1) Calcium intake is overrated.
2) The Save Our Bones Program focuses on retaining calcium.

However, last Feb. (2009) I was in 2 auto accidents (not my fault) that caused me injuries of the spine and bursa in my hip. It also moved the hardware in my leg. An ankle specialist wanted to take it out but my Dexa scan showed that I have osteopenia and osteoporosis.

My bone doctor told me to drink 3 glasses of milk a day and take Vitamin D. When I went to my primary care physician and he told me the dangers of drinking cows milk and told me to stop. He put me on Ossopan MD, and 5000IU of Vit. D3 (which, for some reason gave me have diarrhea, and made me feel like I had the flu).

I am vitamin D deficient (15 on a scale of normal being 30-100). So, I am taking the Ossopan MD which has: Calcium 800mg, Magnesium 400mg, Vitamin D 200mg, and MicroCrystaline Hydroxyapatite 2000mg. Because I can’t take the D3 I have also added 800mg of Vitamin D each day (total of 1200mg of D with what is in the Ossopan MD). I take Silica and a Vitamin B-Complex twice a day, too.

I have no idea how my levels are doing as it is so soon into the therapy and have not had another Dexa-Scan as it is too soon for that, too. Ironically, my blood pressure is normal for the first time in 17 years. I was diagnosed with peheochromocyotma as a cause of the hypertension. I cannot take a blood pressure pill due to paroxysmal blood pressure (sometimes too low, sometimes too high).

SO, here is my problem. I feel a whole lot better, especially emotionally, since starting all this jazz but I am gaining weight like crazy (10 pounds in two months). I am doing weight bearing exercises at a gym and also tanning in a bed with UVB light, at the advice of my doctor, to help absorb the Vit. D. I have been told that fat weight more than muscle and at first I thought that was the reason for the weight gain. But I would think that, after a month of weight bearing exercise I would start losing weight. I haven’t been eating more than usual and cannot figure this out.

Also, in the beginning, I felt much better with my injuries and my back and hip do seem better but the leg with the hardware feels like it is wooden sometimes and it hurts when I stand or walk too much.

OH, forgot to mention that my teeth got knocked loose in the first accident and were again popped in the second. They are loose and I am seeing my gums recede now. I understand that this can be from a low Vit. D level, too but think I should be seeing improvement there if this is true and I am not seeing any difference.

NOW, here’s my questions(s):

1. Do you think I am on the right course of treatment, given my injuries and scan and blood work?
2. Do you think the weight gain is from exercise or could something I am supplementing with cause this? Could it have something to do with the thyroid. My levels on the thyroid are normal but my Mom did die from complications of Graves Disease.
3. Does Vit. D help with the receding gum thing? If not, can you recommend anything?
4. Do you think the great drop in blood pressure is related to taking these supplements and from the extra exercise? I am not doing marathon stuff at the gym, just what I need to strengthen the bones.
5. If I am on the right track what would be the normal course to events to look forward to. If I am not then what would you recommend.

Forgot to mention I am now working on a Casein and Gluten free diet.

Thanks for any advice here,

Working Hard But Confused and Getting Discouraged

Vitamin K is listed in my multiple vitamin and also a small amount in this calcium supplement I take. If I take your recommended individual amount of Vitamin K, will that be too much and can Vitamin K be toxic ?

Thank you
Vivian,
L. Abel