Hi,
I've taken all the bone strenghthening drugs over the last four years. All of them give me terrible acid reflux no matter what I do. Never had a problem with acid reflux before and every time I stop the medication, I go back to normal. My doctor just told me about Fosteum. I read up about on line. I still have all my female parts, and I am concerned about all the statements about "don't take Fosteum if you've had cancer or a family history with it. In this day and age everybody seems to get cancer some time or another. I keep asking a question but I can't seem to get an answer to.
Can taking Fosteum increase my chances of getting cancer or increase it's reoccurance after you've already had the disease. Also since there are no really good test for ovarian cancer, If you had it could this drug accelerate this awful disease.
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Fosteum
- By llmax
- Posted March 27, 2009 at 8:53 am · 16 replies
- In Osteopenia (low bone density)
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Acid reflux Boniva Forteo Ovarian cancer Reclast Constipation Menopause Pain Memory Osteoporosis Estrogens Evista
16 replies
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- Newest first
- By MamaMarks
- Posted April 2, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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Char42
Hi there!
I only took Boniva orally. I have issues with side-effects from oral meds for Osteoporosis and decided that I was not going to do Boniva by infusion simply because I couldn't take it orally due to flu-like symptoms. That's when my doctor suggested either Forteo or Reclast. I read some articles on how Forteo has been known to cause cancer in lab rats and decided there was no way I was going to do that. I just had my second infusion of Reclast yesterday and don't have any problems today and just had minor issues yesterday that are completely resolved now. I woke up with less bone pain than I had yesterday so I'm hoping that's a good sign. I do not have the side-effects, now, that I had last year with my first infusion so I am extremely grateful for that. I'm unsure of long-term effects of Reclast but my next DEXA scan will let my doctor know if it is working or not. I don’t have a choice. I have to take something, nothing else has worked and my T-scores keep getting worse. I’ve been very fortunate to have not broken anything major lately. I did break a pelvic bone from being thrown from my Clydesdale 3 years ago. Prior to that, I’ve never broken anything. I have lost height though.
I hope everyone on this post finds what works for them. I enjoy reading everyone's comments and helpful hints.
Thanks to all!
- By Char42
- Posted April 2, 2009 at 1:20 pm
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Hey MamaMarks, in 2007 my Doctor wanted me to do IV Boniva or Reclast. I declined, scared of the side effects which are the same as most of the oral Bisphosphonates, probably not much in GI side effects. However the bone pain and generally feeling unwell is still fresh in my memory. I also wonder about long term side effects.
If you have no or minimal side effects you are so lucky.
- By MamaMarks
- Posted April 2, 2009 at 11:57 am
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I agree with you on the Miacalcin spray. It did absolutely nothing to improve my bone loss. My T-scores were worse as well. I discontinued that 2 years ago then went to Boniva, which didn't help and now just started Reclast last year and had my second infusion yesterday. I will have another DEXA scan done before my next infusion to see if it has even been beneficial. I have tried all the other oral medications and had to stop them for various side-effects. Every person is different in what they can take and hopefully you'll find the drug that works for you.
I'm wishing you the very best!
- By llmax
- Posted April 1, 2009 at 7:43 am
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Thanks Kojak, I'm one of those women who have been scared away by soy based estrogens. I liked the way you explained how genestein works differently than estrogen . I like knowing how things work!
Gatekeeper said her doctor put her on strontium citrate. That's another one I've never heard of. Do you have info on that?
- By kojak
- Posted March 30, 2009 at 9:48 am
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Fosteum has never been studied directly with the cancer or family cancer population which is why it carries the precaution. It has not been studied in pregnant patients either and carries the same precaution. The WHI( Women's Health Initiative) has scared a lot of people into changing their train of thought on alot of topics...estrogen for one(yet look at the success of Evista, a disguised estrogen product). The studies in regard to soy and cancer are 50/50 for and against and no one really states what types of soy are to blame so we blame all of it. The choice comes down ultimately to the physician and patient. If one is a believer that soy causes or reforms cancer then Fosteum is not for them. As a reminder, there have been no negative changes in any reproductive tissue in the 5+ years Fosteum has been studied.
- By Gatekeeper
- Posted March 30, 2009 at 2:48 am
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Here tis: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/fosteum.html ~ JJ
- By Gatekeeper
- Posted March 30, 2009 at 2:47 am
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Kojak, thanks for the additional info. I went looking for the one website that gave more info about who should not use it, and couldn't find it. Hate when that happens.
Anyway, just as the info on the Fosteum webpage states those with cancer or who have had cancer shouldn't take it, the missing website added neither should those that have had cancer in their family. I was really excited about Fosteum when I first read about it, especially the hot flash benefit, but alas and alack, my doctor chose strontium. My mother has survived a double mastectomy.
I googled Hebert Marini but didn't find anything recognizable of where to go from the choices. ~ JJ
- By kojak
- Posted March 29, 2009 at 11:49 pm
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Gatekeeper- Genestein is what was known as a phytoestrogen. It looks like estrogen on a molecular scale but does not exert the same effects as estrogen. Genestein has been tested for Fosteum and no ill effects have been seen with reproductive tissues. It acts differently than estrogen and works very minutely on estrogen receptor alpha which is where all of the concrens you raise are associated. It is predominantly selective to the beta receptor which is why it has such a pronounced effect on bone. It wont make menopausal symptoms come back but actually does reduce hot flashes by upwards of 50%. You can google a study by Hebert Marini to learn more about it. I found this and other sudies very helpful in making my decision.
- By Gatekeeper
- Posted March 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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Love your comment, went thru menopause like a breeze... I could almost say same, except I'm always standing in the breeze. Hot flashes that just won't quit.<s> Going on 6 years now, but I haven't had any other problems other than the osteo. Course my Osteo could be related to a sensitive to gluten, who knows what my bones would be like now if I'd known that fact years ago.
Re: Fosteum. I wonder if a lot depends on how long it has been since you've had a period whether it would start you up again? I bet the estrogen isn't that high. If you're considering a natural means, which Fosteum is, you might be better off going with Strontium Citrate. ~ JJ
- By llmax
- Posted March 29, 2009 at 8:42 am
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Wow!
Great information. A lot to think about. I was one of the lucky ones and went thru menopause like a breeze. I actually feel better than I ever did. Except for my bones. My grandmother (who I look like) had osteoporsis and it is a big concern for me. No one in my immediate family ever had a history of cancer of any of the female reproductive organs. I never had children and I was once told that because of that, my chances of having cancer could increase. Don't know how true that is.
Another thought... since fosteum has Genestein and it is a natural form of estrogen, could it start up my reproductive cycle again?
- By Gatekeeper
- Posted March 28, 2009 at 5:18 pm
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Kojak wrote: soy derrivative (genestein) the powers that be feel safer saying any that can happen with soy COULD happen with Fosteum.
Genestein is a natural form of estrogen and estrogen can feed cancers of the female organs. The genestein in soy is a much lower than what is in Fosteum, thus if a female (don't know about men) has a family history of cancer, soy imho doesn't increase the possibility, but Fosteum could, especially if one has the genetic marker to estrogen feeding cancer.
One of the reasons women get osteoporosis after menopause the lower estrogen produced, Fosteum would counter that. If one's estrogen is normal not sure if Fosteum would help build bone. ~ JJ
- By Char42
- Posted March 28, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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Miacilcin was my first osteoporosis medication, it was useless and gave me nosebleeds. Stayed with it for one year, bone scan became worse.
- By kojak
- Posted March 28, 2009 at 11:09 am
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Fosteum has not been shown to cause or increase any form of cancer but sine it has a part that is a soy derrivative(genestein) the powers that be feel safer saying any that can happen with soy COULD happen with Fosteum. No adverse event regarding cancer has ocurred in the 6+ years of study of genestein for this product.
It can be found for $50 at some pharmacies if you want to call around. It is a great product with many uses and not alot of drawbacks but just lacks the huge fanbase some products have.
- By llmax
- Posted March 28, 2009 at 8:02 am
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No, I've never heard of it. I will check it out. Thank you for your input!
- By willamette
- Posted March 27, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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Hi
Have you tried Fortical?
It is Calitonin Salmon Also known as Miacilcin It is a nasal spray.
it is a completely different class of drug,. has no known side effects, though I have had constipation since using it.
Might be something to consider.
- By Char42
- Posted March 27, 2009 at 10:41 am
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Had to google Fosteum
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/fosteum.html
http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/showthread.php?t=244059
It is a expensive Rx
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