Connect
← Return to Bisphosphonates or Not? Both No Win
Discussion
Bisphosphonates or Not? Both No Win
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jan 30, 2022 | Replies (92)Comment receiving replies
In reply to @sunflower My decision to pursue medication was based on seeing my aunt as an older person, who was unable to stand up straight and had to live on oxygen as a result of the position her body contorted in from osteoporosis. There were no drugs available when she was old and it remained steadfast in my memory of this wonderful woman, who was a professional ballroom dancer (with her husband) but could no longer enjoy any life outside of their small assisted care setting. She lived a long time this way. She was a small, petite woman (and so am I)....thus, this was my journey....will it be the right one? Who knows....but it will have to be for me....there will not be looking back but only forward to what life has to offer me as I move along in my life.....I’ve had to wrestle with these decisions a long time and I have had a few stress fractures, but otherwise things have been going along...many Bisphosphonates I was unable to tolerate due to migraines, but I think I’ve been on all of them with mixed results. Right now Prolia is what I am using with good results, but that may not be the decision that you reach. Good luck; have faith in your decision; and if a doctor doesn’t feel comfortable working with your decision; I would look for a different one.
Replies to "In reply to @sunflower My decision to pursue medication was based on seeing my aunt as..."
I am 76 y.o. and recently found out I have severe osteoporosis. I have problems with many drugs. I also have polyneuropathy. I was anxious to take the first thing my endocrinologist offered, Evenity, a newer drug that can help rebuild bone as well as stop further destruction. After 5 months I was tired of feeling so bad, tired, weak, etc. and asked for something else. He gave me Tymlos which I injected myself daily. That lasted about 2 weeks but it was the same thing - I didn't want to feel bad the rest of my life so he switched me to Alendronate, oral once a week which has hardly any side effects but only works on stopping the destruction. In hindsight the Evenity wasn't as bad as the Tymlos but the doctor won't let me go back to it. So I live with fear every moment that I will have a fracture, especially in my spine. Like you I am small - 4'11", 115 lbs. I struggle to exercise but I am afraid of becoming like your aunt so I keep trying. Your post touched me and inspires me. Thank you for sharing your experience and point of view and your advice.
Connect
Hello migizii and thanks so much for sharing your story! I'm so glad you are doing well with Prolia and so sorry you suffered migraines while trying to find the best medicine for your osteoporosis.
My heart is aching for what your aunt went through. Ballet dancers have the best posture!! I 'm thinking they must have braces to prevent posture nowadays??
When you feel up to it and are comfortable sharing, could you please tell me which meds you tried and what your side effects were and how your DEXA scans improved with each one. Also, how long you were on each one.
Thanks so much. I was not aware of the posture and breathing problems that can occur with osteoporosis.
@dappy
Many blessings, Sunnyflower