I am a woman, just turned 50...went in for a wellness check & it was decided that it was time for a baseline BMD screen, as I am small-framed, 5-4" and 120 lbs, family history (but not at 50! yikes!), postmenopausal for nearly 2 yrs. Wellllll....I was truly blown away to learn that I have osteopenia of hips, osteoporosis of spine at 3.3. I am a nonsmoker, nondrinker, active (walk a vigorous/brisk 2 miles most days), and have the healthiest diet of nearly anyone I know!
Started on Citracal-D and multivitamin daily, and Actonel 150 mg. After one dose, I began within a day to have severe musculoskeletal pain, and this waxed and waned through the month. Dr advised that I can take no bisphosphonates, and was referred to a rheumatologist. Started me on Forteo, which I took for a month. Had some tolerable-but-uncomfortable symptoms of dizziness, mild nausea, appetite suppression, racing heart and palpitations. Was already nervous about the cautions/warnings of risk of osteosarcoma...after a month, my husband and I noted a scattering of bright red pinpoint dots over my trunk and thighs...which are/were not petechiae, but I think (from internet image search) are cherry hemangiomas..."What in the world?!"
When I called to report the symptoms to my dr, the message was taken, then a message given to me by the dr...no evaluation of my symptoms or discussion w/the dr was offered. She simply said I was to d/c and then listed other options (one, a bisphosphonate!), and I could call and discuss w/ her nurse. Hmmmmmm...
Hoping for better communication w/the new dr I shall see in a couple of months. How many of you find it hard to get connected w/the dr, rather than needing to leave messages and then have them relayed by the liason or nurse? That is frustrating to me.
My question: What criteria is used to decide what med to give someone? Is there rhyme or reason, or is it just hit and miss, try one and see how it works? Also, isn't there a window of significant opportunity which needs to be noted, early after menopause? From what I have read, this is the time of most rapid loss...wouldn't it seem that it is a time for aggressive efforts at bone bldg thru physical therapy or wt/strength training? What about dietary changes? Seems that doing all of these, even w/medication, would give highest gains...
Hi ajordangirl,
Sorry you have a diagnosis of osteoporosis. I was quite shocked when I found out that I had it also and don't smoke, drink, so exercise, etc., . Do you have any family members with osteoporosis? Did your doctor do tests to see if there is a secondary reason for it?
\ My spine surgeon ordered Fosamax which after a couple of pills was burning my stomach so I stopped that right away. Then got referred to an endocrinologist and we decided on Forteo due to my spine T score being -3.1 and meeting the FDA criteria for Forteo. After a fight with the insurance company it was approved and I used it for 2 years. I'm sorry to hear that you had side effects.
I added more calcium rich foods to my diet plus Citracal daily so I think diet is important. I can only do limited weight bearing exercise but I think that's important also. For some people that might be enough to grow bone but not with me so I'm back on Forteo again.
I hope your new doctor can develop an effective treatment plan for you without major side effects.
Read the book "The Myth of Osteoporosis" by Gillian Sanson. It should help alleviate some of your concerns. I am unable to tolerate any of the conventional osteo drugs. Look into taking strontium citrate as well.
Read the book "The Myth of Osteoporosis" by Gillian Sanson. It should help alleviate some of your concerns. I am unable to tolerate any of the conventional osteo drugs. Look into taking strontium citrate as well.
I am halfway thru this book, actually. It is helpful, but leads me to more questions, as I understand her suggestion that perhaps normal/healthy bone density is not the same for smaller women...but, then what does one do w/the very low measurements such as mine? Am I to not treat, or do I treat but less aggressively, as I am maybe not so severely affected as it seems?
I find myself in a quandary (as expressed by many on this board)...afraid of not treating w/drugs, afraid of the drugs I choose if I do use one!
I begged my 7 yr younger sister to ask for a BMD, as mine was so low. She is barely above osteopenic! Our mom/maternal grandmother had osteoporosis, but much later in life.
