Osteoporosis - help, experience, advice...

[SunFloridaDisney]

I had my first bone density scan last week, and was shocked to find out that I have osteoporosis!

I thought I was doing all the "right" things. I exercise regularly, have always been a milk drinker, eat yogurt, take a calcium supplement, I don't smoke or drink, and generally have been very healthy.

The only thing against me is I do have asthma, and the med I take may have contributed to the bone loss.

Anyway, I'm doing research now and looking for advice, suggestions, etc.

TIA

 

[Amy]

Hi! I was diagnosed with osteopenia a few years ago, and like you I was surprised - I was doing all the right things, but it was the meds I had to take after chemo and radiation for breast cancer that contributed to my bone loss.

Just keep with the exercise, yogurt/milk, supplements. Don't be surprised if your dr puts you on Boniva/Actonel/Fosamax or some other bone-building Rx. I took Actonel (weekly med) for about 1-2 years, had some digestive problems with it, so my dr switched me to Boniva and I haven't had any problems at all. In bone scans since I started the meds, my bone density has actually improved, so I know they're working!

 

[geffric]

.. me too//

remember to do weight bearing exerise.. like walking or running.. plus weights..we do lose bone mass as we age.. and bone type is important too. I am small framed, my grandmother, Mother and sister have it, so it was my destiny too..

Is your Doc recommending Fosomax or Bonivia??

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Thanks!

For now, doc is letting me try samples of Actonel, see how I do with that. He seems to think that one is faster acting than the others, and a bone specialist he works with recommends that as well.

Thanks for the support

 

[Forevryoung]

My grandma HAD osteoperosis (yes, she's older but she's very active). Nothing was really working to help and her bones were getting worse, so a specialist put her on Forteo.

I believe that she's been on it for a little over a year now. Her recent bone scans have shown that she now has osteopenia. So the medication is working very well!

I know her insurance doesn't cover it, but I wanted to share that there is something on the market that actually reverses the loss and strengthens the bones. Might be an option.

Good luck!

 

[Luvmy4boys]

I took Boniva for a year. It caused stomach problems so I had to stop. Then I started taking "Citracal Plus Bone Denisity Builder". I just had another scan and my osteoporosis has greatly improved.
Good Luck!

 

[dawson5]

it runs in our family also. Like one of the pp's mentioned, weight bearing exercises help. You also mention a calcium supplement, read up on these, some are better than others (I want to say oyster shell isn't as good as the other). I also think you need to take something with them to make them work better, I think it's vitamin D.

We were also told that soda robbed teenage girls of calcium. Not sure if this was an old wives tale or what.

I never knew the asthma medication did this until two years ago at a baseball game. Young man slid into third awkwardly and broke his femur. He has asthma and this is what he was told, that the medication weakened his bones (made them brittle I guess, don't remember exactly).

Good luck and thanks for reminding me that I've gotten lax about taking my calcium. I am not a milk drinker at all.