The Emperor has no Clothes

Aristotle, I respectfully disagree that supplements and HRT offer "at least an equal chance of helping things." If they did, we wouldn't be facing the current dilemma about unacceptably dangerous osteo meds to begin with, as why wouldn't everyone simply opt for the least-risky option? That said, HRT isn't an option for many, e.g., those with breast-cancer history or risk.

The Jarvinen article is excellent. I read it initially last year. It  has been savaged by mainstream practitioners, who have accused the authors of endangering patients by downplaying the benefits of the meds. Along the same lines, a veteran health-science reporter (who should have known better) wrote the equivalent of a major puff piece for Big Pharma, published a couple of months ago in the NY Times. In it, one practitioner after another bemoaned that "millions" of patients were "missing out" on the alleged life-saving benefits of the osteo meds just because some supposedly "extremely rare" side-effects have scared them into refusing the meds. Ironically, the NY Times article elicited several hundred reader comments that included many citing those same "extremely rare" side effects from firsthand experience or that of someone close to them.

Unfortunate that HRT put on same footing as supplements.  Should be diet, including supplements, and exercise!  That out of the way ... "Why wouldn't everyone simply opt for the least-risky option?"  Because we aren't offered any options - in my case, from an intelligent and compassionate GP it was meds or nothing.  (Barring the usual calcium and D because I'm on prednisone.)  I had to find out what the altenatives are for myself.  I attended a bones clinic at my local hospital and although we were given an overview of exercise and nutrition neither was presented as an alternative to meds, only as something additional.

Hi Allison,

You seem to have missed the point that the article put most of the curative value on the fact of people being told after a dexascan, that they had osteoporosis and it was most probably that people acted differently being influenced by the knowledge of their affliction and not the drugs that reduced the number of fractures. It is well documented that most of the bisphosphonates are held responsible for the brittle bones of those who used it and this makes fractures even more likely.

As for people opting for the least risky option, how many Drs actually tell their patients about options, mine certainly didn't, it was some months later when I discovered this site that I realised that there were options that were far more preferable and probably far more effective than the drugs. Additionally, people like my daughter who has OP cannot afford the cost of expensive supplements but she would dearly like to follow the natural route and I don't have the assets to help her.

Time will tell, my next dexascan will be requested in late September. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the finances are not available for that by then because our NHS seems to be falling apart.

Regards

Aristotle

Following on, I appreciate that the hormone thing is something that not everyone can use but for me, that was the primary cause of my OP and removing the main cause will hopefully put me on a very natural route to a full recovery., particularly with the food and supplements that I am currently using. Exercise of course is another natural thing but again, no mention until getting information from the members on this site. I still adhere to most of what I found out from the book. I got absolutely nothing from my Dr other than a prescription and an order to follow the directions that come with the pills. It reminds me of a saying in an episode from a 1950s radio programme "Orders are orders and must be obeyed at all times without question." I have a friend who now has cancer of her oesophagus as a result of following the instructions on a product unsuitable for purpose,

Aristotle.

Hello Aristotle,

I have just read your post and again I would like to express my admiartion for your approach to your OP. My mother in law is nearly 90 and 6 years ago was diagnosed with breast cancer , this was 'successfully' treated but the 5 years of Tamoxefen (???) took its toll on her BMD. She was warned about this. Since her Dexa she has been on the usual array of biphosphonates, calcitonin and others (these are just the ones I can remeber of the top of my head). What I am concerned about is the muscular pain she is experiencing since taking these, as ever the docs poo poo this fear but the coincidence is just too great. The pain overwhelms her and is making sleeping very difficult. Has anyone come across this? She is a very very active and fit lady with no back problems nor any broken bones previously. Thank you

Here is an article which may help figure out why your mother is experiencing this pain.  I believe this post will be moderated, but hopefully approved:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2704135/

Hi Deryl,

I have heard of other instances of musculoskelatal pain associated with the taking of bisphosphonates. Unfortunately, the best I can offer is a couple of links to papers which address the problem but only give one answer - stop the treatment.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/538191

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm124165.htm

This in itself isn't very useful since you had already come to that conclusion but it does reinforce your dedction and may give you something to talk about with your mother's doctor. The main problem is that there are very few treatments available which do not use the same principle as the bisphosphonates and they are all likely to present with the same or similar problems. I'm sorry that I don't have sufficient training or experience in this subject to even express a valid opinion, particularly since I have a bias away from any of these types of drugs.

Whichever way your mother-in-law decides to go, it will be a long haul but if she does go the nutrient way we can probably offer advice and support.

Note: She should be careful not to exceed doses of vitamins because very mature people can overdose very easily and not notice until too late.

Regards

Aristotle

Hi Deryl

The mods have stepped in because I sent you two links.

I'll send them in a few minutes via private message.

Aristotle

Hello Aristotle,

Got them and once again a huge thanks it looks exactly what I thought/want. I shall talk to her doc on her behalf she is a bit timid and I'm not!

Hi deryl

Do not let your mother in law suffer with these muscle pains. It can be one of the side effects of OP drugs.  

For some years now I have been taking drugs for osteoporosis with no side effects and an improvement in my T score.  However, after my fifth denosumab injection i experienced horrendous muscle pain in my thighs.

Massage and rubbing liquid magnesuim into my thighs finally, after more than an hour,  bought the pain under control..   

Googled "thigh pain/bisphosphonates"  (I realise denosumab is not strictly a bisphosphonates) and found that many people end up in A&E on morphine. They have my sympathy. 

After seeing my doc she sympathised with this "common" side effect. Awaiting a dexa scan result and hoping for a drug holiday.  Will not risk having another denosumab injection. 

I'm in my mid seventies, fit and active with no pain despite having a spine score of -4.9.. I can cope with having osteoporosis but NOT the side effect. Is it any wonder than many choose the drug free route.  

I thank you very much for this post. I have just fired off a letter to her doc raising the possibilty of a drug holday. She is almost 90 years and was impressively active until these pains kicked in. Thank you