Wellness

[pggoody]

iI have been off my medication for osteoporosis for over 3 years and my recent bone density scan went in the wrong direction from 2 years ago.   I had some gum issues and after doing some research decided to take myself off Actenol as my scans revealed no change even after taking for 5 years.  But to be fair.... At least my readings were no worse. 

I had heard that it was not " good" to stay on the osteo medications too long without taking a " break."   The hygenist at the periodontist office had shared some information that more or less confirmed what I had read and heard about there being some association with gum related issues  and these medications. 

My doctor has prescribed Fosomax for me to start in 2 or 3 months.  Since I was having implant surgery yesterday, she did recommend waiting to start till I was through the healing process.  

I shared my situation with my periodontal surgeon and he recommends staying away from any IV, or once a year osteo drugs.   He said we could discuss more in the upcoming follow up visits I will  be making to check in on the implant progress. 

In in the mean time I will be researching . I am a petite frame 96 lb woman. I am very active, exercise 3-4 times a week in addition to walking my dog 2 miles daily and eat a healthy diet.  For years I have consumed  plain Greek yogurt daily and a year ago switched to using Almond Milk for any of my "milk " needs.   

I also take Andrew Lessmans  Calcium Magnesium Intensive Care . It has Vitamin D in it as does his Essental One  daily vitamin which I also take.   I added Vitamin K a year ago as I read it helps with absorption of calcium. 

In the meantime I am going to up the vitamin D and focus on eating more calcium rich foods, along with doing more weight bearing exercises using bands and light weights.Ii try to do yoga a few times  a week.  I do have a Pilates chair which has sat dormat for a year. 

Sorry this is so lengthy.   Hope others will share their experiences. Thank you. 

[HarDee]

My situation is very similiar to yours.  I had a bone density scan eight years ago and had osteopenia at the time.  I attempted to improve the density by really kicking up my weight bearin exercises and other exercises and changing my diet, eating calcium rich foods and taking calciumsupplements. Two years later and another scan showed I now had osteoporosis.  I went on Boniva for  a few years and there was improvement.  I went off it and a recent scan shows osteoporosis again. So back on Boniva which I will take once a month. 

I don't like taking this med, but I've talked to several physicians that say the chances of having any of the serious side effects are very slim.  The benefit outweighs the risk. The alternative is fractures, etc . My sister in law says that her mother's bones are so bad that she has had fractures.  So I will stay on it another few years and see what happens.

We all have to decide what is best for ourselves, and this is what I am choosing to do.  My mother was on  this medication for years with no problems and is now off it for good. I've followed the instructions to a T and have had no problems.  Please post again with what you decided to do!

[sockmonkey]

Hi Goody,

I am in a similar situation (active, same build, recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and just starting a new regimen) and was wondering about your bone density readings going down.

Did that happen even though you were walking, doing weight bearing exercises, calcium supplements, etc., OR are you just now adding that to your regimen now that you have learned that your reading went down?

I'm just trying to determine if all this is helping or doesn't really make a difference.  I read that as long as your numbers aren't getting worse, they consider the bone density meds to be working.

Thanks for sharing your experience! 

[sockmonkey]

Hi HarDee,

You actually answered my question to Goody.  I appreciate hearing your experience.  

Besides the Boniva, do you still do all the exercises, etc.?

Thanks so much!

[HarDee]

Yes, I still do what I was doing before I went back on the Boniva.  I was really down when I first went on it because I was positive the exercise and diet would help and I wouldn't need the RX meds. But it didn't .  So back on the stuff!  Just make sure you follow the directions to a T.  

[Tinkrbl44]

My sister has really good bone density and is on Fosamax because her doctor wants it to stay that way, in part because of the other meds she is on.   

Even  if you're having trouble improving your bone density, holding your ground is a good thing, too.

[violann]

My status went from "normal range" to osteopenia when I lost weight, and my endocrinologist confirmed that weight loss can cause that problem. 

Happy to see lots of good recommendations.

[Nightowlz]

I have never had mine checked. The doctor has never mentioned it. How do they do a bone density test? What age should you have that done? I just turned 58.

If you still have gum issues you might want to research CoQ10. It's suppose to be good gum disease.

[SeaMaiden]

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@Nightowlz wrote:

I have never had mine checked. The doctor has never mentioned it. How do they do a bone density test? What age should you have that done? I just turned 58.

If you still have gum issues you might want to research CoQ10. It's suppose to be good gum disease.

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@Nightowlz  Talk to your Doctor about having a Dexa Scan. Your insurance should cover it. It is an specific X  ray  of specific parts of the of the bones where density loss shows up...usually the hip, wrist/ forearm   and spine.

[FLtricia]

Please research these drugs.  I can only speak of Boniva.  My mother was on it for a few years.  She had a minor fall and fractured her femur up by her hip.  The type of fracture she had is usually caused by major trauma (Car accident).  A colleague of my husband had his wife in Mayo clinic for leg pain.  She had been on Boniva for a few years.  They found her femur spontaneously fractured (no fall or trauma of any kind).  Mayo took her off Boniva.

Google it.  There are many lawsuits involving this drug.