Wellness

[Witchy Woman]

@BarbiHollywood 

A couple of years back, I tried Fosamax and had terrible joint pain.  Especially in the pelvic area.  It was relentless.  I stopped taking it and the pain went away.

The endocrinologist recommended Prolia and I thought about it for several weeks.  I read everything I could about this class of drugs.

Finally, I decided I just wasn't going get any more scans and was not going to take the meds.  My health is important to me, but it just made me so anxious, I had to make a choice.

I'm healthy, eat right, exercise and I'll be 75 this year.  I realize this is a "head in the sand approach" but every time I read about these meds, I would make myself sick with worry.

I know I'm at risk, but life is risky.  

[Sue4802]

     I have ostiopenia + I have for at least a couple years.  I'm 69 + my Mom had osteoporosis.  I had a dexa scan in the last year + my results have not changed.  I now take 2000 mg. of vitamin D3.  That's all I was told to do.  I was taking 1000 mg. + my doctor told me to up the dose to 2000 mg several months ago.  This seemed to help me.  I don't know if this helps, but I drink a 30 g. protein Ensure every morning with 100 mg. of caffeine.  I don't drink coffee, so that's why I drink the one with caffeine in the morning.  I don't know if that protein helps.  Sometimes at night if I haven't had enough protein during the day, I will drink a 30 g. protein of Ensure at night.  My doctor never recommended anything more to me.  

[chessylady]

I am 76 and took a fall at home two years ago, fracturing my femur. I made a full recovery. My most recent scan shows I still have osteopenia. My doctor suggested I take Fosamax. I had heard nothing but bad side effects fom people I know. I researched online and found the drug Evista( raloxifene is generic).It strengthens bones and also lowers the risk of invasive breast cancer. Since my Mother had breast cancer, this drug helps me in two ways. I have had no side effects and I take a pill every morning.

[on the bay]

@amyb,

This dr said he wouldn't take statins for the same reason I was afraid to-blood clots, risk of stroke and other serious side effects and warnings. As someone else said,a risk of osteoporosis also.

I've pretty much decided just what @Witchy Woman has-to not take any of the osteo drugs again.

I've had severe osteoporosis since I was in my 40's. My mother and both aunts and sister have it too.

And I was a gymnast thru college so I don't think that helped. Maybe it did for some but maybe a lot of this is just how we are made-genetics?

I just won't take something that not only has caused pain and with reclast an er visit and not only that but some of these osteo drugs didn't help.

So no more scans-why take them? I know the result hasn't been good in the past and I know I won't take any of these drugs anymore.

I feel for me it's the only thing I can do.

My mother who took them all most of her life, died several days after a fall. So I guess we each have to weigh what the benefits if any, there are, vs the many risks.

Even the newer ones have pretty much the same risks-heart attack, stroke, or death from a heart or blood vessel problem, due to taking these types of drugs.

I'm glad for those who have no side effects and that have improved bone scans.

I would never have tried them if I just had osteopenia,

and certainly drs and pts should be cautious about prescribing osteo drugs for pts with this.

I hope drs adequately inform and discuss with pts what the side effects are rather than automatically prescribing any drug because it is the usual mode of treatment.

I like to read askapatient.com which has real reviews from patients taking drugs. You put in the drugs name and see pt reviews and side effects.

I am going to try those prunes!

[4kitties]

@Cheriblossom 

I had never heard about prunes being beneficial for osteopenia!  Thank you for mentioning it.  I am going to start eating them today.

[sandy53]

I took generic Fosamax for 3 years with no side effects.  But then tests showed my bone density was worse.  So I started on Prolia.  I was worried about side effects but I have not had any.  I get my second infusion later this month.  

I lift weights and take calcium to help, also.  I am 72 and don't want to break any bones.  My mother broke ribs just by leaning over the arm a chair to pick something up.  I slipped on our dock ladder into the water last week and am bruised, but no broken bones.  

Check with your medicare drug plan to make sure your choice is covered.  The infusions are very expensive.

[SilleeMee]

PRUNES according to google:

Prunes contain several nutrients that are beneficial for bone health, including vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, boron, and polyphenols. These compounds work together to support bone density, prevent bone loss, and potentially improve bone quality.

I eat prunes everyday plus I take the compounds found in them in supplement form. Boron is a good one for bone health. Very inexpensive and you don't need much of it.

[kaydee50]

From reading these responses it sounds like the "cure" can be worse than the "disease."  I do not take any drugs and would be very reluctant to unless my life depended on it. I do take vitamin D3 and eat yogurt almost every night.

And thanks for the info about prunes.  I LOVE prunes and either eat them as is or "stew" them in water in the microwave for a minute or so.  Add some half and half and yummy!

[on the bay]

Some people should not take boron. For example those who should not have an increase in estrogen.

Also there is a maximum amt listed for each age group. Anything higher can be poisonous.

That is the problem not only with rx drugs but over the counter and also vitamins, and supplements,and homeopathic meds. They also have side effects or are contraindicated for some with certain medical problems or taking certain medications.

You really have to be just as careful with anything you eat or use in supplements and vitamins just like we should with prescription drugs.

[dimin]

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@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:

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@dimin wrote:

You still take stuff. I don't know why you had to go there with the filthy, money making useless drek. You don't know everything.

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@willowbark wrote:

One of the richest women in the world with access to concierge medicine at the snap of her fingers and lo and behold, she broke a hip. 

Conversely, my mother of modest means was lassoed and cattle roped by her GP and she went on to break her collar bone and a few years later her femur which ended up killing her before she could get help while waiting in the ER. 

As for  myself, I will never take any of their filthy, money-making useless drek. I take calcium (with D3 and K2) and exercise. 

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You may want to ask yourself why you are so triggered by her comment. 

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I know why. Do you want to know why?