Bisphosphonates or Not? Both No Win

Right now, I go in every six months prior to the injection because my calcium tends to run a bit low and it needs to be in a certain range to receive the injection.....it always manages to be okay though....my endocrinologist attempted to increase my dosage but I couldn’t manage it, so I continue with 800mg of calcium in supplement form and a daily serving of yogurt. Also, I take 2000 mg of vitamin d daily (I live in northern Minnesota so do not get much access to natural absorption of the sun. Take care and stay safe!

Sunnyflower have you considered strontium citrate?

@colleenyoung Colleen, I had to drop out of the Mayo Connect for awhile. My daughter was getting off a horse and slipped. the horse stepped on her ankle and she ended up with a compound fracture in the Tibia, was fixed that night. Then a week later they went in to fix the fibula, which had 3 breaks. He put a plate on it and in 8 they will take it out. She was in tremendous pain, but is under control now with oxycodone every 5 hours. She was in the hospital for 13 days, waiting for a rehab place. Last Thursday they moved her to the Rehab Center of Des Moines. We can't see her yet, because of the covid-19. She seeing the surgeon today because it has been so swollen. It has been hard since I can't see her, but we do talk of the phone a lot. Jeanie lilypaws

Hi mcchesney, yes, Strontium is in my New Chapter Bone Strength. It is a plant based algae calcium ; easier to digest. Has the D and K vitamins and more. Thank you! @kathleen1314

Hello, I 'e been taking New Chapter Bone Strength for many years. It's a plant based calcium which is easier to absorb. It has everything in it that one needs. Vitamins D and K, Strontium, etc..

I do exercise but can't bend my knees (bone on bone in left, arthritis not quite as bad on right.) I stand with feet a little apart and shift my weight back and forth miving my arms as much as possible with my joints limitations.

I 've lost 200# over last 3 years, deliberate deprivition, but just learned low calorie diets are terrible for osteoporosis! I've made changes working with a nutritionist.

I' ve had lengthy discussions about the drug options with my endocrinologist who is just precious!

My dentist told me today: Alendronate has long half-life and stays in your for decades. After 3 doses of Reclast, no one will take teeth out if necessary. NO ONE!! Reclast doesn't build bone. So many risks, it's tearing me apart!

I think I have answered your questions.

Hope all is well with you and your family. I wish many blessings for you. Warmest regards, Sunnyflower

@sunnyflower I just had my first dose of Reclast What happened to you when on it? Have you had a recent dexascan? Will you let me know if what your on is helping,

Hello, I have not had Reclast nor any other bisphosphonates nor other medication for my osteoporosis. I saw my dentist on Monday and she told me that once you have three injections of Reclast, absolutely no one on earth will pull a tooth if you need it pulled. The risk is so high of the ONJ, Osteo necrosis of the jaw I think is what that stands for and there is no longer blood flow to that area of the jaw so how to keep it alive is a problem let alone should any of the teeth need invasive procedures. The more I read and learn about bisphosphonates, the more I want to stay away from them. I learned from my dentist that Alendronate, which is the every 3 months IV or injection (can't remember), stays in your bones for decades! My dentist is a Specialty Care dentist with much more and much higher degrees than the average dentist. People fly in from out-of-state to see doctors in this practice. So they have the sickest of the sick patients so I think my dentist knows what she is talking about. I will be discussing what I learned from my dentist, on my next phone call with my Endocrinologists coming up next week I believe. I am sorry, I do not mean to scare you or concern you but I did a lot of research on bisphosphonates and also the serious side effects can be rare, they are very serious. And the not so serious ones, are described as severe and debilitating which is, flu-like symptoms that is joint pain and muscle pain. Unfortunately, these symptoms can last the duration of the medication. But again that is rare. However, in the bone muscle and joint group that I have been participating in, quite a few people have suffered those symptoms. And they have struggled with different bisphosphonates trying to find the right one for them that they could tolerate. I don't need more of that personally and that would definitely debilitate me completely. I don't know what else to say, because I feel badly for telling you this since you just started Reclast. That is the one my endocrinologist wants me to be on. Endocrinologist have tried to get me on osteoporosis medications for about 5 years now but I so far have not been able to bring myself to do it. Please forgive me if this information has upset you. That is not my intent and I'm very worried about it. I do feel a moral obligation to tell people what I have learned when they bring up the subject. I wish you all the best from my heart, sunny 🤗

@sunnyflower. You didn't upset me I have been trying to decide for years and my pushy rheumatologist finally convinced me to try it I have a dexascan next July and I,ll see then I appreciate those who research everything so don't worry I'm glad you told me what you have found. I probably will not take anymore and stay on my calcium regimen I want to research strontium someone talked about to see if I should add it to what I'm doing now minus Reclast Thanks for your honesty .

Me again! I just wrote a reply to someone about Stronium. Here it is:Oops, I have been doing some reading, and strontium that is in my phone supplement mentioned in my last post, apparently is a heavier atom than bone and actually replaces places bone inside your bones can alter the results of the bone study scan. Boron however is much better I am going to change my supplement and make sure Boron is in it and not strontium. Of course supplement should have the right kind of calcium the two vitamins D's the two vitamin Ks as well. Supposedly the calcium in the plant-based algae supplement is easier to digest. Take good care, Sunny flower.