Hi I'm new to this board. I have Osteoporosis

[inaroux63]

I started getting Epilepsy attacks for the first time in life at the age of 42. I got the huge grand mal attacks, but thanks heavans I got mine only when I was asleep. I'm 63 now and had never even have 1 attack whilst I was up and awake.

I am on medication now 3x100mg Epanutin Capsules and 1x50g Epanutin tablet.
My medication was increased a lot of these years and eventually 2x.05mg Rivotril tablets was added to make me sleep peacefully

For 6 years I have not had any attacks. Then in 1996 my Neuro suggested that we must try and leave the tablets one by one per month. He believed I should have been cured by then and one should never take medication if your body does not need it.

Well, I was very reluctend and scared but did exactly what he said. Needless to say when I was on my last tablet the seizures came back. My Neuro then said, at least we know now that you will have to remain on this medication for the rest of your life and I am quite prepared to this.

My biggest problem now is. I have developed Osteoporosis and I was told this is due to the medication I need to take for my Epilepsy. I also sufer from thrombosis and Asthma. I've managed to lead a healthy normal life, though all these medical issues caused the Epilepsy.

I was on 1 Fasomax Tablet per week but due to finances (My husband has now retired) I'm now on Osteobon tablets once per week plus Calcium D Tablets (2) per day. I have to watch my calcium intake, like milk, joghurtm cheese, tuna, etc etc.

Does anyone have any more info on this for me please

Thank you Ina

[taape]

Welcome and sorry your medication for epilepsy has caused osteoporosis. Have you had DEXA scan? Do you know your Scores? It's too bad that they only found out recently about this. Is Osteobon a calicum pill or a bisphosphonate like Fosamax?

[Aleta145]

Welcome to the board!

If you read through some of the threads here you will find a lot of information, so stick around and you'll be well-informed. When you find a thread of particular interest, you can subscribe to it so you receive an email whenever someone posts to that thread. You'll find it on the top of each message page where it says "Thread Tools". And if you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.

By the way, I looked up Osteobon and it's simply a generic form of Fosamax made by a South African pharmaceutical company. Merck's patent on Fosamax just recently expired, so generics are fairly new to us here. I imagine there will be a whole slew of them out there before long.