I had my first Proleia shot in April and no side effects. My Dr. Said the side effects are rare. Having a problem with my jaw would be very difficult, but not being able to walk would be far worse.

I'm currently reading a book called Death By Calcium by Thomas E Levy, Md. It is making a whole lot of sense, if you are interested. I am following what was recommended. Hope this helps.

Hi, I came upon a book called "SaveourBones" Program by Vivian Goldschmidt, and read how these bisphosphonate drugs are not safe, serious side effects from these drugs. I take Vit. D 200mg. plus I try to get my calcium from food, almond milk, yogurt, cheese, green leafy veggies I'm praying this will help me with this osteoporosis.

Great source of knowledge you mention and great exercies

I am also taking Curcumin, specifically Curamed extrastrength and it has helped a lot with pain. Thank you for the Traumeel information. I am waiting to see if I find an alternative to Prolia which my endocrinologist has advised.

May I suggest an edit? Under the guidance of two widely respected physician's in my urban area I was prescribed both Fossamax and Boniva for osteopenia. The diagnosis was not unexpected as I have a bone structure that is not as heavy as the average. Yes, I experienced gastrointestinal upset, but only for a few hours, and my sensitive stomach overcame the upset with over the counter medication and being upright for 4-6 hours -- as I was working at a desk job, my routine was not altered. After less than two years on the medications, graduating from daily to monthly doses (if that helps date my experience) I was told that my bone density was no longer decreasing, and that I could stop the medication. The next exam two years later, and every two years since then, I have been told that my bone density continues to increase slightly even though I believe I am not as active as I was when first taking these medications. Therefore, I must agree with my doctors, an ob-gyn, and a gerontologist, that these medications actually reversed my bone loss. Before reading these posts, I did not regard my self as being unique in experiencing a positive outcome from this regimen, but I believe based on the experience of women like me, and the doctors who prescribed these medications, it is not correct to state unequivocally that these medications "don't rebuild bone".

Hi, @rareeby. my experience was with Fosamax, taken by my wife. She didn't have the discomforting side-effects experienced by others in this discussion, but the long-term consequences of taking Fosamax for year after year was documented in a multitude of respected research reports. A consistent and insistent conclusion of many of these studies was that Fosamax "does not rebuild bone, only slows down disintegration" of bones. I can only speculate about your personal experience. I note, for example, that you addressed a nausea side effect with crackers (sodium and starch) and a calcium supplement. Perhaps the strengthening of your bones was attributable to nutrition, improved levels of Vitamin D, improved functioning of your parathyroid glands, improved kidney function, different physical exercise, or some other positive development rather than the medication or its aftermath.

In such circumstances, it would not be correct to insist that the results of the medical research on the issue should be edited in the absence of extensive medical research to that effect. Your professed support for Mayo Clinic mirrors my own, and a profound disagreement with leading medical research might benefit from guidance from Mayo.

How kind of you to reply, however, what is the research with Fosamax and Boniva?

Hi @rareeby and @predictable,
We took your question about whether Fosmax and other bisphosphonates can or cannot rebuild bone to a Mayo Clinic pharmacists. This is what she responded:

"Looking specifically at the Fosamax package insert, the drug “is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, Fosamax increases bone mass and reduces the incidence of fractures, including those of the hip and spine.” Fosamax is also “indicated for treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.” The medication inhibits the activity of osteoclasts which are cells responsible for bone resorption. It does not have a direct effect on bone formation, HOWEVER, since resorption and formation are coupled during bone turnover, decreasing the amount of bone resorption allows for the bone to form without being resorbed at a rate faster than it can be built.
I hope this helps." ~ pharmacist, Mayo Clinic

I also found these articles of interest about treating osteoporosis with medication (in addition to lifestyle changes)
- WebMD http://wb.md/2gVSA1J
- Mayo Clinic http://mayocl.in/XvF3QB

My bone density has progressively worsened. I have a family history of osteoporosis and I am only 65. My number last year was -2.9. Last year I was prescribed fosomax, but could not tolerate it with my digestive issues. So I was given a Reclast infusion. I hydrated well prior to and took one advil; I had no negative side effects. I have been on Vitamin D, 1200mg of cLcium, and weight bearing exercise for a year. This year my scan was -2.9.
I had a physician mention that due to my complete lack of sun exposure (pre skin cancer issues) that the vitamin D and calcium could not be utilized. He recommended a UV light with full spectrum UV To help activate the vitamin D. I just purchased it and will use it a few minutes when I am nude after showering. We shall see if this helps.