck with your treatment! Did you try the pills and have side effects? From what I read,they will not move to Evenity without you " failing" the other drugs. Will your insurance pay for it? Are you concerned with the side effect of heart attack or stroke? Please ignore my questions if they too invasive.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@chessylady

I have a medical condition (scleroderma) where pills such as Fosamax and Boniva are contraindicated. My insurance has approved the Evenity b/c of that.

I've never taken any pills but years ago I did receive Zometa (similar to Reclast) once-yearly IV and I had a bad reaction to that but it helped my bone density a lot. Not been on any meds since then. Evenity will be the next drug for me.

I am not worried about Evenity's possible heart side-effects, such as heart attack or strokes. It was explained to me that people with an existing heart condition or have had recent heart attacks should not receive Evenity. Also, diabetics are at risk for severe side-effects. My heart is good and I don't have diabetes. So there you have it.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I had a Dexa Scan about six weeks ago. I wore jeans with a zipper. I was told to open up the jeans and pull them down a little, then was covered with a sheet.

The tech scanned my spine and my wrist. Both areas tested normal, so no other areas needed to be scanned.

I have never liked milk, not even as a child. I would gag if I had to drink it.

I was always told I would get soft bones...so far, that hasn't happened. Both of my sisters have osteo and take vitamins and supplements and have for years.

I only take Vitamin D and no supplements.

I do wonder why I have been so fortunate, but I am not complaining.

@Mom2Dogs I'm happy you're getting stronger bones with bamboo extract. I never knew that would work. I will let my sisters know. One sister takes Prolia, which is controversial.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@chessylady

One important thing about Evenity, I was told, is that after the 12-month treatment bone density improves significantly. However, during the next 1-2 years following that treatment bone density declines at an alarming rate and to the point of increased risk fracture. That is why bisphosponates are recommended following Evenity so bone loss is slowed down. It's's the on-and-off alternating treatments between the two types of drugs which results in the best bone density scores. One type of drug isn't always going to be the best thing. It actually takes two different kinds of drugs to get bones to become denser, I was told.

Try convincing insurance companies about that is another story. They want to take the easy road with bisphosphonates alone.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie ....my doctor wanted me to take Prolia but I was not really interested and at the time my insurance would not cover it.

I am glad my test results were better than previous...I think the tru test of the bamboo extract will be my next scan about 2 years from now, if the results stay the same or slighly improve i will be thrilled.

I do wonder why some people have ssues and others do not, you are fortuante.

LTT1 · ‎03-09-2010

@May5

it is short and painless! No changing necessary! It is a "scanner" about the size of a waistband that goes down your bod from shoulders to lower spine!

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~

LTT1 · ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
@chessylady
One important thing about Evenity, I was told, is that after the 12-month treatment bone density improves significantly. However, during the next 1-2 years following that treatment bone density declines at an alarming rate and to the point of increased risk fracture. That is why bisphosponates are recommended following Evenity so bone loss is slowed down. It's's the on-and-off alternating treatments between the two types of drugs which results in the best bone density scores. One type of drug isn't always going to be the best thing. It actually takes two different kinds of drugs to get bones to become denser, I was told.

Try convincing insurance companies about that is another story. They want to take the easy road with bisphosphonates alone.

@SilleeMee

please explain about the bamboo? My doctor wants me to take Alexandronate (?) which I tried once before and it caused upset stomach? Thanks!

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@LTT1

Bamboo extract contains a lot of silica (about 70%). Silica (aka silicon) is a major component of collagen where it is incorporated into the collagen bonds withing bone matrix. Bones are mostly made of collagen and so silica supps can help strengthen the collagen within our bones. Without silica our bones would not exist nor would anything containing collagen in the body exist which is almost everything.

NIH publication: