1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

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.

dazlin | @dazlin | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @showgringirl "Yes, I think that is correct. You can fact check with the National Osteoporosis Foundation and..." + (show)
@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.

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Wow, news to me about stopping calcium supplements. Not sure I would do that, but I'll look into researching it.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @tessie "Osteoporosis; of course the Doc says, weight bearing exercise but no, after several years cycling, walking..." + (show)
@tessie

Osteoporosis; of course the Doc says, weight bearing exercise but no, after several years cycling, walking and fitness club, I still lost bone density.... long story. I take Calcium and Vit. D. Further, I have received my first Prolia injection each once every 6-months. We'll see. Doc said the worse is suffering broken hip. Worse than cancer he said. Thanks for writing grandmabubblestwin.

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Hi @jimma, welcome to Connect.
As the Community Guidelines state, we suggest rather than dictate what people should or shouldn't do.
"Be careful about giving out medical advice: Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do."
See the short 10 rules of participation here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

It appears that you've done quite a bit of research. Do you have a diagnosis of osteoporosis yourself?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @showgringirl "Yes, I think that is correct. You can fact check with the National Osteoporosis Foundation and..." + (show)
@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.

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Here's a great page of information from the National Osteoporosis Foundation about Calcium and Vitamin D
https://www.nof.org/patients/treatment/calciumvitamin-d/

According to the article, many Americans are not getting enough calcium in their diet. To help you increase your calcium intake through diet, they provide information on how much you need, a calcium calculator to see if you're getting enough and a list of calcium-rich foods. The article provides similar information about vitamin D.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @dkapustin "I've read through all of your posts and although I agree that the RX's like Prolia..." + (show)
@dkapustin

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.

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Thanks @dkapustin for providing the other side of experience with treatments for osteoporosis such as Prolia and Reclast. You're so right that it is a personal choice. And everyone is different. Medical providers should discuss the potential risks and benefits. My mom takes Prolia and experiences benefits that have improved her quality of life. We are both aware of the potential side effects and monitor for these closely. It is a fine balance.

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lioness | @lioness | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @dkapustin "I've read through all of your posts and although I agree that the RX's like Prolia..." + (show)
@dkapustin

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.

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@dkapustin everyone ,s body is different so I hope it works for you If you think it will ,it will I believe in mind over matter

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evysar26 | @evysar26 | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @dkapustin "I've read through all of your posts and although I agree that the RX's like Prolia..." + (show)
@dkapustin

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.

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I am trying to keep an open mind and a wholisyic approach to managing my osteoporosis. I appreciate all the comments abd feedbacks on how to manage this discomfort brought about by aging ..

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evysar26 | @evysar26 | Jun 19, 2018

These are very scary side effects. I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis after a bad fall a month ago. I haven't decided yet if I have to get the Prolia injection. I am focusing on having a healthy diet for bone health plus supplements and long distance energy healing and self healing aa well.
I will appreciate all comments and feedback related to management of this illness.

Thank you very much!!

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1 reply
jimma | @jimma | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @dkapustin "I've read through all of your posts and although I agree that the RX's like Prolia..." + (show)
@dkapustin

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.

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Most people believe that they get adequate vitamin supplementation, but without testing it’s impossible to know. What was your D levels in your blood using the 25(OH)D test. How mush K2 are you taking in? How much magnesium do you consume? My D levels are 66 ng/ml, what’s yours?

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evysar26 | @evysar26 | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @showgringirl "Yes, I think that is correct. You can fact check with the National Osteoporosis Foundation and..." + (show)
@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

Thank you @lionness..for your comment on my predicament..I haven't decided yet but I am on a bone healthy diet plus I am taking my supplements.. Also I am still healing from a backbone fracture and cannot do strengthening exercises yet!

I do appreciate your input! Thanks much!!

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evysar26 | @evysar26 | Jun 19, 2018

Thank you for your input @dkapustin . That is exactly what my Primary care MD told me..that the benefits of having Prolia injections putweighs the bad side effects considering I have a fractured spine already and a finding of severe osteoporosis.

I am looking to more comments regarding these treatments.

Thank you very much!!!

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