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Osteoporosis medications, etc.

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jul. 2007 ~ Sept. 2007: Health Center (ARCHIVES): Osteoporosis medications, etc. users admin

Author Message
Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 11:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
I had a bone scan this week and the results show some osteoporosis in my spine (hips are good and strong, though). My doctor has prescribed Fosamax, which I will start taking on Monday morning -- you take it once a week and I figure Monday mornings are a good way to remember to take it regularly.

I guess this explains some of why my neck and back get sore a lot. Thankfully it's caught early so I won't end up looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame's wife.

Anyone taking meds for this? I've read about the possible side effects and such. Am interested in others' experiences.

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 12:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Max, I was diagnosed with osteo about 6 yrs. ago. Couldn't tolerate Actonel or Fosamax cause of the stomach upset. Tried Actonel first. Then waited a bit and tried Fosamax. Same reaction. I'm in the small percentage of people who just cannot tolerate that class of drug.

I went on a nasal spray called Miacalcin. No problems with it and my dexa scans every year show no additional bone loss. Good luck.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Max, I've taken Fosamax for several years. Sunday is my day, usually. My last bone scan showed that I had gained ground, (improved bone density) so that is very good. I never got into the osteoporosis range, but had osteopoenia and there is a history in my family.. mom found out the hard way (cracked ribs) that she had osteoporosis.

I have taken supplemental calcium/D for years because of my mom's history and being really small boned too and I did do 18 months of hormone replacement before going on Fosamax. NOW I need to get back to some weight training, as that is also helpful.

I just take it first thing in the morning with a bunch of water and then take the rest of my meds and eat. And you don't lie down after taking it and before a meal. I do have friends who oculdn't tolerate it, though.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Well, I think I need to call the NP on Monday and get more info on what she actually saw in the scan. Frankly, when she called with results on Friday, I was pretty busy, so I didn't ask enough detailed questions. I'd like to know how advanced it is so I'll have a benchmark to work from in my own mind.

She asked if I had back problems and I didn't really think about it much and just said no. But I do get achy sometimes and my neck particularly gets stiff. I just always thought it was part of getting older, but I suppose it may be related to this diagnosis. Not that that changes anything. :-) Sometimes I just hate giving names to aches and pains because it seems to make them more . . . legitimate and substantial than I want them to be. LOL

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt! But I'm being a good health maven now and even scheduled a colonoscopy screening. I've never gone to doctors except when I'm tangibly sick or broken, or need my annual female exams. My mom was rather a hypochondriac and I guess I went the opposite way. :-)

Hope I can tolerate the Fosamax. Thinking about the possible side effects is probably worse than actually taking the stuff. LOL

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 6:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
My friend who couldn't tolerate it was already prone to reflux.

My first "scan" was the heel scan that is often done at health fairs. Apparently that isn't the best indicator.

I had a scan of the hip/pelvis area that showed some level of loss.

I had a full body scan years back and on that they described a certain level of loss of density.

Based on those findings and my decision to go off Prempro after 18 months, my current doctor asked if I wanted to try Fosamax and I did. Later he sent me for a spinal/pelvic scan of some sort and that was where we could see a good progression of INCREASE in bone density.

I don't know the numbers but I think Fosamax (and Lipitor, which I also take) are two of the more popular meds in terms of numbers who take it.

Hopefully you will tolerate it well and it will help you too.

I have lower back problems that haven't been linked to the osteo problem, as far as I know.

I'm an inch shorter than I once was.. probably due to the bone stuff but also due to disk compression that does occur with age.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 8:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Seamonkey, in case you don't know it, back pain is a side effect of Lipitor. Your back pain may be unrelated, but Bigdog was on Lipitor and having back pains, and we were real worried, and he spent a winter in Texas two years ago really babying his back while I was out walking three miles a day on the beach and bringing him back pictures of what I saw. He finally went to the doctor about it, and it was the Lipitor!! Doc put him on Vytorin and voila, no more back problems.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 6:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Juju, I've had back problems since I was in my 20's, decades before Lipitor entered my life. And I have scans showing clearly that I have degenerative disc disease and narrowing (stenosis) in some of the lower back vertebrae.

And until recently, when I haven't been exercising, my back had been better than it had been in years.

Lipitor has really helped immensely with my cholesterol numbers/ratios and I have regular bloodwork to monitor same. I'm on a pretty high dosage so the generic mevacor isn't an option (per my doctor, who didn't let the ins company foist that on me) or Crestor which hasn't had good comparative tests at higher dosages.

But I do appreciate the info and will keep it in mind. I'm always asking about newer meds vs ones I'm taking and he's good about giving me reasons/answers. Glad Bigdog found an alternate so he can be out walking again.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 9:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
I knew your back pain was ongoing, but you never know when something here is going to help out somebody else. I read it right HERE AT TVCH about Lipitor and back pain, and I had Bigdog ask his doc ASAP, and sure enough, that was the cause of his pain. Yay TVCH!!!

And get yourself one of those itty bitty Sony Vaio's to ease that back strain on trips.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 9:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I agree about loving to have all possible info from actual people taking actual meds.

Alas, no $$ for a VAIO.. not with crumbling back stairs, a hole in a ceiling and electrical problems downstairs. Hopefully my current laptop will hold up for a long time.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, April 16, 2007 - 7:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Well, I keep taking trips, on which I would LOVE to have an itty bitty Vaio to take along. But I keep taking trips, so I don't feel like I can afford the Vaio, lol.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Monday, April 16, 2007 - 8:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Okay, took my first Fosamax today and survived so far. LOL I do sort of "feel" it in terms of a bit of a gassy stomach, but nothing that's not bearable.

Hope I have a good outcome from it like you have, Sea! :-) Thanks for all the info. I take Synthroid (50mcg - very low dose) daily and that's the only med I've ever had to take regularly. Just started that two years ago. So this whole thing of taking pills on a regular basis and watching for possible side effects is very new to me.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Monday, April 16, 2007 - 1:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Good going, Max! Just drink a bunch of water with it and then eat a meal, I guess.. I'm lucky and didn't have any reaction. Now Claritin.. monster headache

Pamznic
Member

03-01-2006

Friday, August 03, 2007 - 1:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamznic a private message Print Post    
So glad to find this thread. For the past few days I have had such bad heartburn that I was thinking? gosh, Am I having the womens symptoms of a heart attack. Went to my primary doctor yesterday and he didn't help at all. Today I went to my Gyn. and she immediately took me off the Actonel. I have osto. pretty bad in my hips.
I also found out that working out at curves with this prob as well as fibromyalgia isn't a good idea.
wow now I have to rethink what to do? Any suggestions sands meds is appreciated.
P.S. Hello, Sea this is Meggies friend how are ya?

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Friday, August 03, 2007 - 5:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Pamznic, I have osteoporosis and can't take Actonel or Fosamax because of my kidney disease. My doc has me on a nasal spray. It's worked for me. Ask your doc about it.

Miacalcin

Pamznic
Member

03-01-2006

Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 9:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamznic a private message Print Post    
Thanks Re -
Yet another cool thing I've learned from all of you wonderful folks here at my favorite website.
P.S. I Don't have medication insurance do u have any clue how much the spray costs?

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 11:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Pam - one month generic (Fortical) is about $75. Name brand (Miacalcin) is much more expensive. Luckily I have insurance and since I have about 25 prescriptions (Wegener's Granulomatosis--see link in my profile) I hit my $1000 deductible very early in the calendar year. Then I pay nothing.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 1:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Hi Pam!! I remember you well from our all-too-short visit at Cat Heaven :-)

Retired, you must need a spreadsheet to keep track of all of those meds!

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 8:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
LOL Sea! I use columns in Word. Very handy. I print an updated copy of my med list (and doc list and visits) every time I go to a doc or for a test and just give it to them.

I have about 10 docs I see regularly. Every time I go for blood work they all want copies of whatever someone else orders. Good thing I'm retired to keep it all straight.