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.

@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

thank you very much for this very enlightening piece..I am really having second thoughts on having Prolia injections. I am 69 yo, had a T12 compression fracture a month ago, i have tweaked my diet to get more healthy bone building nutients in my body. I am still in body brace and I am pretty mobile but not as active as before..I am taking each moment slowly..i haven't decided yet if I have to get the recommended treatment since my T score is -4.3 for lumbar and -3.6 for L femoral neck. I was adviced I should to prevent fractures.

Any thought on this please is great appreciated. Thank you!

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

Thank you for your cimment on Prolia. Still I am having second thoughts on this drug for my severe osteoporosis.

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

@evysar26 ...I think you need to research this drug, weigh out the pros and cons. Keep in mind, not everyone experiences the bad side effects. Only you can decide if you want to try it. That said, as I posted here before, I also have serious osteoporosis with high fracture risk. I've done everything right all my life, I was a personal trainer, worked out daily, ate right, including supplements, yet by age 50, not even in menopause yet, I was starting with osteoporosis. I went on Actonel, and hormone therapy. No improvement. Switched to other bone meds, no improvement. Then I began to have verrrrry severe tormenting rashes, so I was taken off all the meds. Had many skin biopsies at mayo clinic, watching for something medically wrong with me. Recently told by mayo endocrinologist to try start slow with Actonel, then move onto Prolia, because my bones are worse now. I did, ....rashes began, and bad body pains, and sweats. I took myself off, and going the home remedies. I just ordered K2...but starting with 400mcg. There are side effects with high doses, such as clotting. I dont believe in mega doses of supplements...your kidneys do the work of filtering. I do include calcium citrate, and magnesium...my multi has the rest. Eat the greens, make a bone broth(skim off the fat), google it. Take 30 min walks. I'm due next year for bone density..we'll see. Hope you decide, and have great results either way!

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

The Japanese health ministry has done studies to see if there’s a LD50 (Lethal dose for 50% of population) for taking vitamin K2. There’s none. It’s safer than drinking water. I’m taking 2,000 mcg of K2 in liquid form daily. If you’re after stronger bones add 1,500 iu of D3 with 600 mg of magnesium, zinc and vitamin A. Don’t take any supplemental calcium as that causes calcification of the arteries. K2 will remove calcium from your arteries at high doses. K2 will not make your blood clot more then is healthy no matter how much you take.

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

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.

Jump to this post

I suggest that you log into User reviews - Prolia. There are other sites with reviews as well. I have a fat folder with nothing but reviews on Forteo and Prolia. I came to the conclusion, after spending hours on this, that it is like Russian roulette. I'm not a gambler so I said "no" even though my doctor said he thought the benefits outweigh the risks. I disagree. I think Forteo and Prolia should have had more testing before they were approved by the FDA. I read the reviews on the Freedom Trials, on which the FDA approval was based, and I was not convinced of their accuracy. ....One recent writer on Prolia wrote: Call FDA to report negative side effects 1 888-463-6332. Especially if you are having stomach issues. Be sure to report if the doctor reviewed your possible side effects or did they say "No side effects". Tell the FDA about your doctors reaction to your reports of Prolia side effects. Did they say this couldn't be prolia? The more we report the more likely they will review this drug. See Ask a patient anyone on prolia Topix any one on prolia. You are not alone.

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.

Jump to this post

Thank you for taking time for writing back. I really appreciate it very much! LIKE YOU I am not a gambler. I am still in this diet and supplement regimen and haven't gotten to decide if I am going for this Prolia injection treatment of choice. I am still in the mend from my broken vertebrae and still is in body brace. I have read a lot of bad reviews on Prolia and other drugs of choice for osteoporosis.
I am on the diet and long slow walks regimen as of now!!

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.

Jump to this post

It sounds to me as if you are doing all thel right thigs. I am curious - which vertebrae did you break and did you have it operated on?

REPLY
@showgringirl

Yes, I think that is correct. You can fact check with the National Osteoporosis Foundation and probably with Mayo web resources. As one concerned with this issue I also follow The Cleveland Clinic AND emphasize to myself to continue weight bearing exercise and avoid those known bone loss habits like tobacco, excess alcohol, etc, since I have to take medications like gabapentin and steroids for my illness.

Jump to this post

@evysar26 and all you with osteoporosis My girlfriend had that injection almost killed her Don't take a risk instead do your weight bearing exercises Dr put her on Vi t D 5,000 everyday plus stayed away from calcium supplements Dr told her to eat food hi in calcium also swimming don't do above that will harm you as showgringirl says

REPLY

I've read through all of your posts and although I agree that the RX's like Prolia have risks, sometimes supplements and exercise aren't enough. I just turned 61 and despite working out religiously for 3 decades and taking all the right supplements, my spine went to -3.0. The bone building lifestyle didn't work. My doctor (great RA) went through all the risks and benefits and said I couldn't afford to do nothing. I've already had a compression fracture in my back that had noting to do with taking bone building drugs. I am getting my first Reclast infusion and I was told to 1. get the infusion over a 55 minute time frame 2. drink a lot of water before and after and 3. start taking Tylenol the day before. The flu like symptoms may appear but go away after 2-3 days. No, I would rather not take the drugs but doing nothing isn't an option for me. Also, there are many people who have successfully taken the treatments but don't post anything about NOT feeling any side effects. It's a personal choice. I'll keep you guys informed.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.