Wellness

[joann1218]

I have been diagnosed with osteoporsis. My doctor has given me the choice of a weekly pill or getting an IV once a year.  Does anyone else have this condition and what are you taking for it?   Your opinion on your course of action is appreciated.

[Nightowlz]

Sorry you are dealing with osteoporosis. I really don't have any answers for you. I have read some about those pills they use to treat and those don't sound very good. I would do my research on any medication the doctor wants you to take so you can discuss it with him/her.

[KingstonsMom]

@joann1218

I have had osteoporosis in my neck, lower spine and 1 hip for almost 10 years now.

Since I was diagnosed back then, I have taken calcium, Fosamax and eat a high calcium diet, but nothing helped.

My Endocrinologist finally suggested Prolia, which is an injection that I gave myself every 6 months for 3 years.

Just yesterday I had another scan and my osteo has significantly improved! I'm so excited!

I have read a lot about the IV, but found a lot of mention of side effects, you may want to research that.

I had no side effects at all with the Prolia injections.

[Apple Crisp]

@KingstonsMom Thank you for the heads up on Prolia. My doctor has recommended it for me and I have been hesitating. Our local hospital gives the injections here. My kidney doctor also told me it is the best med for osteoporosis. I am happy to hear you improved with it. I think I may give it a try.

[KingstonsMom]

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@Apple Crisp wrote:

@KingstonsMom Thank you for the heads up on Prolia. My doctor has recommended it for me and I have been hesitating. Our local hospital gives the injections here. My kidney doctor also told me it is the best med for osteoporosis. I am happy to hear you improved with it. I think I may give it a try.

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@Apple Crisp

If your Dr. recommended it, don't hesitate!

My recent scan showed 'significant' improvement!

[Big Joanie]

The one thing you will have to do is give up diet soda.. I don't know about

regular ....it contains quite a large concentration of phosphoric Acid ..

which will leach calcium out of your system to balance the acid level in

your blood stream ...

[violann]

SO HELPFUL. Thanks SO MUCH, Ladies!

[KathyM23]

I haven't heard about Prolia, but I had Reclast treatments about 10 years ago.  This is an IV medicine for Osteoporis that you got once a year, took about 45 minutes to complete. Don't know if Prolia is similar to that or not.   I had a treatment for 3 years.  Then my doctor said that was the most treatments that could be given.  My bone density improved 10% after the three years.

I don't know about the side effects, I know there were many listed as there always are, but I am thinking since you could only get three treatments, "they" decided that it probably wasn't such a good med.  I know that I had a lot of pain in my bones after for about a week or so and also did not feel very well.  But I do react strongly to meds.  The explanation for the joint pain was that the med was going to the bones were it was needed.  I don't know if it was a good or bad decision to have the treatment and I'm not sure if it is still available or if it is similar to Prolia.  You might want to check that out with your physician.  I do know that I would not have had a 4th treatment even if it had been available.

Anyone else familiar with Reclast treatments?

[Mom2Dogs]

Yes, I have that as well and take a pill once a month...I will be reevaluating the need of the drug in 3 years.   My insurance would not cover the injection.

[SilleeMee]

I received a Zometa IV when I first got diagnosed years ago. I experienced some adverse reactions to the Zometa which did not occur until months after I had received it. Since then my bone density tests are normal but at the time of my initial diagnosis it was severely low. My doc has not recommended any more treatments for me. I have been keeping myself healthy with diet and exercise.