Osteoporosis treatments

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Comments

  • Armywife
    Armywife Member Posts: 451 Member
    Fayard said:

    Hi everyone!

    Hi everyone!

    I hope you all are doing well and coping with not too much. I was wondering if anyone have heard about a new medication for osteoporosis: Evenity. It is a shot given once a month, for up to 12 months. I am having a bone density scan tomorrow, and depending of results doc want me t consider this option.

    God bless everyone and thank you in advance for your input!

    Hm!

    Hi Fayard - I have severe osteoporosis and have been taking Fosamax.  I'd love to switch to something different.  Will ask my doctor about this!

  • Forherself
    Forherself Member Posts: 962 Member
    Tethys41 said:

    Magnesium

    Well, I sure don't want to butt heads with MAbound again.  What I can tell you is that I keep connected wtih more than 50 ovarian cancer survivors on a separate forum.  We all see a naturopath for our continued maintenance and we are all on magnesium supplementation.  Naturopaths are all for obtaining your essential vitamins and minerals from a natural form, such as diet.  But in some cases, including a cancer diagnosis, that is simlpy not possible.  There is also a link between low magnesium levels and cancer, for what it is worth. One of the after effects of chemo is magnesium deficientcy and we aren't going to get the amounts we need from food alone.  I am not going to tell you how much to take, because everyone is different, but everyone in our group takes more than the limit that has been mentioned.  That upper dosage sounds like something quoted from the conventional medical community.  There are various forms of magnesium, citrate, malate, glycinate, sulfate, chloride.  Some will affect the GI tract, while others will not.  Some are more absorbable than others.  Many in the group I am in actually rely on magnesium citrate to regulate their bowel function.  My oncology nutritionist has indicated that topical is better absorved than oral forms.   This is one reason I strongly feel that having an ND on your medical team is such a valuable asset.  Conventional medicine has a very different perspective when it comes to supplemental vitamins and minerals and often what conventional doctors label as too much or risky, is much less than what naturopath's recommend.  Remember, conventional doctors are educated in using chemicals to address symptoms.  Naturopaths are educated in how the body works and addressing conditions at their root cause.

    Supplements are not regulated by the FDA

    And that makes MD's standard of practice different than a NP in regards to supplements.  Supplements are also chemicals.  .   DO's follow MD guidelines but NP use supplements that say "support" and " enhance".    What is the normal dose for Mg.   And what is the dose of the supplement you are taking.  And why doesn't a One a day vitamin do the trick.  supplements are just not standardized and FDA approved.   

  • LisaPizza
    LisaPizza Member Posts: 358 Member
    Fayard said:

    Hi everyone!

    Hi everyone!

    I hope you all are doing well and coping with not too much. I was wondering if anyone have heard about a new medication for osteoporosis: Evenity. It is a shot given once a month, for up to 12 months. I am having a bone density scan tomorrow, and depending of results doc want me t consider this option.

    God bless everyone and thank you in advance for your input!

    Looks like it has a black box

    Looks like it has a black box warning, making it not necessaeily a first choice drug unless you are at unusually high risk.

     

    Last Tuesday, the FDA approved the once-monthly Evenity for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who carry a high risk of fracture, or patients who have failed or are intolerant to existing osteoporosis therapies with a boxed warning highlighting that the use of the drug may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death.

     

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    LisaPizza said:

    Looks like it has a black box

    Looks like it has a black box warning, making it not necessaeily a first choice drug unless you are at unusually high risk.

     

    Last Tuesday, the FDA approved the once-monthly Evenity for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who carry a high risk of fracture, or patients who have failed or are intolerant to existing osteoporosis therapies with a boxed warning highlighting that the use of the drug may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death.

     

    Hola,

    Hola,

    Thank you very much for your input. The information is correct: there is a high risk of increasing strokes and heart attack, if the person already has had one or the other one. I am now thinking why the doctor recommended me this, if I have never fractured any bones. However, he mentioned that this medicine is the only one at the moment that actually make bones stronger. I am having a scan later this afternoon. I hope my bones are not thinner.

    Gracias!

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    Armywife said:

    Hm!

    Hi Fayard - I have severe osteoporosis and have been taking Fosamax.  I'd love to switch to something different.  Will ask my doctor about this!

    Hola,

    Hola,

    Please let me know what your doctor says, as well as anything else you may hear from third parties.

    Gracias!

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    All interesting about

    All interesting about osteoporosis .I take fosomax it hate taking it.

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    Update

    Hola!

    I hope everyone is doing better than yesterday, than last week, than last year, and better than ever! I wanted to share with all of you my bone density scan results, but first, some background. My doctor took forever to call me with the results. Very much, he was not going to do it, until I called almost every day for 3 weeks. He first sent someone in his office to say the results were fine, whatever that meant. Keep in mind that I had an appointment with him right before having the scan, June. I made him promise he would call me to discuss results. Well, he forgets patients very quickly!

    According to me, only my left hip got worse, my spine stay the same and my right hip got better. According to the doctor, that could not be determined, because each result (spine, hips) includes more (I asked what he meant by that, and his answer was “other things.”  I asked him several times if he could state that my spine stayed the same, and finally he say “You could say that, but we will need to have done some blood work to see how much your bones are turning.” I requested the blood work. He also talked to me about a new medicine approved by the FDA: EVENITY. He actually followed all the paper work with my insurance, and it was approved.

    At this point, I am changing doctors. He could not even remember that I was taking medication 2 years ago, and stopped it because of severe side effects. If anyone knows anything about EVENITY, please let me know what your thoughts are. This is shot, once a month, for 12 months. I am sorry for such a long message, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible.

    Love you all!

     

    Results

    AP Spine (L1-L4)

    06/26/2019  -3.2            0.0%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -3.2            -9.2% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -2.5             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Left)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            -1.5%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -1.8             -0.7% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.8             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Right)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            3.3%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -2.1            -4.4% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.9             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,353 Member
    Not familiar with EVENITY but

    Not familiar with EVENITY but glad to hear you are switching docs!  Geez!!!  

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    Fayard said:

    Update

    Hola!

    I hope everyone is doing better than yesterday, than last week, than last year, and better than ever! I wanted to share with all of you my bone density scan results, but first, some background. My doctor took forever to call me with the results. Very much, he was not going to do it, until I called almost every day for 3 weeks. He first sent someone in his office to say the results were fine, whatever that meant. Keep in mind that I had an appointment with him right before having the scan, June. I made him promise he would call me to discuss results. Well, he forgets patients very quickly!

    According to me, only my left hip got worse, my spine stay the same and my right hip got better. According to the doctor, that could not be determined, because each result (spine, hips) includes more (I asked what he meant by that, and his answer was “other things.”  I asked him several times if he could state that my spine stayed the same, and finally he say “You could say that, but we will need to have done some blood work to see how much your bones are turning.” I requested the blood work. He also talked to me about a new medicine approved by the FDA: EVENITY. He actually followed all the paper work with my insurance, and it was approved.

    At this point, I am changing doctors. He could not even remember that I was taking medication 2 years ago, and stopped it because of severe side effects. If anyone knows anything about EVENITY, please let me know what your thoughts are. This is shot, once a month, for 12 months. I am sorry for such a long message, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible.

    Love you all!

     

    Results

    AP Spine (L1-L4)

    06/26/2019  -3.2            0.0%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -3.2            -9.2% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -2.5             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Left)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            -1.5%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -1.8             -0.7% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.8             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Right)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            3.3%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -2.1            -4.4% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.9             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

    I just had a DEXA scan done.

    I just had a DEXA scan done.  I broke my arm (humerus at the shoulder requiring surgery).   They were concerned because it broke without falling that I may have bone metastasis so they did a bone scan.   It didn’t show any potential problems so they wanted me to get the DECA scan.  I got that done and it showed I have osteoporosis in my spine 

    The odd thing is I had a DEXA scan done in 2015.  It also showed osteoporosis in the spine.  They wanted to put me on treatment  I said no at that time.   The funny thing is my current scan shows that my results were improved.    

    Heres my results

    Spine L1 - L4

    2019.   -2.5.  / -1.2

    2015.   -3.2 / -2.1

     

    Left Hip

    2019.  .0908 / -0.3

    2015.  -0.6 /  0.1

     

    Left Fem Neck

    2019.  .0742.  /. -1.0

    2015.   -0.9. /. 0.1

     

    i don’t know if that has to do with different scan areas or not.   I didn’t want treatment because of the side effects.  I have enough issues already.  

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    Kaleena said:

    I just had a DEXA scan done.

    I just had a DEXA scan done.  I broke my arm (humerus at the shoulder requiring surgery).   They were concerned because it broke without falling that I may have bone metastasis so they did a bone scan.   It didn’t show any potential problems so they wanted me to get the DECA scan.  I got that done and it showed I have osteoporosis in my spine 

    The odd thing is I had a DEXA scan done in 2015.  It also showed osteoporosis in the spine.  They wanted to put me on treatment  I said no at that time.   The funny thing is my current scan shows that my results were improved.    

    Heres my results

    Spine L1 - L4

    2019.   -2.5.  / -1.2

    2015.   -3.2 / -2.1

     

    Left Hip

    2019.  .0908 / -0.3

    2015.  -0.6 /  0.1

     

    Left Fem Neck

    2019.  .0742.  /. -1.0

    2015.   -0.9. /. 0.1

     

    i don’t know if that has to do with different scan areas or not.   I didn’t want treatment because of the side effects.  I have enough issues already.  

    Treatment

    Believe me, I understand not wanting any more side effects but my doctor convinced me to get treatment when she told me I wouldn’t want a hip fracture. I’ve had 2 shots of Prolia without any problems so far (fingers crossed). 

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    Kaleena said:

    I just had a DEXA scan done.

    I just had a DEXA scan done.  I broke my arm (humerus at the shoulder requiring surgery).   They were concerned because it broke without falling that I may have bone metastasis so they did a bone scan.   It didn’t show any potential problems so they wanted me to get the DECA scan.  I got that done and it showed I have osteoporosis in my spine 

    The odd thing is I had a DEXA scan done in 2015.  It also showed osteoporosis in the spine.  They wanted to put me on treatment  I said no at that time.   The funny thing is my current scan shows that my results were improved.    

    Heres my results

    Spine L1 - L4

    2019.   -2.5.  / -1.2

    2015.   -3.2 / -2.1

     

    Left Hip

    2019.  .0908 / -0.3

    2015.  -0.6 /  0.1

     

    Left Fem Neck

    2019.  .0742.  /. -1.0

    2015.   -0.9. /. 0.1

     

    i don’t know if that has to do with different scan areas or not.   I didn’t want treatment because of the side effects.  I have enough issues already.  

    Hola Kaleena,

    Hola Kaleena,

    That is great that the scan showed improvement, in spite of the fact that you had a fracture. That's odd Frown What did you do to improve?

    I also refused treatment, after my first scan. I had to take prescription medication after my second scan, because everything got worse :(

    Thank you for your input!

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    Fayard said:

    Update

    Hola!

    I hope everyone is doing better than yesterday, than last week, than last year, and better than ever! I wanted to share with all of you my bone density scan results, but first, some background. My doctor took forever to call me with the results. Very much, he was not going to do it, until I called almost every day for 3 weeks. He first sent someone in his office to say the results were fine, whatever that meant. Keep in mind that I had an appointment with him right before having the scan, June. I made him promise he would call me to discuss results. Well, he forgets patients very quickly!

    According to me, only my left hip got worse, my spine stay the same and my right hip got better. According to the doctor, that could not be determined, because each result (spine, hips) includes more (I asked what he meant by that, and his answer was “other things.”  I asked him several times if he could state that my spine stayed the same, and finally he say “You could say that, but we will need to have done some blood work to see how much your bones are turning.” I requested the blood work. He also talked to me about a new medicine approved by the FDA: EVENITY. He actually followed all the paper work with my insurance, and it was approved.

    At this point, I am changing doctors. He could not even remember that I was taking medication 2 years ago, and stopped it because of severe side effects. If anyone knows anything about EVENITY, please let me know what your thoughts are. This is shot, once a month, for 12 months. I am sorry for such a long message, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible.

    Love you all!

     

    Results

    AP Spine (L1-L4)

    06/26/2019  -3.2            0.0%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -3.2            -9.2% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -2.5             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Left)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            -1.5%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -1.8             -0.7% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.8             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

     

    Total Hip (Right)

    06/26/2019  -1.9            3.3%  BMD change

    09/06/2017 -2.1            -4.4% BMD change

    11/23/2011 -1.9             (First test, therefore there is not comparison)

    Hi Ladies!

    Hi Ladies!

    I hope everyone is doing well! I finally went to see a new rheumatologist. We discussed my Dexa scan, and he agreed that everything is very much the same. However, he said that we don’t know if it were the medicine or not, Actonel, because I was only a year off the medicine when they did the scan. The new doctor now recommends Reclast, infusion once a year. Has anyone ever tried it? Thank you very much for your input!

    PS: The new doctor did not mention EVENITY.

    God bless everyone!

  • Mercorby
    Mercorby Member Posts: 94 Member
    OsteoStrong

    I've been going to OsteoStrong.  My insurance company would pay for Prolia so I decided to try this out. My doctor thought it was a good idea.  I get another dexa scan in Sept. 2020, but will have two PET/CT scans before then. The previous PET/CT scans saw the osteoporosis, so maybe the newer ones will see improvement.  I also take Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.

    https://osteostrong.me/ 

    https://www.osteopenia3.com/  is a good site for information on osteoporosis and osteopenia.

    Good luck everybody!

     

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    Mercorby said:

    OsteoStrong

    I've been going to OsteoStrong.  My insurance company would pay for Prolia so I decided to try this out. My doctor thought it was a good idea.  I get another dexa scan in Sept. 2020, but will have two PET/CT scans before then. The previous PET/CT scans saw the osteoporosis, so maybe the newer ones will see improvement.  I also take Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.

    https://osteostrong.me/ 

    https://www.osteopenia3.com/  is a good site for information on osteoporosis and osteopenia.

    Good luck everybody!

     

    Prolia

    I've had 2 doses of prolia. Last one was August. I'll have my dexascan in December. 

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    Mercorby said:

    OsteoStrong

    I've been going to OsteoStrong.  My insurance company would pay for Prolia so I decided to try this out. My doctor thought it was a good idea.  I get another dexa scan in Sept. 2020, but will have two PET/CT scans before then. The previous PET/CT scans saw the osteoporosis, so maybe the newer ones will see improvement.  I also take Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.

    https://osteostrong.me/ 

    https://www.osteopenia3.com/  is a good site for information on osteoporosis and osteopenia.

    Good luck everybody!

     

    Thank you very much for your

    Thank you very much for your input. Good luck with your treatment!

  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member

    Prolia

    I've had 2 doses of prolia. Last one was August. I'll have my dexascan in December. 

    Hola,

    Hola,

    Please share your result, if possible. I am curious to know if it actually stops the bone loss, because according to my doctor none of the medications actually help to rebuild bone.

    Good luck!