Decisions, decisions, decisions! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you didn’t have to make them? The answer is no.
You should welcome being in control of your decisions because nobody is more qualified to make bone health decisions for yourself than you.
But because you may not be sure of yourself, you might become stressed and anxious.
So today, I want to give you the five main reasons why you are more than qualified to make your own osteoporosis choices – regardless of what anyone else tells you…
Because you are a truth-seeker
Nothing can stop you from finding the truth. The mere fact that you are on this website proves it.
You want to discover the truth about your osteoporosis diagnosis, about the drugs you were prescribed, and everything else you need to know, so you can make an educated decision. While others blindly accept what they’ve been given and told, you are willing to go the extra mile.
This isn’t to say that you will actively disobey what your doctor tells you, but rather you would like to discuss your findings with him or her in an open and pleasant dialogue. As George Lundberg, M.D., executive vice-president and editor-in-chief of Medicalogic/Medscape states in an interview, “physicians need to welcome the idea of patients being interested in their own health.” Amen, George!
Because you question everything
You want detailed, common-sense information and you won’t settle for the proverbial “because I say so.”
You want to get to the bottom of things. But did you know that unlike you, most doctors don’t research the latest health information?
The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that “once a new piece of scientific evidence emerges as a medical advance, it takes up to 17 years before doctors routinely incorporate that information into how they practice medicine” (Comparative Effectiveness Research: What It Means for You, Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D, April 7, 2009).
In light of this, it surely does not look like a good idea to rely on your doctor for the latest information on any health topic, let alone osteoporosis.
Because only you know what your “normal” feels like
You know yourself better than anyone else, so you know when you’re just not feeling right. I receive many emails from readers about how doctors denied the side-effects they suffered while taking osteoporosis drugs, and flatly transferred the blame to another unrelated condition.
For example, many in our community wrote that when they complained of acid reflux while taking bisphosphonates (a common side-effect of those drugs), the doctor would blame it on stress, and handed out yet another prescription for an anxiety drug. More often than not, stories like these don’t have a happy ending… As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect”, and you have been practicing at being “you” since the day you were born.
Because you did not study Medicine
You see, Medical students immerse themselves in a wide array of complicated subjects, and they also need to memorize information on thousands of prescription drugs. The Physician’s Desk Reference has information on over 4,000 drugs, and the number keeps growing every year. Clearly, doctors are exposed to an overwhelming amount of data.
So it is not surprising that Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health writes that there are about 250,000 iatrogenic deaths (physician-caused deaths) per year in the USA. Plus there are 12,000 unnecessary surgeries, 7,000 medication errors in hospitals, 20,000 “other errors” in hospitals, 80,000 infections acquired in hospitals, and 106,000 “non-error, negative effects of drugs.”
Alarmingly, medical-induced deaths are the third leading cause of death in the USA, after heart disease and cancer (B. Starfield, M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association, Is US health really the best in the world? July 2000).
Fortunately, you have an edge over any doctor because you only have to focus on your own health issues. If you've gone through the Osteoporosis Reversal Program and read the articles on this website, you most likely are already more of an expert on the truth about osteoporosis than your own doctor is!
Because you are self-sufficient
You know that your body is designed for health and not for disease, so you trust its ability to heal itself. Even a single microscopic cell in your body has more chemical processes going on than all the chemical factories in the world combined. Now multiply that by about 75 trillion, which is the approximate number of cells in your body, and you’ve got yourself an industrial complex the likes of which you’ll never see on our planet.
Indeed, osteoporosis prescriptions drugs are no match to what your osteoblasts and osteoclasts can do.
And let’s not forget that Nature also gives you a helping hand to improve your bone health. For example, there are approximately 8,000 bone-healthy plant polyphenols that can help increase the production of osteoblasts (Garie G. Duthie et al. Plant Polyphenols: are they the new magic bullet? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2003).
These powerful antioxidants are found in every day fruits like apples, cherries, cantaloupe, pears and grapes.
Conclusion
Now that you know that you are your best bone health decision-maker, it will help you achieve peace of mind. And then, a beautiful thing happens: along with the peace of mind comes less stress, better decisions, and better overall bone health. As I mentioned before, this website is testimony to your willingness to take responsibility for your bone health and to the power in your decisions – I'm glad you made it here.
After I told the practice nurse that I wanted to cancel the presciption for alendronic acid, Igot a phone call from the receptionist at my surgery saying that the doctor wanted me to continue with this drug & that I was to discuss my decision with him during my next appointment. Now I’m a coward & feel he’ll talk me into continuing alendronic acid. Help! What should I do or say?
Hi Margaret. You should have the attitude that it is YOUR body, these are harsh drugs and you would rather try the gentler and healthier approach to building bone density through diet and exercise. Take on board what the doctor has prescribed and acknowledge the potential benefits but having done your own research you would first like to take a kinder approach before contemplating alendronic acid.
Now a little about my own experience – I am 63 and was diagnosed with osteoporosis in April this year and was prescribed alendronic acid and adcal-d3 calcium tablets. After reading about the awful side effects and seeing at first hand my late mother suffer under this drug I decided not to take it but to carry on taking the adcal-d3. I found Vivian’s website and started on the program straight away before waiting for the book to arrive. Like you, I dreaded going back to the doctor to tell her I was not going to take the alendronic acid and instead take the healthy way (Vivian’s way). Although I was careful not to mention Vivian by name or her specific program, to my shock the doctor was understanding and was impressed by my attitude that I had taken control of the matter to find out more about my condition. She gave me her full support and told me that some people can never tolerate these drugs – this statement alone took the wind out of my sails and somewhat disarmed me as I had prepared myself for the possibility of a hostile reaction. I am however still taking the calcium tablets that she prescribed and I left with the understanding that I would return in a couple of years to compare scans. This now gives me two years to prove to myself and the doctor that Vivian’s way is not only kinder but will yield measurable results. So, good luck and take control.
say no it is your body, I went to my GP and explained the reasons for giving up the drug, what can he do but accept it, it is your body.
sincerely
MARY (uk)
Hi,Go and see your doctor take with you the book on save our bones program say you would like to give it a try. stop taking the tablet.
The tablet gave me a lot of joint pain and a very bad stomach and after my talk with my doctor she said ok. I now feel 100% better and no bad stomach and my joint pain is 95% better. Iam going to have a scan at the end of the year so looking forward to the result.Im so glad i found saveourbones. Barbara.
Do what i did,after a very bad stomach and having to go for a camera down showing reflux disease thats what the tablets did to me.So i went to my docs with the save our bones program and said i wanted to try it, she could see how determined i was and agreed.I now feel100% better and my stomach
feels great no more pain.Iam so glad i found Vivians
program.
Barbara.
Hi Vivian
I am so glad I found your website I find the articles very interesting and I have your book
and reading it thoroughly
Your information certainly makes sense I have
said No to the specialist who wanted to put me on Forteo so now I only have 2 caltrate tablets
a day I went to my local doctor and told him what
I have done and he fully agreed with me he doesn’t believe in taking drugs also Vivian after trying fosomax actonel and protos I have shrunk from 4 foot 10and one half inches in height to 4 foot 6 inches so that is good enough proof for me
Hi Vivian,
I have been taking Actinel for about 10 years after finding out I had some bone loss and was diagnosed with ostopenia. I have not had any side effects as yet but after reading about your Save our bones Program I stopped taking the actinel about 3 months ago. I have ordered your book am waiting for it to arrive. I am worried that I have really harmed myself by taking the Actinel all these years thinking I was building bone. I will be getting another bone density test this summer, my 3rd one so far. I was told by a pharmacist that the actonel stays in your body for 10 years so she said there was no sense in stopping taking it. I am worried about this.
Thanks for your help.
Joyce
Although I’ve stopped taking Fosamax generic, and I did before I sent for yuur book.I felt awful ached for 2 days after I took the drug. Also had numerous choking spells,which I questioned. I now have very few. I am trying. I find it somewhat hard to eat all the foods necessary,m but I do not eat too many bad ones. MY question to you is , I take lots of natural supplements. How much fruits and veggies are necessary everyday? I also excerise. Thank You Sandra Brigham
I am interested in the Save our Bones program, but would be much more likely to buy it if it were available in bookstores where I could look at it first. I don’t line buying things on line where I have no opportunity to thumb through the information and make an informed choice.
Hi Viviene
Have now purchased your book and had already taken heed of the 20:80 ratio of acids/alkali foods, plus the item on milk (I used to drink 5 pints per week believing I was giving myself the necessary calcium I needed to promote healthy bones!!) I only have a little in my morning tea and coffee now (less than 1 pint a week) and use Alpro yoghourt on my fresh fruit salads every day. I was already eating 2 bananas a day and was delighted to learn from your item on this fruit that I was helping my bones with calcium in a positive way. I have not taken my Alendronic Acid tablets since March and sincerely hope that my bones are repairing themselves naturally. I walk my dogs for an hour each morning and must go up and down stairs at least a dozen times a day so get quite a bit of exercise. I am now doing the heel exercises demonstrated in your video. My only question to you is: how long will it take to expel the Alandronic Acid already in my body? Previously to discontinuing the tablets I was taking them for approximately two years.
As I live in the UK I would very much like to hear from fellow countrymen if they have had the courage to kick the Alendronic Acid into touch.
Yes I was taking bonviva for 2yr 9mths – I too thought they were good for me until early this year I had some dental treatment – which ended in a root filling – since then I have had pain in my jaw, I am currently seeing a consultant privately, and beacause I’d taken bisphosphonates the simple procedure to remove any infection from jaw is out of the question because of the risk of ONJ. It really frightening to think the GP prescribe these drugs and i’m having to pay for treatment to try and put right the damage — I too am turning the the save the bones programme hoping to improve my bones ……..
Hi from the UK, I stopped the tablet in may, went to my doc and told her i would like to try the program she agreed. The tablet gave me a very bad stomach and joint pain. But now i feel 100% better and my stomach has no pain.Iam so glad i found Vivian’s program.
Barbara.
Thank you Vivian, and God Bless You! I’ve been
“fighting” with my doctor about taking osteo
drugs, then you came along…..Thank you, thank
you, thank you. I have your book, and I love
the way you explain “the working of our bones”.
It’s so easy to understand. My best wishes to
you. Have a healthy, wonderful life. Jan.
Vivian,
Have read the book Save Our Bones. Today I entered my name for the The Natural Bone Building Guide as I had not done this when I had your reply to my first Email.
I would much rather use something natural than the prescriptions offered – Boniva bothered my stomach so had to take something each month for a few days prior to counteract the effect. Very good information, thanks.
Thanks for your e-mails. They are very imformative and I put most in actual practice.
Thanks again,
Eron
Hi Vivian,
I have purchased your book and read through chapter 9. Great information!
Yes I do think that we should all be responsible for our own bones. We can listen to our GP’s but, we should have the final say as to what we put in our bodies. Great blog too!
Sheryl
My dentist just told me I have severe bone loss and need to have several teeth pulled. Is there any way to avoid this and grow new bone in my mouth and if so how long does it take? I hate to have teeth pulled if there is hope of another solution.
Thanks
I am frustrated because I can’t get an answer to my question about the ph balance. Do you have to have an 80-20 ratio at every meal or is it over the span of a day. ThANKS. pAT
I think you said everything that I would have said if I could write as well as you,always to the point and not little infO from the Doc.
The medical profession just seems to run you thru like cattle and have no time to talk,its about Bill It Bill It and how sad that we have the best health care but also some of the worst!
I just read that almonds counter the absorption of calcium and I have gone to drinking almond milk. Is there any validity to this?
well is there? and if the calcium is taken six hours away from almonds surely that would be ok
I make a decision to act your program gradually, now I have to change my eating habit little by little, it might take a long perid.
Thank you for your instruction.
I have been trying to make a decision about using strontium as a replacement for bonivia which was prescribed almost one year ago. I had some reactions from bonivia which I could not pinpoint. Now my calcium level is high. My physician has suggested that it might be to the bonivia. I just finished reading the book on e-mail and am discovering that strontium may not be the answer. I am about to make a decision to try your program .
Vivian is against Strontium but if you google it there is very solid research from Europe supporting it. It’s a hot topic and I think there are reasons someone might not be in favor of something that seems, according to almost everything I’ve read, to be effective and reversing Osteoporosis.
I totally agree with what you said.
What do think of Calcium Aspartate Anhydrous?
Have you ever heard of it? Its suppose to be better absorbed than any other and the research says that it gets into the bones not the blood vessel, etc. to do damage.
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks,
MK
I definately have osteoperious, and have been taking Actonel Combi,and of course I had a bad reaction to them, and afterreading about what you have been saying, I now take no Doctors perscriptions, and have started on what you have said to do naturally , it is too soon to see if there is any results, but I am will to give anything that is natural a try, what can I loose, nothing, Thanking you so much for all of your infomation it is greatfully appreciated.
I will let you know in a few weeks time how things are going with me.
Thanks again. Lea
Your article was right on, and fit me perfectly. I went to the doctor many times with side effect symptoms of Fosamax and was given prescriptions for meds which had nothing to do with my problems.
I am so happy that I found you and your information and everything you say is true. I am getting much better.
Thank you for being here.
Sue
What an ah-ha! moment for me Vivian. My doctor diagnosed me with acid reflux which also affected my voice. I always believed Boniva was the real cause of my symptoms, and his response was that it was because I didn’t want to believe what I was told. I never took the Zegerid, only took 3 or 4 Boniva, and will be looking for a new doctor. I am so happy to have found your program, thank you…..
I have osteoperosis (or however you spell it)pretty bad. Broke my hip in 2004 and it took 3 surgeries and 3 and 1/2 years to get it fixed. Finally found the right doctor. I broke my wrist in 3 places in February of this year. Was glad to hear that grapefruit is good. I have refused to take any chemical drugs for this as they are worse than the disease. Thank you for the info.
From books on whole foods I’ve read, I am convinced that our bodies can do marvelous things for us if we pay attention to what we eat. I am learning something new about that every day and appreciate getting your e-mails full of information. How sad, we are so slow in realizing how important it is to nourish our selves in mind, body and spirit. Viola
Unfortunately, as we age, more than one thing goes out of whack at a time, and I very recently tried to discuss this with my Doctor–who was sympathetic with my concerns, but not decisive.
For many years, I have had some sometimes severe stomach problems. Not taking Motrin, nnd taking Prilosec relieves that problem, but I have read that Prilosec can lead to softening of the bones–so what to do??
I have dry macular degeneration and was prescribed Preservision, which contains a high amount of many vitamins including A. I have read (probably in one of your articles) too much Vitamin A is bad for the bones.
Now, I was prescribed reclast, and decided against that, and was prescribed Actenol, and I don’t feel comfortable with that. The doctor simply said, not to take it if I didn’t feel comfortable with it, so there you go, back on square one.
Thanks for listening.
Totalmente de acuerdo con su analisis de que debemos ser los que decidamos sobre nuestra salud, especialmente cuando contamos con elementos como los que usted nos suministra en su libro. Estoy aplicando con mucha disciplina su PROGRAMA ALIMENTARIO y espero pedirle a mi doctor un nuevo CT SCAN dentro de algunos meses, para saber si he superado el diagnostico de OSTEOPENIA que recibi en el mes de Febrero pasado.
It is amazing how blindsided physicians can be when it comes to doling out drugs and their side effects. Your points are well taken. There have been some NY Times articles – crtical errors of hospitals and technicians (in treating cancer). It is frightening how so many Americans follow their doctors like gods.
It truly is a tough decision regarding this health diagnosis.
However taking the time to read your research has provided me with informed
options. It is a very frightening diagnosis. Thank you for all of your
research. I look forward to discussing this information
with my doctor.
Thanks again!
Edith
Thanks for the e-mail Vivian, I truly enjoy hearing from you,I try to do what is right for me.
Bless you + keep up the good work.
M. Wilkins
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Barettes Esophagus.I wonder if this was caused by taking Boniva. Now I’m on a drug for the rest of my life for this disease. What a nightmare!
I too have Barrett’s esophagus. I was on Boniva for years and the Barrett’s got worse. I stopped taking it as I hated the way it made me feel and after a year or so, my next endoscopy showed a much improved esophagus. I still take one pill a day for that, but do wonder if the acid reflux was caused by Boniva in the first place. Very frustrating when I go to the dr. and just get more prescriptions – which I usually don’t fill.
Am now going to the gym and lifting weights and losing weight and eating healthier. Hope it works in the long run as my osteo is rather bad in my back.
Good blog Vivian. I use Doctors but I dont let them make the decisions for me. I was on Fosamax for one month, actonal for two weeks, and forteo for five days. I was sick on all of them and I said no to reclast. I have your book and am trying. Sweets are my downfall.Im really active but have a very bad spine and pain in hips and back. I weigh 110. Cant have any jaring on my back. bone density in spine is a -5 and hips -4. I will keep on eating better but cant do the excercise on your video. I have no problem walking though. Thanks for all you do!!any more ideas?
Yes, I agree with what you say and have indeed gone down the do-it-yourself route……as the doctors do not seem to know much about “it” and have such limited resources (biphosphonate) to offer…….I am currently investigating a Mineral Hair Test Analysis and a following consultation…..I do hope this will help as I am still losing on the spine…..
kudos to Vivian! a tonic for the gray cells.that too while confounded with so many medicines.
hello I like your posts,I have beeen researching my own bone health for many years(off and on with living my life!) I eat very little dairy about 1 litre of milk per9 days and a sixth of a kilo of goats cheeseover 20 days, I eat a lot of vegetables . I wodered what (if any ) your thinking is on Natural Progesterone cream.
Thank you for all the information and videos
I HAVE USED THIS CREAM AND HAS HELD MY DENSITY FROM FALLING BUT NOT BRINGING IT UP BUT JUST A LITTLE. BETTER THAN NOTHING AND VERY SAFE. I AM FIXING TO TRY THIS PROGREN. I HOPE THIS HELPS.
My concerns regarding discontinuing Fosamax are that I really had no side-effects while taking the drug and that my mother had a very serious case of osteoporosis. However, I have read some very negative articles regarding the drug and when I had some dental work done recently my dentist as well as dental surgeon advised me to discontinue the drug previous to starting the work. My doctor insisted there was no evidence that Fosamax damaged the jaw and that if I stopped taking it, even temporarily, I could get osteoporosis. I did follow my dentist’s advice, but went back on the drug until I started reading your book and received your subsequent information. Since I am not aware of any side effects from Fosamax, I am wondering if at my age, 86, I would be better off, or at least no worse off, just to continue with it.
Dear Vivian,
I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and advised to go on Reclast. After much research, I found your program and am now following your Save Our Bones program. You provide important information which is not out there and the doctors just want to push the medicine. I am hoping that the program works when I get my next bone scan in the fall. I am only on the program about 6 weeks. The one good thing is that I am eating healthier foods.
Thank you.
Vivienne
Dear Vivian, after I read your program and e-mails, plus some other very enlightening books on the subject, I definitely made the decision of stopping the Fosamax. I must see my Dr. at the end of April. I will keep you posted about that meeting.
I welcome your e-mails and I welcome even more your knowledge,understanding and empathy for people with osteoporosis. I too was prescribed Actonel but stopped the medication as I had an instinct that it was possibly doing more harm than good. Your advice has been invaluable – thank you.
Thanks for the decision making comments. My wife’s doctor promptly “dumped” her whwn she refused to take prescription drugs.
To attain an alkaline diet, sweet potatoes are recommended.
Question: Are yams (either ruby garnet or just plain “yams,” like sweet potatoes? They are a deeper color, and less “stringy” texture, and seem like they’d be superior, but I’m not sure.
I’d appreciate knowing.
Thanks
Lois
Lois
I always thought it was bad to drink a glass of water during or immediately before or after a meal, as it reduces the gut’s ability to absorb the goodies. Now I have pills which are to be taken with a main meal with a glass of cold water (on a full stomach). Since the pills are to benefit bone quality for osteoporosis, it makes no sense if the meal and they are poorly absorbed. Any thoughts?
Dear Vivian,
Thank you for your e-mails. You have given me
the peace of mind I was searching for. I am
grateful for your book and all the new research
you continue to up-date me with through your
e-mails. I find the advice easy to follow
and feel great. I’m so glad I have your support
and love reading other peoples comments. I
don’t feel like I’m the only one who refuses
to take those drugs for bone health. I feel
this natural alternative is going to be the
best for me. I’m determined to do all the
right things for my good health.
Take good care, and God Bless
Gayle Toloff
Thank you for keeping up to date with such important information ,i am a meditator and yogi person all you describe make a lot of sense since i do not believe in any drugs except for calcium and vitamine d ,our body has every tool to help us heal if we take care of it there are no miracles ,excercise a good diet awakening and being concious,and live the now,kepp on enlightning me ,i love it ,thanks
Great articles. I enjoy all of your articles.
Thank you Vivian for all of this valuable information. I will be 80 years young in 3 wekks and am healthy! I walk in Divine Health!No prescription drugs of any kind. I broke my hip a year and a half ago and had a full hip replacement.I was told then by the surgeon that I had a bir of Osteporosis, and I said I don’t receive that evil report. I had had a few falls in the previous 2 years before and I think my bones were becoming weaker in the legs. Howevere he put me on Fosamax and I got side effects, like swelling and itching of the legs,and chill in the middle of the night. So then I was switched to one of the others you menbtioned and same thing so I said, forget it and came right off and now take calcium/magnesium/vit D all together in a liquid supplement, and Vit.B12 spray. Aloe=wera Juice
and a supplment StemEnhance which I am a distributor for Stem Tech Health Inc. Here is my website if you would like to check it out.www.stemtechbiz.ca My ID# 5600530. As for a person dying 6 months after a hip replacement it has and is not happening to me, I am just as much alive as before and the Bible promises me Long Life and I intend to stay around here until Jesus catches up the church Amen!
PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE CALCIUM VD AND MAG. FOR YOUR BONES. MY EMAIL IS DU***********@***OO.COM THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK.
Thank you vivian for all your information,I look forward to your emails it helps me stay on track,when I think its all for nothing and am I taking the wrong road your emails pump me up again and put me in a more positive frame of mood I am working hard at the discipline on food and exercise, my only concern with the program is I fear of loosing weight as I am already light framed and weight approx 55kg do you have any suggestions of how to keep the kg on as an 80/20 is a little weight concern for me. Love hearing from you and many thanks for your constant input. Cheers Rhonda from down under (australia)
dear dr. vivian goldschmidt i just the article on decisions and you are so right. i have chosen also to go otc for the treatment of my bones because i did the study on the after effects of the drugs that were offered to me. so i went shopping and purchased caltrat+D and also the new chewable caltrate plus+D and take one in the a.m. with breakfast and the other at dinner time. and believe it or not iam beginning to feel better if at least even in my mind because i feel i have chosen the right treatment for my bones thanx for the nice article
I have stopped taking the drugs from my G.P., and now take Calcium and Magnesium, in a balanced ratio; Boron, Flax seed oil, Vitamin D3.
I also do my exercises and eat healthily, with lots of fruit and vegetables.
Hopefully, this will be enough to protect my bones, on my already very tight budget. Other wise, I just give up!
just “discovered” that sillicium can improve calcium assimilation in the body and that calcium intake can have the opposite effect….(??)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE INFORMATION ON OUR BONES. I AM OFF MY FOSAVANCE DRUG, FEEL
BETTER ALREADY.
WILL ORDER YOUR BOOKS WHEN I ARRIVE HOME IN
APRIL. YOUR E-MAILS ARE SO INFORMATIVE.
How true that we should be more knowledgeable about our body. While on a trip, I had a stroke. I was seen by the local doctor who could not find any sign that I had it but I insisted I had the stroke. He made me sign a “quit claim” since I refused him to give me further treatment since I am leaving the next day. I saw my doctor in a military base hospital who had a CT Scan for me but could not find any sign of stroke. He requested a doctor from National Health Institute who read the Xray too but could nto find one either. They were asking me why I was insisting I had one and told them that they maybe doctors who studied medicine but I know my body better then them. They decided to do MRI and lo! they saw it and showed me where it happened in my brain. I must add that the patient must have an active participation with her/his own treatment. I always tell my doctor whatever I took besides the prescription he was giving me however. Many times, a herbal medicine I took did a better result to me than the prescribed one.
Amen!!! You have told it like it is. Congratulations and many thanks.