Comments on: Do You Have a Hard Time Making Decisions About Your Bone Health?

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:31:10 +0000

Hello Bee Thank You so much for your comments. I, too, spent the first 6 mts doing chemo, radiation, for breast cancer. (After healing from a mastectomy in Sept. 2010. This was my 2nd time to go through it in the last 5 years.
You did not mention your age. I am 65. I’ve been very active all my life. I’m still a physical person. But I have a crushed vertabrae (T-7) 35%. I can’t do much now. I’m a swimmer, dancer, horseback rider,,,,,,etc.
I’ve worked hard most of my life. I was looking forward to an active retirement. This is rough. OK, But I have friends that had cancer when I was first diagnosed who have already passed away. I am Grateful!
Even so, the arimidex, aromasin, steroids, (taken to prevent inflamation, nausea) from the chemo drugs, actually cause our bones to dry out, get brittle and crack. Typical side effects of these drugs are “joint pain, bone fractures”, etc. Even worse, while on chemo it’s hard to eat much of anything, the effort is to keep something down that resembles food. We are in a more delicate situation than most (who are just fighting osteoporosis).
God help us in the decisions we make. We were poked, infused, flooded with the nastiest drugs on earth, brunt to a crisp on a cold table, only to survive with these dried out crunchy bones, that like potato chips, can be crushed or cracked without us even being aware.
I love to cook, and I am very interested in nutrition. When I’m feeling good I hunger for healthy foods and get the urge to do fun stuff like hike, or take a friend out. Life is short and every minute counts. Bee, I hope I have helped or inspired you in some way. take care and I will too.

By: Bee

Bee — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:40:34 +0000

Thank you for the reassurance, Vivian. It does helps and I confess that I’ve reached the conclusion that the worry over side effects of bisphosphonates is undesirable, especially as I spent the first 6 months of this year undergoing treatment for breast cancer. I’ve stepped up exercises and tweaked my diet, however, I’m still hesitating over stopping taking alendronic acid. This morning, for the first time, I didn’t take the weekly tablet. Will this cause anxiety? We shall see. Meanwhile, I plan to tackle the doctor as to why diet and exercise were’nt discussed after the osteopenia was diagnosed following the DEXA scan.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:03:33 +0000

I totally agree with you about our responsibility in taking care of our precious bodies. We need to be in touch with our bodies so we know when something is wrong. The difficult part is getting your doctor to believe you and follow through with what you have to say about your own health. I believe you and your doctor should be partners in the caring for your health. Most doctors do not have the time, patience or what other excuse they have in not listening to their patients. My doctor was out right offended when he told me to take the Osteoporosis drugs and I told him I would not take them, but would rather find another way to strengthen my bones. I do read your e-mails often and get a lot out of them. However, after paying for your information, I do feel a bit “used” when you tell me that I have to pay again just to get the densercise directions. Sorry, but that is how I feel.

By: Joan

Joan — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:35:01 +0000

Thank you again Vivian. I do always question any medication that is offered to me. The reason for this is my now lack of confidence in doctors due to bad experiences. My hearing in my right ear had been deteriorating for a very long time and was becoming worse. Spoke to my doctor who said he could send me for a hearing test but it was a two year waiting list!
At that time I did not have any other option so agreed to this. I could feel there was a problem in this ear which was growing worse and worse so rang the hospital to ask if this appointment could be brought forward, luckily after telling them I would soon be deaf in that ear they finally hurried my appointment through. The hospital arranged for me to see an ENT consultant who arranged for an MRI scan. This showed that I had an Acoustic Neuroma which is a tumour that had developed on the 6th 7th and 8th vestibular nerves and was now butted up to my brainstem, so listen to your body not the doctors!

By: jeanette barnett

jeanette barnett — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:40:30 +0000

Everything you are saying makes so much sense.
And, even though you have been telling like it is… there seems to be a lot of news lately about how many deaths are caused by prescriptions; and talk of finally making drug companies, doctors accountable for “over prescribing.” I’m following your plan, and helping my 84 year old sister to do the same.
Thank you!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:36:28 +0000

I stopped taking Boniva last May following all the scary stories about sudden thigh bone breaks. Now I’m following your program and trying to eat a more-alkaline diet. (For years, I have spent one or two hours each day with weight training, Pilates, tai chi and brisk walking — so I’m pretty strong).

When I told my doctor of my decision, he pointed out that only a small percentage of bisphosimate-takers had experienced broken bones, and said they usually recommended the drugs for five years. (I had taken Boniva for 2-1/2 years). Was originally told that they would be taken for life — and now understand that a drug holiday is recommended after three years. So yes, I apparently am more “up” on the latest findings.

By: katie

katie — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:35:59 +0000

excellent article and I totally agree

By: Joyce Preston

Joyce Preston — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:24:35 +0000

I think that over the years we all were trusted to believe what ever we were told by doctors. Not realizing at that time the trillion dollar drug market we were about to be entering. Since my battle with the side effects of actonel,fosamax (generic)from broken teeth to eye problems, we have found that through natural and herbal remedy’s we could achieve our solution. Since the start of my side effects what we have found to help dramatically with the pain in the hands and fingers and joints is Devils claw creme used 2xs a day along with taking hylauronic acid also 2xs a day. After about 2 weeks we had noticed a dramatic relief in the joint and hand pain. We are also going to a rhumotolgist for a consultation and his findings also. What we have learned since having developed these problems is that as much as these drugs are to be building bone they at the same time are making bone more brittle being like a double edged sword. Hopefully some young women who are being told of these drugs think twice and seek a herbal and natural way to remedy the situation of aging. One other very important factor which very few if any even speak about is “resistance” exercise. This is as important as the medication to keep bone strong and healthy.

By: irene karas

irene karas — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:12:13 +0000

Hello Vivian, I have not been in the loop lately because I have a lot to do. I was wondering if anyone can explain PTH to me
My mother has an elevated PTH of 74H . I know that is high but her calcium is normal. Her rheumatologist has not responded to her primary care doctor. I did take her to a medical nutritionist and she put her on liquid vitamin D an K which is made by Douglass Labs. The other supplements are thyroid related and do not seem to be disagreeing with her. We will meet with her again this week. Thank you Irene

By: Susie Clark

Susie Clark — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:42:21 +0000

I always research any drug or supplement recommended, and when I have felt it was contraindicated, explained why to my doctor and the doctor has agreed with me. Doctors follow the “general best for the normal” population, and I agree that none of us are the “average”.
We are all unique and must know, listen to, and follow what our bodies tell us.

My body has always like an alkaline diet, exercise and lots of organic fruits and veggies. My osteoporosis is in only one hip, I therefore wonder if I have been favoring that side for years since breaking both bones in that lower leg. I am therefore concentrating on using that foot and leg more forcefully when walking and exercising. Only time will tell if the bone regenerates, but I think it will.