Hi
Im back again but its been a real bad time, husband had to get pacemaker and lots of Drs for us both but Rheumy insisting on my getting the prolia. My BMD measured at Femur 0.581 with a t score of -3.4. He said Im totally in need of shots but after reading possible side effects Im petrified. Anyone here ever take this med for Osteoporosis?
I've been taking Prolia for the last 4 years. No noticable side effects and my osteoporosis T reading is now back in the normal range.
I have a t score of -3.5 (hips). I have bonviva injections once ever 3 months. Can't say I have had any problems.
If you take medication, please also do all the natural things - that will really get you ahead of the game and you may be able to discontinue the medication at two years, which is now considered the turning point for gaining the most benefit from the drugs and reducing the chances of serious side effects.
Hi Anhaga,
Thanks again for the reply. I am so afraid of taking the shot which is schedules for this coming Tuesday. I read so many awful things from others who are warning that they got so ill from it and while there were very few positive comments I realize that the people with good results hardly ever post, its only the negative ones. Still some of the side effects mentioned were very bad and long lasting so I am considering going the natural way, going to a vitamin shopp and getting the necessary vitamins and continue eating all of the veggies and foods needed to help the condition. I mean in all seriousness if I dont take the injections I think I could try to manage it on my own, whats your opinion on this?
HI constance thanks for your reply! Glad its working for you.
Hi Netfret,
Thanks you for your reply, Im so happy its working for you and Constance.
It is your choice of course. As far as I can tell people who go the natural route can improve their bone density as quickly (or as slowly) as the medicines do, but of course the only side effect is improved general health. I think appropriate exercise is as important, because you want to stimulate the bone to make more, so weightbearing exercise is really good and there is loads of information online about this. But some people do opt to take the meds for a couple of years which may maximize their benefits but reduce the chances of serious side effects. I certainly think the longer one takes them the riskier they become, and that is now being recognized by the medical people.
Google combination of micronutirents osteoporosis and you should find an article which describes research showing that nutrition is effective.
And please take Vitamin K2!
Good luck - let us know how you get on!
You may wish to know that denosumab (prolia) works by actually destroying osteoclasts, so even more so than with the bisphosphonates it's a good idea to limit the amount of time you take it. Osteoclasts don't just remodel bone, they are also part of the immune system.
and bonviva is a bisphosphonate called ibandronate
Anhaga I went to the vitamin store and they showed me something called Vitamin Code grow bone system, they said it has been clinically proven to regenerate new bone and is totally organic. I has all the necessary vitamins and minerals, Magnesium, Vitamin k and is tanked every day in two parts. it increases bone density and the reviews online are excellent, have you heard of it?
"In a six-month randomized, open label human clinical study, 176 healthy men and women aged 18 to 85 consumed the ingredients in the Vitamin Code Grow Bone System, along with a healthy eating plan and walking program, and experienced a significant increase in bone mineral density as evidenced by comparing their before and after DEXA scans."
I think you'll find that Anhaga achieved that as well - the exercise is as important as the substance. They may also claim it is a clinical study - but that doesn't mean it was either well run or meaningful! Not denying it may well helpas it is a packaged selection of good stuff for bone - but don't believe everything that health food store assistants tell you.
Sharon, there are numerous formulations and depending where you live different ones will be available. As Eileen says, the exercise component is also very important. We have to look at supplements as just that: supplements to a healthy diet and as active a lifestyle as we can manage. I chose a supplement containing calcium hydroxyapatite because I read that this form of calcium is best absorbed by people on pred. Once I am off pred, or maybe sooner if I end up at 1 mg forever, I'll probably switch back to calcium citrate as that's seems to generally be the best, and is considerably cheaper than what I'm taking at present. In my opinion the two most significant things I added (among many other things) to my life when combatting bone thinning are Vitamin K2 and additional exercise in the form of Nordic walking and tai chi. A friend of mine also says she thinks we should have a good source of silica in our diet, or take a supplement. As I now consume lots of leafy greens I'm hoping I get enough without needing an additional supplement.
I should have added to my comments that you could also get some advice from an experienced physiotherapist about techniques for protecting your spine. You can also learn exercises which strengthen the core and muscles lining and supporting the spinal column. Practicing tai chi or similar exercise can improve one's sense of balance. As most fractures, whether a person has bone thinning or not, are caused by falling, maintaining and improving balance could be a really important way of preventing fracture.
There has been a study, combination of micronutrients bone density are the key words for google, which showed that micronutrients are effective in improving bone density. I don't know if the various bones supplements now available reflect the findings of this study. I have to confess that even considering trying to find out makes me very tired, so I think I'll just carry on as I have been and hope for the best!
Anhaga this does have the k2, magnesium and calcium, as well as the d as d3, I also am on 5000 mil of d3 every day so Im getting plenty of that and I walk over a mile every day. I have a state of the art gym in my complex, I live in a retirement community here in Florida so all of the machines are here for my us whenever I want. I also am eating plenty of leafy veggies and following a low fat and sugar diet with protein so going to give it a try. Thank you so much for helping me!
Eileen I so agree with you, yes Im tired of reading and reading up on all of these things and also on store assistants trying to sway you to purchase products. Im going to give it a try and see what happens, I doubt it can harm me so Ill hope & pray it helps! Thanks for all your help!
If you have a state of the art gym in a retirement community - does it have a PowerPlate? They have been shown to improve bone density in subjects with limited mobility and also to improve fitness in teenage ski athletes when used in addition to normal training. If I could find one locally I'd be using it!
Thanks Eileen Im going over to ask if they have that! Will definitely try it if we do.
Hi Eileen, I was just going over my emails and came across your reply to Sharon re: PowerPlate. Is it the one that you stand on it and it vibrates at different speeds? I have one, never out of the box. My t score is -3.7 lumber and -0.9 left hip. If I thought this would Help, I would surely get it out of the box and start using it. Thanks in advance. Pat