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Doctors Reprimand Me For No Osteo Meds
Dear One's, my 1st time back on the blog in years. The block has been an inspiration, encouragement and support to me when I was active on it. I have become more ill over the years with many diseases, one of which is osteoporosis. I've had 7 hip fractures; 5 pelvic, 2 Femur. Ouch! No known trauma. Recently I've had several doctors reprimand me for not being on any osteoporosis medications. They have escalated, raised their voice , shook their heads and all of the above. One of them was a hospital doctor who knows me because of so many hospitalizations, said to me that she has seen me decline quickly in the past few years and can see me in a wheelchair in the near future. It was talking with people on the blog about around the world years ago about their experiences with bisphosphonates, Prolia and other osteoporosis medications, and doing a lot of my own research, that made me decide not to take any medications. I felt it was a quality of life issue because if you take something that lasts for 6 months (that's how I would have to take it because of kidney disease) or 1 year, then any unwanted side effects, would last until the half-life I was afraid of. I just can't take more pain! Has anybody else been treated that way by physicians for not being on osteoporosis medication? My dentist told me not to take I think it might be Alendronate aka Fosamax because she said it can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. If my understanding is correct, the meds can improve fracture risk but not reverse osteoporosis. I have not looked into the medications in a few years. Maybe there's something new I don't know? My last two bone scans showed improvement with taking 3 mg of boron three times a day. I do take other supplements but know they are not as good as what we need that is found in food. I pray you all may experience the comfort of God and the “Peace of Christ which transcends all human understanding" Philippians 4:7. That is the only thing that gets me through is knowing Him well enough and understanding His purpose in all things and, that this life is so temporary; but a blink of an eye in light of all eternity. Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to Me but by the Father." John 14:6 SunnyFlower
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thank you for your post. Yes, we rely on scripture for our strength!
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3 ReactionsI was the same, unwilling to take osteo meds. My nos got so low I started on terrapatatide. I had severe back pain on my first injection so my doc suggested I take every other day. I am still doing that after a year. I am very small and can't take the same dose drug as someone much heavier to me. I am on Medicare so I can afford to "waste" some of the medicine every month. I don't know what I'll do after I stop in 8 mos. I am afraid of fosamex and Prolia side effects, plus they don't build bone. I also have been taking bioidentical hormones - biest 80/20 creme and 100 prometrium in soft gel. My osteo has improved.
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5 ReactionsWell I'm not religious BUT very much believe in the biophospate therapy. I've been on FOSAMAX 3 years and will take a break probably this coming year (I''m 76) I've lost no more bone and have maintained and actually improved in my bone density score. I take it ONCE a week on Thursday and take it PRECISELY as directed. There can be several side effects; which is why they give you a "breather" after a few years. I take 70 mgs. Osteoporosis is basically what took my mother "down" (-and she had PK & Afib as well...The worst however, was the osteoporosis that destroyed her balance in walking and getting around) I wish you luck on your journey but I'm inclined to believe "the doctors" are right about this therapy. You can always start out with a mere 35 mgs. like I did and see how that goes. Goodluck! PegD, LV, NV.
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2 ReactionsDoes your treatment plan include an anabolic at some point?
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2 ReactionsI am sorry they did that to you. If it were me I would have filed a complaint with the patient advocate. They have no business raising their voice to you. It is your choice what treatment you want or don’t want. I would tell them so!
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3 ReactionsDoctors often have a poor way of communicating. Their viewpoint is that repeated fractures will cripple you at best and kill you at worst. They see it all the time. The nursing homes are filled with people who broke their hips and never walked again. You've seen it yourself, I'm sure.
I would say that the risk of side effects is better than being crippled or dead, right? There are ways to take smaller doses of the meds, even something like Tymlos where you can dial down the dose. What you don't want to do is read the scary stories and conclude that the chances of bad side effects are 100 percent and that you'll never ever take a drug.
I hope everyone has, or can find, a doctor with a proper bedside manner. 🙂
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11 Reactions@njx58 VERY well stated njx, very well...PD, Las Vegas, NV.
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3 Reactions@gravity3 NO. It is a steroid that can do me more harm than good and my test results indicate even at 76? I'm maintaining and slightly better in hip than I was 3 years ago. That is enough for me. Fosamax has been a Godsend used correctly and monitored.
Are you doing any intentional weight bearing exercise (not walking with a vest but significant weight 3x week), taking hormone therapy, and several known bone building supplements? If you are and still having that many fractures, and continue to loose bone mass, perhaps it’s time to make a plan for meds but with strategic purpose which includes monitoring for side effects. From personal experience, docs can get out wrong. But if you’re suffering that many bone issues and you are trying to mitigate them with intention unsuccessfully, it sounds like you need an altered path.
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1 Reaction@peeweedavis to
Just in case this is a misunderstanding, anabolic bone meds are not steroids. Forteo, tymlos and evenity are bone building meds.
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