Osteoporosis drugs
 

After receiving the expected DX of osteoporosis, I was give a script for Actonel...the once a month one. I haven't filled it yet. I started researching it...and boy-oh-boy....it sounds like it comes with some really nasty side effects, so much so that I don't know if I'm gonna fill it. I'm wondering if any of you have taken it...taking it now, and how the side effects have been for you? .....or, are you taking another one of these osteoporosis drugs and are willing to share your experience?

Actonel was prescribed for me a couple of years ago. I took it for about 3 months and developed severe stomach & low back pain. I stopped taking the drug. We are never sure what is the right thing to do since the side affects can be as damaging. For the most part my philosophy is if I can avoid certain prescriptions I will do so. Good luck with your decision.

I have been on actonei and fosomax. No problems. With either. Now I take the one time per year reclast by iv infusion. My bone. Mass has Actualy increased slightly.

I cant tolerate either of these meds, have taken the Prolia shots 2x last yr. the bone scan improved slightly

Actonel
 

I had nausea, diarrhea, drank plenty of water and worked standing most of the day, etc and it affected my teeth too

There's an Osteoporosis Support Group that meets on the 4th Monday of each month at Laurel Manor. Purpose is to educate and share info. Jean Gaull leads.

Jean also teaches "Living with Osteopenia/Osteoporosis" at the Lifelong Learning College. I've seen catalogs at a Regional Rec Center. You can also find it online at:

The Villages Lifelong Learning College enrichment classes for adults.

The course is listed in the "Health and Wellness" section. When I downloaded the catalog, it was on page 31. This is the description:

Begin by becoming informed about this silent disease. Upon
completion of this course you will be able to make an informed
decision when consulting with your doctor. The topics covered
are: Osteoporosis drugs on the market and their side effects; the
role of diet and exercise as an alternative to drugs; proper walking
techniques as a weight bearing exercise; interpretation of the
FRAX and DEXA scan tests; participate in back strengthening
exercises accredited by the Florida Physical Therapy Assoc. to
correct posture and prevent Kyphosis (curvature of the Thoracic
spine). The class will have the opportunity to experience the Low
Intensity Vibration therapy on a Marodyne LIV device. This is a
non-invasive treatment, approved by OSHA and proven in
scientific studies to safely increase bone density.


June

I was Dx'd with osteopenia more than 5 years ago and was originally prescribed Boniva. A little over 3 years ago my doctor replaced the Boniva with Actonel stating it to be a better treatment.

As for side effects, I cannot say that I've had any that I've been able to directly associate with the Actonel. When you're on multiple medications, side effects can be hard to recognize and associate with any individual meds you're taking.

When I read the words I've highlighted in your post, I get the feeling that you're not viewing the side effects as being a possibility, but rather an inevitability. If my feeling is correct, then I would have to disagree with that view. While it's important to realize that all medications (prescription or otherwise) have side effects, it's also important to realize that this doesn't mean that you will definitely have side effects. Side effects listed or given on instructions are generally determined by statistical data on past experiences with the meds, and they're provided for us so we will know what we should be looking for.

It's also important to know that doctors make determinations (or at least they should) on meds they prescribe as to whether the risks out weigh the benefit. If they do outweigh the benefits, then the doctor should not be prescribing it. Before deciding whether or not to take the med, I would discuss my concerns with my doctor asking their view on the risks vs. the benefit first.

I was on Actonel yrs ago and stopped it on my own and I'm glad I did. The last two bone density scans I had still show osteopenia and two separate Dr's just said keep taking calcium and vitamin D3 - no hurry to prescribe Fosamax or anything else.
My sister had been prescribed Fosamax or Actonel when her scan showed osteopenia. A year ago when she went to Boston for back surgery they took her right off of it - said that after taking it for a while it seems to reverse itself and starts breaking down the bone. They found osteoporosis in her back, so apparently it didn't prevent osteoporosis for her.
This week, a friend of mine went to the dentist with an infected tooth (root canal not possible because tooth is fractured). When they found out she was on Fosamax, they would not extract it until she is off the Fosamax for 3 months. Apparently there is something with the healing or some infection that can set in and it is not reverseable so they don't want to take the risk. So she is on an antibiotic and painkillers and still pretty uncomfortable.
I'm sure it is not only Fosamax but other similar meds including Actonel. I'm staying away from it - calcium and vitamin D3 for me. Do some research.

would definitely discuss with doctor the risk to benefit ratio of taking the drug, i.e. how severe is your condition. If I could get away with not taking it, I would.

I appreciate all of the info. It's helping me make a decision. Drs office was no help whatsoever. Sure is difficult finding healthcare where they care at all.

I don't take this drug though I do have the dxt of osteopenia. As an aside to that...doctor's don't have a full knowledge of medications. What they know is what the drug suppliers tell them. I would do more homework on this...we ALL need to be our own advocates and not take everything we're told at face value with our health-care issues.

also, so much of medicine now is driven by algorithms. these are basically charts that say when a lab result is thus, treatment should be such. it doesn't allow for individual variables. But, say your doctor didn't prescribe it for you and you fell and broke a hip. Theoretically he could be liable for not following the general course of treatment. That is medicine today. It's good you are researching this.

I was on Fosamax for about 3 months. One day I could hardly get up off of the couch because of the muscle pain I was experiencing. I stopped taking the drug and will not take a replacement drug. Go to the Osteoporosis support group at Laurel Manor -- they are a wealth of information and support.

Thanks, I am hoping to get to the next support group. It seems like the next step for me to take.

Has anyone else taken Prolia with positive results?
I was on Actenol for 9 years and went on a 3 year drug holiday from it. My most recent bone scan showed a 6 percent decline in bone density so the doctor wants me to go on Prolia. Like everyone else I'm worried about side effects but don't want my bone density to continue to decline!

The reason that the dentist will not remove a tooth is because the jaw may brake. Osteo drugs increase bone mass slightly but weaken it. The drug companies have know this for many years but still advertised. It is all about money. Go to Dr Mercola web site and do a search. I take vitamin K2. The bones are made up of several minerals, no just calcium. Calcium can cause hardening of the arteries hence dementia or worse. You need to have a balance of all minerals, not just calcium.

Bump

Also, drinking soda takes the calcium away from the bones. I'm on magnesium and vitamin K...began both recently.

As an aside to this thread....I would say many drugs that are prescribed are all about the money. JMHO

The reason for not wanting to extract the tooth is not because of possible breaking of the jaw. It is because after taking Fosamax or similar for a long time, healing can be delayed and a condition called osteonecrosis of the jawbone can set it - this is death of the jawbone. I read the printout the Dental surgeon gave her. This is a risk he doesn't want to take - the risk is less if she has been off the Fosamax for 3 months.

My wife took actonel for several years with no ill effects. The Copay on her medicare part D was $85 per month. Two years ago the Dr. suggested Reclast. It is a once a year infusion. Here's the odd thing. Her medicare pays for it 100% between part B and medigap. It's that weird or what?

It's important to learn more, once you've seen people whose spines are so crumbled and filled with fractures that they cannot get out of bed for weeks, and suffer excruciating, incessant pain that narcotics don't even touch.

Trial lawyers looking for plaintiffs to represent in jaw necrosis lawsuits usually do not talk about this key consideration, which does not apply the average person prescribed these drugs for typical osteoporosis:

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Position Paper on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw—2009 Update

Background
Indications and benefits of bisphosphonate therapy

Intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates are primarily used and effective in the treatment and management of cancer-related conditions including hypercalcemia of malignancy, skeletal- related events associated with bone metastases in the context of solid tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer, and management of lytic lesions in the setting of multiple myeloma. 2-13 While bisphosphonates have not been shown to improve cancer-specific survival, they have had a significant positive effect on the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer involving the skeleton.

..The clinical efficacy of oral bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosis is well established and is reflected in the fact that over 190 million oral bisphosphonate prescriptions have been dispensed worldwide. 47 The specialty’s experiences have identified several BRONJ cases related to oral bisphosphonates. Patients under treatment with oral bisphosphonate therapy are at a considerably lower risk for BRONJ than cancer patients treated with monthly IV bisphosphonates......

http://www.aaoms.org/docs/position_p...onj_update.pdf

It's important to learn more, once you've seen people whose spines are so crumbled and breaking more with compression fractures that they cannot get out of bed for weeks....and suffer excruciating, incessant pain that narcotics don't even touch.

Trial lawyers looking for plaintiffs to represent in jaw necrosis lawsuits usually do not talk about this key consideration--that patients receiving the drugs in large IV amounts as cancer treatment are largely more at risk for jaw necrosis--which does not apply the average person prescribed these drugs for typical osteoporosis:

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Position Paper on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw—2009 Update

Background
Indications and benefits of bisphosphonate therapy

Intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates are primarily used and effective in the treatment and management of cancer-related conditions including hypercalcemia of malignancy, skeletal- related events associated with bone metastases in the context of solid tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer, and management of lytic lesions in the setting of multiple myeloma. 2-13 While bisphosphonates have not been shown to improve cancer-specific survival, they have had a significant positive effect on the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer involving the skeleton.

..The clinical efficacy of oral bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosis is well established and is reflected in the fact that over 190 million oral bisphosphonate prescriptions have been dispensed worldwide. 47 The specialty’s experiences have identified several BRONJ cases related to oral bisphosphonates. Patients under treatment with oral bisphosphonate therapy are at a considerably lower risk for BRONJ than cancer patients treated with monthly IV bisphosphonates......

http://www.aaoms.org/docs/position_p...onj_update.pdf

What is the time and date of the next Meeting at Laurel Manor? It sounds like a great source of information. I take Fosamax monthly, but I'm not sure it's a good idea.

Please read the most current research studies - some indicate that there is no benefit in taking any of these drugs for osteopenia.

I see a group meeting listed on Monday Dec. 23 at Laurel Manor at 10AM. It has two askerisks ** beside it. Not sure what that means.

I think it would be better to completely rework your diet and get your calcium from dark leafy greens, while avoiding foods that make the body acidic. Tomatoes, lemons and cucumbers have an alkalizing effect on the body, so make a big salad everyday for lunch or dinner.

The big culprits that make the body acidic are sugar, animal protein, coffee, alcohol etc..

When you eat acidic foods the body has a natural mechanism designed to neutralize the acidity. It takes calcium from bones to use as a neutralizing agent. You can change all that by changing your diet and getting plenty of exercise.

it might be a good idea to take a look at previous blood work and see what your Calcium level is. it should be in the 9's. If it is in the 10's or 11, you may have Parathyroid disease which also causes osteoporosis. This is not real common, but is a thought. It is easily cured with s quick surgery. Parathyroid.com Discusses Parathyroid Disease, Hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid Diagnosis and Surgery. Parathyroid Operations, Parathyroid Treatment and Parathyroid Tumors.

Dentistry/Foximax
 

I know that if you have any intention of having dental implants, dental practitioners will ask if you have been on medications such as Foxamax. What I understand is that these types of bone strengtheners will not allow your bone to accept the implant, i.e. integrate into the bone mass.

I also had the bone scan last year and, once again, have the dx of osteopenia. I had the same dx about 14 years ago. My physician told me that this is not an uncommon diagnosis, but with physical activity on a regular basis, you can maintain and increase bone mass. Stay away from these drugs as long as you possibly can.

Have you made a decision yet? I've been taking Fosamax once a month. My family doctor assures me that it's "safe". So does my Pharmacist. My bone density has improved. But I hate taking any drug. I'd like to stop, but the doctor says it's beneficial. :confused:

Thanks for asking Barefoot. No decision yet.....too many other health issues going on at the moment. I have been seeing a lot of dr's lately and they all say I really need to start. I take the calcium, D, K2 and am also on the estrogen which helps bones. I have osteoporosis in part of the hips and osteopenia in other parts. I can't scan my spine due to too much hardware. As village PL mentioned, I do eat a lot of acidic foods...tomato and cucumbers every day for sure. I'm still researching and not convinced yet that I want to add another nasty med into my already messed up self.

I moved here 1 1/2 years ago in pretty good health......I've been going down hill ever since.....one thing after another. I've met more dr's, nurses and spent more hours in medical office waiting rooms than I did in my whole life.:ohdear:

I can vouch for the above statement. Several years ago I read a good book on Osteoporosis and the author stated that increasing bone mass doesn't necessarily mean you will have stronger bones. (I'll try to find that book title.)

That's interesting. I don't believe in taking calcium supplements. I try to eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables to get my calcium. That means I get calcium and K1, plus many other nutrients and fiber. Never thought about K2; I'll have to do some research to find out how much I need. Perhaps I should get tested for it?

I've sent you a PM.

The meeting was this Monday morning at 9:30 but it was a Christmas party where they got together for coffee and snacks etc.....(all the foods that are bad for your bones).

A good book on Osteoporosis: The Myth of Osteoporosis by Sanson

The updated edition: May, 2011

$29.00

Here is a link to a review of the book ... very interesting reading.

Amazon.com: Kate McMurry's review of The Myth of Osteoporosis

Yeah, good review.


:BigApplause:

I was glad to see all the info and input here. I have read a lot about osteoporosis and came to the same decision as many here: no drugs, more exercise, supplements, proper diet. However, I did come across a supplement called Lactoferrin, no side effects. Does anyone have any add'l info on this supplement to prevent bone loss and promote new bone?

I've been researching on line and reading reviews for lactoferrin. It sounds very interesting for possible bone growth. It also appears to be a great supplement for auto immune issues that I have. I ordered it today. I've been taking the K2 as well.....also calcium, mag, D, and HRT. I won't know for 2 years if it helps with the osteoporosis, but I will know if it helps with other issues. I also will know if it is easily tolerable.(I don't do well with drugs).......I'll keep you posted.

I have not been following all along regarding the many posts but now reading about lactoferrin caught my attention. I'm not familiar with this but plan to do some research as I too have some immune deficiency issues.

Be sure to read the Amazon reviews for the Jarrow brand. Some people have posted interesting comments.