I had some concerns when I started AA a few months ago. Some may have been caused by taking an Aleve too soon before bed. Who knows? I didn't have the stomach pain a few weeks later. However, I noticed strange sounds coming from my jaw about three weeks ago and just odd sensations. I know an AA side effect was some horrible jaw tissue separation or something. This frightened me and I quit it. The little battle that goes on in my brain tells me this couldn't happen that soon! This time I felt that I needed to listen to the other voice that says to look for something safer to treat my bones.
So, I need to find good alternatives that don't necessarily have me taking a zillion supplements.
Looking for suggestions on a highly recommended course of action. At present, I'm not taking anything other than calcium in my diet.
Thanks for your help.
If you google healthunlocked my osteoporosis journey you will find my account of what I did. May help you get started. The only supplements I think are crucial ar Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 (not K1). Mostly we can get what we need from food, although calcium is usually recommended and sometimes a few other things, like magnesium, if there isn't enough in the diet.
how do i see your jorney at healthu unlocked?
google the words I told you: healthunlocked my osteoporosis journey , and you should get the link quite easily.
If you still can't do it I will private message the link.
Thanks. I did sign up for Health Unlocked, too. Do you recommend one supplier over another? I see suppliers like Natures Bounty at the grocery store and they often have two for one sales. Sounds like you don't take a calcium supplement.
I do actually take calcium supplement. Right now I take 1/3 the recommended daily dose of a special bones one which includes a lot of micronutrients as well, and the daily recommended dose of calcium citrate with magnesium and a couple of other things. I take K2 and D3 separately, and also because I have osteoarthritis I take glucosamine, complete B complex and mixed tocopherol E (I alternate the B and the E - take on alternate days - as I'm not sure how good an idea it is to take a lot of either of them in the absence of a deficiency).
Sorry, I can't get into recommending brand names or anything. Some grocery stores have dietitians or wellness counsellors on staff so you could consult with them. There's a website called healthline which has good information about the various nutrients although it doesn't not discuss brands. I find taking things in powder (inside a capsule) or oily form (also inside a capsule) depending what it is works much better for me personally than solid tablets for most things, including calcium.
Thank you. I'll check those out. I've always had trouble with calcium pills and would take the bell capsules.
LORRAINE,
I took alendronate for only 3 weeks and my bite changed because my teeth shifted. I also stopped. I am following the Canadian micronutrient protocol that moved the participants from osteopenia / osteoporosis into better bone density after one year. Interestingly they got their calcium from dietary sources but added strontium citrate. Exercise was encouraged.
I found I was too weak and fatigued to do more than taichi or slow treadmill. Lately at around 8mgm of pred I am able to do more exercise. I found easy exercises on youtube called growyoungfitness- perfect for pmr cripples like me.
hi,
please would you explain the canadian micronutrient protocol?
I've not heard of it.
thanks
Possibly this - google combination of micronutrients osteoporosis for a link to a study which showed that supplements and exercise could work as effectively as medication to improve bone density. I didn't follow the protocol exactly but what I did certainly helped my bone density. The study is just one arrow in the natural treatments quiver, natural in the sense that you aren't using a pharmaceutical to treat the bone thinning. It can be argued that supplements aren't really natural. But used sensibly they do not come with side effects.
You will find the complete article but I don't know if it will turn up at the top of the search.
thankyou Anhaga, i found the article easily..... very interesting.
Did you find the combinations of micronutrients in one supplement or did you use a number of supplements?
May i also ask what exercises you did?
thanks.
I didn't really follow the protocol. I've been taking a separate Vitamin K2 supplement, plus my calcium capsules come in a formula for bones which includes many micronutrients. Occasionally I have soak in Epsom salts or take a magnesium capsule. Mostly I rely on a diet which is mostly vegetable based although I do eat cheese and yoghurt, and try to get enough protein.
I have a load of physio exercises collected over the years for various problems. I can still manage a few yoga exercises. I took up tai chi, though classes not offered these days and I keep forgetting now. I took up Nordic walking (keeps spine strong and posture upright) and often when I walk or even just around the house I wear a weighted vest.
All this is in my account which you can find google healthunlocked my osteoporosis journey. :)
I have taken AA for 20 years and now am having to have all my lower teeth removed as my jaw is crumbling, Doc told me at my last meds review that AA would cause this problem and I just wanted to scream at him 'why didn't you warn me' ! Too late to fix the problem now but am seriously considering suing the NHS simply for funds to have implants put into my jaw !
Lucylasticsmiler
Go to the Bone Health community in the website HealthUnlocked which is now much more active than this one. I'm sure you'll find support there. What you are experiencing is unconscionable. Some one, if not your doctor your pharmacist, at least ten years ago should have noticed you were on this drug too long.
It's a bit late to the game, but if you have not already been taking Vitamin K2 (not K1) you could consider it as it may help to protect you from further damage. It sends calcium to the bones.