Aleta145
05-28-2008, 06:47 PM
After five months on Forteo his doctor is very pleased with test results. He went from 9 to 29. Not sure what that means, but the endocrinologist says he's surprised it improved that quickly, especially after 8 years on Fosamax. I assume that's urinary N-telopeptide NTx. I don't know what his serum osteocalcin was.
So he's feeling a little better about taking Forteo and looking forward to having a DXA to confirm, but that won't happen until next year.:)
I, on the other hand, have taken three months of Boniva and I'm NOT feeling good about it. But that's a subject for another thread.
So he's feeling a little better about taking Forteo and looking forward to having a DXA to confirm, but that won't happen until next year.:)
I, on the other hand, have taken three months of Boniva and I'm NOT feeling good about it. But that's a subject for another thread.
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phylwill1152
05-30-2008, 10:38 AM
Hi Aleta...glad to hear that your husband had good results so quickly, its nice to hear success stories. I wonder if the same drugs work differently in men than in women? Men and women have different body chemistry and it seems men sometimes have better results with some drugs than women do. Other than taking different drugs for the osteo are you both doing the same things as far as supplements, diet, exercise?
Sorry to hear that your not feeling better about your choice of treatment. Are you looking for other options?
have a good weekend..take care...phyllis
Sorry to hear that your not feeling better about your choice of treatment. Are you looking for other options?
have a good weekend..take care...phyllis
osteoblast
05-30-2008, 02:07 PM
Aleta-Great news! As I have been on forteo for almost 2 yrs. and your husband is somewhat in the early phase of his treatment, I think you want to KNOW what the number is that the dr. is encouraged by. And, it would be great if you got a copy of the lab results to keep for your records. It could be the ntx or it could be BSAP-bone specific alkaline phosphotase (sp?) in any event, it would be great for you to find out. I would think you could call the office and get the verbal on which test was done and, ask them to mail you a copy. Let us know. I am still trying to figure all of this out and would be interested to know what the doc is checking.
I hope that you find the treatment that is right for you. Good luck. :)
I hope that you find the treatment that is right for you. Good luck. :)
DesertBloom
05-31-2008, 07:05 PM
Hi Aleta: Are you saying that your husbands NTx baseline score was 9 and the follow up score was 29? If so that's a great increase and would explain the encouragement of the Endo. BAP and Osteocalcin scores don't respond as well to Forteo, but that's okay the NTx gives a better idea on resorption scores than BAP/OSC does.
I don't have my NTx scores in front of me, but I think I only increased by 10 points from the first test to the second. I didn't have a baseline test, so I can only compare the two while on Forteo.
I'm not familiar with mens scores either, but since you want to see an increase of n-telopeptide while on Forteo he's done that!! :D
Are you having trouble with Boniva, in the way of side effects, or is it a lack of response in scores? Let us know what's going on with you and I hope you find something to help out a lot.:wave:
I don't have my NTx scores in front of me, but I think I only increased by 10 points from the first test to the second. I didn't have a baseline test, so I can only compare the two while on Forteo.
I'm not familiar with mens scores either, but since you want to see an increase of n-telopeptide while on Forteo he's done that!! :D
Are you having trouble with Boniva, in the way of side effects, or is it a lack of response in scores? Let us know what's going on with you and I hope you find something to help out a lot.:wave:
Aleta145
05-31-2008, 09:14 PM
Phyllis, we are both taking 1500 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium (divided in three doses) per day. We eat lots of calcium-rich foods, and we both walk daily and do yoga. He also goes to the gym three times a week to work out with weights. In fact, he has done weight-training all his life, which is why we were so surprised by his Dx.
As for me, I'm gun-shy about taking bisphosphonates for all the reasons we've discussed on this board. My osteo isn't severe--I have no vertebral fractures--so I'm torn. Do I wait until I start fracturing and then start aggressive treatment? Or do I take a drug that comes with its own risks in order to forestall any theoretical future fracturing? I have just re-read The Myth of Osteoporosis and that makes me question the so-called "gold standard" of osteoporosis treatment.
Osteoblast, you're right, we should get a copy of the lab results. I'll call them on Monday. We like to have copies of everything and I'm surprised DH didn't ask for it.
DesertBloom, all he said in the message he left on our answering machine was that "he went from a 9 to a 29" and "the numbers are really good for the short time he's been on the Forteo."
I have taken the Boniva for three months, and felt sick for a couple of days last time, with a fever, fatigue, and body aches. I thought I was coming down with the flu, but then it cleared up. I'm still taking taking Evista, so if I decide not to continue with Boniva, at least I'll be doing SOMETHING.
As for me, I'm gun-shy about taking bisphosphonates for all the reasons we've discussed on this board. My osteo isn't severe--I have no vertebral fractures--so I'm torn. Do I wait until I start fracturing and then start aggressive treatment? Or do I take a drug that comes with its own risks in order to forestall any theoretical future fracturing? I have just re-read The Myth of Osteoporosis and that makes me question the so-called "gold standard" of osteoporosis treatment.
Osteoblast, you're right, we should get a copy of the lab results. I'll call them on Monday. We like to have copies of everything and I'm surprised DH didn't ask for it.
DesertBloom, all he said in the message he left on our answering machine was that "he went from a 9 to a 29" and "the numbers are really good for the short time he's been on the Forteo."
I have taken the Boniva for three months, and felt sick for a couple of days last time, with a fever, fatigue, and body aches. I thought I was coming down with the flu, but then it cleared up. I'm still taking taking Evista, so if I decide not to continue with Boniva, at least I'll be doing SOMETHING.
DesertBloom
05-31-2008, 10:30 PM
Hi Aleta: Well what the Dr said in the message, still sounds encouraging even if you're not sure exactly what they were referring to.
I've been meaning to ask you, do you having any side effects from the Evista? Also how long have you been taking it? I will start it soon, and just wondered if you had the hot flashes or any probs with blood clots or leg cramps?
I know how you feel about the Boniva... Tough decision !! My brother was suppose to take Boniva but decided against it 1 year ago and his score went from high minus 2's to normal in his spine and -1.7 in his hip with supplements and exercise alone. He has an esophageal prob and the Dr rx'd this med anyway, which I can't figure out at all:confused::confused: You would think that the Dr would know that if this med can cause these types of probs you wouldn't rx it to someone who already has severe swallowing/esophagus troubles.
I was able to have a free dxa last week, they actually did 2 of them, and they told me that when they have to check the calibration and technicians accuracy on these machines they give out free scans. You might want to check to see if any of the Univ Med Centers near you ever do that, so you don't have to wait for your insurance to pay.
I've been meaning to ask you, do you having any side effects from the Evista? Also how long have you been taking it? I will start it soon, and just wondered if you had the hot flashes or any probs with blood clots or leg cramps?
I know how you feel about the Boniva... Tough decision !! My brother was suppose to take Boniva but decided against it 1 year ago and his score went from high minus 2's to normal in his spine and -1.7 in his hip with supplements and exercise alone. He has an esophageal prob and the Dr rx'd this med anyway, which I can't figure out at all:confused::confused: You would think that the Dr would know that if this med can cause these types of probs you wouldn't rx it to someone who already has severe swallowing/esophagus troubles.
I was able to have a free dxa last week, they actually did 2 of them, and they told me that when they have to check the calibration and technicians accuracy on these machines they give out free scans. You might want to check to see if any of the Univ Med Centers near you ever do that, so you don't have to wait for your insurance to pay.
phylwill1152
06-01-2008, 09:08 AM
HI Aleta...sounds like you and your husband are doing the right things to help your bones. You might want to join him at the gym occassionlly...strength training is really good for the bones. When i was first dx i went in to panic mode like everyone does, but soon after i realized that taking the drugs was like buying an insurance policy..you're betting on something that may or may not happen. Just because we have osteo it doesn't mean we will break something..just that the odds are higher that we will. IMO the risk from the drugs is worse than maybe or maybe not breaking a bone somewhere down the road. It was after reading The Myth of Osteo that i was able to move away from feeling fragile..its a very empowering book. My new mantra is " I have osteo, but it doesn't have me".
I took actenol for 2 months before i decided it wasn't for me. I'm now taking strontium citrate and feel that it is the right thing for me to. You might want to look into that and see if its a path you'd like to take. A form of Strontium Malanate is up for FDA approval and if that happens maybe more dr. will be using it to treat people..i hope.
I have to ask...if your osteo isn't very bad why did they put you on 2 osteo drugs at once? have a good day..take care...phyllis
I took actenol for 2 months before i decided it wasn't for me. I'm now taking strontium citrate and feel that it is the right thing for me to. You might want to look into that and see if its a path you'd like to take. A form of Strontium Malanate is up for FDA approval and if that happens maybe more dr. will be using it to treat people..i hope.
I have to ask...if your osteo isn't very bad why did they put you on 2 osteo drugs at once? have a good day..take care...phyllis
osteoblast
06-02-2008, 01:46 PM
Aleta-The reason I thought you should find out what the numbers referred to, is that to me those sounded more like my bsap (bone specific alkaline numbers) rather than ntx. But as DB said for men the number range could be and probably is difft. Still, I would think by calling you could find out what the test was, what the range was, and request a copy of all tests done be sent to you.
Sorry to hear of your worries about what to do for your osteo. These are difficult decisions to make because of the risks involved in the prescription treatments. Good luck!
p.s.also curious that you were put on evista and boniva together. I thought if it was evista, it was evista alone and not together with a bisphos. Just wondered.
Sorry to hear of your worries about what to do for your osteo. These are difficult decisions to make because of the risks involved in the prescription treatments. Good luck!
p.s.also curious that you were put on evista and boniva together. I thought if it was evista, it was evista alone and not together with a bisphos. Just wondered.
Aleta145
06-02-2008, 03:18 PM
DesertBloom: I've been on Evista for almost four years. The only side effect I've had is the occasional power surge, but not so bad as to keep me up at night. But you're right, there are some grim possible side effects to taking SERMs. Non of these choices are no-brainers, are they? I'm leaving right now to go get another sample of Boniva from my doctor. I'm going to take it one more time before I decide, once and for all.
Phyllis: I do want to get a gym membership, but they are so expensive and I wouldn't use it as much as I should since I can't work out after work. It tends to keep me up all night. So I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on something I'll use mainly on weekends. Meanwhile I love my yoga classes and also try to do a lot of strength-building poses on my own.
Osteoblast and Phylis: I'm taking Evista primarily for breast cancer prevention. (I've been in remission since 1999.) Ordinarily they would have me taking Arimidex for it, but that's a drug that causes bone-thinning, which I certainly don't need. It was my oncologist who ordered my first DXA to establish a baseline before commencing with Arimidex. Imagine our surprise when we found out that I was already osteoporotic at the age of 49. So then he started talking about Zometa infusions, which I decided against mainly because of the cost. Now new studies are saying that zoledronic acid is not only good for increasing bone density, but it has some protection against breast cancer recurrence. And so we go full circle, LOL!
Phyllis: I do want to get a gym membership, but they are so expensive and I wouldn't use it as much as I should since I can't work out after work. It tends to keep me up all night. So I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on something I'll use mainly on weekends. Meanwhile I love my yoga classes and also try to do a lot of strength-building poses on my own.
Osteoblast and Phylis: I'm taking Evista primarily for breast cancer prevention. (I've been in remission since 1999.) Ordinarily they would have me taking Arimidex for it, but that's a drug that causes bone-thinning, which I certainly don't need. It was my oncologist who ordered my first DXA to establish a baseline before commencing with Arimidex. Imagine our surprise when we found out that I was already osteoporotic at the age of 49. So then he started talking about Zometa infusions, which I decided against mainly because of the cost. Now new studies are saying that zoledronic acid is not only good for increasing bone density, but it has some protection against breast cancer recurrence. And so we go full circle, LOL!