tomatojuice
09-10-2006, 04:22 PM
I heard from my doctor via the telephone about a month ago that i had osteoporosis. A -3 in the spine. I go back to see dr. this month. Do not want to take available meds, scared of side effects. Do not like meds. Have been walking 4-5 miles daily. Exercising using Diane Daniels book "Exercises for Osteo" and "Strong woman Strong Bones" by Miriam Nelson. Dont know if I should be doing the exercises or not. My back does bother me a little. Dont know what it is. Will maybe get an ex-ray. Been taking vit D and calcium and magnesium, and boron. Considering progesterone cream. Eating more leafy green vegs, tofu and soy milk with isoflavones. Is there anyone else who is persueing a natural approach, and is there anyone who has been able to maintain bone mass or slow the osteo process naturally?
Sponsor
mabent
09-10-2006, 07:25 PM
Hi - I also have osteoporosis and my first bone density test showed a -3.5
which they said was "severe osteoposis". I started taking Fosamax almost 10 years ago, and the doctor who read the bone density test last October wrote that my bone density had improved 7% since my first test.
I know how you feel about taking medicine, but when you have osteoporosis, the only way to try to improve your density is by taking the alendrate (sp) or one of the other drugs (forteo). Why are you so set against taking the pills? I also take calcium citrate daily and also take Evista.
My back also hurt, but that's not why I decided to have a bone density test.
I was in the hospital for another reason, and I asked to have my medical records sent to me. On them, it said that my bones were de-mineralized. I would never have known this. My mother had had osteoporosis, but I didn't realize that it can be genetic! That was before all the articles appeared about the importance of testing for osteoporosis. Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but that is what I decided to do about mine. :)
which they said was "severe osteoposis". I started taking Fosamax almost 10 years ago, and the doctor who read the bone density test last October wrote that my bone density had improved 7% since my first test.
I know how you feel about taking medicine, but when you have osteoporosis, the only way to try to improve your density is by taking the alendrate (sp) or one of the other drugs (forteo). Why are you so set against taking the pills? I also take calcium citrate daily and also take Evista.
My back also hurt, but that's not why I decided to have a bone density test.
I was in the hospital for another reason, and I asked to have my medical records sent to me. On them, it said that my bones were de-mineralized. I would never have known this. My mother had had osteoporosis, but I didn't realize that it can be genetic! That was before all the articles appeared about the importance of testing for osteoporosis. Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but that is what I decided to do about mine. :)
jinglebts
09-22-2006, 07:31 PM
Fosamax acts as an inhibitor of bone resorbtion, so what you have is a lot of old bone, which on a DEXA test may look just dandy but will not stop you breaking your bones should you fall. Also, there is the danger of jaw necrosis.
In addition to at least 1000 mg of magnesium, at least 1000 units of vitamin D, and some other trace minerals (vit. K, boron, copper), one should of course take calcium. But not from a dairy product source -- dairy sources also contain growth factors, antibiotics, pesticides, you name it.
There is a vibration treatment, the Juvent 1000, but since it costs a fortune (about $3000, I think), it's not for me :( . There are cheaper vibration treatments (around $375), but they are somewhat dangerous. (They're the equivalent of leaping off a fridge for 10 minutes -- you damage your joints and organs.)
I've done it all -- taken fosamax, actonel, IV biphosphonates (b/c my digestive system could not tolerate the pills), and now I'm off and going to a naturopath. I completely agree with TomatoJuice -- I decided to go the natural route. In addition to heartburn, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders, fosamax and other biphosphonates are relatively useless. Best you spend your money on a naturopath, take calcium boosters and whatever else your ND tells you to, and wait for the price of the Juvent (or whatever they call it in the US) to come down.
And don't forget weight-bearing exercise -- that's the most important thing of all.
jb
In addition to at least 1000 mg of magnesium, at least 1000 units of vitamin D, and some other trace minerals (vit. K, boron, copper), one should of course take calcium. But not from a dairy product source -- dairy sources also contain growth factors, antibiotics, pesticides, you name it.
There is a vibration treatment, the Juvent 1000, but since it costs a fortune (about $3000, I think), it's not for me :( . There are cheaper vibration treatments (around $375), but they are somewhat dangerous. (They're the equivalent of leaping off a fridge for 10 minutes -- you damage your joints and organs.)
I've done it all -- taken fosamax, actonel, IV biphosphonates (b/c my digestive system could not tolerate the pills), and now I'm off and going to a naturopath. I completely agree with TomatoJuice -- I decided to go the natural route. In addition to heartburn, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders, fosamax and other biphosphonates are relatively useless. Best you spend your money on a naturopath, take calcium boosters and whatever else your ND tells you to, and wait for the price of the Juvent (or whatever they call it in the US) to come down.
And don't forget weight-bearing exercise -- that's the most important thing of all.
jb
Lavinia2
09-24-2006, 12:46 AM
Please read the posts/conversation under "acidic foods vs alkaline." A few of us discussed what can be done nutritionally to combat osteo... My advice is to not take any medical advice given by any one person. Immerse yourself in research. Look at it from as many different angles as possible.
Lavinia
Lavinia