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Posted 8/19/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure where to post this. I got my bone density test back today and the doctor said it shows moderate risk for fracture (Osteopenia) hope I spelled that right. Anyway, my doctor is suggesting Fosomax or Actonel and from what I'm reading about these drugs, I'm not going to take either of them. What can I do in terms of diet for myself or supplements. I already excercise. I have a jaw problem to begin with. If my mouth opens to wide the wrong way, it gets stuck open and so the side effects about the jaw losing bone and potentially causing a serious condition, I'm not willing to risk the meds. In addition it speaks about if you have a problem swallowing, I do. I'm stressed just thinking about these drugs. Does anyone else have this condition and if so can you share your treatment plan with me please?

thank you so much

Kimb

Posted 8/19/2008 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I know many people who have taken these drugs without a problem. I was on Fosamax and became one of those who developed a rare side effect. I had esophageal burning & pain so bad my spit hurt to swallow. After several thousand dollars of tests including a MRI to rule out an Aortic Anneurism it was decided it was the Fosamax. Now, for my bones, all I take is Calcium citrate with Vit. D and Miacaslcin nasal spray.

I hope you find out the right treatment for you. My last bone density test had me in almost normal range.
Posted 8/19/2008 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Kimb, I have a moderate case of osteoporosis and my doctor has me on Evista.  It can help build bone, too.  I have had no side affects plus now they are saying that it can help prevent breast cancer, too. 

 

I also take Citracal with D.  I take 1,200mg daily.  Citracal is the easiest to absorb.  I also am eating more dairy than I used to.

 

Lastly, weight-bearing exercises are very good for osteoporosis and helps build bone.  Walking is a weight-bearing exercise and it's good for fibromyalgia, too. So I try to go for walks daily.

 

Here is a good link about osteopenia.

 

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/tc/osteopenia-overview

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/19/2008 10:54 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the replies. I am terrible with taking vitamins; It is imperative that I change that immediately. Some of these vitamins are so big I can't swallow them and some of them like the calcium upset my tummy.  Recently I got my stomach under control with IBS by changing my diet and cutting out dairy but I have replaced it with soy. I stopped eating meat but replaced it with fish.  No bread during the week. My IBS has improved. I drink mostly water. Rarely drink juice. No soda. Soymilk in cereal and soymilk pudding for snack. The diet not only helped my IBS but also lowered my cholestoral. I feel as if I I can't win.  I've excercised for the past 25 years and kept my weight at a steady 125. Somehow I was foolish enough to forget about vitamins and proper nutrition along the way. Now look where I am at. I want to reverse this, I want to help myself do what I can. I dont' want more meds added to my list. I"m tired of meds. The citracal and calcium caltrate sound like good choices. I'm also going to buy some ankle weights to add to my walking routing. My sister has osteoarthritis and my mother had osteoporosis. I'm sure part of this is genetic. thank you.

Have a good day

Kimb

Posted 8/19/2008 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
Kimb, Citracal is calcium citrate!  I do think you will need medication to reverse this.  Also, I have read that with fibro we have irritable bowel symptoms (as you found out) and gluten intolerance.  These cause some problems with absorption of nutrients.  I have Crohn's disease and between that and the fibro I, too, ended up with osteoporosis.  I also stopped drinking milk when I was 10 years old and I have never eaten a lot of dairy products.  But, I did take multiple vitamins!  So, don't blame yourself for this.  It just happened and now you need to try to straighten it out.

 

I also have been taking calcium for about 15 years now!  BUT, I was taking Caltrate which is calcium carbonate and I wasn't absorbing it!  When I realized there was a difference in calciums, I switched.  When I bought the Citracal, I took one Citracal and put it in a glass of warm water.  I, then, took one Caltrate and did the same thing.  After a half an hour, the Citracal was dissolved and the Caltrate was still whole!  I couldn't believe it!  So, I tried to avoid this problem but, because of my absorption problems, it didn't work.

 

Perhaps, if you take calcium with food, it won't bother your stomach.  If you don't want to start eating dairy products again, try taking a calcium supplement with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  That would give you 1,800 mg. of calcium and that would be good.  Then if you take medication for the osteopenia, you could build some bone back.  The walking will help, too.  I'm not sure if the ankle weights will make a difference, though.  You aren't trying to build muscle.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sherrine 

Posted 8/19/2008 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
thanks Sherrine. I'm going to CVS later and so I will check the citracel with D. I think my biggest problem is I don't drink or eat enough of the proper nutrients. My doctor tells me your not drinking enough water. Honestly I'm drinking as much as I can get down my stomach. I'm never thirsty, ever. I drink water becasue its healthy. I can't consume a bottle of juice in one sitting, it just won't get down, I get full easily. It takes me 2-3 days to finish a vitamin water bottle. I'm trying really I am. I now have to revisit my entire diet and get myself in gear. But I won't take those meds. Just the though stresses me and we all know how bad stress is, right? lol, my little humor for the day. I assumed that replacing my milk products with Soy (and I have a lot of soy products) was helping and maybe it is; ugh I just don't know anymore. I can deal with the tummy ache so I will take the calcium regardless. That's really amazing that test you did with the water, wow! I was thinking ankle weights because in reading about the osteopina it mentions weight training is good.

Have a good day
Kimb
Posted 8/19/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, I have Crohns' so those drugs are out for me. I did take Evista for 1 or 2 years and did get some bone growth. I have since stopped taking it, as I take so many drugs as it is, I didn't want to risk side effects. I do, however, take alot of Calcium. I take about 1500 - 2000 mg. I have malabsorption from bowel loss, and I don't want to lose anymore bone. BTW, I had no discernable side effects from the Evista.
Posted 8/19/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
d, I have Crohn's too.  I take Prilosec to protect my stomach from ulcers.  It protect you 70% of the time.  I felt those were pretty good odds.

 

I'm glad to hear that Evista helped you.  I am not due for a bone scan yet but am anxious to see if I've built bone up.

 

Sherrine

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