I’ve been reading about osteoporosis and this is what I’ve seen so far: An individual builds bone until about age 30 then they begin to lose bone. Osteo meds do not help you build bone, they may actually prevent the natural bone building process but they do help you retain the bone you have but can make bone brittle. Correct?
I must disagree with the previous writer regarding bone cells. These cells reproduce themselves your entire life. However age, and life style choices etc can obviously make a difference between the death and regeneration of cells. Look at an X-ray sometime, are the bones white or a shade of gray? If grayish it represents mineral loss.
It was once believed brains cells didn’t regenerate but this theory is slowly being shot down. It has been proven brain cells in rats, birds and monkeys do regenerate. I’m interested in cell regeneration because I have Epilepsy and since it’s believed by many Neurosciencintists we are born with 50-75 trillion brain cells that would last our entire life. This belief is in serious doubt. When new cells move to their new location some cells may be damaged or not end up where they should. Some scientists now feel these misplaced or damaged cells may be responsible for Epilepsy and other diseases.
As we age it becomes harder to make D from the sun. The belly and leg exposure during the noontime hour is the best time. It’s very important to take vitamin K2 to pull calcium out of the soft tissue like arteries and move it into the bones. This will prevent D toxicity when you supplement D3 at high levels. Vitamin A and zinc is needed to round out the vitamins needed to build strong bones until we die. A 25(OH)D test can determine you D levels. 50-80 ng/ml is best for overall health. Every cell in our body has a D receptor on it. High levels of D can help prevent cancer.
I am very allergic to lots of meds, food and wool and I had Reclast years ago with no bad affects. Then I had nothing partly because of a dislike of all medicine even I needed it. Now I am a insulin dependent diabetic (not taking anything nowper Dr's advice) and can only take Prolia. I liked Reclast because (I) It is only given 1 time a year; (ii)It is a fairly fast procedure; (iii) It's relatively painless; and (iv) (I had no side effects.Good Luck.
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I'm 61 and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've resisted drugs like Fosomax because they never agreed with my mother (knee joint pain) and I believe these things are hereditary. Now I'm getting Prolia injections and after 3 injections am about to have my bone density tested. I've always been physically active and must admit to feeling "betrayed" by the bone density test. When I asked how it works, it seems to be a comparison test – that is comparing one's first test with the next. I agree that each woman's journey is different but I haven't read anything good about Fosomax, Actonel, etc and that's why I was never committed. We'll see how Prolia goes – I'll report back here.
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Hello @jimma and @kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, welcome to Connect.
@jimma, that is an interesting point about vitamin K. If you don't mind me asking, is this something you learned from a provider?
@kate_who_wants_to_keep_her_bones_strong, a lot of members in this very discussion have talked extensively about their experiences with fosamax, as well as Prolia. How are you handling the Prolia injections thus for?
Hi @judipie, welcome to Connect. You mentioned having diabetes, although you don't have to take anything for it currently, you may find the Diabetes & Endocrine System group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/.
@judipie, if you don't mind sharing, would you care to let the other members know the results of your reclast treatment?
I've been taking 35mg fosmax/week for nearly 10 years ( with one year off ). I'm very active hiking, do farm chores, go to aerobics & use weights & Take a multivitamin with 600 mg calcium. But my bone density continues to decline. My family practioner thinks I should double my dosage of fosmax or consult a rheumatologist. Don't know what to do……
First off K is known as K1 and K2. I’ve learned about it from lectures from phD doctors that do research. My personal Dr had never even heard of vitamin K2. The Japanese health ministry have done large studies with vitamin K two and found that it reduces death for all causes. K2 and D3 work together to make stronger bones while removing calcium where it’s not exposed to be.
So far, the Prolia injections are going well (as in no side effects). I will let you know how the bone tests go. It is my understanding that Prolia is a long-term commitment (10 years) and that there must be a slow weaning from the drug to avoid compression fractures.
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Posted by Jaleen:
Before you go on Prolia, I suggest that you log in on: "Center for Health Journalism" and click on "Prolia: Another wonder drug that wasn't".
I've spent countless hours studying Prolia and every time that I re-examined this medication, I came to the conclusion that, in spite of my severe osteoporosis (at -3.5), the risks of taking this drug far outweigh any promised benefits. I'm eating right, taking calcium and Vitamin D and K along with my regular meds, pole-walking and doing floor exercises. At 85, I feel great and see no reason to change what I am doing. To all persons in the Mayo Clinic chat room, I'd like to say – DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS AND ANY OTHER MEDS THAT PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES! I've read dozens of user reviews, and for every review that reported improved dexa-scan scores and no side effects, there are at least 5 others who reported that since taking this drug, their lives have been turned upside down with pain and other bad reactions and they warn others on the dangers of this drug! I am glad that, from the start, I decided to say "no" to Prolia or any other drug (such as Forteo) that purports to build bone density. For me, it was the right decision.
@jo54
I broke my hip so 78 and I am walking without a cane. It’s not worse than cancer
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