One of my most rewarding experiences is to visit different parts of the country and to lecture on osteoporosis and ostepenia to fellow “truth seekers” like you. All are eager to learn and share their experiences, and I'm eager to teach and listen.
One of issues that never fails to come up is the fear mongering used by their doctors. It typically goes something like this:
“If you don't take the prescription medicine (Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Evista, Reclast, Forteo, Protelos, etc.) , one day you'll fall, break a hip, end up in a wheel chair… and die.”
Now that's a grim outlook, if I ever heard one! But you don't have to stand for it. Armed with the truth, you can “filter” through this scare tactic.
And most importantly, you can make intelligent decisions about your bone and overall health. The key is to make decisions based on knowledge… not fear.
As explained in great detail in The Osteoporosis Reversal Program (Chapters 2 and 3), there is a lot more to predicting future fracture risk than a simple T-score, which is the only guideline doctors use. The problem is that they're missing the other half of the equation.
That's why a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine led by Karen Mauck, MD, MSC, reports that in reality, only 13% to 18% of women older than 50 meet the correct diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis.
So yet again, we have another sobering example of cookie-cutter medicine failing up to 87% of women that may have been incorrectly diagnosed. This alone should be cause for alarm to you when trying to pursue a life of wellness.
So if your doctor ever tries to scare you by painting a grim picture of your future, don't let that get in the way of true knowledge and your pursuit of happiness.
Has your doctor done this to you? Share your story with our community below.
Oh. You do discuss vitamin K. Never mind.
It’s nice that you are so thorough explaining the acid/base diet. But you don’t say much about other natural approaches. Do you have any comments about vitamin K2 or natto?
K2 is critical for directing calcium to be resorbed into your bones instead of your blood vessels. Be sure to use only natural K2 and not synthetic garbage.
A few weeks ago, my doctor said this to me:
“Someone could come and hug you too hard and break your spine.” my t score is -2.5 and it has been that way for the last 8 years. After a week of fear…and not letting anyone hug me :),
I am finally taking my health seriously by following the SaveourBones program.
oops, I meant 1800 mg of calcium dayly in my last post.
I can go one step further, my doctor insists that I take 180 mg of calcium per day. 2 years ago he sent me to a cardiologist due to a rapid heartbeat (iMO caused by the calcium overdose), and yet he STILL insists that I continue to take it with Actonel, which I stopped taking 2 months ago. I also cut down my calcium intake after the cardiologist was done with me. He would rather see me have a heart attack, that break a bone to save his rear and I won’t sue him for malpractice. What a doofus!
I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis of spine L2-L4 and a crush fracture at T7. Saw an endocrinologist who wants me to take Actonel. I have spoken to GP who agrees with specialist. I have decided not to take Actonel COmbi due to all the literature regarding horrific side effects that can happen. I have ordered your book and hopefully will arrive soon. ALso seeing a Naturopath today to see what alternatives I can do. Endocrinologist also said bisphosphonates got a bad rap – only 1 in 10000 can get osteonecrosis of the jaw! That’s one too many in my book so I am going to try to treat myself with correct food, weight bearing and resistance exercise and walking. I have also talked my older sister into having a bone density test just in case. My mother has osteoporosis but she will be 90 next month and her back pain is controlled by pain patches. Thank you for all the information provided on the website and keep up the good work.
Barb
I commend you on your decision not to be a “statistic” and I wish you great success moving forward, Barb!
Bone density tests are not necessarily accurate and are often based on averaging your scores with those of healthy younger women. Be sure to get a real expert to evaluate your density score results before you take any action.
Vivian,
Where can I find this article:
That’s why a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine led by Karen Mauck, MD, MSC, reports that in reality, only 13% to 18% of women older than 50 meet the correct diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis.
Thanks,
Bonnie
Here’s a link where you can find more info about this study, Bonnie:
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/81/5/662.full
Sorry, but this hot link does not work. It says, “Page not Found” Not available. I would like to read the article. Can you email it to me?f
Thanks.
Darcy
Regarding your “Has a doctor ever done this to you” article, have you realised you and your team tend to use a very similar strategy, but applied to the ills of drug therapies? Aiming to produce shock, fear, etc., a strategy that undermines your own words and messages and leaves many of your readers wondering how serious your research and information really are.
I just want to add that I am completely reluctant to take drugs for osteopenia, but sometimes the tone of your email messages and articles does make me doubt.
I must admit I feel as you do. I am almost 64 and have avoided taking anything for my bones until May when I discovered my L1-L4 T Score is now -5.1. I began taking Fosomax but am worried about long term side affects. I have signed up for the save our bones programme and took my last Fosomax on Wednesday. I am very apprehensive as really can’t afford to lose any more bone, but I really want to give this programme a try. If it is a hoax, it is very amoral and we are the ones going to suffer.
Told my doctor that I was not going to take the medication he prescribed to me and went through his nurse and told me that I would fall and break my bones if I did not take it. I told her that I would try naturally and she said he wouldnt talk to me. He told me I had Osteopedia
My Dr. told me i have osteopenia and i have to take Fosamax. But i refused and did research on the problem. I do excercise, eat a alkaline diet,and take my vitamins. I use free weights and jump rope to build my bones. Osteoporous is not a disease, its what you eat and you have to excercise
This may sound crazy,but when I was exercising,was using the treadmill,20 min then for a week was unable to barely move for a week.i have severe osteoporosis.joined weight watchers aprox.6 mo.ago.great program,has helped so much,but would still be in so much pain,was reading on a box of Epsom salt,for sore muscle,sprains,bruising,I purchased a $3.00 box,have been using this for 2 weeks,soaking after exercising.i am amazed how much it has helped my muscle pain.i am barely 5 foot and have lost 24 lbs total,which has helped.i know this simple just soaking in Epsom salt has truly helped.amazed
My doctor insisted that I had osteoporosis and RX Boniva for me. I took it as prescribed, in the morning with 8 oz of water, standing and not reclining. Once I get up in the morning, do not lie back down until bedtime anyway. After reading the contraindications I decided to drink 16 oz of water instead of the recommended 8 oz. I wanted to make sure that pill got out of my esophagus. Well, after taking this medication for a year, I ended up in an ER one night. Seems I had developed “reflux”, the going fad disorder at the time. I had never had indigestion and I was 64 years old. The “reflux” got worse so I visited a gastro doctor. He ran a camera down my esophagus and discovered an erosion at the base of my esophagus. I stopped taking Boniva immediately. It took about 6 months for my esophagus to heal, with the help of an aloe drink. When I told my gynecologist(who had insisted I take Boniva) that I had quit taking it, she said, “Well, need to put you on Evista.” I had posed the question to her pre-Boniva why I had to take a drug. Won’t nutrition and weight bearing exercise do the same thing for me? She pooh-poohed the idea. The pharmaceutials are bedpartners with the doctors. I get mad all over again when I see the commercial that Sally what’s her name does for Boniva. Makes me want to write her a letter!!!
Sally Field and other celebrities are paid plenty to advertise certain products, whether they take them or not. Don’t believe everything you hear, especially TV advertisements, unless they emphasize the horrific side-effects which they are supposed to do. Never take anything without hearing both sides of the stories. TV promotions all pertain to the money paid to get the message out to the unsuspecting public. I say shame on Sally Field. I used to admire her, but not anymore.
Thanks for all your Information share with me.But I had an M.I.R taken on my right knee they said I mild osteoarthritis.I never had any thing done to my knee. Thier findings said moderate effusion,moderatesized popliteal cyst,evidence of synovitis in the joint,ther is no evidence of loose body.Cystic degeneration anterior cruciate ligament is demonstrated.The posterior cruciate ligament is intact.The medial collateral ligament demonstrates significant attenuation in size.A portion of it does appear intact suggesting prior sprain.The lateral collateral ligament appears intact.No significant marrow signal abnormalities. Chondromalacia of both the medial and lateral compartments is observed. Moderate patellofemoral chondromalacia and mild osteoarthritis.My knee is swollon and inflammed. The doctor gave me naproxen to take. What would you suggest. thanks
Marvin, this site is about osteoporosis and your question is about osteoarthritis, so I think you’d be more likely to get the right answer on a site about arthritis. There’s a forum where people post alternative treatments for many conditions called earthclinic.com, where you might get some help.
Sure, there would be more specific information on a site for osteoarthritis, but I do not see any indication that any of the information on this site would be detrimental to those with arthritis. Save Our Bones promotes good bone health, the strengthening of bone structure & overall healthy behaviors with much the same overlapping goals. Combining information gleaned from various sites in a logical manner would possibly be more beneficial then focusing on closed-end research.
Dear Vivian
Thanks for the message very interesting .i am seeing a Dr. on Monday for my back as there is a lump took extrays thinks it maybe a calcium depositi will learn more this week as im seeing a chiro good one he works with all the athletes
Hopefully he finds the problem
Again thanks your friend Rita
I too have had the pharmaceuticals pushed at me. What they don’t get is that jaw necrosis is a big deal, especially when I lost my teeth and had to pay big bucks for implants. They just don’t get it!
My dentist wants me to have an implant at the end of a bridge. I just stopped taking Boniva after two-and-a-half years, and after hearing news reports about thigh bones snapping in two as people walked downstairs. I’m now starting the Save Your Bones program.
My question: how long did you have to be off Boniva before having implants?
Tamara………Same here, Gyno pushed the pills on me, but I was lucky enough to have a daughter who is a dental hygenist who said , “dont take them Mom” your teeth will fall out or you will have a ton of problems if you need a crown. I just take 1800 mg Calcium everyday & hope for the best. 56 years old here.
Be sure you are taking magnesium citrate with your calcium tablets. They help to keep the proper balance in your body. Most people need a ratio of 2:1 of calcium to magnesium. My teeth start bothering me when I miss a magnesium tablet for example.
Vivian, I have just had my second major back surgery in 2 years, going in again on 6/6 and there is nothing you can do for me. I have nothing in my lumbar spine except the large prosthesis the doctor put in there. He is taking out the screws. I have been in pain 40 years, but allthe time for 4 years. The problem that I have seems to be in my left femur called (pre-osteoporosis). I took various things but nothing helped. Perhaps you can help me, but my back is the worst problem. Thank you. A.DesRoberts
this is exactly what happened to me and after about 10 yrs on fosamax i now have femur fxs–now the new dr wants to put me on forteo, i tried it for 3 mos and went off it against the drs wishes-side effect of that one is possible bone cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i will now take me chances. the drs are supposed to help you but so far i am out of luck— thanks for letting me comment–no more osteoporosis meds for me
Yes, my doctor did say that to me. Told me I would end up in a nursing home. He put me on Actonel. When my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer and I asked for a lung x-ray- he refused – when I asked about the signs of lung cancer, he told me I would start spitting up blood. I don’t have much faith in traditional medicine anymore. So thank-you very much for being another avenue for alternative treatments. And I did quit Actonel a few years ago. My new MD is bound and determined that I take a statin for my LDL. I’m bound and determined I’m not.
Stay away, far away, from statins. They cause some terrible side-effects, such as muscle damage. The latest reports I’m hearing are that they are not effective in lowering cholesterol in women, anyway. I have refused to take them, as well as all the other drugs advertised on TV. They list the mile-long report of side-effects, many of which include death. I often wonder who in their right mind would take something that might kill them????
I went through menopause at 37 year old after having three babies in 10 months ,all up i have 7 grown children i am 56 year old and i was told if i did not have hormone replacement i would have severe bone loss,this has not happened ,sure i have some bone loss but not severe
Thanks for your dedicated work I have not got any of these problems yet
as I am 52 and still do yoga and intend to continue, I am always interested in what others have researched and find the greater majority of recent studies have proved that we must keep active.
Best regards
Dee
thanks for all the info. i dont like taking pills but sometimes you have too but not for building my bones. i want to do it naturally without having to take another pill. keep the info coming i tried the boniva & it tore my stomach up so i am suppose to take another pill to calm my stomach down. no way !! this is not going to happen. enough said about PILLS
I have been off the Computer for about four weeks due to the serious surgery our daughter had and just read several comments on your web site. I also have been given the scare tactic approach . Several years back Fosamax did a serious number on me and then yet another Dr sent me to have the Reclast Treatment. I felt I would die from it and could never speak to the Dr. only the Receptionist who kept telling me it would pass. It took well over a year and I still do not feel up to par. Now an other Dr. told me I must have another Bone Density test done as I shall be so hunched over and shall fall and break a hip and die. I saw your web site and ordered your book and canceled the test. So I shall read your book and take care of myself and see where that leads. Thanks for offering your insight into this condition.
Gerda
I still havent told my dr. that I am no longer taking fosamax.
I am very conscious of my diet Have natural yoghurt which I make with EasyYo Yogurt maker–use Natural Yoghurt with Fruit usually and with my morning cereal
I eat alot of vegetables and some fruit (fresh)
I have always been interestedin eating Alkaline foods but enjoy meat and wholemeal Bread –often making my own sour dough
I guess that I should do more weight bearing exercises but nhave some Lymphodaema of left arm.I am active in Garden and am 83yrs.
i hope that I am doing the right thing –not taking Fosomax
Althea Jean Hill
I’ve been on Actonel for 6 yrs and just recently or in the past 6 months my jaw hurt. I read on the direction sheet along time ago it can cause cancer of the throat. But my doctor said I needed it to keep my bones strong. I also take coumadin and can’t eat to many green for the vegetable part. I have a very thin spine. I’ve been told they can see thru it.
I’ve had 2 fractures in the past 10 yrs and they turned out ok. i take 35 mg weekly but recently i quit taking it for 3 weeks Just doubled up on my Vit D and Calicum and I bowl 2 times a week.. have to start walking more and my working in my little garden.
My osteoporosis medication Actonel caused me significant gastic distress. My doctor told me my GI upset was from drinking coffee. I stopped the coffee drinking but the pain became so severe I went to the emergency room with chest pain radiating to the jaw and down one arm. An MI was ruled out. Subsequently I had an upper endoscopy, and a diagnosis of gastritis confirmed by biopsy. Later when I visited my doctor and told her I would not be taking anymore of the offending medication due to the pain, she rolled her eyes, said that was ridiculous, she never had any pain from it, and that I was a wimp and foolish to refuse her knowledgeble advice.
You need to find a new doctor. You should also check out http://www.greattastenopain.com and take a natural approach. Doctors get one class on nutrition and are only able to help you by pushing meds or surgery- all reactive not proactive because they aren’t trained to be proactive.
Dec. of 2006 I started taking Evista via orders from my gynodoctor & all it has done is make bad matters worse. She recommended that I lose weight (I have lost without any sugery 90 lbs., that I walk (I have walked consistently 6, yes SIX miles everyday, no excuses)& that I take Evista everyday, which I have done faithfully. Because of the price of Evista she even gave me samples throughout this past year because of my income being depleted by the down economy. A couple of months ago I had a stress fracture in my left foot which healed okay & then a month ago I had the same 5th metatarsal bone fractured in my right & it isn’t healing as well as the left did. Now the ortho dr. has sent me back to my gynocologist who prescribed the Evista for further testing for jaw bone rot. Lovely…huh? I am depressed & also angry. Your emails give me hope, thank you! Debi L. Zeiger.
Funny that I read the same scare tactic my primary doc. used on me this week, regarding my bone densinty test. Was told I need to take the med. to correct problem. Going to a Rumatolagist Dec. 1st. Sorry unable to spell name of med. doc.
Is it true? If you are low in vitamin D you well get osteporosis. Can you tell me what’s the difference of vitamin D and vitamin D3.
I AM 71 WAS ON FOSOMAX FOR 4 YEARS;ASKED MY DR IF I COULD TAKE A HOLIDAY, FIRST HE SAID YES, THEN HIS NURSE CALL AND SAID, NO AS MY T SCORES 3-1 HAD COME BACK WORSE THAN WHEN i STARTED ON THE FOSOMAX’ I STOPPED IT MYSELF. AND ASKED TO SEE AN ENDOCRONOLIGIST,I KEPT MY APPOINTMENT SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND HE AGREED TO TAKE ME OFF IT,AND DO ANOTHER SCAN IN ONE YEAR. TOLD HIM ABOUT SAVE OUR BONES AND THAT I HAD CHANGED MY DIET FOR THE BETTER, CALCIUM 1500MG. D3 5000MG. MAGNESIUM 500 MG,THESE ALL DAILY, PLUS MULTI VITAMIN.GO TO CURVES AND WALK THREE TIMES A WEEK.HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO HEAR THIS,IT FEEL SO GOOD TO TALK WITH A DR THAT LISTENS AND WONT PUSH MEDICATIONS ON YOU,HE SAID I WAS DOING ALL THE RIGHT THING,SO I;M GOING TO WORK REALLY HARD
Excellent Christina! Be sure to take K2 to be sure the calcium you take goes to your bones and not to your blood vessels!
Yes -you say anyone can achieve optimal health – I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -Fibromyalgia – Polymyalgia Rheumatica- please tell me how I can achieve optimal health as I live with fatigue and pain 24/7 – and now the ostoporosis. Thank you
I think it’s mostly diet – remove things like sugar (all, even the artificial ones), gluten, caffeine, meat (highly acidic) – look online for alkaline diet and follow that. Most diseases don’t manifest unless you have a very acidic body. Add dark green leafy veggies, add whole food supplements to fill in the gaps.
Have you checked Vitamin d level. Anyone deficient in D will have chronic pain. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I no longer have pain. Vitamin D 2000 – 4000 units day for the first 30 days, then reduced to 1000 daily. Iodoral 25mg, d- ribose powder, lavender and pepermint essential oil topically, Ester C 3-5 G/day,and fish oil. Cucumbers are magic food, eat them every day. Frozen acai pulp is also magic. you can blend it in a blender with a cup of water 1 organic cucumber an organic apple, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, add the 1 Tbs d-ribose powder to make a delightful cold sweet drink to reduce pain, give you energy and nourish your muscles.
I too have been interested in your findings. Not that I have osteoporosis yet, but it is a possible side effect of being on Arimidex for breast cancer. My bone density has stayed very good, probably because I work very hard at other peoples housework, sometimes up and down the ladder. My surgeon encourages me to keep very active. And so I do. I encourage all to keep working hard and stay active. Good for you all round. I have past your info on to others to help them out too. Thanks.
dear Jean,
check out the website called “great taste, no pain”. I too had
Fibromyalgia and a lot of pain everywhere in my body. I can
talk in the past sense, because all the pain went away and I’m
slowly regaining my strength and energy back. it has to do with
food combining and eating an alcaline diet. I ate an alcaline
diet, I haven’t changed anything in regards to “what” I eat.
I had to change how I combine foods. the key is to not combine
meat and fish (flesh) with any starchy foods such as pasta, potatoes
and rice or any other starches. that is the main key to having
pain vs no pain at all.
Maria.
I have 2 Orthopedic doctors and one Gp tell
me DO NOT take BISPHOSPHONATE drugs.
I did leave a comment a few moments ago but forgot to mention that my doctor never tried to get me to start medication until after I had broken my 4th of 5th bone & had xrays & scans, bone density tests, etc. She was very thorough then referred me to a Specialist who put me on Fosamax. After 5yrs, he insisted that I change as he said that not enough was known about the long term effects of Fosamax & put me onto Evista. I was on this for another 5yrs & now am taking Protos for approx 3 months. I also take Caltrate with vitamen D, OMEGA 3, Multi Vitamis, etc., etc.
During all these years, as I mentioned previously, I have broken 18 bones, some, such as wrists & ankles, as many as 4 times, fractured my spine, & my bone density in my hips get worse with each test, so I have decided “ENOUGH”. “NO MORE’.
If I break bones on this medication, I may as well not pump any more poisen into my system. I am going to do it the Natural Way.
Regards
Shirley
I have broken, at least, 18 bones over the past 15years whilst taken 3 of the medications mentioned above. I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestions.
Shirley
Thank You.
Shirley
Yes, osteopenia gone to osteoporosis so my internist wants me on Fosamax. I said I’d think about it – have thought and can;t be convinced tho dentist and a chiropractor have also suggested it – scare of breaking my back. BUT, at 73, I’ve fallen 4 times since osteoporosis – not broken a thing! (I’m very active – walk much, garden, work out with weights, stretching).Do take calcium/magnesium/D and an osteopath found me deficient in D, prescribed extra and I’m in range.
Internist won’t prescribe bone scan unless I agree to consider Fosamax (or so he says). We agree on one thing: in annual physical, he says, ‘we’ve discussed Fosamax’. I agree, ‘yes, we have’. On to next topic.
Two chiropractors are very much against use of Fosamax, etc. – I go with them!
Fosamax (and other drugs like that) only make your bones denser – but they also make them more brittle. That’s why people are getting broken femurs, and also degeneration of the jaw bone. And now I read about esophageal cancer because of those drugs. Stay far far away from them. I am taking a certain strain of red yeast rice that has been proven to lay down new bone.
I read your post on the Save our bones site and was interested in the kind of supplements you are taking.. Can you tell me the brand name, so I can try it…(the red rice)
I was on Fosamax and it just tore up my stomach big time and I have an ulcer…I bought the Save our bones book and read over half of it last night.. What an informative read!!
Thank you,
Mary
I know when I was diagnosed with osteporosisi after being on stiroids I was doubtful fro te begging ,and I said ,do I need the tx, Iwas given ? if not ten what wil I do as I am aready developed weakness in my joints. Now your saying and the research done totally convinced me I should not take the tx.Tell me what I should take. Reading the boook is good but what about the damage. Thank you
My doctor just told me he didn’t think my -2.6 score would change with just vitamin D & calcium. I’ve just finished your book and I’m starting the program. I’ve let the nurse know to cancel my appointment and I’m treating the natural way. I was supposed to go back and tell the doctor which treatment I wanted after he gave me literature on all prescriptions available, including IV and shots. He wouldn’t tell me which one to take. It had to be my decision. But he did say he was hoping I’d go for the new once a year IV because he hadn’t had anyone try it and wanted to see how it went.
I tried the new once a year IV,that was in Nov of
2009. I broke my arm in July of 2010. I was on actonel for 5 years before that. I too have had 5 broken bones while on some kind of med.
Astronauts lose bone density in space. Look at how healthy and fit they are before they climb into the “ship.” When they get back, they have to rebuild their bones…we should all have that information.
I took myacalcin for years and my t-scores were worse every time. I took reclast last spring and have vowed that I will do everything to avoid taking any more of the bis-phosphanates. Also, I had breast cancer before I learned about ph. and then I learned that a slightly alkaline ph might have protected me from cancer. I had to beg my doc for a Vitamin D test, the results came back at 25, he said to take a supplement… hmmm. I then found out that the reason I didn’t have good bones was that I hadn’t ever taken a D3 supplement! A year later I learned of the breast cancer and the need for a D3 level of 70 – 90 if you have had a serious health challenge. Some doctor!
Yes, I have had this conversation with my endocrinologist many times. However, it was refreshing to talk to my P.C.. When I told him I was uncomfortable continuing with Fosamax because bone building is a natural process, not a disease and I explained the bone building process as described in your book and said that exercise and the right foods should do it and he concurred. Hooray for one doctor!
Vivian, I’m so happy you are on the internet. I sent the information to my daughter “Terri Morrison” to look up & read. She has two daughters, 19-25 and I wanted them to start eating and drinking the right foods too. Because I’m only on Social Security and can’t afford your book. I was pleasently suprised when Terri said, “You will receive the book in about a week”. Needless to say I will read every word. My bone density is -3.2 due to a 2003 accident & compplications, loss of appetite, energy etc.
Im 51 and have Osteopenia. I dont smoke, or drink alcohol. I am physically very active. I have always eaten well, lots of fruits, veges, whole grains and high quality supplements. I have never taken drugs for osteo. I purchased your book in hopes of learning something new. I have not. DID I MISS SOMETHING???
Grains acidify, check your pH.
What a great many people don’t realise is that to maintain health one needs to maintain a correct acid/alkaline balance in the body. Undue mental or emotional stress creates an acid environment. To correct this the body leaches calcium from the bones to correct this. Over time with some people Osteoporosis is the result despite appearing to do and eat the right food. Correct the imbalances of the mind too. Try yoga, meditation and change negative thinking patterns if you can. Up the VitD3 too and lots of walking. Did you know that you can actually ‘walk away from your problems’ and don’t engage in other peoples’ problems if they affect you adversely. Oh yes, and be happy!
Ashwaganda is a natural supplement that can be taken to ease mental stress. It works naturally and with no side effects.
I was just diagnosed with osteopinea,I’m 47 and have been on Fosomax for 6 or so years and at my last appt.with the specialist I told him I did not want to take it anymore.He said after 5 years he feels it’s in my system enough and said to get another bone scan in a year to see if my bones are holding up.Thank God for a patient of ours at a Dental office I work for, who shared with me her experience and gave me all your information. I want to be able to do this on my own naturally.Lupus (SLE)
was diagnosed when I was 21 yrs old.I feel better today than ever,and I look forward to learning more natural ways of keeping healthy.
I would like to open up a dialogue about the drug strontium ranelate(PROTOS,for the treatment of osteoporosis.This drug was prescribed for me in early 2009 without any discussion of the possible side effects.My pharmacist alerted me to the side effects and put me on a user register.A doctor phoned me several weeks – she was doing a survey on behalf of the manufacturer and asked me if I had nausea,skin rashes etc.
I had not connected my daily nausea nor a skin rash on my arm with Protos.After discussion with her I googled for more informetion. I ceased taking it immediately and the side effects disappeared within 48 hours.
glad to be part of a sane approach to my bones and general health. The dairy industry and the calcium industry have really done a number on us ladies. Nobody, but nobody talks about absorbtion and make it sound like you have to eat 40 lbs of broccoli…absurd.
My Dr. did use scare tactics using almost identical words! My reaction was to tell him”So be it” and left never to return.
I’m in England and consider my doctor is very good and supportive. However, when I told her I was stopping my Actonel she said she was fine regards my hips as they are just Osteopenic but was more concerned as my back shows severe Osteoporosis. This has of course caused me some doubt as I’d far sooner improve it with good diet but don’t want to risk my back breaking, Have other people been told just one part is Osteoprotic and what did they do.
Hi….yes, my back has osteoporosis (-2.5) and my hip is osteopenic (-1.8). I am NOT taking the medications….my good friend who has been on the drugs for years and actually was only osteopenic JUST broke her femur at the exact place the FDA warned about in the fall and had to be sent in a helicopter to the hospital and have surgery. After telling her about everything I have learned about the drugs, her husband called her dr. and had a discussion with him and now they have taken her off the Boniva and are sending her on to a bone specialist. I am CONVINCED it was the Actonal, Fosomax and now the Boniva which caused her problem. I am willing to take my chances and try to work with my diet, exercises and supplements.
I am really enjoying your e-mails on this subject, I went to my Natural medecine Dr yesterday and he said the very same thing, keep up the good work you are helping a lot of us women, again thanks
i enjoy learning new things and discovering that there is so much one can do to prevent your bones getting weak. thank you
My doctor had me on Etidronate Disodium+Calc Carbonate for life (I’ve recently quit taking it). I don’t see this drug on the Save Our Bones list of dangerous drugs to avoid. Does anyone have any information to share with regards to this medication?
I have osteoporosis, which I had reversed through diet, supplementation, pro-gest cream, and exercise. My scores went from -3.4 to -2.5.Life was good and then I suddenly became ill and a year later I had breast cancer. Now I am cancer free but I take arimidex to suppress estrogen. This drug also increases bone loss and gives joint pain. My osteo scores have gone to -2.8, primarily because of 2 years with little exercise. Now my onc wants me to take fosamax or boniva, but I am concerned about the side effests. Oh, did I also mention that I have dental and chronic back problems. It is all very overwhelming. I have increased my VIt D, take stronthium and tissue salts, plus calcium and other vitamins.I take daily walks, and have begun to lift small weights.I eat mostly organic foods. What else can I do?
The Specialist that reported on my Bone Density Scan suggested that I take Prescription drugs however my GP does not like prescribing them especially as I take a lot of medication for MS and he advised me to just take Calcium and Vitamin B and advised me what to watch out for in my diet. Pat Stoddart. Worrigee NSW Australia
In my previous comment I said Vitamin B I should have said Vitamin D. Pat Stoddart.
I have had osteoporosis for about 6 years. I tried evista for two weeks and then became scared of the side effects, so I discontinued taking it.Through exercise, diet, supplementation,and pro-gest cream I reversed the osteo from -3.4 to -2.5.Life was good and then I suddenely became ill.I had breast cancer last year and am now taking arimidex, which increases the possibility of bone loss. It also gives me joint aches, plus I have chronic back problems. My onc wants me to take one of the osteo drugs but the side effects scare me -plus how much more joint pain do I need?I have increased Vit D, take stronthium, tissue salts and eat mostly organic foods. What else should I do?
Find a good naturopath and buy Vivian’s book. Check your pH, nearly everyone is too acidic and D3 deficient. And keep a food journal so you know what causes acidity and have your D3 and other nutrient levels tested by a naturopath. Even vegans can be acidic if they consume too much of certain things. And acidity has been proven to cause almost every disease, esp. cancer, bone degeneration, all bacterial and viral diseases…almost nothing that plagues humans can live in an alkaline environment–but if this was common knowledge, it would put nearly the entire cancer industry out of business, and hospitals would only be emergency rooms with a few rooms for extended stay for accident victims. If I had cancer, the very last person I would go to is an onc, they do nothing but poison your immune system and throw every system in your body out of balance. Listen to people like Vivian and other natural doctors–the medical profession is a hoax and they have too much invested to ever want us to know the truth. Hippacrites said “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” Main-stream doctors may take that oath, but they have less than one hour in med school about nutrition and are taught for the most part to not believe it by the Big Pharma-controlled and -funded colleges. I know, because I fell for almost every medical scam drug they pushed on me for years and never once felt good. Now that I understand, I would never let a conventional dr touch me again or take any of their advice, they are simply not trained…and no profit in it to push natural remedies God made for us.
oops Hippocrates
Yes, I had one doc do this scare thing. Then I went to a very experienced endocrinologist who said I was the third one in his office today with a bad T-score and he said they got all new DEXA bone density machines in our area and they are giving false info. He said I do not need any of those bone meds, he agrees with your research, and he is going to just run some blood and urine tests to be sure my magnesium, Vit K, Vit D, calcium and so on are in balance. Then he is going to help me find out my estrogen levels and in a few years taper to a bit lower amount to where I don’t have hot flashes, yet he said forever just wear that tapered amount of transdermal estrogen patch. So I finally found a doc who believes in a natural approach to bone preservation and he agreed that the Fosomax, etc is bad because like you say it stops bone regeneration and it prevents new healthy bone from being produced as is natural to our bodies. He also said that once people get labelled osteoporosis it can interfere with them getting long term care health insurance so he told me to get no more bone density scans as my spine is -2.4 and – 2.5 is the osteoporosis label. So know that there are some docs out there that are totally with you. Rosemary
Dear Rosemary,
which country are you in, I’m in uk. have tried every alternative treatment possible for my hot flushes, now been 5yrs, every 20-40 mins. Need to balance this with osteo. supplements. Like sound of your naturopath, where are they and who,
thanks, wendy