Osteoporosis meds: How do they work?

I broke my hip so 78 and I am walking without a cane. It’s not worse than cancer

Was on Fosamax for a few years..quite a while ago...then nothing..except Remicade (Rheumatiod Arthritis @ Crohn's)..about to receive Prolia Anyone have feelings on this med pro? con?

I must disagree with the previous writer regarding bone cells. These cells reproduce themselves your entire life. However age, and life style choices etc can obviously make a difference between the death and regeneration of cells. Look at an X-ray sometime, are the bones white or a shade of gray? If grayish it represents mineral loss.
It was once believed brains cells didn’t regenerate but this theory is slowly being shot down. It has been proven brain cells in rats, birds and monkeys do regenerate. I’m interested in cell regeneration because I have Epilepsy and since it’s believed by many Neurosciencintists we are born with 50-75 trillion brain cells that would last our entire life. This belief is in serious doubt. When new cells move to their new location some cells may be damaged or not end up where they should. Some scientists now feel these misplaced or damaged cells may be responsible for Epilepsy and other diseases.

Oops... I meant to say the first writer.

As we age it becomes harder to make D from the sun. The belly and leg exposure during the noontime hour is the best time. It’s very important to take vitamin K2 to pull calcium out of the soft tissue like arteries and move it into the bones. This will prevent D toxicity when you supplement D3 at high levels. Vitamin A and zinc is needed to round out the vitamins needed to build strong bones until we die. A 25(OH)D test can determine you D levels. 50-80 ng/ml is best for overall health. Every cell in our body has a D receptor on it. High levels of D can help prevent cancer.

I am very allergic to lots of meds, food and wool and I had Reclast years ago with no bad affects. Then I had nothing partly because of a dislike of all medicine even I needed it. Now I am a insulin dependent diabetic (not taking anything nowper Dr's advice) and can only take Prolia. I liked Reclast because (I) It is only given 1 time a year; (ii)It is a fairly fast procedure; (iii) It's relatively painless; and (iv) (I had no side effects.Good Luck.

I'm 61 and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've resisted drugs like Fosomax because they never agreed with my mother (knee joint pain) and I believe these things are hereditary. Now I'm getting Prolia injections and after 3 injections am about to have my bone density tested. I've always been physically active and must admit to feeling "betrayed" by the bone density test. When I asked how it works, it seems to be a comparison test - that is comparing one's first test with the next. I agree that each woman's journey is different but I haven't read anything good about Fosomax, Actonel, etc and that's why I was never committed. We'll see how Prolia goes - I'll report back here.

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?

Hi @judipie, welcome to Connect. You mentioned having diabetes, although you don't have to take anything for it currently, you may find the Diabetes & Endocrine System group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/.

@judipie, if you don't mind sharing, would you care to let the other members know the results of your reclast treatment?

I've been taking 35mg fosmax/week for nearly 10 years ( with one year off ). I'm very active hiking, do farm chores, go to aerobics & use weights & Take a multivitamin with 600 mg calcium. But my bone density continues to decline. My family practioner thinks I should double my dosage of fosmax or consult a rheumatologist. Don't know what to do......