Re: OSTEOPOROSIS MEDS - QUESTIONS - Page 5

3JJJ · ‎04-24-2018

I agree with you. Thats where I am now.

CJC · ‎03-11-2010

@Icegoddess wrote:
@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
It's good you're looking into these meds. Aside from doing strength training that was mentioned, stay away from carbonated beverages as they leach calcium from the bones.
It's actually the phosphoric acid in sodas, not all carbonated beverges.. And that's is only hypothesized, not proven. I make my own carbonated beverages, not soda-flavored, and only drink sodas when we eat out. I no longer care for the taste of soda, but it's better than the other choices. I don't like plain water,

Well watch out for that phosphoric acid because it will remove enamel from your teeth. Just a cute side effect I learned about after living on Diet Coke in the folly of my youth. That along with using baby oil on my skin to get the darkest tan in town. Ah, the old days.

Seminole2 · ‎01-16-2020

after my last PCP misinformed me about my real bone density results, he told me I needed Prolia shot 2x a year. Had the 1st one. No issues. Fast forward to January. New PCP (insurance dropped the group that my first PCP was in) asked me why I had the shot. Turns out my 1st PCP was in for the $$$ and I never needed it. However, started to take Algaecal after my shot. Take 2 pills a day. I also try and drink a cup of hot. tea everyday. Summer i
harder. I will say that my joints and whatnot feel better. Good luck!

I also take D3 and K2. My new doctor says keep it up that's all I need at this time.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I wish I didn't have to take the osteop drugs. But unfortunately my autoimmune disease continues to make my bones thin no matter how much exercise I do or what kind of food and supps I ingest...bone density just keeps going down. So, it's either I take the drugs or suffer the consequences of not taking them.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@CJC wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:
@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
It's good you're looking into these meds. Aside from doing strength training that was mentioned, stay away from carbonated beverages as they leach calcium from the bones.
It's actually the phosphoric acid in sodas, not all carbonated beverges.. And that's is only hypothesized, not proven. I make my own carbonated beverages, not soda-flavored, and only drink sodas when we eat out. I no longer care for the taste of soda, but it's better than the other choices. I don't like plain water,
Well watch out for that phosphoric acid because it will remove enamel from your teeth. Just a cute side effect I learned about after living on Diet Coke in the folly of my youth. That along with using baby oil on my skin to get the darkest tan in town. Ah, the old days.

@CJC The carbonated beverages that I make don't contain phosporic acid.

Growing · ‎07-12-2020

I don't want to alarm you but I have a sister with stage 4 osteoporosis that has refused to do anything. She has broken bones just walking. She fell and broke her hip bone in a majorly fashion and finally is on a bone builder medication, the top drastic level one. She was going to skip PT and just take it easy after surgery but I sort of demanded she "do the right thing."

I am also diagnosed with osteoporosis for several years and avoided the bone builder meds. I have GERD big time because I have a stomach valve that doesn't close. I also have high cholesterol and was told by my former PCP to avoid calcuim supplements. I have bad arthritis, especially in the feet, so walking, exercise, is just too painful.

When I hit 65 and got Traditional Medicare, I went on Prolia injections. They are shots twice a year. I am a sensitive person, allergic to foods, perfumes, etc. I have no problem so far on Prolia. I was iffy on taking this med until I saw my sister's bone situation and her bad pelvis break. I am also in PT for two soft tissue injuries. I have taken 5000 mg Vitamin D for years so I had that type of protection. My PT even told me she was not gung ho on doing any spinal manipulations on me due to my osteoporosis! PT in the USA can do adjustments and dry needling if they are trained.

So my advice is be serious about your bone loss. You do not want to get to stage 4 osteoporosis where just walking along can cause a bone break and I am not talking about the upper leg bone breaks from the meds. Google a website by a major hospital system and read up on osteoporosis and the medications. I am not a physician just going through this myself. Best wishes to you.

Detachment isn't the absence of love but the ability to take care of yourself in the midst of someone else's choices.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Been checked lately, decided against shot to help strengthen bones. Fosomax, can't take it made me deathly ill. I don't like what the shots could do. Gonna grin and bear it, and pray, for no falls. Tired of pumping things into the old bod. People my age are passing now all the time, I'm passing. Taking my vit D's and other pills, and that's that. My choice at this point of life.

I did my research too and I'm almost 78. It terrified me to read what could happen on all these suggested meds. Just against it, Taking the vitamins as my reg doc said. I want to be done with specialists. Tired of it

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

I am 77. I can't make a decision for anyone I can only state my own personal decision. Due to some medications I had introveniously in hospital, I went from osteopenia to osteoporosis -3 in hips in 7 months!! I was active, ideal weight, etc. I can't walk but few stepbecause of hips. . I use walker, power chair an stair lift. They have been after me to take the bone drugs. I refused after research. I am terrified. I had two friends who had jaw necrosis from them. One had whole side of face reconstructed though. And I had friend who had to stop the digs due to heart issue. But remember , I am in the over 60 crowd, lol! My luck I only qualify medically for One of the drugs, because of previous history of cancer, and I had Afib. I had ablasion and no occurance of afib since. The one drug I would have to take is life long. Ask, because some the bone drugs you can't stop. Once you do, you loose the bone density. The side effects are many, but for majority they are fine.

I have so many drug allergies when I have infection that requires antibiotics I have to go to hospital to have specialty IV done. So I am afraid to go further.

this is my thought for me so far. I have done extensive research and for me I am holding off. I am 77. If I started tomorrow it woukd take over a year to grow enough bone for a hip replacement. I would be about 79. Then recovery! I have spine issues with neuro stimulator, RA, etc. I also have knees that would need work. They were worried about knees being strong enough to support hip replacement recovery. IDK. I was thinking, I spent 2 years in and out of hospital with issues. Maybe for me I will pass. The bone drugs are way too risky for me. But we all have choices But it's also scary thinking of what might happen if I dont

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

@qualitygal wrote:
Been checked lately, decided against shot to help strengthen bones. Fosomax, can't take it made me deathly ill. I don't like what the shots could do. Gonna grin and bear it, and pray, for no falls. Tired of pumping things into the old bod. People my age are passing now all the time, I'm passing. Taking my vit D's and other pills, and that's that. My choice at this point of life.

I did my research too and I'm almost 78. It terrified me to read what could happen on all these suggested meds. Just against it, Taking the vitamins as my reg doc said. I want to be done with specialists. Tired of it

@qualitygal you must my other self, lol! I hear you, my sentiments exactly!

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan

juanitalinda · ‎03-11-2010

Truly everyone's situation is different.

I believe that Evenity was a life saver .... literally.

While my dexascans indicated osteopenia rather than osteoporosis, I started suffering spontaneous fragility fractures 2 years ago. None of those 'money hungry' doctors even suggested Fosamax, but they suggested PT to improve my balance and reduce my risk of falling.

It took me almost a year to get to a bone specialist. By then I had fractured my femur into 5 parts, while bending over to pet my dog .... my rib, while sleeping, and my lumbar spine while putting on deodorant. (Clearly balance wasn't the problem.)

The bone doctor was pretty blunt .... I needed to take Evenity immediately since it works faster than any of the other drugs. In his words, 'you don't have 2 years for Tymlos to build your bones. You might not be here to see the results.'

It was the first time I realized that osteoporosis can be fatal. As he pointed out, I was lucky I didn't hit the toilet or tile when I fell in the bathroom. I might not be so lucky next time.

I have now gone 15 months without a fracture and can finally start doing some exercises without fear of breaking another bone.

So, yes .... do your research ... look at your medical history and your family history, eat healthy and exercise. But sometimes those infusions are life saving.