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Did I make the right decisions for Osteoporosis & Bone Health?
Today was the scheduled video conference with my endocrinologist after two years of commitment to Alendronate. The bells are finally ringing.
Four years ago, after a recommended need for help with my aging bones, I chose Tymlos, which is one of the bone development medications. It worked well for me without any side effects. Then came the day when I was told it was time to begin a journey with Prolia. Unfortunately, I had severe and painful side effects right away and was drawing a blank when it came to understanding what decision would be my best choice.
All of a sudden I thought that it just might be possible for me to have a medical professional right at the Mayo Clinic. With my PCP's support, I was accepted by Dr. Wermers. He started by curtailing the Prolia and initiating Alendronate. After reviewing the Dexa scan of my hip and spine, he made my dosage one 70 mg pill on Monday mornings with a full glass of water on an empty stomach while I relaxed in bed for one hour before breakfast.
He also told me that scores from the wrist area were not as reliable as hip scores when it was time to make clinical judgments due to body location and different bone composition. And today, my hip showed a statistically significant density score gain of 5.3%.
And now.... I will continue for two more years and include some additional recommendations for appropriate exercises.
I will also begin monitoring my calcium intake. My target is 1200 grams daily. (1 cup of yogurt is 300 grams.) Dr. Wermers will send me a list of calcium sources to help me
reach my daily challenge.
Having a medical professional assisting me with my osteoporosis journey ensures that my bone health will be the best it can be.
Chris
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Chris, do you know why your medical professional chose alendronate?
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1 ReactionThat’s really fantastic to have such improvement. I’m very happy for you that you finally found the right doctor and program. Good luck in the future.
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2 ReactionsJust so you are aware: you said you 'take Alendronate then relax in bed'. I assume you are not lying down. It is my understanding that when you take a OP drug in pill form you are suppose to be upright for at least 30 minutes (I take Actonel). These drugs can cause gastro problems in some people.
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1 ReactionGood afternoon, @ann707. Thanks for the reminder. I should have indicated that I sit in my bed with two pillows behind me or in the chair in front of my floor-to-ceiling window.
Have a lovely afternoon.
Chris
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4 ReactionsGreat to learn you’re doing so well! I am curious, did you complete two years on Tymlos? Usually after Tymlos there is a treatment to “lock in” results. Is that what the Prolia was for? Was there an improvement on Tymlos? Trying to understand your progression of treatments.
Thank you for sharing your story!
It sounds like you took Tymlos for 2 years and then tried Prolia but discontinued due to adverse side effects. Was it at that point (two years ago) that you saw Dr Warmers at the Mayo, and he started you on Alendronate, which you took for 2 years and will now continue to take for 2 more years?
Also, when you first saw Dr Warmers at Mayo, was your visit a consultation only, or did you have any testing done at Mayo, such as blood tests, another DEXA scan, etc?
Good evening, @gently, and thanks for your response. I am sure that my endocrinologist knows why he chose alendronate two years ago. And with my positive response after two years, it is probably wise to continue with a medication with which I have had no issues in addition to ending the first two years with positive results.
However, I am also interested in how medical professionals choose the medication that will yield the best results. Let's remember that he did have the following information:
First attempt: Boniva.
Age: 80
Family history: I know of no response from female family members, including my mother and two grandmothers. My mother never mentioned any relationship with osteoporosis.
Results: Jay and I were staying at Hope Lodge for 30 days while he was receiving daily proton treatments after prostate surgery. I had painful symptoms and bothersome reactions to my first doses of Boniva. My PCP stopped the Boniva and sent me to an endocrinologist. She showed me two choices ......Forteo or Tymlos. I chose Tymlos partly because it was less expensive.
At the end of the two years on Tymlos and after updated scans, she recommended Prolia. By that time, I knew a little more about osteoporosis. Immediately, Prolia began to cause annoying and painful side effects, which resulted in another visit with my PCP. She suggested a consultation with
Dr. Wermers at the Mayo Clinic. ......and the rest is history.
During my rather short relationship with Prolia, I made a daily chart with symbols that described my negative reactions. That seemed like a sufficient exploratory experience for him, and that is how alendronate was chosen—based on real evidence.
I hope this is what you wanted to know about how the decision was made. It is still working as I start on year three.
May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris
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4 ReactionsNoted your calcium intake in first message. Has anyone had doctors talk about collagen pills?
I just ordered NativePath Collagen powder for bone health , it has Fortibone ingredient which sounds promising.
I read that Powder form works better .
That’s what I am using. I haven’t had a bone density test since I started using it, so I don’t know if it has helped. I would also like to know if anyone has seen improvement with it.