Wellness

[Newgate]

My doctor recently discovered a small spinal fracture in the middle of my back that I did not know was there.   I never had any pain in that area but I have taken a some falls in recent years.   The fracture had healed on its own and it showed up in a CTscan I had of my lungs!

My doctor now feels I should go on Fosomax!  I am fighting it because he can't be sure that the fracture happened due to thinning bones!  He did say I have mild Osteo Pina!   I am trying not to take too much RX medicine if I can avoid it!

I know I am the one that has to make the decision but would like your thoughts!  Thanks!

[Equuleus]

If he says you should take it then I guess you should.  Why would you not.  I was on it because I didn't have a good bone density scan years ago.  I had to stop taking it because of the side effect, which was I could not swallow any food.  My father was on it also for a rare bone condition, and he had the same problem.  I know there are shots you can take for bone loss... I think you get them every six months.  There are other things for bone strength besides Fosamax if it does not work for you. 

[deeva]

I took Fosamax about 12 years ago.  About being on it for around a month,  I started getting heartburn. My doctor suggested that I taking Tums everyday. I told her no, and I stopped taking Fosamax. My dexa scans show no signs of osteoporosis.

[BirkiLady]

I took a similar tablet (one per month) for five years and it helped my bones a lot. After several falls and a couple fractures, this treatment was suggested. Like you, I wasn't sure it was a good idea. However, my Rheumatologist took a bone density at the beginning (highly recommend this) and, of course, when I stopped. One of the best and easiest meds ever! That was a good six or seven years ago and I haven't had a serious fall or bruise since. Highly recommend you try it. (If I remember correctly, it is suggested to use for only five or six years; then stop.) I continue to have bone density tests every two years. 

[Coquille]

@Newgate I have a disease which effects the disintegration of my bones. My endocrinologist recommended that I take it several years ago. We would have the discussion 3-4 times a year. I always said no. I took Boniva for 6 months. I literally got deathly ill. The doctor wanted me in the hospital but I refused and made it through in my home. I lost 10 lbs, weak, shaking, no sleep, only liquids. My intestines and pancreas were in bad shape.  It took me awhile to build myself back up. I must say, the 6 months of taking the Boniva made a big difference in my bone scan but not enough to go on suffering, It could have killed me. My doctor was astonished. I took a  break and about a year ago I started getting Prolia. 2 shots a year and no side effects for me. My high calcium levels have come down a lot, which is great for me because they were very high. Apart from my disease, so far, no negatives to the Prolia. I do pay $377 for it two times a year.

This is just my experience. I know a lot of people that refuse to rake it. I have to again, because of my disease. Make your decision, stick to it and then let it go. All we can do is listen to the doctor's, listen to our gut and figure out what's best for us. We have to make the final decision based upon everything we know. It's not easy. Good luck and stay well!

[SilleeMee]

No Dexascan?? How can a doc prescribe a bone densifying drug without knowing the scan results first? I would discuss having a bone density done before taking the drug.

[Newgate]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

No Dexascan?? How can a doc prescribe a bone densifying drug without knowing the scan results first? I would discuss having a bone density done before taking the drug.

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@SilleeMee  Thank you for your reply.   I do have bone density test every 2 years.  That is how the Osteo Pina was discovered.  But it is not that bad.   I am just afraid of side effects that I hear are common with Fosamax.

[Icegoddess]

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@Coquille wrote:

@Newgate I have a disease which effects the disintegration of my bones. My endocrinologist recommended that I take it several years ago. We would have the discussion 3-4 times a year. I always said no. I took Boniva for 6 months. I literally got deathly ill. The doctor wanted me in the hospital but I refused and made it through in my home. I lost 10 lbs, weak, shaking, no sleep, only liquids. My intestines and pancreas were in bad shape.  It took me awhile to build myself back up. I must say, the 6 months of taking the Boniva made a big difference in my bone scan but not enough to go on suffering, It could have killed me. My doctor was astonished. I took a  break and about a year ago I started getting Prolia. 2 shots a year and no side effects for me. My high calcium levels have come down a lot, which is great for me because they were very high. Apart from my disease, so far, no negatives to the Prolia. I do pay $377 for it two times a year.

This is just my experience. I know a lot of people that refuse to rake it. I have to again, because of my disease. Make your decision, stick to it and then let it go. All we can do is listen to the doctor's, listen to our gut and figure out what's best for us. We have to make the final decision based upon everything we know. It's not easy. Good luck and stay well!

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You must have very good insurance.  My doctor wanted to put me on it for Osteopenia and when I checked into it my insurance would only cover Boniva.  Prolia would be out of pocket $1500 per shot.  We already pay $750+/month for premiums and I have t $6500 deductible which I never get anywhere close to.  That's Blue Cross Blue Shield and the only choice in my state.

[SilleeMee]

@Newgate,

Several years ago when I had my first visit to a rheumatologist, one of the first tests she recommended for me was a Dexascan. I had no previous history of fractures but because of my age the bone density scan was a very important preventative diagnostic tool used in fracture prevention. After discovering that I had osteoporosis, I was given Zometa (IV) immediately. My doc said she was surprised that I did not have any vertebral fractures, given my density scan results being so very low. My doc and I were very concerned at that point.

A year later, after receiving that Zometa, I had another scan done and the results were still low but only put me in the osteopenia range so my doc did not prescribe anything else. But she strongly recommended that I take the typical vitamin D / calcium supps to help prevent further bone loss. I have done that plus weight-bearing exercises. My last bone density scan was last week and I am expecting my results very soon. I am confident that they will be normal, not -porosis or -penia!  

I am like you...I do not want to take medications. I want to be free from them, which I am right now and I feel very blessed.

I do take supps. One I discovered about two years ago, bamboo silica (silicon), and if you get some free time then you can read about how good it is for bones and it's safe, not a Rx. Here's just one article of interest about the subject:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3671293/

I'm 63yo. Diagnosed with scleroderma and osteoporosis in 2002.

[Icegoddess]

@Newgate, I too, have been diagnosed with Osteopenia.  As I said above, doctor wanted to put me on the Prolia, but that's just too expensive.  I also would like to not be put on another Rx.  I'm already on a statin which I really hate being on although I have no side effects from it not that I'm on the generic vs the Crestor.  I also talked it over with my gynecologist because I know that you can't take these drugs but for 5-6 years in your lifetime, so I thought maybe it would be better to wait.  She said it's better to build up now than to try and play catchup.  That being said, I still haven't taken that Boniva prescription (the only drug my insurance will pay for) to the pharmacy yet.  I'm 60 and quite active so come across as a good bit younger.