Wellness

[Mom2Dogs]

I have ostepenia, diagnosed 15 years ago, I took Foxomax for about 12 years, I took myself off the drug as I read 10 years was the max time for taking the drug.  I am scheduled (possiby) for another scan and I am thinking about canceling the procedure.

If my bones are worse I am not sure that I would take a drug or the IV drug normally prescribed for the condition.  I am thinking of going the supplement route. 

Is anyone else had this diagnosis and decided not to take any drugs.

Another reason I don't want to have the test is the amount of radiation that you get when they do the test........

[aoldgirl]

I too was diagnosed about4 years ago.  And I refused any drugs.  I do Vitamin D and 600mg of calicum twice daily.  thats it.  Fosomax and Prolia scare the H--- out of me.  I sat in a very busy waiting room of the Orthopedtic Dr's office just listening to the women there waiting to be seen for their broken bones after taking those drugs and not falling. and the pain and the months in bed trying to heal.    Not for me... But thats me.

[Day1128]

I have osteopenia and was on Fosamax for about two years. Now I take Vitamin D and calcium. I do weight bearing exercises at least three times a week. I have a Dexa Scan about every two years. My ostepenia is NOT worse...in fact in some areas of my body there has been a slight improvement. I will continue to get the scans as needed. 

[Shelbelle]

I have osteopenia for last 13 years. I take calcium, Vit D3, magnesuim and Vit K 1 and 2. Never been asked to take any RX drugs, and never would anyway.

[RedTop]

I would definitely agree with taking supplements for your condition, but think you should also have the scan.  Why worry about radiation exposure to a simple scan in relation to a condition where your bones might become too brittle to support your body weight?   If the radiation exposure were that high, I figure the employee who is doing the scan would not be that close to me during the test.  

If my aunt were alive, she could share her stories of nearly 40 painful years of suffering, and what she would've done differently.  

[SilleeMee]

I'm 61and was diagnosed with osteoporosis with a score of below -1.0 about fifteen years ago. I had one dose of the intravenous Zometa and was given mega doses of vitamin D along with increased calcium. Last scan was about 6 years ago and I was at -2.5. This is still low and I have not been prescribed anything since the Zometa. I have increased my physical fitness routine and I have maintained and monitored my vitamin D levels throughout the past decade or so. I am not overweight and I do not smoke. My doc says I don't need any bone-building meds. I also eat a good diet and I do not drink alcohol or take any medications.

[blueroses47]

I had my one and only Dexa scan 8 years ago, and was told I had osteoporosis. I was proscribed meds, I think Actonel? and actually had the perscription filled.  Then I started to do research and talked to people, and I was afraid to take it.

I sometimes worry that I've made  the wrong decision, but I can't bring myself to take the meds.  I take all the supplements, and now do (religiously and vigorously) weight bearing excercise on a regular basis.

I haven't had another Dexa, not so much that I'm afraid of the radiation, although I am a big hater of all tests like that, even dental, but more because I don't feel I would do anything differently knowing all the numbers.....so I see no point in making myself sick worring about it.  I know this may sound foolish to others, but it's how I am.

My mom had osteoporosis too, but she was a heavy smoker, and on top of that, she couldn't take the meds anyway, because of other health issues.  She had two fractures after age 80, from falls.  Her wrist and her arm.  It was, of course, not a good thing, but she never had hip fractures or was stooped over, or anything like that.  I don't know what her numbers were.

It's a hard decision to make about these meds, since the women who have problems do not seem to be in the minority, and the problems they cause seem to be serious.

I may change what I do in the future, but for right now, I'm just going natural. You know, sometimes I wake up worrying about this.