Off the Alendronic acid!

Hello Victoria

Thank you for all the info especially the David bowie bit ! I have osteoporosis in my spine so not sure if I have a choice in taking meds. Think it will be a good idea to speak to nurse at osteoporosis society and gather as much info as I can before consultant appointment. I have altered diet and included exercise. I am in UK and pay for prescriptions. X

Dear Kitty, yes do talk to someone at the Society.  Ultimately you do have a choice, everyone does, I'm not clear how the biosophonates are supposed to improve bone health.  They sent me a book (and I must make a donation, haven't got round to it).  The book sets out treatment options and does not trumpet medication.  I've now got a prescription season ticket, have you?  I'm sorry you have osteoporosis in your spine, and I really hope you don't get a lot of pain. As for DB - well, I'm a life long fan, from a very early age, and he was not just about music and performing, but visionary.  I think to myself when I'm in a pickle, 'what would David Bowie do?'  And that is plan, stick to it, follow through and stay true to yourself and beliefs.  Best thing you can do this week is contact the Society for advice before your appointment.  I'd also make a little crib card of Q+As to take with you for that appointment, so you get information from him.  I'd love to have his opinion on what A.Acid and similar do, and where is the proof - because believe me, I've been looking!   

Dear Kitty save you looking it up, and hopefully help anyone else. 

National Osteoporosis Society

Camerton, Bath BA2 0PJ

Phone: 01761 471771

Hours: 

Open today · 9am–7pm, Wednesday9am–5pm Thursday9am–5pm Friday9am–5pm SaturdayClosed SundayClosed Monday9am–5pm

I am following up the vit K2 tip as well.

Swimming is not necessarily the best exercise for osteoporosis, although improving muscular strength will have good effects.  It's not weght bearing, as the water supports you.  I do know there are some people on this forum who do special exercises in the pool for their osteoporosis, so do look into that.  

There may be a case for taking bone meds if your spine is VERY bad.  On the other hand, exercises to improve muscles which support the spine, plus using techniques to protect the spine (a physiotherapist can help with that) are also very useful and over time will contribute to improved health so you may not have to take the meds forever.  I do believe that people who have to take the meds should also do all the other things, the appropriate exercise, diet and supplements, so that the body has plenty of what it needs to build healthy bone.

Omg! What an inspiration you are.. I could do with you as a friend . I've lost my voice at the minute but will get onto the society as soon as is possible. I don't get any pain what's so ever in my spine . It's very interesting what you say about evidence that meds work. Consultant appointment should be around 2 months. I will definitely keep you posted and thank you again for cheering me up ! X

Hello Aghaga thank you I will look into this x

It would be interesting to see how bad my spine is , I can see I need to do much more research on exercise etc. Onwards & upwards as they say !

Start by googling combination of micronutrients bone for a link to a research article about improving bone density.  It proves that bone medications are not the only (or even the best) way to improve bone density.  

Yes, agree.  I have been wary of posting theories, article links etc as ultimately people have to decide and inform themselves - and some do tolerate the meds.  There's also something I read about milk not being a good idea, protein interacction with calcium, so I ditched that - the plant milks are more expensive, but they do taste good, esp. the coconut milk. The key thing is to be consistent, not a partuclar strength here!  I'm glad I found this forum.  Another thought, I was only ever getting 1 box of tablets at a time, that is 1 box with 4 tabs in, so if you pay for prescriptions thats a fair bit, must cost the NHS a lot, and I'd really like someone to look into this. 

I used to work in a library so was trained to look for reliable information.  I know we can get good ideas from the "popular" medical sites, but I always like to back things up.  The article I suggested about the combination of micronutrients was a university study.  I suspect we are being "had" by the big corporations who are basically looking for money for their shareholders.  Food is a necessity we eat anyway, and supplements are relatively inexpensive.  Exercise can be free.  No one is going to make a fortune out of that.

And unfortunately doctors for the most part are so overworked they are not able or willing to spend the time to check the research, or the validity of results claimed by pharmaceutical companies.

Even this site has no problems allowing brand names of any drug, hoever dangerous or questionable, to be published, but alternatives are verboten - although admittedly it's probably because of unfounded, unregulated claims by too many people, even when some alternatives have been shown to be effective.

Will do, thank you for all the information

Victoria i am newly diagnosed with osteoporosis and on the meds what Diet can help?and what excersises? and why so much pain i struggle to do my personal care now

Dear Jennifer, I am not qualified to answer the question.  The general feeling on this forum is that a plant based diet, exercise is the way to go.  From my very limited knowledge osteoporosis itself does not cause pain, but fractures will.  Quite a few people have left messages here that indicate the medication itself causes muscle and joint pain.  This happened to be, and I had other side effects as well. I recommend contacting the National Osteoporosis Society, but importantly notify your doctor / carer about the personal care issue, you should be able to get some help with that. Sending you best wishes.

Jennifer, I suggest you write a new post as this is part of an existing thread and therefore it might not be picked up by everyone on the forum.  If they didn't "follow" the original post they won't see your comments/questions.