Boniva, Evista, Forteo?

• By April995
• Reply 290437
• February 17, 2009 at 8:17 am
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Hi Gatekeeper,
I was also told that Forteo is a daily shot.
My Endo said, just try it for 6 months, but you should take it for a year! He also suggested Reclast. When I mentioned anything natural, He looked at me as if I had lost my mind!! Although I have to say, he tried to explain everything to me.
I'm finding Drs. only know about perscription Drugs, and to just take any type of multi-vitimin off the drug store shelf .

I did try one, monthly Boniva afew months ago, and had joint pain for 2 weeks. It was awful. I still will get odd pain through my body/ Hips/ shoulders, and I think it is from the Boniva, as I never had anything like that before!
From what I have been reading, I think it was a blessing I got sick from Boniva, and decided, It's not for me.

Some people here, take Strontium Citrate. I have been going through the internet to find out more about Strontium, and went to my health food store. They said they sell allot of it, and it has helped. Also the owners Mother has Osteo, and is taking Strontium, and other Calcuim , D , etc. Her scores have improved. (she is 91 yrs).
I can not find anything bad about Strontium, and I have started taking it.

Littlechill here has been taking strontium, and just had a bone scan. She has improved from taking it.
Also take a look at, Bone Lady .
You might want to check out Strontium citrate!..

It's too soon for me to take another Scan. I'm just hoping It improves my bones.
I'm also learning from my P.T. how to do different exercises that will not hurt my back.

I think we have to be ProActive about our health.
Get as much information as possible, then make a choice what is right for your body, for your health.
We are all here for that same reason.

Take Care,
April

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 291455
• February 17, 2009 at 10:13 pm
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Thanks for the reply April. My Doctor is all about natural, but there are times when natural doesn't cover it. Case in point the fact that I've been following the proper nutrition (I think) and yet lost so much bone (in my mind) over 2 years.

Did someone here mention that strontium could cause a false gaining of bone in one's dexa? Course if it makes the bones stronger, not sure if that's so bad or not. Re: ProActive, yep, figured if I had to go back on something I was going to do some research this time. Currently I'm thinking Evista first, Boniva 2nd at this time. Doubt I'd do injections that last months to years. If one has a bad reaction that's a long time to wait for it to clear the body. :-x

• By April995
• Reply 291620
• February 18, 2009 at 3:25 am
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Gatekeeper,
That is right, Strontium will give a false reading on a Dexa score. You would have to stop taking it about a month before the test.
That is what I have learned here.

• By Paulaq
• Reply 291782
• February 18, 2009 at 8:51 am
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Hi guys. I have been on Forteo daily injections for about 9 months. I have not had a follow up scan but I am hoping for an improvement. I just got back from an week in the mountians skiing and I was really fearful about it. I commited to ski like an "old lady" so I would't break anything. That lasted for the morning of the first day. I skied as fast and hard as I wanted and I felt like I was 12 years old. I am encouraged by the way I felt and expect my bones to be better at my next scan. It is hard to remember everyday. I do not have any side effects so far

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 291936
• February 18, 2009 at 10:14 am
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Paulaq, that is good to hear. I got on one forum that was mostly complaints about all the forms that improve osteso, was very discouraging. I figured when one doesn't know the history of each person, I guess one just has to research, take their doc's advice, and try stuff.

What did you try, if anything, before Forteo? ~ jan

• By April995
• Reply 292221
• February 18, 2009 at 1:33 pm
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Paula,
Glad to hear your doing so well on Forteo.

When you finish taking Forteo, don't you have to start taking Fosomax or one of those after, to keep the build up of your now stronger bones ?

April

• By really
• Reply 292418
• February 18, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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I tried actenol and had terrible crippling bone/joint/muscle pain. Another doc told me I should be on Evista, but I told him if there was ANY chance of bone/muscle/joint pain, there is no way. He tried to convince me that Evista does not cause pain. However after searching on internet, I found that Evista DOES have problems with pain and also this drug causes blood clots and strokes!
I am just sticking with taking my daily Calcium...nothing is safe for oestro!

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 292671 · In reply to 292418 by really
• February 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm
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And the Forteo is a daily shot, yes? I wonder how come the Dexascan lady said monthly, could they be changing it soon? Hmmmm.... course I'd rather a small dose more often than a larger dose less often, just due to less likely to react.

I think (and I'm just sort of guessing here after reading the info) that clots and stroke percentages are very close to those from birth control pills.

And not knowing the history of those 10,000 women tested, the percentage was pretty low compared to the placebo. If one doesn't have the histories I would hope I'd be okay taking it.... as in, hope my number is up that day. ;-) Regardless my doctor may still prefer I try Boniva, or perhaps I should go back to Actonel and a nightly anti-acid pill, since I had no problems with that drug other than heart burn? Which I still have to treat on occasion if I eat something too acidic. Getting old sucks!

• By Keep_Dancing
• Reply 293980
• February 19, 2009 at 9:59 pm
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I appreciate everyone's input though leaves me still confused on the medications. I'll keep taking supplements for now.
I was also told about monthly injections, and one that was annually but never found out more about them. An endo initially brought up the question of these drugs (problems) for one with leukemia.

• By Laniphil54
• Reply 295318
• February 21, 2009 at 9:13 am
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1st month of Boniva and no side effects. This site had me scared to death to take anything so I waited 6 months worrying - had a bone scan that showed I needed something and went ahead with the Boniva. The people with problems from these drugs need to emphasize to others know that this is specific to them and not a normal reaction. Good luck,

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 295533
• February 21, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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Yup, Lani, you're right.

I had a dentist appointment yesterday and asked about the jaw problems. He said in his readings that the risks were so low, he knew of 6 in the nation and those were people taking the IV yearly drug. Plus, if you have good teeth to begin with, having an extraction is pretty rare. I'm still leaning toward Evista, hoping I won't have stomach problems. Seems as soon as I found out I was back to full Osteo my stomach started acting up. Most nights since then I've had to take a Pepcid-like drug. :-( ~

• By pticconi
• Reply 296784 · In reply to 295318 by Laniphil54
• February 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm
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I agree, Lani. I have taken Fosamax for 13 years with no side effects and I am PREmenopausal. Unfortunately people that do well with meds and show improved bone density seldom are in need for support and do not post to these boards. In fact, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't been asked to be a moderator. The most dreaded side effects are rare but they also get the most attention. But for every person with side effects there are probably hundreds without but, like I said, we don't hear from them. Everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt, and we shouldn't let fear rule our lives. I hate to see so many people scared out of taking a medication that might be beneficial for them.

Peggy

Peggy

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 296791
• February 22, 2009 at 5:25 pm
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Thanks Peggy, I had becoming to that conclusion myself though I'll probably continue on the board as one of the folks (I hope) that will have a good outcome when my Dr. & I decide on a treatment.

Now here's a thought. Can the heartburn that some get from Fosamax, Actonel, etc. be treated with an evening dose of say Pepcid? Can one take that every night forever? After all the box says 14 days, but perhaps that is due to suggesting if you still have a problem after 14 days see your doctor. ~ JJ

• By pticconi
• Reply 298032 · In reply to 296791 by Gatekeeper
• February 23, 2009 at 5:31 pm
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I have been on Nexium for heartburn for several years. I started with Tagament, then Zantac until it went over the counter, and now Nexium. I started with heartburn before I started Fosamax. It seems to run in my family because my mom had bad heartburn too. The recommendation on the box is just what you said, see your doctor if the problem persists. But if Pepcid is working for you, the doctor will probably tell you to continue taking it.

Peggy

• By PikaB
• Reply 298103
• February 23, 2009 at 6:28 pm
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pgreene: Are you aware that PPI medications like Nexium are linked to increased hip fracture? Perhaps not the wisest choice for someone with low bone density.

• By Lucyelizabeth
• Reply 298143 · In reply to 296784 by pticconi
• February 23, 2009 at 6:49 pm
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Hi, you said you were asked to be a moderator. Who asked you to do that? Seems like this site is not in need of a moderator. I have learned more in one year on this site then I have learned in five from my doctor.
Long may we have an unmoderated discussion.
Nothing personal to you....
Lucyelizabeth

• By pticconi
• Reply 298255 · In reply to 298103 by PikaB
• February 23, 2009 at 8:19 pm
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None of my doctors have ever mentioned it. Since my bone density is now -1.2 I'm not going to worry about it.

• By pticconi
• Reply 298257 · In reply to 298143 by Lucyelizabeth
• February 23, 2009 at 8:22 pm
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Lucyelizabeth,
The NOF asked two ladies to voluntarily moderate the site, sdivas and myself. There are also several moderators from Inspire. We haven't really had to moderate the posts except when someone is trying to sell something which is against the rules. Most of the moderating is done by Inspire though you wouldn't realize there are any moderators here.

Peggy

• By Gatekeeper
• Reply 298339
• February 23, 2009 at 9:17 pm
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Thanks pgreene on the antacid & Nexium info. Also like your garden picture. My son just set me up with a new computer and hasn't transferred my pictures yet. Hopefully sometime this week. ~ jj

• By sdivas
• Reply 299317 · In reply to 298143 by Lucyelizabeth
• February 24, 2009 at 3:43 pm
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Hello Lucyelizabeth, NOF does not have the staff to read all of the daily posts. The volunteer moderators read all of the posts and keep NOF informed by phone and email if there are any discussions that NOF may want to address in the NOF blog . NOF is well informed about the discussions. As pgreene stated, as volunteer moderators we check for any sales promotion or any blasting. The community is to encourage and support community members . I feel it is very important to have moderators on a discussion board in order to keep the discussions flowing and to be sure that all community members receive a reply to their posts. The Inspire moderators know that the volunteer moderators are on the community daily .... and I have found that Beth, overall moderator is always available and helpful when there is any "wrinkle" on the community. Personally, I check the community 3x daily; morning, afternoon and night. I take my volunteer moderator duties seriously as I feel being placed in this position by NOF that I am representing NOF. The volunteer moderators will not interfere in discussions unless there is blasting, and we are both very careful as we understand that words can often be misinterpreted. Hope this gives you a better understanding of our positions as volunteer moderators. Sandi (sdivas)