Looking for alternative way to strengthen bone mass.

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  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited February 2012

    Strontium: Breakthrough Against Osteoporosis

    http://www.worldhealth.net/news/strontium_breakthrough_against_osteoporo/

    From what I'm reading this seems to be good to turning osteroporosis around and might do the trick along with vitamin K, Vit D, Vit C, Mag, and calcium. I also read that rebounders help and as said, weight bearing exercise. Anyone have information on it strontium or experience with it? I have a good plan...now to do it.

  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2012

    I've been checking Health Canada off and on about strontium ranelate ever since joylieswithin mentioned (on the bone forum)  that it might be available in Canada. Well it isn't, and when I checked again now it looks like it won't be. Better check this out Eve. 

    http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/ingredReq.do?id=3301&lang=eng

    Toxicity Restriction
    Detail:
    Strontium ranelate is currently considered as a source of Strontium; however, current evidence indicates that this ingredient is likely unsafe for licensing as an NHP. Please note that new evidence of its safety and efficacy will be considered to determine if it favorably affects the benefit-risk ratio.

    Reference notation leads to:

    http://www.emea.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Press_release/2009/11/WC500015592.pdf

    "severe hypersensitivity reactions"

    I found out that I have osteoporosis just as I was starting on AIs. I can't swallow pills whole so Alendronate was a no go for me. I'm taking an older bisphospate for now (Didrocal) will consider whether or not to continue after a repeat dexxa scan in May. Or maybe I will drop the AI?

    Have you looked into Salmon Calcitonin? It builds bone rather than just stopping depletion but it is not covered under our provincial health plan. I was reading about an oral form of it recently. 

    http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/750307

    Kathy

  • gentianviolet
    gentianviolet Member Posts: 316
    edited February 2012

    Eve - I have been on strontium citrate for over two years.........no density scan yet but went into my diagnosis with osteopenia.  I work out at the gym 3 times a week, and have not had any side effects from the strontium.  It is my understanding that it does not matter that strontium is compounded with citrate to deliver it as opposed to strontium ranelate (protocol in Europe).  Hope you find a good alternative for you.

  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited February 2012
    Eve-at risk of sounding harsh, allergic reactions can be life-threatening.  Tongue swelling and other such severe symptoms could potentially indicate anaphylaxis.  Luckily you're feeling better, but if you experience anything like this again, please get to the emergency room.  I'm sorry you're having difficulties, but try to avoid the urge to self-diagnose and self-treat such serious conditions. 
  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2012

    Eve, just to piggyback on thenewme's comment about allergic reactions... Once you've had one (if that's what you've had), future ones can be much worse.  It sounds like you're done with Fosamax, but if you suspect it was an allergic reaction, it would be a good idea to find out what the main aggrevating component in Fosamax is, so that you can be sure to avoid it in future drugs and even foods, if it's a food derivative (i.e. shellfish, nuts or whatever).       Deanna

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited February 2012

     I am allergic to Omeprazole. When treated for H Pylori, I was given 2 antibiotics and an acid prohibitor, Omeprazole. My tongue swelled, and throat, sores in back of tongue, and throat, felt very ill. My doctor took me off Omeprazole, and the swelling disappeared. She said to let my doctors know that I'm allergic to omeprazole.

    I'm wondering if there are similiar conponents in fosamax/omeprazole.

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2012

    Eve, I don't know anything about Omeprazole, but here's something I just pulled up on Fosomax that sure sounds like what happened to you:

    "A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing." 

    I would definitely ask your doctor or pharmacist to identify any possible links between the two drugs, especially since there may be others out there you'll also want to avoid.     Deanna 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    Kathy044,

    Strontium IS available in Canada. I just saw it on a shelf at a local vitamin shop. I know many women who take it with no side effects. It builds bone mass and can reverse osteopenia...

    tucker

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited February 2012

    I can't take vitamin K due to being on a blood thinner for atrial fibrillation. Reading all the posts, I'm now wondering if the Fosamax caused the atrial fibrillation?  It started around the same time (3 years ago) that I began the Fosamax, but my OB/GYN never mentioned it was a side effect. And my cardiologist, who knows which drugs I take, didn't bat an eye.  Of course nobody seems to know what causes Afibs anyway, but the doc told me it is common in people over 60 whose electrical systems don't work as well anymore.

    I know I get afibs from stress, when dehydrated and when eating fatty and/or spicy foods.

    I'm thinking I might have to give up Fosamax - I already had one broken hip and a broken wrist, but again - not one of the doctors said Fosamax was the culprit for the breaks.  

     Also I have been having jaw pain so have not taken Fosamax for the past 3 weeks. The jaw pain is completely gone. 

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited February 2012

    srbreastcancersurvivor...It is my opinion that if we go in to our dr. appts without any knowledge of drugs the doctors aren't about to tell us the side effects or admit when something happens that it is caused by the drugs they recommended.

    I2007, 2008 dx dcis highgrade, Jan 2011, mucinious stage 1, Sept 2011, IDC high grade her2+ (3+)er + pr+
    Diagnosis: 1/4/2012, IDC, 2cm, Stage Ia, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

  • Brendatrue
    Brendatrue Member Posts: 1,830
    edited February 2012

    Eve, Thanks for initiating this topic. What tough decisions we have to make. Many of us prefer a natural approach to care but face the reality of a disease that can be oh-so-frightening! I have had breast ca three times, the last mets to chest wall, and I have felt that I needed to make choices that I would not have made otherwise (eg chemo, hormonal therapy). Anyway, I have had osteopenia since my late thirties, after my first diagnosis and chemopause. I started calcium, magnesium, Vit D; improved my already good nutritious diet; increased my exercise. I still saw a slow progression of bone loss. I also tried bisphosphonates and had a terrible reaction (as in I could not lift myself out of bed and had to miss days of work). My MD started me on Evista, which I tolerated well.



    After my second diagnosis, I was started on Arimidex, which I could not tolerate and discontinued. I had one and only one Zometa infusion. If I had not been so sick and incapacitated I would have gone to the local ER. My MO said I had an allergic reaction to it and should not ever take it again. I think I lost about 10 days of my life. He then started me back on Evista, since bone loss continued. After mets to chest wall, he stopped the Evista and started Tamoxifen. With my last dexa scan I showed improvement in my lumbar spine but loss in my hip. My MO recommended Prolia. My research to date has made me apprehensive about this medication, and I have not agreed to start it. I am still using supplements, I exercise, I eat well. I started a topic about Prolia in the bone health section to get others' input about that med. I, too, am very sensitive to meds, and I worry about the potential negative effects of Prolia. I looked for info about Strontium and did not find much that was helpful to me. If someone else has info on Strontium, please share.



    Please don't feel defensive about the use of pain meds. Those of us who have very difficult pain situations and use pain meds responsibly are very different from those who are using pain meds irresponsibly and who develop addiction and drug seeking behaviors. Finally, please know that all decisions are very personal and that I don't mean to imply that you shouldn't try a med because someone else (like me) had a bad experience with it. Keep up your hard work of getting all the info that you can in order to make the best decision for you, and let us know what you learn of new options and what you decide to do. I wish you the best!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    Seniorbreastcancer and Evebarry, some very important info for you: 

    51 minutes ago, edited 51 minutes ago by tuckertwo

    tuckertwo wrote:

    Anyone on Fosamax? Looks like the FDA let another one slip by:

    If you have been harmed by the drug Fosamax, or its generic form alendronate, we understand the significant stress and pain that can come with the drug's adverse side effects. Legal action may be an option if you, or someone you love, has suffered a broken bone, dead jaw or any other adverse side effect as the result of Fosamax.
    ~~
    Check out a defective drug attorney if you have had these problems.
    tucker

  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited February 2012

    Eve, so sorry to hear you were given fosomax, sorrier to hear you had a bad reaction, and even more sorry that your dr didn't call you back. 

    I took some detailed notes when bone health was covered by Annmarie Colbin during my time in nutrition school.  Most of our calcium resides in the bones, and our blood needs just 1%.  The blood supply of calcium makes certain that our ph is balanced, that our heart beats, nerves fire, enzyme systems working.  If blood calcium dips, parathyroid hormones kick in to pull some reserves from our bones.  

    Drugs like fosomax prevent the release of calcium from the bones.  That might sound like a good thing on the surface, but it's not.  If your heart needs more calcium in the blood to beat properly, it's a big problem if that calcium is locked into the bones by fosomax.  This kind of situation can lead to atrial fibrillation.  Plus, too much calcium in the bones can make them so brittle that they will shatter.  

    The best way to strengthen bones is exercise, espeically walking and carrying things.  New bone can be built at any age.  

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited February 2012

    Good input. Right now, I am leary of most drugs. I noticed when researching fosamax and similiar drugs that there are lawyers seeking clients who have been harmed by such drugs. Fortunately, it only took one try for me to learn my lesson.

    Aletha, interesting about the calcium. I'm not surprised. Now that I'm beginning to feel better, I'm getting back to exercisng. I've an appointment with a DO medical doctor on Wednesday, who is into the body structure for total health. I'm looking forward to this appointment and what she will say about strengthening my bones.

    I also heard that thinner women tend to have bone problems. This maybe part of my problem as my sisters aren't as thin and do not have problems with osteroprosis. I don't feel that my bones are sick, but the bone density test says I do. My posture is great, and I' haven't lost height. I don't have lower back pain or arthritis.

  • Brendatrue
    Brendatrue Member Posts: 1,830
    edited February 2012

    evebarry, I forgot to mention to you that you might be able to get your insurance to cover several visits to a Physical Therapist in order to develop a specialized weight bearing exercise program.  Several years ago I did that and found it very helpful. I attach a great deal of value to the benefits of exercise, but I do want to remind others that some of us struggle with debilitating fatigue, moderate to severe pain, or other challenges that prevent us from working out as much as we would like to get the maximum bone health benefit. I exercise as much as I can, but I still look for other ways to support bone health.

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited February 2012

    Thanks....I'll ask and see if I can. I do have weights, a rebounder and a few other exercises I can do. I'm usually pretty active. I' admit I haven't been since surgery, followed by treatment and etc. I'm looking forward to digging up ground for my Spring garden. I find that working around the yard is good natural exercise. 

    Although since taking herceptin, I noticed a lot of heart fluttering. I wonder if exercise will worsen it or help?

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited February 2012

    Make sure you know just what your blood levels are for Vitamin D and Calcium so

    you can supplement as needed...but go high on the Vitamin D levels the" normal range"

    seems low to many doctors..

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Just checked my multivitamin and it does contain boron, ouf !

    Boron is an essential nutrient for optimal calcium metabolism and healthy bones
    and joints. Boron may affect human steroid hormone levels 

    http://www.enerex.ca/sk/articles/calcium-magnesium-silica-and-boron-their-combined-roles-in-maintaining-bone-strength

    PS - this is a commercial site - I don't dismiss them, as they oftentimes refer to excellent sources. Less work for me Smile 

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited March 2012

    This is fascinating Althea! I am going to mention this to my cardiologist when I see him next week.

    I think I originally got osteoporois years ago because a test showed my calcium was in the high range of normal and the internist I was going to said to watch it (but didn't say why, and I didn't ask unfortunately) So I forgot about it. Didn't have any blood tests for a few years because I was running 45 miles a week, doing marathons, etc. feeling great in other words. Then I had some dizziness, tests were run, including blood tests and it showed my blood calcium was too high. More tests, a scan and then a parathyroidectomy. All because I didn't listen to the original doctor! I blame myself completely. Then a bone density test 3 years ago showed I had the bones of an 85 year old (I was in my early 70s) and I've been on Fosamax ever since.  There has been slight improvement, but they can't test the hip I broke because it has 3 pins in it, the other hip still shows "danger of fracture" but the spine is a little better. I do take calcium with D and jog every day. Since the jaw pain (although my dentist didn't think it was caused by the Fosamax but why did the pain stop when I quit the Fosamax?  I have now been off it for a month

  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2012

    dogsnjogs- did your original doctor run a PtH test? I had high parathyroid results a few years ago (not massively high, but a little elevated) that have since returned to normal since I started supplementing with Vitamin D. If you don't know your PtH levels and you are in the beginning stages of osteopenia, you should work with your doctor to carefully monitor this, as it's tied directly to your bone health.

    As far as running is concerned, wanted to mention that I am going back to get my bone resorption tested this month, and will be interested in seeing results-- if the resorption rate has settled back into normal range since I started doing more impact activities. I had gotten so caught up in cycling that I didn't realize it was not a bone building form of exercise, so I added running to my regimen. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    So much conflicting info...sigh...

    My Dr. is adamant that running does not build bone strength. She says that only weight bearing exercise will build/maintain bones...such as weight bearing machines at the health club (the hip ciser, etc.)  Undecided

    I guess the only way to feel confident is to exercise and maintain good vit D3 levels. I try to keep mine between 65 & 70.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2012

    Do a google search on prunes, plums and bone density. Eating them is supposed to help. They give me heartburn so I can't eat that many.

    I have also read that many of the heartburn meds (prilosuc, etc) used long term can thin your bones.

  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited March 2012

    Lago.. There were a handful of studies that pointed to PPIs... Proton pump inhibitors such as prilosec that caused bone thinning. My family's gastro has several of my family members on PPIs and also insists that they take calcium with it. While the evidence is there that PPIs interfere with calcium absorption, there haven't been studies about adding calcium. . But nonetheless... They're all taking their calcium. They also eat Sunsweet 'Ones.'. I'd love to see more evidence.

  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2012
    LauraGTO- That is interesting information that your doctor doesn't view running as weight bearing exercise. I guess I just lumped it into weight bearing because your lower bones are forcing into bearing your entire weight during the up and down movement of running. Interesting, will have to look into that.  I'm certain running is hard on the joints, though. That, I can ATTEST to!!!!Wink
  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2012

    Lago- great information on the plum/prunes. I eat a lot of both, so that's good news for me. Love the small dried plums by Sunsweet. I keep them in my pantry all the time!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2012
    Marianna maybe the reason why LauraGTO's doctor doesn't consider running weight bearing for her is because she weighs very little. I don't think there's an ounce of fat on her and she's tiny Wink
  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2012

    There you go, that could be a reason why it's not weight bearing!! 

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited March 2012

    MariannaHB: Not sure what the test was called as it was many years ago. He said the calcium was in the higher range of normal and to "watch" it.  But I didn't go to the doctor on a regular basis in those days.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Shush!!! I'm tiny because I LMBO so often! LOL Laughing

    And most of the time I LMBO because of so much conflicting info! LOL 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Oh...and don't forget how important PROTEIN is for good bone health. Several times a week I make Boost smoothies because I don't eat very much red meat.

    Here's a good article about protein and bones:

    http://www.betterbones.com/bonenutrition/protein/benefits.aspx  

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