Osteoporosis meds: How do they work?

Posted by grandmabubblestwin @grandmabubblestwin, Nov 11, 2016

I've been reading about osteoporosis and this is what I've seen so far: An individual builds bone until about age 30 then they begin to lose bone. Osteo meds do not help you build bone, they may actually prevent the natural bone building process but they do help you retain the bone you have but can make bone brittle. Correct?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

I am not a candidate for typical injections/pills for osteoporosis. I have been on fosteum plus for two years, waiting next bone density scan to see if there is improvement in my osteoporosis. Has anyone tried this bone food?

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @grandmabubblestwin, and welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your concerns about osteoporosis.

While it may not be "reversing" bone loss in the normal aging process, you may find the following post from Mayo Clinic interesting regarding using exercise to strengthen your muscles around your bones to prevent further damage, http://mayocl.in/2fY805R. You may also want to check out the very long discussion taking place in the discussion called "Treating Osteoporosis" here, http://mayocl.in/29cSR8d.

I would like to invite @dolan to this conversation as she recently discussed using osteo meds to build and maintain bone density. I would also like to introduce @jaleen who did a lot of research on osteoporosis medications and may be able to offer some insight.

@grandmabubblestwin, have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis or are you just concerned about getting it?

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I stopped taking Fosamax about 7 years ago and started once yearly Reclast infusion. My bone density now shows small increase in bone density. Small, but also no further decline. I would like to suggest you see an endocrinologist to discuss other options than the Fosamax.

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jimma and @kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, welcome to Connect.

@jimma, that is an interesting point about vitamin K. If you don't mind me asking, is this something you learned from a provider?

@kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, a lot of members in this very discussion have talked extensively about their experiences with fosamax, as well as Prolia. How are you handling the Prolia injections thus for?

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First off K is known as K1 and K2. I’ve learned about it from lectures from phD doctors that do research. My personal Dr had never even heard of vitamin K2. The Japanese health ministry have done large studies with vitamin K two and found that it reduces death for all causes. K2 and D3 work together to make stronger bones while removing calcium where it’s not exposed to be.

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @jimma and @kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, welcome to Connect.

@jimma, that is an interesting point about vitamin K. If you don't mind me asking, is this something you learned from a provider?

@kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, a lot of members in this very discussion have talked extensively about their experiences with fosamax, as well as Prolia. How are you handling the Prolia injections thus for?

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So far, the Prolia injections are going well (as in no side effects). I will let you know how the bone tests go. It is my understanding that Prolia is a long-term commitment (10 years) and that there must be a slow weaning from the drug to avoid compression fractures.

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Posted by Jaleen:
Before you go on Prolia, I suggest that you log in on: "Center for Health Journalism" and click on "Prolia: Another wonder drug that wasn't".
I've spent countless hours studying Prolia and every time that I re-examined this medication, I came to the conclusion that, in spite of my severe osteoporosis (at -3.5), the risks of taking this drug far outweigh any promised benefits. I'm eating right, taking calcium and Vitamin D and K along with my regular meds, pole-walking and doing floor exercises. At 85, I feel great and see no reason to change what I am doing. To all persons in the Mayo Clinic chat room, I'd like to say - DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS AND ANY OTHER MEDS THAT PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES! I've read dozens of user reviews, and for every review that reported improved dexa-scan scores and no side effects, there are at least 5 others who reported that since taking this drug, their lives have been turned upside down with pain and other bad reactions and they warn others on the dangers of this drug! I am glad that, from the start, I decided to say "no" to Prolia or any other drug (such as Forteo) that purports to build bone density. For me, it was the right decision.

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The best way to build calcium is to help your body transform your dark greens into calcium. No need to take calcium suppments. I’m taking 25,000 iu of D3 with 1,500 mcg of K2 with A and zinc. My 25(OH)D is now 60 ng/ml, my blood calcium is 8.9 . I have cancer so I’m shooting for 80-100 ng/ml of D. The K2 will prevent D toxity.

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@jimma

The best way to build calcium is to help your body transform your dark greens into calcium. No need to take calcium suppments. I’m taking 25,000 iu of D3 with 1,500 mcg of K2 with A and zinc. My 25(OH)D is now 60 ng/ml, my blood calcium is 8.9 . I have cancer so I’m shooting for 80-100 ng/ml of D. The K2 will prevent D toxity.

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A ten year study at Mayo had only one person reach D toxity. They had 364 ng/ml of D and they weren’t taking any K2. They were also taking a lot of calcium supplements. The next lower patiants had 150 ng/ml of D with no toxity. There’s never been a recorded D toxity of 150 ng/ml or less. But to be safe you must take K2, A and zinc and forget the calcium.

REPLY
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @grandmabubblestwin, and welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your concerns about osteoporosis.

While it may not be "reversing" bone loss in the normal aging process, you may find the following post from Mayo Clinic interesting regarding using exercise to strengthen your muscles around your bones to prevent further damage, http://mayocl.in/2fY805R. You may also want to check out the very long discussion taking place in the discussion called "Treating Osteoporosis" here, http://mayocl.in/29cSR8d.

I would like to invite @dolan to this conversation as she recently discussed using osteo meds to build and maintain bone density. I would also like to introduce @jaleen who did a lot of research on osteoporosis medications and may be able to offer some insight.

@grandmabubblestwin, have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis or are you just concerned about getting it?

Jump to this post

You need to add D3 and K2 with zinc and vitamin A. The calcium your taking is going into your arteries and muscle not your bones.

REPLY
@jaleen

Posted by Jaleen:
Before you go on Prolia, I suggest that you log in on: "Center for Health Journalism" and click on "Prolia: Another wonder drug that wasn't".
I've spent countless hours studying Prolia and every time that I re-examined this medication, I came to the conclusion that, in spite of my severe osteoporosis (at -3.5), the risks of taking this drug far outweigh any promised benefits. I'm eating right, taking calcium and Vitamin D and K along with my regular meds, pole-walking and doing floor exercises. At 85, I feel great and see no reason to change what I am doing. To all persons in the Mayo Clinic chat room, I'd like to say - DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS AND ANY OTHER MEDS THAT PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES! I've read dozens of user reviews, and for every review that reported improved dexa-scan scores and no side effects, there are at least 5 others who reported that since taking this drug, their lives have been turned upside down with pain and other bad reactions and they warn others on the dangers of this drug! I am glad that, from the start, I decided to say "no" to Prolia or any other drug (such as Forteo) that purports to build bone density. For me, it was the right decision.

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I’m wondering what Mayo Clinic’s take is on this? I was prescribed Fosamax and didn’t ask enough questions and had several adverse reactions with it so quit. Have appt. to discuss with Dr. he is suggesting Prolia, at age 69, are risks takening it worse than not?

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