Undecided choice of drugs for Osteoporosis
I am 80 years old women and have borderline osteoporosis which affects my entire body. My doctor wants me to take Prolia and the Rheumatologist wants me to take Reclast. I’m unhappy with both choices as the side effects are great and I do not tolerate new drugs well. I am very undecided and am considering doing not taking annty drugs for this condition. I have never had a fracture and I’m very active Any opinions or advice.
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He had said just one Reclast infusion when I started Forteo in July,2022. I was 75 at that time.
@guinivere Evenity, Forteo and Tymlos are not bisphosphonates. Prolia isn't either.
Alendronate (Fosamax) and Reclast (zoledronic acid) are the bisphosphonates most often mentioned here.
From online: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24753-bisphosphonates
There are two main types of bisphosphonates — oral (taken by mouth) bisphosphonates and IV (intravenous, or through your vein) bisphosphonates.
Oral bisphosphonates that healthcare providers in the United States can currently prescribe include:
Alendronate (Fosamax®).
Risedronate (Actonel®).
Ibandronate (Boniva®). This medication also comes in IV form.
IV bisphosphonates that providers can currently prescribe in the U.S. include:
Pamidronate (Aredia®).
Zoledronic acid (Reclast®, Zometa®).
@windyshores Thank you for this explanation. It's very clear and helpful.
Bless you for this! I haven't mentioned this online yet but I also have COPD - was diagnosed about 7 yeas ago. I have been on Incruse Ellipta & Advair HFA since then & have been doing well. BUT from what have I been reading BOTH of those meds are contraindicated for their effects on bone! My latest bone density test in October was not good & I am waiting to received the results of the one prior which was in 2013! My doctor is the old fashioned kind that is so rare these days - no appointment takes less than an hour & he is as concedrned with what is going on with me psychologically/emotionally as well as physically. But I am very upset with him for dropping the ball re my bones! I am in a bad place on all this what with my bones & my lungs!
I think I need to reach out to Dr McCormick.
Thank you for listening & for your help.
Did I mention I just turned 86. Other than the above, feel pretty good. I run a cat rescue out of my housewhich I love doing. Read tons of books & love watching pro tennis! Can't play anymore cause of my bones.
@guinivere I have COPD also. I have taken Flovent (steroid) for year, and have also taken Advair. Both the meds you mentioned are combos of steroid and bronchodilator I believe (but check with a pharmacist or doc).
I don't personally believe these meds can cause osteoporosis. I think age and lack of estrogen does 🙂
I know that oral steroids like prednisone can cause osteoporosis but the meds you and I take don't have the same impact for the whole body and are more localized. Or so I have been told. The fact of the matter is, those meds are needed and without them you might have needed oral prednisone which would have been much worse for bones!
Re Great Bones, I am really liking the case studies. Lots of info there!
I have a possibly dumb question. I just joined this group a bit ago but everything I see has a October 2023 date!
I honestly don't know. The Advair & Incruse I am taking for my COPD has opened up the big bag of worms called Osteoporosis which involves still more meds which may cause yet further problems. And so on & so on.
Did your doc or pharmacist tell you these meds caused your osteopororis? I find any mention of steroids, even 4mg for two days, causes some docs to tell me it is bad for bones. My rheumatologist denied this. I don't know either but I do know that the meds you mention are absorbed mainly locally. For me, age and cancer meds that eliminated estrogen were the culprits.
Osteoporosis meds can be very helpful and hoping you can stay on your COPD meds too.
@guinivere the first post was October 23. There are many pages to the thread. You can click on "view more" on the earlier pages to get to the present...but you are already here!
the inconsistencies in opinions drive me crazy.