Did you have Digestive Issues with Osteoporosis Treatment? What to do?

@cardinal26 I am going to have my first reclast infusion on the 1st of Sept . My rheumatologist told me the most side effects most people have are flu like symptoms. I debated about having this for a long time but since I have already had 2 back fractures I don't want a hip fracture . So if you like you can follow me for updates. take care .

Hello @cardinal26 and Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are happy to have you here! I think you have come to the right place to link with others with shared experience around osteoporosis and GI issues. I would like to invite @contentandwell @sue225 @artscaping into the conversation. While we're waiting for others to join in, I have done some research on the web and was able to find multiple sources about the relationship between IBS and Osteoporosis. Here is an interesting article called Osteoporosis and Gastrointestinal Disease: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950667/

Have you spoken to your provider about concerns between IBS and treatment? When were you first diagnosed with Osteoporosis?

Looking forward to reading more of your posts,

Kelly

@cardinal26 I have been on Prolia for two years with good results in both the spine and hip. It is given by injection every six months. Has your doctor mentioned this medication? I have IBS-C. It may be making my constipation issue worse but it was a pre-existing problem and I am also on metoprolol so can't really know for sure. In any event, I'm still continuing with Prolia. I suppose I find it convenient. And other than the aforementioned issue, I dont seem to have any other side effects. With the first two injections I did experience a lingering fatigue but nothing with this last injection on July 8th. In addition, I must take 2000iu of vitamin D every day and a small dose of a calcium citrate supplement. I had given some thought to trying Reclast this summer but with Covid-19, I decided to stick with the devil I know.🙂

Good article. Very in-depth and I am saving it so I can return to it and carefully reread and look up words I am unfamiliar with, (e.g. osteoprotegerin).

Hello @lioness,

I can certainly understand your willingness to try the Reclast, especially after two back fractures. I am looking forward to hearing about your results with the Reclast infusion. After the infusion will you have a follow-up bone density test in a few months or will it be a year before you will have one?

Hello @cardinal26 and others,

I am so glad to see this new discussion group on GI issues and bone loss. Having had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for carcinoid tumors and also having IBS, I also dread the onset of serious meds for bone loss. For many years I've been taking Evista which has worked well on the spine, but my doctor has said that it does not work well on bone loss in the hip. As I currently just have osteopenia, I'm keeping a careful look at the bone loss in the hip. When the hip reaches osteoporosis, I'll have to make a decision on a more serious bone-building med. I'm looking forward to hearing about everyone's results with these different meds, as well as the side-effects.

I have a few questions: How often do you have bone density tests to see how effective the meds are? Another question, I see that @sue225 says that her Prolia is given every six months. How often is the Reclast given?

@hopeful33250 my endocrinologist told me if I had the Reclast infusion I could probably go 18 months before having to think about doing anything again. Reclast is what she prescribed for her elderly mother-in-law who is physically and cognitively challenged and Reclast means fewer trips to the hospital.
With Prolia, my bone density is done on the day of my follow up appointment at the clinic (which is usually 18 months from the last appointment).

Very helpful information, @sue225. Thanks so much!

@hopeful33250 My. Next bone density will be next July unless I can get one sooner but yes I,LL let you know what it is and if am improvement I have a T score in hip of-1.3 femoral neck T-2.2 at last dexascan Dr said the Reclast is only once a year that's why I decided on this one

@cardinal26 I was glad to hear someone using Prolia. I am on Tymlos everyday injections to increase my bone mass. I had a 9 hour back fusion surgery on June 9th from T10 to my pelvis. I have soft bones, so that's the reason I'm on Tymlos for 2 years and then I will probably do Prolia if it's offered to me. My back had degenerated to cause a scoliosis and my L-4 & 5 had severe stenosis. It takes a year to recover. It will be 3 months on Sept. 9th. I'm off of all pain meds, so I can drive, but I still get very tired. I walk a few times a day, but it's been so hot here I have had to go down to 1 time. I take 500mg of calcium citrate 2 times a day. I get my vitamin D from my vitamin, which has a lot in it. Thank you for posting about Prolia. I'm glad you are not having side effects as I have heard from many having side effects from Reclast.