Looking for Osteoporosis help

• By Nermine
• Reply 3485250
• October 24, 2012 at 1:05 pm
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I am taking actonal once a week. calcium supplement and vitamin d everyday. Gym and aerboics is important ....eat as much ca products as possible during the day.

• By 4Kari
• Reply 3485389 · In reply to 3485344 by dxaguru
• October 24, 2012 at 1:55 pm
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The compression was seen on a DXA scan. It's the thing that has me most concerned. I'm aware that sometimes medicine is indicated, but I'm really afraid to go that route without hearing from others who have taken Forteo. I'd like to know if there are success stories and people who haven't had a bad reaction. I'd like to hear the praises sung by actual users, instead of doctors and drug companies.

• By wife2abadge
• Reply 3485859
• October 24, 2012 at 4:37 pm
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A coworker of mine's husband has been giving himself the Forteo shots with no reaction at all. He hasn't been on it even a year though.

• By newgirlmom
• Reply 3486285
• October 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm
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4kari, I too was shocked after a car wreck revealed I have sever op at -5 in spine. I also have always been very active and petite. I am 53 and have found much information on this site. My docs want me on Forteo also but I have not made my final decision on it yet. There are many people on this site that have been and are on Forteo and there are some positive results for many. I believe we all have to make our own decisions for our mind and body and we are all different. Do your research, try not to get overwhelmed and when you make peace with your body then you will know what decision will be best for you. Don't let the diagnosis control your life. Stay in faith and move forward. God bless.

• By Lorrieanne
• Reply 3487707
• October 25, 2012 at 9:55 am
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Hello and welcome! I was 50 and diagnosed this year, and I was just as shocked as you! I guess we all are when we first hear those words. Lots of people on this site advised me to read YOUR BONES by Lara Pizzorno and it really helped me. I also found out a major cause of my op was low Vit D level, so I started supplementing with that, along with many other vitamins and minerals needed for bone health that I learned of from the book and the wonderful people on this site! I am not ready to commit to meds yet. First I am trying the more natural route. I also exercise daily, gave up coffee, alcohol, diet soda and added more greens, prunes and almonds. I feel much stronger and my compression fracture has healed, w/o a new one- which I am afraid of every day!
So my advice is to read that book, have your Vit D level checked, go to www.betterbones.com and learn about the other tests you should have and also read there about the 20 vits and mins needed for bones health, and take some time to learn. Read all you can, on this site to. I spent hours on the internet- most of it here and then I came to my conclusion about treatment plans. I feel too young to commit to meds that may cause more probs down the road. Do your homework! :)
Lorrieanne

• By Justmeinla
• Reply 3487878 · In reply to 3487707 by Lorrieanne
• October 25, 2012 at 10:38 am
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I took Forteo for 20 months with no side effects. Finally stopped just short of maximum 24 months because of high blood calcium levels. I did have bone growth, wish I could take it again. They now want me to take Prolia but I haven't decided yet. Good luck with your decision. Just be informed.

• By 2lessparathyroids
• Reply 3489142
• October 25, 2012 at 5:27 pm
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You definitely need to be tested for hyperparathyroidism. You should have your serum calcium and parathyroid hormone tested. Simple blood test. Also they should check your vitamin D level. If your serum calcium is in the 10s then there is a good chance you have parathyroid disease. It causes osteoporosis and low vitamin D. If you have this you should not take Forteo.

• By 4Kari
• Reply 3489636 · In reply to 3489142 by 2lessparathyroids
• October 25, 2012 at 8:30 pm
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Thanks. I just had blood drawn to test for those disorders. Doc said they'll make their medication suggestion based on those results. I'll keep you posted when I know more. In the meantime, I'm still reading and researching all my options--since it's a very hard decision to start taking a powerful medication when you're feeling healthy and strong.

• By 4Kari
• Reply 3490745 · In reply to 3487707 by Lorrieanne
• October 26, 2012 at 8:29 am
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I have been doing nothing but research since my diagnosis a month ago, and have read The Better Bones book as well as The Myth of Osteoporosis from cover to cover. Another great book is Walk Tall by Sara Meeks (PT), and I'm following her step by step method for postural improvements that help strengthen the important muscles for keeping our backs strong and upright, and to help prevent future bone fractures. I exercise regularly and have been eating a whole foods, alkaline diet for most of my adult life--mostly beans, greens, and grains with very little animal protein and fat. Also I've been taking Calcium and additional Vit D for years, and have never broken a bone (nor has anyone in my immediate family) so I never expected I'd get OP. I just had a series of blood tests taken to see if there's an underlying cause for my excessive bone loss, or if it's just my bad luck to have inherited it. When I get those results, I'll be better able to decide how I want to treat this. Everyday I waver back and forth as to whether I want to start the suggested meds or not. On the one hand, I'm terrified of the long term effects, which are totally unknown at this time, but I'm also afraid of losing more bone density if I try and go the holistic route first. I live near a leading research center that focuses solely on OP, and everyone says I'm in great hands (the best in the country!), and that I should listen to what they say, but I'm still very afraid of taking drugs for life.

• By 4Kari
• Reply 3491412 · In reply to 3487991 by dxaguru
• October 26, 2012 at 12:13 pm
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dxaguru, you seem to be very knowledgeable about the DXA scans. I just had my first one, and it was done to get a routine baseline, and not because of any problems or fractures. My t-score for the spine was -3.6 and the compression (and maybe I'm not using the right term here) that was seen, was on a photo image of my spine. There were 4 or 5 boxes outlining the levels of the vertebrae and the top box was slightly smaller than the others--which was a cause of concern, even though there were no fractures seen. They made me believe that the compression of my spine was already taking place and there was no way to stop it, and prevent a fracture, besides drug therapy. I wonder if my poor posture, a lifetime habit of hunching over, could have caused that image? I'm now working with a physical therapist to strengthen my back muscles and correct my posture. Some believe that even though you have low bone density, it doesn't guarantee you will sustain a fracture. You can take steps to minimize your risk of breaking bones without medication--but I suppose, like anything in life, it's all about taking a gamble.

• By leeinam
• Reply 3494043
• October 27, 2012 at 1:16 pm
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I remember the shock and disbelief when I found my spine score was -4.5 earlier this year. Nothing can describe the feeling of terror and I had no idea what to do. Had the tests overseas as no health insurance or doctor here in USA. Am a Brit living here since 2011. So I found this site and took advice from the members and did my own research. Nothing would persuade me to take the forteo/fosemax route as I know it's all about money - the pharma companies want us all on these drugs from osteopenia to full osteoporosis as they make billions from scare tactics and selling these drugs. From my research they can make the test results look better but our bones are not stronger, actually more brittle. The only way to go is supplements, diet and exercise (the right sort of pounding exercise) and be very careful not to fall. I am over the shock now and have taken control of my life. We can change our bones and make them strong again. We do not need these dreadful drugs but all doctors will tell you to take them - half the time they know no better and have no clue about nutrition and Osteo. We all have reasons we got osteo - mine was very early menopause and not knowing about calcium and Vit D etc at the time - not so much was known then about prevention. No point looking back though - it's what I do now that counts. Strontium is important and Vit K and all the other vitamins told about on this site. I rattle with all the supplements and have never taken a pill in my life before so that is hard for me.
Avoid the drugs - the natural way is best and exercise is the key. Alignment yoga good too for balance.
Good luck - there is plenty of support and advice on this site.

• By lilypads
• Reply 3494084
• October 27, 2012 at 1:36 pm
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Vitamin K2 as MK4 has been shown in studies to reduce fracture risk 60-90%. As far as anyone knows, it has nothing but beneficial effects. It only stays in the body about 8 hours, so ideally should be taken every 8 hours. There are many discussions about K2 on this site which you can find with a Google search that includes "Inspire.com."

K2 is needed to keep calcium out of joints, arteries, and soft tissue, and put it in our bones.