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I have just been told my bone density test is down another 2% from last year, making me "pre-oteopenia" according do my Dr. He wants to try me on Boniva, however, I have been on Nexium for several years. Does anyone know if continual use of Nexium could cause low vitamin D/calcium absorbtion? I had a friend try Boniva and she had horrible flu like symptoms.
Exercise Surgery Irritable bowel syndrome Nexium Prevacid Osteopenia Probiotics Menopause Fibromyalgia Osteoporosis Reglan Boniva GERD Forteo Fosamax Reclast Metamucil Actonel Pain Heartburn Prilosec
Hi Millie
Found your comments on lemon juice very interesting. i have been on Prilosec, then Nexium for at least 8-10 years. My last DEXA scan was the first to show osteo...spine -3.6, femur -1.8. I had been on very high doses of Nexium for the 2 years previous to that . ..and was still on that as of this June, making 3 years on a very high dose.
. My stomach hurt all of the time so I decided to try an old remedy which is just vinegar in water..sometimes with a little honey. I have probably taken about 15 or 20 Nexium since June 5th whereas I would have taken over 200 if I still took 80 mg a day. Most weeks I never even take 1 now. My stomach feels so great that I have gained 6 unwanted pounds!!!
I agree,supplementing our own stomach acid sometimes does the trick for acid relux. We NEED acid to digest our food properly, just don't need it in our esophagus.
I am trying to raise my D levels up to 55/60 but it is slow going. I am up to 8,000 Units of D3 a day now, will test again in Feb. I am in NY State, the mail in Vit D tests are not allowed here, however, I get mine done twice a year at the Drs.
They interfere with the absorption of everything. I have one other personal anecdote about that. Last year I was placed on a sodium-restricted diet for high blood pressure, so I'm only allowed 2000mg per day. I learned that squeezing lemon juice over anything I wanted to use salt on makes the food taste as though it were salted. BUT! I haven't had a single bout with gastritis as long as I use that every day. It seems that use of proton pump inhibitors and antacids can really interfere and that maybe my problem was that my stomach wasn't producing enough acid. So I dropped the lemon juice, and sure enough, another flare-up of gastritis!
Thank you each for the information on the importance of vitamin D, vit D therapy and testing one's vit D levels. I will have mine tested. Do proton pump inhibitors interfere with the absorption of vitamin D, too?
If you join the "D Action" group at www.grassrootshealth.net , you can get your finger-stick tests for $40 per pop. Plus the researchers involved get to use info about your levels in their research.
LisaAnn,
I just went to a naturopath yesterday, and while extolling the virtues of Vitamin D she said that it can help with fibromyalgia pain. She also said she would like to see me at 70-80 during the winter to help ward off infections. I tested at 28 last month so I have a way to go, especially now that Sol has gone away until next May or June. 11 is very low. You need D to help absorb calcium. Look for the Vitamin D Council website. I think Dr. Cannell heads it up. Mr. Google can help you find it. I checked out "The Vitamin D Cure" by Dr. Somebody or Other at the library. You might check it out, too. There's a website where you can test your D through the mail if your Dr. won't do it. Also, you can order blood tests through LabCorp on line, and go to a local clinic for the blood draw. That's what I did for $117.00 of my own dough.
. . . just a distillation of information I've gleaned from this site and the internet.
Look, folks. I had gastro surgery nearly 40 years ago for a birth defect (my mesenteric artery was wrapped around my duodenum). Since then, I have had recurrent very serious bouts with gastritis which can be debilitating. Thus long love affairs with proton pump inhibitors such as prevacid, nexium, acifex. The short answer here is that I do not personally believe anyone with the problem and with a diagnosis of osteopenia instead of osteoporosis should be taking any of these drugs. I refused them, was sent to an endocrinologist who put me on megadoses of vitamin D for 4 months, and my bones started re-modeling. Just say no. Do be tested for low vitamin D levels (anything under 40 or 50ng), and try the vitamin D therapy first. Osteopenia is NOT an emergency.
I have learned that continued use of nexium interferes with absorption of calcium because absorption of calcium requires the presence of acid. I am in the same position that you are, JLH: my bone density is down 4 % from 5 years ago and in the pre-osteopenic range. I also have spent a lot of the last 5 years taking Nexium. I am very reluctant to take any of the bone building drugs due to their severe side effects.
For the last two months I have been doing everything in my power to heal my digestion naturally without taking nexium. I have been following the suggestions in the book"Gut Solutions" by Brenda Watson. I take probiotics that contain, among other bacteria strains, b. infantis, which clinical studies have shown to help some people who have irritable bowel syndrome. I eat a diet of no sugar or refined carbohydrates, mainly protein, whole grains vegetables and fruits, take 1 teaspoon of metamucil per day and triphala twice a day, essential fatty acids daily. Also, Brenda Watson recommends L-glutamine supplements to heal the lining of the GI tract. I take that in the form of her supplement combo called IntestiNew from Renew Life. I drink Aloe juice if I feel burning in the esophagus. Enzyme supplements ripped the heck out of my stomach and felt worse than any GERD I've had. My GI doctor said the main issue for me is lack of motility on the whole GI system: the stomach doesn't empty fast enough which keeps the lower esophageal sphincter open and leaking stomach acid. So, If I can get the system moving, the stomach will close and not leak acid into the esophagus...theoretically. We will see.
I already do a lot of weight bearing exercise and have consistently for 10 years. I don't think it is possible for me to exercise more to build bone.
Please let me know if you have other natural solutions for the stomach and bone loss. Good Luck!
nexium is also taken for barretts esophagus.. . it heals throat erosions caused maybe by acid refux, which can present without heartburn, or from years of smoking. barrets esophagus is a change in the lining of the esophagus..
I take Nexium and Reglan for GERD and intestines that are very twisted. I had a colonoscopy and the Dr. stated that it is very important for my over all health to stay on the above. I have tried to just take ezymes without luck. But then, I seem to get everything bad. I take many medications and am tested frequently for all functions. I am on Forteo and am considering Reclast due to the tummy trouble. I'm not sure what all my medications are doing to my body, but I do know they are making my life easier than it is without them.
I too have been on Nexium for about a year and after researching find it does deplete bones and also you must have acid in your stomach for Calcium and Vita D asorption. Tryin to get offof Nexium is extremely hard for me since I have such a sensative stomach but Sara I am interested in what natural remedies you are taking.
Thanks--I expected it was something like that. I am wondering if you (or anyone else here) has tried more natural remedies for such conditions.
There are natural digestive enzymes that I have used with great success. I also eat miso soup nearly daily and find that helps. AND a friend once told me she took 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt first thing in the morning and that controlled her reflux.
Regarding the concerns expressed over possible bone loss, none of the above will have a negative effect on that.
JLH:
I repeat -- if you have a Vitamin D deficiency -- and you well might -- you need a prescription dose amount to correct it. Do not put this off. The amount of calcium in your blood does not raise up the Vitamin D level. You need D for he;ping absorb the calcium, but you need D for other functions as well. Feeling punk with muscle aches and pains is one symptom of such a deficiency. Waiting 6 months will not help your problem.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose
Again, thanks for all the input in this thing called "pre-oteopenia". I think someone said either you do or you don't have it! My not taking calcium with D can certainly affect my calcium and frankly I think it is a waste of insurance funds to take a blood test when I have been at fault in taking the calcium. Think I will just be very diligent about it, and in 6 months when I have regular blood work for cholesterol I will ask for a calcium level at that time. That should have been enough time for my body to began absorbing the calcium. Good luck to all in your own probing for your particular condition. Will keep in touch
J
jlh,
nexium decreases stomach acid which is needed for certain forms of calcium absorption. so yes, it is possible that this has played a role in your bone loss. by the way.....vit b12 also needs acid for absorption..i would ck w/your md about these issues. i know it takes the body years to really get depleted of vit b12. how bad is your reflux? have your tried dietary strategies prior to nexium therapy??? definitely check your vit d level as your body cannot adequately absorb calcium w/out vit d. linda ny
Hi JLH,
You should get tested for a vit D deficiency sooner rather then later. Just my opinion. I wish some one had suggested it to me.
H
Hi! JLH,
In my opinion, drug treatments for osteopenia are debatable. Some think the term "osteopenia" was coined by the pharmaceutical companies to improve their bottom lines. Being treated or not at the osteopenia stage is up to each individual, but I have never heard of "pre-osteopenia"! The stage before osteopenia is called "normal."
Having said that, a two percent decline in bone density in a year is disquieting. Nexium is certainly suspect. You should discuss this with your doctor, get that assay of your vitamin D level, and faithfully take your calcium with vitamin D.
Best of luck to you.
JLH:
Reclast is an intravenous infusion of a biphosphonate taken once a year. It seems to be helping many within this group. Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva are biphosphonates that slow bone loss, but taken orally can irritate the stomach and esophagus. That is one of the reasons for an intravenous form that bypasses the gut. Pre-infusion instructions include drinking plenty of water to head off the possible flu-like symptoms that last 2-3 days. As with other situations, we hear from those with complaints; the people without complaints -- most folks -- are not so vocal.
As to your Vitamin D testing, please get it done right away. The dose you'd be taking with your calcium is no way near adequate IF you have a deficiency.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose
Thank you all for the replys. No I really don't know anything about Reclast...what is it? I can't get off the Nexium, have tried...what is the cost? Possible bone loss? It is amazing how you get one med for a condition only to cause another one. I was supposed to go get a blood test to test for a vitamin D deficiency, but can't see doing it until I have faithfully taken Calcium with D for a few months. Have to admit, I didn't take it and hope that is the reason this stuff has happened.
J
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