stephi
11-04-2004, 08:02 PM
Hello
I am new at this (being in a chat room). I feel I need to speak to other women (men) who have been dx with osteoporosis. I was recently dx. with this and really it was quite a shock even though I knew I was at risk (just recent post-menopausal, petite, caucasian). I have a fairly good diet- I am a vegetarian, try to eat organic and have been exercising on a regular basis for over 20 years. True, my calcium and vit. D may have been inadequate by medical standards but I never really believed that we needed that much. Being a registered nurse and much into alternative therapies (I have been a Dr. Weil follower way before most people heard of him), I have a general mistrust of the medical community (especailly the drug companies). I will not take any medication or therapies I have not personally studied. This has worked well for me as I have always been healthy. However, this new diagnosis has me working overtime. I will listen to my physician, but in the end I will do what I feel is best for me. Not everyone has the patience or the understanding to dig into medical journals and read different studies. I do not profess that I can understand it all myself. And sometimes the information is contradictory, and I am more confused than ever. I am looking into both conventional and alternative therapies, as well as just upping my calcium and Vit. D. Calcium is a whole other story in itself (like which kind, ect,etc).
I am new at this (being in a chat room). I feel I need to speak to other women (men) who have been dx with osteoporosis. I was recently dx. with this and really it was quite a shock even though I knew I was at risk (just recent post-menopausal, petite, caucasian). I have a fairly good diet- I am a vegetarian, try to eat organic and have been exercising on a regular basis for over 20 years. True, my calcium and vit. D may have been inadequate by medical standards but I never really believed that we needed that much. Being a registered nurse and much into alternative therapies (I have been a Dr. Weil follower way before most people heard of him), I have a general mistrust of the medical community (especailly the drug companies). I will not take any medication or therapies I have not personally studied. This has worked well for me as I have always been healthy. However, this new diagnosis has me working overtime. I will listen to my physician, but in the end I will do what I feel is best for me. Not everyone has the patience or the understanding to dig into medical journals and read different studies. I do not profess that I can understand it all myself. And sometimes the information is contradictory, and I am more confused than ever. I am looking into both conventional and alternative therapies, as well as just upping my calcium and Vit. D. Calcium is a whole other story in itself (like which kind, ect,etc).
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Oldbones
11-05-2004, 06:42 PM
I feel I need to speak to other women (men) who have been dx with osteoporosis. I was recently dx. with this and really it was quite a shock even though I knew I was at risk (just recent post-menopausal, petite, caucasian). I have a fairly good diet- I am a vegetarian, try to eat organic and have been exercising on a regular basis for over 20 years. True, my calcium and vit. D may have been inadequate by medical standards but I never really believed that we needed that much. Being a registered nurse and much into alternative therapies (I have been a Dr. Weil follower way before most people heard of him), I have a general mistrust of the medical community (especailly the drug companies). I will not take any medication or therapies I have not personally studied. This has worked well for me as I have always been healthy. However, this new diagnosis has me working overtime. I will listen to my physician, but in the end I will do what I feel is best for me. Not everyone has the patience or the understanding to dig into medical journals and read different studies. I do not profess that I can understand it all myself. And sometimes the information is contradictory, and I am more confused than ever. I am looking into both conventional and alternative therapies, as well as just upping my calcium and Vit. D. Calcium is a whole other story in itself (like which kind, ect,etc).
Stephi...I am very much like you. I study EVERY medication that a doctor gives me before taking it. I am taking Forteo which does have a black box warning, but after thorough research and a lot of conversation between myself, my GP and especially my Rheumatologist, I decided to go with Forteo. I had to weigh the benefits versus the risks of this drug. I also tried Actonel first, and couldn't tolerate it. I've been on Calcium and Vitamin D for two years. My osteoporosis was caused by taking Prednisone and it hit me suddenly and hard. I knew the consequences of taking Prednisone but I have systemic Lupus and Sjogren's. The Prednisone was desperately needed to *literally* help me make it through the day until my other meds (immunosuppressants) started kicking in. I just happened to be one of the unlucky ones who took Prednisone, in as small a dose as possible, and it affected my bones. I was taking absorbable Calcium and Vitamin D at the time. An additional note: I don't know if your osteoporosis was caused by steroids or other causes but my GP and Rheumatologist both have just returned from a medical convention on osteoporosis. One of the doctors at the convention spoke on the need to always take some sort of medication to strengthen your bones (Actonel, Fosamax, Calcitronin (sp?), etc) anytime a patient is put on steroids for an extended period of time. I thought I would add this in case someone who might read this is presently taking steroids. They might want to talk to their doctor about it.
I really hope that you find something that works for you, whether it be alternative medicine or pharmaceutical. I had pathological fractures of both feet and my right hip and believe me.....I never want to go through that again. It was a bad Christmas last year! :( So far, it's been 10 months since a fracture (fingers crossed).
The best of luck to you with your decision.
~Oldbones
Stephi...I am very much like you. I study EVERY medication that a doctor gives me before taking it. I am taking Forteo which does have a black box warning, but after thorough research and a lot of conversation between myself, my GP and especially my Rheumatologist, I decided to go with Forteo. I had to weigh the benefits versus the risks of this drug. I also tried Actonel first, and couldn't tolerate it. I've been on Calcium and Vitamin D for two years. My osteoporosis was caused by taking Prednisone and it hit me suddenly and hard. I knew the consequences of taking Prednisone but I have systemic Lupus and Sjogren's. The Prednisone was desperately needed to *literally* help me make it through the day until my other meds (immunosuppressants) started kicking in. I just happened to be one of the unlucky ones who took Prednisone, in as small a dose as possible, and it affected my bones. I was taking absorbable Calcium and Vitamin D at the time. An additional note: I don't know if your osteoporosis was caused by steroids or other causes but my GP and Rheumatologist both have just returned from a medical convention on osteoporosis. One of the doctors at the convention spoke on the need to always take some sort of medication to strengthen your bones (Actonel, Fosamax, Calcitronin (sp?), etc) anytime a patient is put on steroids for an extended period of time. I thought I would add this in case someone who might read this is presently taking steroids. They might want to talk to their doctor about it.
I really hope that you find something that works for you, whether it be alternative medicine or pharmaceutical. I had pathological fractures of both feet and my right hip and believe me.....I never want to go through that again. It was a bad Christmas last year! :( So far, it's been 10 months since a fracture (fingers crossed).
The best of luck to you with your decision.
~Oldbones
plc
11-05-2004, 10:24 PM
Hi, If you find something else let all us know. I have tryed fosmax and actonel. The side effects from these drugs was something I have never experience before. It has been month since I have stop taking this medication,and now I feel like me again. I eat right,exercise take calcium daily. I started this about 6 years ago, when I found out my family history was just full of osteo. Well, menopause started, the age of 50 came and went so did the bone density test. My doctor wants me to give the drug actonel one more try....However drinking a bottle of liquid antacid every three days, alternating with tums, and having to visits bathrooms freq. along with increasing the use of tylenol for daily headaches and no way to live. I feel the drugs are going to cause other problems....so if you find the right stuff please share
stephi
11-06-2004, 10:27 AM
Right now i am in the research phase. I plan on reading everyones's post (all 22 pages?) although I am most interested in post-menopausal women. Both my sons are into raw foods(they are vegans) and they take supplements. They have convinced me to try "living "food supplements to make sure I have the proper minerals to absorb calcium. My OB_GYN (Nurse Practitioner) is tests tests first (will research which ones). She thinks that extra calcium, d, etc won't help me now at this stage- however I need to think about it first. There is also a psychological piece to this condition as well- like how physical activity will affect me. Up until last week I didn't know I had this and i will continue to do (physically what I have always done -just being a little more aware now.
I will try certain supplements for six months then get another bone density in six months (I will pay for it if my insurance doesn't cover it). If not improved or worse I will try conventional.
By the way- i know I read another post where someone tried it her way with herbs and her condition worsened. IS THERE ANYONE who is post- menopausal, diagnosed with osteoporsis and tried alternative therapies and saw good results.....thanks
I will try certain supplements for six months then get another bone density in six months (I will pay for it if my insurance doesn't cover it). If not improved or worse I will try conventional.
By the way- i know I read another post where someone tried it her way with herbs and her condition worsened. IS THERE ANYONE who is post- menopausal, diagnosed with osteoporsis and tried alternative therapies and saw good results.....thanks
peregrine
11-08-2004, 04:42 PM
By the way- i know I read another post where someone tried it her way with herbs and her condition worsened. IS THERE ANYONE who is post- menopausal, diagnosed with osteoporsis and tried alternative therapies and saw good results.....thanks
Yes. You will probably find my message when you do your 22 page sleuthing.
Yes. You will probably find my message when you do your 22 page sleuthing.
eve_hmmkr
11-09-2004, 07:24 PM
Hi Stephi! Your story is a lot like mine. I too am a vegetarian (actually closer to vegan), I do an awful lot of physical exercise - every day yoga, walking or running, road biking (weather permitting) or lifecycle, and weight lifting. Please read my posting!
I just wish I could somehow tell everybody on this board (or anywhere!) to get a copy of Gillian Sanson's The Myth of Osteoporosis - before you do anything about your diagnosis!
Visit Sanson's website at http://www.gilliansanson.com/
I just wish I could somehow tell everybody on this board (or anywhere!) to get a copy of Gillian Sanson's The Myth of Osteoporosis - before you do anything about your diagnosis!
Visit Sanson's website at http://www.gilliansanson.com/