Wellness

[SeaMaiden]

It is a very individual decision.  Most women after 60 have Osteoporosis.  The drugs can have some serious side effects.  Read up on them....make a decision.  Your doctor offered two choices...there are other choices not pharma related. You need to do the work.  Personally I chose NOT to take the drugs. 

[tiredlady]

I have had osteoporosis for years.  I have tried all of it.  I finally did the IV.  It worked great except I broke out in a horrible rash and had to go to the dermatologist three times a week.  It brought me back to no osteoporosis and it lasted for about 3 years.  I would do it again in a heartbeat if it hadn't caused a rash!!

[on the bay]

I've had osteoporosis for a long time esp due to taking synthroid for a single cold nodule in my thyroid which they later learned is not helped by synthroid!

Anyway I've had them all except for Prolia. 

I had reactions to all esp. reclast (the once a year thing) a really awful reaction like someone punched me in the leg and didn't stop.

I had boniva iv and all the other pills.Boniva, fosamax, actonel, even the nose mist didn't help and I had side effects from all.

But I do tend not to do too well with a lot of things. Everyone is different.

My mother takes prolia and has had no side effects.

 I'm afraid to try anymore at this point even though one dr said my bones were like an 80 year old (which I'm not).

I always say I'll try anything once.

I guess we all just have to read up on it all and make a decision and see what helps without uneeded side effects.

It is encouraging to hear about several taking prolia with no reactions. 

And I did not know that reclast can only be given 3 times. Very interesting. I had mine more than five years ago.

I wish you luck in all this! It is hard to decide or know what to do for sure.

[software]

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@joann1218 wrote:

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.

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All great answers here.

Check with your insurance as well.

[Patriot3]

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@joann1218 wrote:

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.

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@joann1218  Yes, I have osteoporosis.  My Mom had it, too, but in her day there wasn't much that could be done.  I have had it for about 12 yrs.  I took Forteo.  It is an injection that you give yourself once a day.  It was expensive.  Ins took care of some of it.  You're only supposed to take it for 2 yrs, but I took it longer w/pauses in between for a total of about 4 yrs. 

I had no side effects and it did help.

I had a dexascan a few months ago (not good) and Dr. asked if I wanted to go back on Forteo.  Checked w/my Ins and it would cost me 888.00/ month.  Can't do that, so I'm on Fosamax which costs me 1.80/month.  You take it once a week.

I didn't want to go the Reclast or Prolia route.  I thought, what if there are side effects and you're stuck w/that for 6 mos or a year.

I wish you good luck w/whatever you do.  It's not fun having this disease/condition.....whatever you want to call it. 

[NickNack]

I found out I had osteoporosis earlier this year.  I researched the treatments before I saw my doctor and decided I wanted to get Prolia injections every six months.  I had tried to take Fosamax (one of the osteoporosis drug choices) when I developed osteopenia and had such horrible aches and pains that I had to quit taking it.  My sister had the same side effects from that drug.

When I told my doctor that I wanted to take the Prolia injections she agreed that they would be a good choice.  She discussed it with me at length, and we decided to go that route.  I am almost due for my second injection and had no reaction to the first one.  

[sidsmom]

Diet should be the first line of attack on the osteoporosis diagnosis.

-Eliminate acidic foods (dairy, meat & other animal products, oils, processed foods, eggs, coffee, antacids, carbonated drinks)

-Increase fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, beans

There are many studies saying Fosamax & other osteoporosis-preventing drugs...actually DO contribute of bone loss.  So counter-productive, but drugs have an amazing marketing team.

Just eat whole, plant based foods for optimum health, as always. 

[SilleeMee]

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@sidsmom wrote:

Diet should be the first line of attack on the osteoporosis diagnosis.

-Eliminate acidic foods (dairy, meat & other animal products, oils, processed foods, eggs, coffee, antacids, carbonated drinks)

-Increase fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, beans

There are many studies saying Fosamax & other osteoporosis-preventing drugs...actually DO contribute of bone loss.  So counter-productive, but drugs have an amazing marketing team.

Just eat whole, plant based foods for optimum health, as always. 

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I can say this is true in my case where the IV Zometa I received caused severe cervical vertebrae to degenerate so extensively that I ended up needing surgery to correct the problem. My case is rare but it does happen and it can happen with any bone in the body.

[lizzys]

@joann1218 Getting this diagnosis is very scary but don't panic and jump into a trreatment before doing your research.  I know because I was where you are a few years ago.  Some good places to do your research are;

Melioguide dotcom and Margaret Martin's youtube channel for safe exercises

Susan Brown's website - betterbones dotcom

National Osteoporosis website - they have a great messabe board there too.

Lani Simpson wrote a book Bone Health Guide & has website. She did PBS show too.

Lara Pizzorno wrote a book- Your Bones

Susie Hathaway is osteoporosis exercise site strenthtrainingforosteoporosis dotcom

There are some vitamins you might need such as vitamin D, magnesium, Vitamin K2 (MK7) etc. that are mentioned in the resources above.

Did your doctor give you tests to find out if there was a reason for your bone loss such as Vitamin D, Parathyroid, Celiac disease and others.  A doctor should not perscribe medication off a dexa scan only.  If you have a health condition causing osteoporosis then just taking bone meds won't be the answer.

Take care.

[BirkiLady]

JoAnn1218 ~ My physician prescribed Boniva, which I took without any problems for 5-6 years. A fracture was a frequent occurance. My bones certainly improved and I chose to stop taking the monthly pill, although he wasn't completely behind my decision. Two years later, I have no regrets. Tests confirm no problems and my bones are strong again! It sounds like new and improved alternatives are now available. Best wishes on renewed health.