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calcium supplements on prescription ?

Posted , 7 users are following.

paul170864
paul170864

I have had a malignant melanoma removed last month and so it is now important to stay out of the sunshine. I am also going to have the first of two hip replacements in February/April following late diagnosis of Perthes.

My concern is that weak bones are a primary cause of early failure of replacement hip joints and this also adversely affects the success of revision surgery,

Can anyone tell me if dietary supplements to prevent osteoporosis are available from the GP on prescription please

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • judith12644
    judith12644 paul170864

    Posted

    Hi Paul,

    Very sorry to hear about your melanoma. Regarding dietary supplements, I read that as long as you have a healthy balanced diet, supplements are generally a waste of money. The exception being vitamin d.

    Wishing you all the best.

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 paul170864

    Posted

    Several of my friends have been prescribed something. One of which is taken weekly I think. You really need to talk to both surgeon and GP to see what is best for you
    • paul170864
      paul170864 maggie93798

      Posted

      Thank you that is sound advice - I have discovered in the last year that it is best to go to my GP with an idea of the outcome required ( eg it took three visits over 18 months with my melanoma to get him to refer me to consultant. It was also a private physio who found my hip problems after the GP prescribed tramadol and prozac in a bid to kill me I think) I was hoping to find the name of a prescribable vit D supplement - I have found one called Ostiva aon an american site but not much info on it yet.
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy paul170864

    Posted

    I have vit D and calcium prescribed. The reason being I take steroids for an autoimmune illness and they can cause osteoporosis. I understand if you need calcium you should take vit D with it so it is absorbed properly. I did have a Dexascan to check my bone density and also a blood test for vit D deficiency, which it turned out I had. My GP is very keen I should take Alendronic Acid for osteoporosis, but as my scan results were not too bad and AA has side effect problems I have not taken it. Why not ask your GP for a Dexascan and a vit D and calcium blood test?
  • beth2509
    beth2509 paul170864

    Posted

    I had vitamin d prescribed for a time. But frankly, it was easier to buy it! At a fiver for a year's worth on eBay, it's more trouble than it is worth going to the doctor. And I have a very good doctor! 

    Otherwise, avoid a lot of alcohol, don't smoke, do weight bearing exercise, have a good diet and drink milk. Anything you need to support against osteoporosis is easily available and in your own hands. 

  • Msky
    Msky paul170864

    Posted

    I take a supplement that includes Calcium,Vitamin D and Vitamin K.I watched a very informative class On Public Broadcasting Statiion on Osteoporosis and it was awesome..It is amazing how skort we are on Vit D which also protects our immune system.The class was not selling anything just presenting info fr.Good Luck .Take Care.
  • paul170864
    paul170864

    Posted

    Update on Vit D - I saw the oncology nurse today and expressed my concerns about the danger of osteoporosis now that I need to avoid to much exposure to the sun. Her advice is to take over the counter Vit D as a matter of course and sent me for blood tests to check current Vit D levels - if these are low they will prescribe supplements.
    • Msky
      Msky paul170864

      Posted

      Good job that way your dose can be titrated to your needs.Research on Calcium exorption is interesting.Taking Calcium,Vitamin d and Vit k together seems to potentiate exorption.My Grandmother was Canadian Indian and she had rickets.Not enough sun and little other Vitamin support
    • paul170864
      paul170864 Msky

      Posted

      Thanks - I will check out Vit K as I dont think the tablets I have bought contain this
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