Bone protection medication...Risedronate
Posted , 12 users are following.
GP has prescribed Risedronate once PW which I have reservations about taking. What are your thoughts...For and against. It's been prescribed by GP as a preventative measure. Background - DX PMR December, started pred 20mg, now on 12.5 which is totally managing symptoms. I'm walking daily, up to 5 miles and have always been fit. Im 54, currently off work and back in 2 weeks. I've a history of heartburn/acid reflux and have been taking pantoprazole for 3 or 4 years. Ive taken 2 doses so far with no problems, was supposed to take a dose this morning...I asked GP about a dexascan but that conversation didn't progress. Do most people on here on pred also take bone protection meds?
0 likes, 28 replies
lynda28490
Posted
sharon35553 lynda28490
Posted
HI Lynda,
your story sounds just like mine. Also started on twenty mil of pred a year ago and the 12.5was perfect for me until Dr tapered me and my bone density results are very bad, have been for years since early hysterectomy and I'm 64.,dr is ready to give me Prolia tomorrow, an injection every six months but I'm cancelling after reading up on the possible aid effects and patient reviews. I he reviews of negative comments far out number the positive and I done need any further complications from another medicine. I will try my best to eat the right foods and take calcium supplements.
Good luck,
Sharon
Anhaga lynda28490
Posted
If I were you I would refuse to take any of the OP meds until a DXA scan proved they were absolutely necessary. It's just too easy for someone in normal health (as normal as you can be with PMR) that is to say without other issues such as early menopause, etc, to improve bone density a natural way without the use of medications. I have successfully done so, as have others. It requires paying a lot of attention to diet and supplements, especially obtaining Vitamin K2, as well as the usual suspects of D3 and magnesium and natural sources of calcium like leafy greens and fermented foods. Appropriate exercise which gently stresses the bones (walking, Nordic walking, some kinds of yoga, tai chi, pilates, etc) also very important as it is weight bearing exercise which stimulates more bone to be made. It takes time, but the advantages include no bad side effects, and improvement in general health and wellbeing! If DXA scan proves your spine is at risk a physiotherapist can give guidance to guard the spine and increase strength of muscles which support it.
lynda28490 Anhaga
Posted
Thanks for the reminder...i've today ordered vitamin k2 tablets 100mcg. Do you take one a day? Diet...I have a lot of home made soup and other veg. I've cut down on sugars and carbs (i'm under the recommended levels of carbs). No alcohol. I'm no angel and can't resist chocolate. Is there anything else dietary wise? Oh, I have fresh ginger daily grated into peppermint tea. I drink 2l of raw milk every 5/6 days ( not sure if this is necessarily good).
Weekly Tai chi class and daily fast walks.
I will request a DXA scan and if it's a no I'll pay privately.
Thanks for the advice
Anhaga lynda28490
Posted
Hi Lynda. Your supplement bottle should tell you the dose recommended. In fact the supplement I take says 100 mcg per day. A lot of people eat food high in boron because it's also supposed to be a good bone builder. I always eat a few prunes at lunchtime as that is one of the easier ways for me to get it. I've also read that if one is getting extra calcium one may need extra magnesium as well in order to maintain the delicate balance between these two minerals. Usually I think there is quite a lot of magnesium in a balanced diet. It really is a learning curve, but there is a lot of good information on the internet - if you pick up a tip from one of the "popular" medics, please double check that their claims are backed up by research. The benefits of Vitamin K2, for example, have been thoroughly studied by the Japanese, and authenticated. Talk about "alkalinizing" the body is a lot more questionable. A so-called "alkaline" diet really is just a healthy diet, avoiding too much sugar, animal protein, etc. The body naturally maintains a healthy ph, and if that goes out of balance one would be very ill indeed. I just give those two examples as ways to evaluate what you read on the internet.
I love pure dark chocolate and have a small amount more often than I like to say after dinner! It's supposed to be full of great antioxidants, so enjoy, in moderation.
lynda28490 Anhaga
Posted
Definitely a lot to learn, diet being only one thing! I watched a programme recently full of claims about how an alkaline diet would sort out all ills. I thought it was very questionable. I have heard from a few sources though that K2 is needed and I'll research magnesium.
Lidl's 74% dark chocolate is recommended and very enjoyable
(in moderation)
ptolemy lynda28490
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EileenH ptolemy
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ptolemy EileenH
Posted
Guest lynda28490
Posted
But you havn't lived till you try the Lindt Chilli Dark Choc ! Got a feeling that having a Dexascan is included in the Nice Guideleines? worth asking your GP, you shouldn't have to go private. You can buy Natto for the Vit K2 from Chinese/Japanese outlet. ++ Exercise and a sensible fresh diet probably solves most things!
EileenH Guest
Posted
Absolutely! That and Lindt 85% are my standard choclate. The apricot one is pretty good too - though chili wins hands down. I had chocolate and chili icecream in Treviso earlier in the week...
No, you shouldn't have to private for a dexascan but due to a certain level of idiocy there are long waiting lists in some areas. Years ago my husband's dept needed a replacement for their original scanner and had charitable funding to cover the capital cost. They were already funding the technologist themselves as it was an existing service. But the powers that be denied the purchase request. Crackers...
Anhaga Guest
Posted
ptolemy lynda28490
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I really would push for a Dexascan, PMR is considered a good reason for one. If the worst comes to the worst you can get one privately, I don't think they are exorbitantly expensive, but your GP should really let you have one.
EileenH lynda28490
Posted
I would (and did) refuse to take bone protection meds other than just calcium and vit D supplements until I had had a dexascan. Which showed my bone density was fine so I didn't take anything else and after over 7 years on pred, much of it at above 10mg, my bone density has barely changed and is still well in acceptable range for no medication being required.
Alendronic acid is contraindicated if you have a history of reflux - but oral risendronate is only LESS of a problem - that isn't the same as no problem. If you have no problems fair enough - but I would not take it "just in case". I want the proof I need it.
Juno-Irl-Dub lynda28490
Posted
Hi Linda, it's a bit of a dilemma really.
I was diagnosed with PMR (age 61) and was immediately prescribed Prednisone (20mg) along with calcium and vit D by my GP.
A few months later I had a Dexa scan which showed severe OP (no fractures) and was prescribed Risedronate by the Rheumatologist.
Why was my OP so severe? Investigations showed no specific reason (no family history, no low Vit D etc etc) . The only reason I could come up with was being vegetarian and perhaps therefor low protein intake. My Rheumatologist felt I should have been taking Risedronate when I started with Pred. for bone protection esp. in the first few months of taking Pred. when the dose is highest. On the other hand on this forum there are plenty of people with PMR who have been using Pred. for ages and have normal bones . . .
Now you may be a little more likely to have some bone thinning because of your use of pantoprazole (a PPI med.) for your stomach problems. . . .
Conclusion - if you can have a Dexa scan (private) soon, get it done. If you have to wait for one, take the Risedronate for protection for a few months until you have the scan and, depending on the result, continue taking it or stop.
I feel that, had I taken the bone protection med. when diagnosed with PMR, my bone scan result a few months later would not have been so severe.
Good luck, J