Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

My endocrinologist and rheumatologist doctors told me the same thing about avoiding meds. I also am very leary of taking them with all the side effects. I have a very sensitive stomach. My vitamin D level was very low too (11) so I was put on 50,000 Vit. D units once a week, my Vit. D. did come up to 40. Yes so true the more I read about these bisphosphonates the scarier it becomes. What to do, what to do...

Hello, I am 54 and with a similar frightening result, I also looked at the table with the multitude of scores, the specialist will have and my whole spine was affected. However I have since gone on to learn so much. Bone strength is not just how it looks on a DEXA scan, but also compression strength and expansion strength. The whole bone building process is interrupted taking these drugs (i had 1 prolia shot). Unless you know what you started with I think there is no need to panic, though I say this to myself too. There is SO much good info out there..

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

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.

So sorry that you are experiencing so much nausea -- I coped by thinking about how fortunate I was to be experiencing this nausea just when I took a pill (eventually just monthly); that I could plan for the side effects and hope to reduce them; and that the doctor who prescribed this "side effect" had lived on soda crackers during her two pregnancies! I would suggest keeping handy whatever works to calm your nausea -- for me it was, in fact, crackers and calcium. Planning also may involve keeping your mind active with something that you love or dislike, whatever works.

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, I fell down the steps in the movie theatre. It was too dark. It is much better now but it took a really long time to heal. Which led me to getting a physical. And then the bone scan. I wish you the best!

I also do not want to take those osteoporosis drugs. I take the Vit. D and calcium thru food and hope it will be the answer. How did your
brake your toe?

I have Osteoporosis and 65 years old. I was told years ago I had osteopenia but then a Dr. told me I didn't...so for years I did nothing about my bones. BIG mistake . But I will NOT take the bone medicine. One relative took Fosamax I believe, and broke her femur just walking into the kitchen. My druggist called me to see why I hadn't refilled my prescription for the fosamax (I decided NOT to take any of it) because it is part of his job. When I told him I had no intentions of taking the medicine he said, "good for you" and told me that his mother developed cancer of the jaw and he believed it was as a result of the medicine. So...I try and add more calcium and vitamin D to my diet and try NOT to fall..don't know what else I can do. I know exercise is important but I am recovering from a broken toe. Soon I HOPE!

Just a thought,@jaleen. Does your diet include modest Vitamin D levels (not many thousands daily, but a few thousands)? Have your Parathyroid hormones been tested for calcium impact?