1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

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. 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 2, 2022
In reply to @cheriums "All the meds which decrease stomach acid are PPIs. Zantac, Pepcid, all are PPIs. There is..." + (show)
@cheriums

All the meds which decrease stomach acid are PPIs. Zantac, Pepcid, all are PPIs. There is a surgical option for improving the closure at the meeting of the esophagus and stomach. Sounds intimidating, but it's only a laparoscopic procedure, same day, home in the evening. Not great, but saves your bones while freeing you from GERD. See a gastroenterologist if you haven't already.

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Zantac and Pepcid are not PPI's. Prilosec (omeprazole) is a PPI. Zantac and Pepcid are H2 blockers which also work to reduce acid, but are different from the proton pump inhibitors in the way they work.

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 2, 2022
In reply to @jbcobb2380 "You wait several hours after taking your calcium supplement which makes it doable. 680 mg. right..." + (show)
@jbcobb2380

You wait several hours after taking your calcium supplement which makes it doable. 680 mg. right before bedtime. Calcium in the morning and after evening meal. No strontium along with calcium.

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@jbcoobb2380 I do not understand why you responded with this post about timing of strontium relative to calcium. The issue with strontium is that it makes bone density look better than it is, on the DEX scan. (And strontium citrate may have the same possible cardiovascular effects as the ranelate form; that is only speculation since I have not seen studies.)

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1 reply
smyth2022 | @smyth2022 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @echolsleslie "So true when you stop taking Gerd meds it’s uncomfortable at first but it passes don’t..." + (show)
@echolsleslie

So true when you stop taking Gerd meds it’s uncomfortable at first but it passes don’t stay on this med for long my doctor told me it wouldn’t bother me and now I am
Dealing with osteoporosis!

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thank you for your reply! I do not want my esophagus to erode with GERD, but I think I can do with Pepcid! Wish me luck!

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smyth2022 | @smyth2022 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @cheriums "All the meds which decrease stomach acid are PPIs. Zantac, Pepcid, all are PPIs. There is..." + (show)
@cheriums

All the meds which decrease stomach acid are PPIs. Zantac, Pepcid, all are PPIs. There is a surgical option for improving the closure at the meeting of the esophagus and stomach. Sounds intimidating, but it's only a laparoscopic procedure, same day, home in the evening. Not great, but saves your bones while freeing you from GERD. See a gastroenterologist if you haven't already.

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thank you for your reply. Yes, I am aware of that procedure, but my gastro doc advised against it. I think I will be ok with more careful eating. I already have given up coffee! I will try the Pepcid and see how that works.

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smyth2022 | @smyth2022 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @echolsleslie "It’s true that acid meds can cause bone thinning issues. I have worked out 5 days..." + (show)
@echolsleslie

It’s true that acid meds can cause bone thinning issues. I have worked out 5 days a week since I was 20 and all of a sudden I developed issues. I got
Off the meds and found out I was allergic to gluten and reflux went away. Wish I had done it sooner. Go to a nutritionist and find out what’s causing your issues

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I have been tested for Gluten and have no issues. I already have changed my diet, but GERD prevails. Fortunately I do not have reflux as much as just digestive problems. Thanks for your reply!

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cheriums | @cheriums | Feb 1, 2022

All the meds which decrease stomach acid are PPIs. Zantac, Pepcid, all are PPIs. There is a surgical option for improving the closure at the meeting of the esophagus and stomach. Sounds intimidating, but it's only a laparoscopic procedure, same day, home in the evening. Not great, but saves your bones while freeing you from GERD. See a gastroenterologist if you haven't already.

REPLY
2 replies
echolsleslie | @echolsleslie | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @lebanon100 "I'm on PPI presently. Dr prescribed it for one month only, to be followed by Famotadine...." + (show)
@lebanon100

I'm on PPI presently. Dr prescribed it for one month only, to be followed by Famotadine. He was emphatic about the one month. If symptoms persist, he advised to take the PPI when needed.

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So true when you stop taking Gerd meds it’s uncomfortable at first but it passes don’t stay on this med for long my doctor told me it wouldn’t bother me and now I am
Dealing with osteoporosis!

REPLY
1 reply
echolsleslie | @echolsleslie | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @smyth2022 "I have had digestive problems for a long time. But I will get off the PPI..." + (show)
@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!

Jump to this post

It’s true that acid meds can cause bone thinning issues. I have worked out 5 days a week since I was 20 and all of a sudden I developed issues. I got
Off the meds and found out I was allergic to gluten and reflux went away. Wish I had done it sooner. Go to a nutritionist and find out what’s causing your issues

REPLY
1 reply
echolsleslie | @echolsleslie | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @sewcouture "Hi, As I have said before, my endocrinologist who is chairman of endocrinology at a large..." + (show)
@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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Reclast made me really sick I live in DC area and looking for a good endocrinologist would you mind sharing the dr’s name please. Would very much appreciate it

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lebanon100 | @lebanon100 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "Good doc! Some people are on PPI's forever. I gradually decreased the fomatadine, breaking it in..." + (show)
@windyshores

Good doc! Some people are on PPI's forever. I gradually decreased the fomatadine, breaking it in half, then taking it only when needed if Tums didn't help.

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Thanks for your comment. I'll try your practice of decreasing famotadine and then breaking it in half.

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