What Happens after density improves?

Jo-Ann
0 Recommendations

Hi everybody,
I'm just back from California, (with Strontium) and still searching for answers to the multitude of questions running through my head. It amazes me how my focus in life has changed over the last couple of weeks. I hope these questions aren't too "stupid" but even with hours of searching, I just can't find answers, and am hoping somebody in here has the knowledge.
Firstly, I'm still hoping to go the "natural" route with this diagnosis, and have just finished reading The Bone Building Solution by Sam Graci which I found to be an amazing book. Even though I've been vegetarian for eons, his book helped me refocus on what foods are important.
So now I'm taking calcium and Vit B (Caltrate Plus), Green +Bone Builder, Strontium, exercising even more, and watching every single thing that goes into my mouth.
I guess what I'm really wondering is, what happens if I do manage to get my hip numbers improved...am I going to have to do this forever and ever? What happens if somebody is on the medications and they achieve a lower (or better yet a normal) score? Does the medication have to be continued or can the person take a more "natural" approach? My doctor told me that treatment generally lasts 5 years (why 5?), but didn't say what happened after that.
I have to go back and see her in a couple of weeks, and I just know she's going to try and pressure me to take one of those medications...am I totally out of my mind to think I can "fix" this naturally? I did look up the number for a naturopath last night, but haven't yet contacted her, and to be honest, sometimes I just think it would be easier to cave in and "do as I'm told."
Any help/answers/advice will be greatly appreciated. I am so very thankful to have found this site! Thanks all!

20 replies

Strirun

I am right along with you. Doing exactly what you are doing in researching and counting ever mg of calcium that goes into my mouth. I have not seen anything regarding what happens when the numbers become good. I would think that you would have to continue with taking the calcium, vit d3, and working out. As far as the drugs, not sure what a person would be able to do. My mother in law has been on fosamex for over 7 years now. Her numbers are better, but she is still on the meds.

lindito

Hi JoAnn
I am doing exactly what you are doing but I am not a vegetarian...yet. All of this is still so new and is mind boggeling to try and understand what is best. I too have changed my exercise to 1 1/2 hours walking, weights and trying to get back into yoga. Nice to have other people looking for "a better way".
I have New Chapters Bone Builder with 800 Vita D, Calcium and strotium. Also take a Multi Vita. I actually think you have to continue taking these things because as you age you naturally lose bone.
I watched my Mother struggle with Fosamax and terrible stomach pain...no way to live.

Jo-Ann

Thank you both so much for responding! It really helps to know that I'm not alone in this quest for better bones. I really don't mind continuing with anything as long as it's not those pills. I read somewhere that one of the drug companies has put aside something like 48 million for law suits, and that they actually hid the results of some of their trial tests. Now how scary is that??????
I've been doing yoga for a number of years, and it is certainly good for a lot of things...including balance and peace of mind. :-) I took the summer off and plan to go back next month.
Take care...and may our bones be blessed by our good intentions! :-)

BoneLady

Hi! lindito,

Calcium and strontium should not be taken together. Because of similar molecular structures, they compete for absorption.

KathyS

From everything I've read if you don't continue treatment after improving your numbers that you will lose density again. I was told after my Forteo shot is finished I will need a pill to maintain what i've gained. The thing that comes to mind is that there is no cure, You continue what you're doing until it no longer works for you and then go to something else...

windblown

Hi Jo Ann: I went from a low t-score to a normal one, and I'm still taking medication. To answer your question, I think it's up to you if you'll continue with your current regime or switch to another, or stop altogether.

I take blood pressure meds, and my bp is normal, but if I stop taking these, chances are my pressure will go back up. The same is true for eye pressure meds, if you stop taking them the pressure goes back up. I can't say that this is what happens for all people, but it has been my experience.

I took Actonel, to little avail, and then Forteo and raised my t-score to normal, but I want to maintain that so I continue to take meds.

Good luck with your tx, I hope it improves your score greatly.

Jo-Ann

Hi Bonelady - I did know about calcium and strontium...as I said, I've spent hours researching, but thanks for the info! :-) I love how everybody is just trying to help everybody else in here.
KathyS- It certainly makes sense that we would have to continue protecting our gains, but I guess my main concern is whether or not somebody who agrees to go on the medications can then turn to a more natural approach to maintainence. I've read that the medications can actually make bones more brittle, so to me that seems like a never-ending circle!
Cheers all!

Jo-Ann

Hi Windblown - thanks for sharing, and thanks for the good wishes. I so very, very, very want to do this naturally...every fibre of my being is screaming not to do the drugs, and as I have no other medical problems of any kind, it just makes sense to me.
My hip is at -2.7, which is .2 into osteo. In your knowledge is .2 a significant amount of loss?

windblown

Hi Jo Ann: I don't see why you can't go with the natural approach, I've seen people on Strontium/supplements improve. Unfortunately we all react differently to any tx we try, so I hope you achieve your goals.

It is my understanding that some bone loss is part of the aging process; some people loss very little some more, depending on your hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors. I believe you can slow down the process, but I'm not sure you can halt it altogether. As long as you find something that slows the process down to an acceptable range, you would then want to maintain that since the gradual loss will probably continue to a certain degree along with aging.

Boy I wish there was a way to stop the aging process and it's cohorts, but I don't think we're going to find something that does that. If you find something that will do that let me know ;)

I can't say what's a significant amount of bone loss without knowing many other things about you. Since you don't have any other health probs, treating bone loss *should* be easier. The only side effect I'm aware of with SC is blood clots, but since you don't have a history of that, you probably have nothing to worry about. The people I know taking SC have improved from a score similar to yours, and others had a much lower score and still improved. Don't get too caught up in the numbers, preventing a frax is more important. Since we know you can frax with a close to normal or very low score it seems the numbers aren't all that telling. Do all the things you need to with supplements, and intergrate a safe movement plan of exercise and living. When someone mentions safe movement, that doesn't mean you give up on life or even that many things, you just do them differently in a more safe modified way. Now if you said you were thinking of sky diving then I would say forget it:) You can probably continue doing what your doing now, as long as they don't include high risk movements, and as long as you practice and implement the safe movement philosophy. If you haven't done this yet, you should check your FRAX score, also if you have a dxa, you might want to include a VFA along with it, which will tell you something similar to FRAX. The VFA is the Vertebral Fracture Assesment test that can be done along with a dxa. Some imaging centers don't have the test and some do, you have to ask around and if you are going to a center that does this, and your insurance will pay for it I would have it done.


Good luck with your treatment...

KathyS

If your hip is a -2.7 realize that a -2.5 is osteo.. so it doesn't matter if another bone is not as low, you still have osteo... they go by your lowest number. Now I do understand wanting to try natural methods to maintain your gain. The meds that are out right now are controversial right now. If my reading is correct the serious research has only been going on for the last 10 years, and this disease taking seriously. Not just a matter of old age. I would say if that is the approach that you want to take discuss it with your doctor and try it, give a fair amount of time and see if your density maintains, if not then you need to reconsider your options.

Since I'm giving myself shots daily I hate to risk losing any. It took a bit of talking to myself to say yes I can do this. I think some meds are good for some but not for all and there aren't alot of options out there at this point. I have faith that will change in the future. I am not a boniva candidate as I had severe reaction to it with my bones feeling broken for two weeks afterwards and the severe vomiting plus a rash.. so I won't be taking that family of meds...

It's a tough decision and I understand why you want to take a natural approach. If it's what you decide keep us in the loop so that we see that there are other options... and if not don't wait to long to try something else...

Jo-Ann

Thanks you guys....You have no idea how much I appreciate all your input. You have literally made my day! :-)
I think I'll follow my heart for now, and hope for the best...if it doesn't work, I'll try something else. (I'm short, not stupid) :-)
Will keep you posted, and best of luck to every single one of you....may we live long, happy, healthy lives!

sdivas

Hi Jo-Ann, it's my understanding that I will ,for the rest of my life have to be aware and do what I can for my remaining bone. That doesn't necessarily mean that I will be on meds for the rest of my life. I revisit my decisions with each dexa. But I sometimes think we don't take into consideration whether it's meds, vitamin/minerals, holistic or strontium, that companies are going to make a profit. It stands to reason as why else would companies be in business if not to increase sales and profit. It wouldn't surprise me if profits have increased with strontium sales; not to mention sales of various forms and brands of calcium. Also, we don't know what taking strontium may do in the long run. Anything that we put in our system may have some later effect. All of us make choices based on our belief in what we feel is the best for our bone loss. I'm always interested in the length of time a person has taken their course of action and the results from their action. In my case, osteoporosis brought exercise into my life. I think I'm always going to be playing catch-up or trying to stay ahead of my bone loss. I also think it depends on age. At 61, I'm fracture free and physically active. What my osteoporosis may be like in my 70's, 80's and beyond (if I'm lucky) remains to be seen. Please don't allow anyone to pressure you into making any decision. Make an informed decision that feels right to you. As I said, decisions can be revisited. I took 1 yr before I made any decisions. I needed the time to become informed and adjust to knowing I had bone loss. It may help if you let your doctor know you appreciate the concern .... that you need more time to evaluate the information before making a decison about the meds. I found once I made my decision without pressure from anyone, I felt confident that I had made the right choice at that time for myself. Whatever happened, I was at peace with my choice. We all want to make the right choice; the choice that will keep us fracture free. Unfortunately, there isn't any one right choice. But if you make a decision that feels right for you, moving forward and working towards a healthier lifestyle is easier ... which I find seems to be a constant work in progress. Sandi

Jo-Ann

Hi sdivas...what a wonderfully articulate piece of writing, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart...all of you.
You are so very correct about companies and profits...it's sad and scary and confusing. I guess part of me is still adjusting to all of this as I've never had to take medication of any kind, and this whole thing has really side-swiped me. I guess I should have had at least a hint since every woman on both sides of the family suffers from this....it just truly never crossed my mind, and when I started researching the drugs, it scared the life out of me. The almighty dollar truly does rule!
I believe that finding this site was a gift, and as I read and "listen" to what everybody has to say, I know that I'll survive and be in good company while I'm doing it. And hopefully, somewhere out there, somebody is going to find an answer that isn't going to hurt anybody.

linnyd531

hi jo-ann,
i'm relatively new to the whole bone loss thing myself with my worst score similar to yours at -2.7. i opted not to take a bisphosphonate (fosamax etc) after speaking to some physicians and researching potential side effects. i, too, am taking strontium now for almost 2 months along w/calcium and vitd 1000mg. lets not forget about vitd...apparently i was too low..that affects how calcium is absorbed...possibly a contributing factor to bone loss. my point being it is important to rule out all possible factors as to why you have bone loss (vit d deficiency, parathyroid abnormalities, low calcium intake, smoking etc). As strontium builds bone, i guess it is possible to take a so called holiday from therapy if bmd improves to an acceptable level as long as all contributing factors for bone loss are corrected (if identifiable). otherwise i would assume therapy would likely have to be ongoing. i do know people taking fosamax,actonel etc.. can take a "holiday" once/if bmd improves to normal or close to normal ranges. wt bearing exercise is important to maintaing bone mass as well. i joined a gym and have a trainer, temporarily, to assist w/ wt training. i don't know if this at all inhibits the breaking down of bone (decreasing osteoclast activity) or just helps w/osteoblast formation (bone building). any info on that what would be appreciated from anyone in this forum...good luck linda NY

aida

Hi Jo Ann,
I will have that dilemma when I finish my Forteo course as to what (if any) drug I take (may be Fosamax as it apparently works well AFTER a Forteo course)..However I would not take it for very long after the brittle bone thing. My bone density T score is -4.5 and it should come back to at lease -2. Perhaps I can just do weight bearing things etc as I am only 59 now. Having 12 months Forteo then will have a further 6 months up my sleeve just in case. Depends too on how well it works to build the bone.Dont know how early it can be tested (only on my 4th month so far). Good luck and yes I too had to make my own decision and be comfortable about it.. I feel I had no alternative and the "rat bone cancer" doesnt frighten me - if I get thru the next 20 years in better shape (skeleton) than now thats 50% better than I have apparently been since a teenager!!Aida

Jo-Ann

Hi Linnyd 531, thanks for the response. Actually it was a low Vitamin D score that started all this. My numbers were really low, and that's when the doctor decided on the bone scan. It's also why I was really surprised when she automatically said I had to go on meds. Doesn't it make sense to try and let the body normalize itself with the Vit D, and THEN see what happens with the bones????? Since we have the same reading and are following a similar routine, it'll be interesting to see how we do. I hope we get happy bones! :-)
Aida - Thank you also for your response and the information. I understand that Forteo is the only med that actually grows bone so that is definitely a good thing, and I hope it works for you. Keep us informed!
:-)

MSGSUZANNE24

Everyone would like a natural approach. I (post-hip fracture followed by pinning) am also being pressured by docs to do something (Forteo current suggestion)--after all it is "genetic." Do we really know that? Why is it so few black Africans (African Americans, too) do not have bone problems? I don't know anything about the stats for Arab-Africans. I have been pursuing the research on bone stimulation machines. I have found four interesting studies through the National Institute of Health. In general it would appear there are two types of machines: vibration machines and machines that send an electrical current into the body. A lot of work on these bone stimulating machines has come out of work with astronauts who, although young, lose a lot of bone in the weighless condition of space. I am very slow in doing this research, but will report back. As well there is evidence that it is not the amount of calcium one takes, but the amount one absorbs that is critical. And absorption of all nutrients declines with age.
In my particular case depression is a big factor in doing anything. Although I was young for a hip fracture (63) and although I "only" needed a pinning not a joint replacement, two months after the surgery I woke up to a black cloud of depression and anxiety. As most of you must know depression is also correlated with depression. I imagine that there is a causal relation because when I am depressed I tend to be very inactive. I think that the peoples of the world who walk miles to get water or move their herds of animals (think the tall and magnificent Masai) not only live longer, but don't experience as much bone loss.
I will be back in touch as I learn more. I would be happy to have a "keep moving" buddy. Michele

Jo-Ann

Hi Michele...I too am researching the machines and there's one that NATO is using with apparently good results. I'm not sure if you can get it in the States, but it is available here in Canada...it's not cheap, but I'm seriously thinking about buying it (more research pending :-)) because in the long run, it'd would probably be cheaper than the multitude of medications I think the doctors are revving up to feed me. Here's their website:
http://www.juvent.com/ca/intro/index.php?pgstyle=
I'm so sorry about your fracture, and most certainly depression can imobilize us. I'm not originally from this part of the country, and I find that the winters in this god-forsaken place just do me in...sometimes all I want to do is crawl under the covers and stay there until spring. That, and an extremely stressful job are most likely doing a major number on all parts of me! :-)
Yoga truly does help, so if you could get into a yoga program, you would likely see some improvement...just make sure it's not a crazy one that's going to do more harm than good. (I did one Kundalini class last winter and it literally took 9 weeks for me to recover from the pulled muscles!) Hatha yoga is usually gentle, and it's the one thing in my life that Nothing can keep me from going to. (even -40 degrees!) :-)
I would be most happy to become a "keep moving" buddy! :-) I see that you're in New York...one of my favourite cities...so we're really not that far away from each other.
Take care, and I look forward to talking to you and sharing info!
Jo-Ann

Blues

Hi Jo-Ann & Michelle, if you type in Juvent in the search box (upper right of the page) you will find a discussion on the Juvent: "Has Anyone Tried the Juvent". It might be interesting to you all since you're research the equipment. Betty

Jo-Ann

Hi Blues...thanks for the info. It's good to know that real people are actually using this machine. It will be interesting to see what the results are in terms of increased density. I've just read an article on a man in Ireland who had amazing results with the machine in combination with his drug therapy...so it's safe even with the drugs.

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