Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Posted by heritage1955 @heritage1955, Apr 1, 2016

Hi. I'm new to the site and am interested in treating osteoperosis. I'm 39 yo and recently had a bone density that showed I'm at -2.4. So, going through the intial "I can't believe it" stuff. 🙂

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@sue225

Wish I was brave enough to just stop .Prolia creates problems if you need/want a dental implant. Even when it comes to extracting the tooth, which just happened, the oral surgeon told me Prolia changes the bone making it much more rigid. The oral surgeon is reluctant to do the implant unless I am off Prolia for 6months. I know the endocrinologist will strongly advise against that and recommend switching to Reclast or Aclasta as it is known in Canada. I really dislike the thought of Aclasta more than I dislike being on Prolia. Also the oral surgeon doesn't like bisphosphonates either when it comes to bone turnover in the jaw! (And he mentioned the danger of osteonecrosis of the jaw).
If a crystal ball could tell me I would be one of the lucky ones to escape spontaneous vertebral fractures I would discontinue Prolia in a heartbeat!

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Hi,

As I have said before, my endocrinologist who is chairman of endocrinology at a large medical center in the Washington, D.C. area let me quit. Calculated my risk of quitting and put me on ergocalciferol and Vitamin D (plus my Vitamin B12. I feel 1000% better! I wish I had never started it as I had constant bone pain and lost a lot of my hair! I walk and do a moderate amount of exercise. The other osteoporosis drugs also made me sick but not as bad as prolia. Remember, medicine is big business and the big pharma companies want all of us on as many drugs as possible and doctors are part of the pharma group.
\Good luck, Kaye

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@sewcouture

Hi,

As I have said before, my endocrinologist who is chairman of endocrinology at a large medical center in the Washington, D.C. area let me quit. Calculated my risk of quitting and put me on ergocalciferol and Vitamin D (plus my Vitamin B12. I feel 1000% better! I wish I had never started it as I had constant bone pain and lost a lot of my hair! I walk and do a moderate amount of exercise. The other osteoporosis drugs also made me sick but not as bad as prolia. Remember, medicine is big business and the big pharma companies want all of us on as many drugs as possible and doctors are part of the pharma group.
\Good luck, Kaye

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Thanks for your response Kaye. My appointment at the osteoporosis clinic is at the end of February. (I do take 2000iu of Vit D daily). Will have the discussion then. (On a separate note, since I have been on Prolia, I have experienced hair loss, and my pre-existing problems (gastrointestinal & osteoarthritis) got much worse.) Thanks again.

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@sue225

Thanks for your response Kaye. My appointment at the osteoporosis clinic is at the end of February. (I do take 2000iu of Vit D daily). Will have the discussion then. (On a separate note, since I have been on Prolia, I have experienced hair loss, and my pre-existing problems (gastrointestinal & osteoarthritis) got much worse.) Thanks again.

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Hi, I am sorry you are having problems. Be your own advocate and do not do what your body is objecting to. Good luck, Kaye

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@tsc

Hi @sewcouture I also take Boron, Vitamin K, and L.Reuteri in addition to Vitamin D, Calcium and Magnesium. Good luck!

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L.Reuteri? Add zinc to that regimen.

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@smyth2022

I am a 85 year old woman with Osteoporosis. I was on Aromasin for 5 years after breast Cancer and went from Osteopenia to Osteoporosis. I had a yearly infusion of Reclast for five years, which not only stopped further bone loss, but slightly bettered my numbers. I have taken a brake from any meds for 5 years and my last Dexa scan showed osteoporosis. My doctor suggested Evivity, but I am reluctant because of the possible negative effects on cardio and higher risk of stroke. I am of normal weight and have only lost 1" of height. I am physically active (walking, dancing, gardening). I had a PA 3 years ago, of unknown cause, and am on a anti coagulant (Eliquis). My BP is controlled as is cholesterol. I have no known heart problems, kidneys and liver are fine. I am on A PPI for Acid reflux and had flare-ups of gastritis. I am leaning to take another infusion of Reclast as opposed to starting Evivity. My doctor also gave me the choice of Forteo, but I have ruled it out. She is waiting for me to make up my mind, having given me the pros and cons of all three medications. Since my remaining "lifespan" also needs to be considered, and the females in my family tend to life into their 90th, it is also a matter of quality of life. I have never had a broken bone, but I understand when it happens at my age, it may lead to death within a year. Any suggestions?

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Try to get off the PPI. Decreased acid in your stomach decreases absorption of calcium and other minerals, such as iron. Adjusting your diet? Taking a supplement which keeps acid from coming up? See a gastroenterologist.

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@cheriums

Try to get off the PPI. Decreased acid in your stomach decreases absorption of calcium and other minerals, such as iron. Adjusting your diet? Taking a supplement which keeps acid from coming up? See a gastroenterologist.

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I have had digestive problems for a long time. But I will get off the PPI and try one of the other acid suppressants. My diet is considering my problems. I also heard the PPI's can contribute to bone thinning. Thanks for the comment!

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@smyth2022

I have had digestive problems for a long time. But I will get off the PPI and try one of the other acid suppressants. My diet is considering my problems. I also heard the PPI's can contribute to bone thinning. Thanks for the comment!

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Cancel osteoporosis

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@smyth2022

I have had digestive problems for a long time. But I will get off the PPI and try one of the other acid suppressants. My diet is considering my problems. I also heard the PPI's can contribute to bone thinning. Thanks for the comment!

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There can be withdrawal from a PPI. Your system adjusts and actually may make more acid, which continues when you go off until your system adjusts to the new norm. It can help to use Zantac or Pepcid as a sort of bridge. I do 20mg then 10mg to help with withdrawal. It is possible that PPI's contribute to osteoporosis, I have read, but GERD is tough- I know!

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Agree! I am 68 and have been active all my life. I have increased the weight bearing exercise and better about taking calcium and D. Could not believe I have osteo in my lumbar. Hope to avoid any of those meds if I can !

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@sue225

Wish I was brave enough to just stop .Prolia creates problems if you need/want a dental implant. Even when it comes to extracting the tooth, which just happened, the oral surgeon told me Prolia changes the bone making it much more rigid. The oral surgeon is reluctant to do the implant unless I am off Prolia for 6months. I know the endocrinologist will strongly advise against that and recommend switching to Reclast or Aclasta as it is known in Canada. I really dislike the thought of Aclasta more than I dislike being on Prolia. Also the oral surgeon doesn't like bisphosphonates either when it comes to bone turnover in the jaw! (And he mentioned the danger of osteonecrosis of the jaw).
If a crystal ball could tell me I would be one of the lucky ones to escape spontaneous vertebral fractures I would discontinue Prolia in a heartbeat!

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I was on Prolia for 2 years and stopped due to frequent sinus infections and rashes, then went back on Fosomax. I suffered 3 spinal fractures within 2 months of stopping Prolia. I wish I’d never started Prolia. Just be very careful if u stop. I’m not sure if the risk lessens as time goes on after stopping. I’m going to try Evenity i believe to build my bones back up. Then not sure. I hope for the best for you. It’s a hard decision.

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