Did you know that in Medieval England parents would tie rabbits’ feet around their babies’ necks to ward off illness? Doctors would also spit on wounds because saliva was believed to have healing properties.
Indeed, history is replete with unfounded health beliefs, and to everyone’s detriment, the milk myth is among the most tenacious.
Milk is much more than just a drink; it’s a cultural phenomenon that can be traced back thousands of years. And still today, the milk myth resonates loud and clear: in 2001, the average American child consumed 104 quarts of cow’s milk.
Milk depletes the calcium from your bones
The milk myth has spread around the world based on the flawed belief that this protein and calcium-rich drink is essential to support good overall health and bone health in particular at any age. It is easy to understand that the confusion about milk’s imaginary benefits stems from the fact that it contains calcium – around 300 mg per cup.
But many scientific studies have shown an assortment of detrimental health effects directly linked to milk consumption. And the most surprising link is that not only do we barely absorb the calcium in cow’s milk (especially if pasteurized), but to make matters worse, it actually increases calcium loss from the bones. What an irony this is!
Here’s how it happens. Like all animal protein, milk acidifies the body pH which in turn triggers a biological correction. You see, calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer and the biggest storage of calcium in the body is – you guessed it… in the bones. So the very same calcium that our bones need to stay strong is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones, it leaves the body via the urine, so that the surprising net result after this is an actual calcium deficit.
Knowing this, you’ll understand why statistics show that countries with the lowest consumption of dairy products also have the lowest fracture incidence in their population (there’s more on this later).
But the sad truth is that most mainstream health practitioners ignore these proven facts. I know it firsthand because when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my doctor recommended that I drink lots of milk in addition to taking Fosamax.
Fortunately, I did neither, because I knew that…
Cow’s milk is custom-designed for calves
Thanks to our creative ingenuity and perhaps related to our ancient survival needs, we adopted the dubious habit of drinking another species’ milk. Nobody can dispute that cow’s milk is an excellent food source for calves. Weighing around 100 pounds at birth, a calf typically gains approximately eight times its weight by the time it is weaned. But unlike humans, once calves are weaned, they never drink milk again. And the same applies to every mammalian species on this planet.
Also, each mammalian species has its own “designer” milk, and cow’s milk is no exception. For example, cow’s milk contains on average three times the amount of protein than human milk which creates metabolic disturbances in humans that have detrimental bone health consequences.
It’s important to bear in mind that mother’s milk is excellent nourishment for human babies, but its composition is very different from cow’s milk.
Scientific studies show that milk increases fracture risk
Many scientific studies contradict the conventional wisdom that milk and dairy consumption help reduce osteoporotic fractures. Surprisingly, studies demonstrating that milk and dairy products actually fail to protect bones from fractures outnumber studies that prove otherwise. Even drinking milk from a young age does not protect against future fracture risk but actually increases it. Shattering the “savings account” calcium theory, Cumming and Klineberg report their study findings as follows:
“Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in old age. (“Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in the Elderly”. American Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 139, No. 5, 1994).1
And the 12 year long Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found that those who consumed the most calcium from dairy foods broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk. This is a broad study based on 77,761 women aged 34 through 59 years of age.
In the authors’ own words:
“These data do not support the hypothesis that higher consumption of milk or other food sources of calcium by adult women protects against hip or forearm fractures.” (Source: Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997).2
Shocking statistics ignored by mainstream medicine
In the Osteoporosis Reversal Program one of the topics I discuss is the complete disregard of scientific evidence that discredits milk and dairy products as the best source of calcium.
One exception is Amy Lanou Ph.D., nutrition director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., who states that:
“The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent.”
Surprised? You shouldn’t be, because as I mentioned earlier in this article…
Milk is an acidifying animal protein
Like any other animal derived protein-rich food, milk has a positive potential renal acid load (PRAL) which triggers a protective biological reaction to neutralize all the damaging acidic protein before it reaches the kidneys.
The body is designed for survival, so it sacrifices bone density to protect the kidneys and urinary tract because the latter are essential to survival. And the most readily available source of acid neutralizer is in the bones. So even though milk contains calcium, it ends up sapping your bones of that crucial mineral. But that’s not all because…
Today’s milk is a processed food
Until the end of the 19th century in Europe and the beginning of the 20th century in the US, milk was consumed unpasteurized or raw. Later on, homogenization became the industry’s standard. These processes further alter milk’s chemistry and actually increase its detrimental acidifying effects.
Raw milk advocates claim that if cow’s milk is left “as is” it is a healthy and wholesome drink. It is true that raw milk is less acidifying than processed milk and that pasteurization and homogenization may cause a long list of digestive and other health problems, but I still don’t recommend drinking any kind of cow’s milk.
Nowadays, milking cows are given antibiotics and most are also injected with a genetically engineered form of bovine growth hormone (rBGH). A man-made or synthetic hormone used to artificially increase milk production, rBGH also increases blood levels of the insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in those who drink it. And higher levels of IGF-1 are linked to several cancers.
This should not be ignored, especially in view of recent information by Samuel Epstein, MD, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition. In a press release titled “Monsanto’s Hormonal Milk Poses Serious Risks of Breast Cancer, Besides Other Cancers” (June 21, 1998) Dr. Epstein concludes that:
“Drinking rBGH milk would thus be expected to significantly increase IGF-1 blood levels and consequently to increase risks of developing breast cancer and promoting its invasiveness.”
Even though organic milk is from cows that are not given antibiotics or rBHG, if you truly care about your bone health and your overall health, you should…
Avoid drinking cow’s milk
As I explain in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program and contrary to mainstream recommendations, drinking milk and eating lots of dairy products are not the answer to reversing osteoporosis. And while in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program no food is completely off limits, I strongly recommend that you explore the different milk substitute options that I will list for you here.
But first, I’d like to clarify that unsweetened fermented or cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sour cream are acid neutral. Yogurt in particular is chock-full of beneficial qualities. As is the case with milk, organic yogurt does not have rBGH, but even several of the most well-known yogurt brands have stopped using the bovine growth hormone (rBGH). You should call your favorite yogurt company to confirm. One more clarification: when I say unsweetened I mean without sugar or any artificial sweetener. However, you can add honey or stevia, a zero calorie plant-derived sweetener that is delicious and alkalizing as well. I like to carry around stevia packets in my purse so that I’m always able to sweeten food or drinks when I’m on the go.
The best milk substitutes
My favorite milk substitute is unsweetened almond milk, not only because it is alkalizing (as almonds are), but also because it’s delicious and tastes very similar to milk. I even cook with it!
If almond milk is hard to get, you can also try rice or soy milk. I strongly suggest consuming only organic soy milk to insure it’s not made with genetically modified soy. There is also some controversy about unfermented soy products, so try to use it in moderation.
What Else Haven’t They Told You?
What else have you been told about bone health by your doctor or other “experts” that is flat out wrong? What other “facts” (like drinking milk does a body good) are keeping you from optimal health?
Myths like these are a big reason I created the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. To give you the straight scoop on how to deal with osteoporosis the natural way.
I can help you take control of your future.
Learn more about the Osteoporosis Reversal Program here →
And remember, if you ever hear someone ask “Got milk?” smile and think to yourself “No, because I know better!”
And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share them with me and the rest of our community by leaving a comment below.
References
1 Cumming RG, Klineberg RJ. “Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in the Elderly”. American Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 139, No. 5, 1994
2 Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997
I am interested in hearing from someone who has tried this program for a year
I am wondering what can be said about raw goat milk. I have been consuming raw goat milk for years now, previously from our own goats,and have had excellent results with health challenges. Particularly arthritis and MCS. I am concerned though if it also leaches calcium from the bones. Norman Walker and other sources have always explained that goat milk does not have the same injurious effect on our bodies as cow milk. I’d appreciate clarification on this. Thanks.
Hi, I’ve just been reading how goats milk is much different than cows milk and is not acidic. I have also been reading today that it builds bones better than cows milk. I noticed that you don’t mention goats milk at all. Would you check this out and get back to me?
Thanks, Fay
I really enjoy Reading anything to do with improvement of my Health Or Spiritual.Thank you for all you do.
Great article; good information. Major question??? Besides yogurt, how else can kids get enough calcium without using supplements?? Please reply.
As always I learned some new information. My question to you is what brand of Almond Milk is out there that does not contain any sugar? All the ones I have found have evporated cane sugar or syrup in them.
Yes, cow’s milk is for calves; human milk for human babies; etc.,
There seems to be so many things contributing to osteoperosis….& to “fixing” it!
I’d like to mention that one of the causes for osteoperosis is undiagnosed coeliac disease. The prevelance is 1/100 for CD in the general population. Ask your Doctor for the blood test. There’s no point talking about calcium, (or not!), if it’s not being absorbed by a damaged gut!
When I was diagnosed with Coeliac last year (aged 45), one of the first things my Gastroenterologist did was to send my for a bone scan.
Vivian…Due to breast cancer (estrogen positive)
my doctor prescribed Arimidex. I am concerned about Osteoporsis. I have already been diagnosed with osteopenia. Do you still recommend grapefruit for someone like me? What about grapefruit extract? Thanks for all you do. Pat
What is your opinion on ‘regular’ goat yogourt? I haven’t been able to find it in organic form. Does it have lactic acid in it (which I am sensitive to?)
Your milk article is right on. I will put it in my ‘favourites’ on my computer.
I have read some of your research and everything makes sense to me. I like the way you document everything and cite references. You persuaded me. My wife and I are seniors. She never drank milk and does not have osteoporosis, but I do. And I did abuse milk, especially when I was a young man. I will follow your good advice and change my diet. Thank you.
I’ve been off milk for a long time now as I have been diagnosed lactose intolerant…. I’m really glad after all the info …..I do like cottage cheese and have no side effects so far.. also I eat hard cheese .. and have soya milk on cereal etc so there are plenty of alternatives …..
If a human mother weans her baby from the breast about the age of one or one and a half, to what should she wean her baby? In my day, it was 2% milk; my daughter was told organic whole milk, but I assume you would wean to water or almond milk or soy milk or ? How soon can one tell if a child is allergic as I knew a child who was allergic to soy milk and it was not discovered for years and the allergy explained health problems that she experienced.
I have a 4 year old son. He starting accepting solids at 5 months (just very small amounts of mashed banana and avocado and then organic rice cereal). As I gradually reduced his breast milk I increased solids and introduced filtered water. There was never any milk replacement given nor do I believe that it is necessary. At 4 years he still only drinks water. About once a week we give him a treat of diluted apple juice after swimming (50/50) and very occasionally I’ll give him freshly squeezed orange juice diluted. He has never really had any other drinks and doesn’t ask for anything else. Like me he doesn’t really like the taste of milk. He is very strong, healthy and intelligent.
Does too much calcium cause calcification in our arterys?
definitely worth a try. I don’t like taking medications that are available as I have read about the many side effects.
I would like to purchase this book, but would like to send a check. Is there an address you can give to me.
thanks,
Nancy
Hey Vivian. I am a bodybuilder, but also quite health conscious. I eat a lot of cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese as part of my diet and was wondering how bad that is for me and what I can replace it with? I have my diet already worked out for me by my mentor which also happens to be a nutritionist and bodybuilder of course. I used to drink rice milk but switched to cows milk again. Guess it is time to switch back to rice milk again. Would love to try Almond milk but guess it is pretty expensive and I spend a fortune on food already. Is stevia better than xylitol? My calcium levels are quite low currently – will it be good to supplement with ionic-fizz calcium plus by the company Pure or should I stay away? Doctor also questioning my vitamin D levels and magnesium and this supplement contains all. Intend is to supplement for a month or so just to get the levels right and just focus on nutritious food afterwards. Sorry, there are like three questions in here. Hope you can briefly answer all of them. Basically question on cheese, stevia vs xylitol and supplementing with ionic fizz calcium plus by Pure. Thanks Vivian
Dear Vivian,
I need to know as much as I can about osteoporosis because I have it and I can’t take Actonel it gives me vertigo and other side effects…I wish I could buy your book but I can’t afford it right now I’ve been out of work for a very long time. I buy Biologique rice milk the President Choice brand hoping it will give me enough calcium – it says 30% on the containers and I also take a Sunrider Calcium supplement. I have Fibromyilgia and Arthitis in my thumbs and have a lot of continual pain on most days. I will try your exerises for the hip, but because my knees and ankles bother me I don’t think I can manage to do more then the beginner one…I am underweight only 109 at 5 feet 5 and was told that I am at a risk for fracture. I am reading as much material as I can to educate myself about this condition because I so much want to work again, I was a pre-kindergarten teacher right up to June 2009 when I lost my position and have not been able to return to it much because of my health situation. The winters in Canada are a hardship for me (and my mother who also has osteoporosis) we are worried and afraid to fall on the ice. I do like doing Tai chi because it’s slow and helps me with my balance but at times I have a lot of pain up and down my spine and I have to stop doing it. I am 58 but somedays I feel like an old lady of 98. I have decided that I can only do the best I can one day at a time.. I try to keep a positive attitude in all things with Prayer and Thankfulness to my creator. And so often he sends “Butterflies” and people like you on my path to show me better ways…Thank-you for listening Vivian and God Bless You! Sincerely Louisa
i had a ulcer years ago and the doctor told me to drink milk,what i found the pain got worse and i now know it feed the ulcer.
The last thing you want to do if you have an ulcer is to eat or drink something which causes the stomach to produce acid. Milk is definitely on this list. This says quite a bit about this doctor.
Several of my friends are drinking kefir milk. Is it as good for you as they are telling me?
A couple of years ago my son broke his wrist at the playground. It took FOREVER to heal completely. The doctor kept telling me to give him more milk, but he drinks it at every meal. Now I know better. Should I give my children calcium supplements? I’ve heard that pubescent girls (mine is 12) need a lot of calcium in order to avoid osteoporosis later. How true is this?
Also, I am wondering what you think about coconut milk. I have been told by a nutritionist that it is a healthy/good-for-you sub for cow’s milk.
I find this information very interesting and informative.
Thank you Vivian!
Darlene Hansen.
whoops, ignore my question about raw milk and chocolate…i just read your complete take on milk, and it is only for cows. how bad is one T of cocoa in almond milk mixed with honey, tho?
Great article about milk! From a woman who grew up on a dairy farm and only had whole milk as a child would this make a difference?
If the book is based in America how can the products recommended in your book be obtained in other countries?
I am 80 years old and I have never been a big drinker of milk. Now I find myself with terrible sharp pains on the area of the neck and right shoulder. I have had several exrays but no results. What can I do for that The doctors dion’t seem to know what is causing akk that sharp pain. I did not want to have the exrays WHAT can I do HELP
I find your book and all your comments which arrive by email very interesting and educating. I don’t like milk, but do like soy milk which I usually have with cereal for breakfast. I have noted all the comments about calcium supplements which has given me food for thought. I will probably stop taking them. Vivian, I have also heard lately that glucosamine is bad for you. I’m beginning to think that everything that comes out of a bottle or blister pack should not be consumed unless of course one has to have medication for specific illnesses or problems. Have you heard anything about glucosamine? If you have time to send me an email I will be most appreciative.
Roma
does this mean that yoghurt is bad for your bones also and what about cheese
I totally agree – I hated milk when a child, threw it away or gave mine away when at school. I think I was one of the first to write about the iniquities of the dairy industry in the UK.I’ve been a healthy vegan for a long, long time. Thank you.
Most interesting and I am happy to try a no dairy diet.
GREAT article. I have been off dairy for almost 3 years. I had asthma and my skin was breaking down. It took me a year to figure out that it was the dairy products that were causeing all my problems. Once I stopped eating all dairy my problem was solved. I have not had an asthma attack in over 2 years and have stopped needing the medicines I once took to help the asthma. Also, my skin is clear as a new born babies. I just can’t believe the difference it has made.
NO DAIRY FOR ME!!!!!
Thanks,
Sunny
Also – if you cant find Almond Breeze, Rice Dream, or other packaged almond or rice milk products….you can make almond milk yourself! Just take a handful into blender, add water, and some dates if you want it sweetened…blend, then strain. Looks like milk, packed with nutrients! almonds are known not only as the king of the nut, but also as cancer fighters!
Amazing article…and again, being health and lifestyle coach, and doing many seminars…its what I have been teaching all along! The thing is, people cant get beyond the media hype about how you need milk…and of course most doctors and nutritionists dont really know much on this subject. Milk is the main reason why children have inner ear infections. and since the animal kingdom is not the safest bet anymore because of processing, hormones, antibiotics, and more….milk is no longer ‘a natural’.
blessings!
robin
I understand that cows milk can be harmful, but what about cheese?
Cheese is one of those foods that our bodies cant digest and assimilate. Most of it remains in the gut and colon. Not to mention, its made from milk. Its extremely high in protein, which high proteins cause osteoporosis. there are many other ways to get calcium AND protein without using milk products.
Please send your info to Dr Richard Nahas. He has recently started Ottawa’s first integrative medical centre.
The first public info sessions for the SeekersCentre for Integratvie Medicine Foundation, will be held Aug 9 and Aug 24 where the public can ask questions.
I would like him to have your info from you.
http://www.seekerscentre.ca
There is also some controversy about unfermented soy products, so try to use it in moderation.
The above quote of yours provokes thought. What does “controversy” mean? Is it not safe? What are the dread consequences? Be more forthgiving, please.
Hi Vivian thank you for yr info on milk and calcium supp.i have been aware for quiet sometime of dangers !
Hi Vivian thank you for yr great imformation on dairy,calcium,i already new about the dangers using these.
I had breast cancer and they said that soy was not good for me. I am not sure who to beleive. I don’t drink milk any longer it has been years really. Maybe a little on my cereal. My left hip is worst than my right. I am afraid and not sure what to do any longer. I have a 3.7 now in the right hip. It was 3.2 or 3.5 last year.
Vivian hasn’t answered any comments/questions since sometime back in May.. and those seemed sporadic..
This is just so you know you may not get an answer soon… or even at all.
Ihave the same problem. Ihade masectomy in december and adviced not to have soya milk.My cancer is eosrojen injused.Iuse to make my own soya yogurt. Now i make kefir from goat’s milk. Iam told, goat is a small animal and molecul of it’s milk is more suitable for humans. I am an obist person and i have lost 80 pounds through 12 step program. Iam on arimotex for my cancer. The side effect is britall bone desease. Iam confused too. Is any body out there can give me their oponion?
i have a question about goat’s milk and if it’s
any better than cow’s meat.
thxs for all your information.
i have a question about goat’s milk and if it’s any
better than cow’s milk.
thank you for all your information.
Vivian hasn’t answered any comments/questions since sometime back in May.. and those seemed sporadic..
just so you know you may not get an answer soon or even at all.
if milk is bad for you why FDA does not do anything about it.
because there is $$$$$$ in selling a widely believed lie to millions.
Vivian hasn’t answered any comments/questions since sometime back in May.. and those seemed sporadic..
This is just so you know you may not get an answer soon… or even at all. I hope others can help you.
so why does anyone bother to write at all if no one will answer?
I know milk is bad, but… what about CREAM??
Is it any better? I’ve never drank milk, but I use a lot of cream. Is this bad also? Thanks.
Is it ok to take calcium pills to help make
your bones strong? I do not drink milk of
any kind.
Thanks so much.
I’m sorry, but I think it would be extremely hard to give up milk at 56 years of age. I would really miss it. From all I’ve read this is a very controversial study. Admittedly, I have a borderline osteopenia diagnosis, but I don’t think it’s from drinking a little milk, and Strontium is correcting it without side effects. Everything in moderation I say.
Unfortunately all of the pro-milk campaigns are sponsored by the dairy industry and it’s all for profit. Cow’s milk is for calves and not even they drink it after they are weined. When teeth begin to form in infants they loose their milk digesting enzimes and thus milk is no longer necessary. Consuming milk then serves no nutritional purpose because it will not be properly digested and assimilated. Because it is acidifing, your body will dumb precious minerals including calcium to neutralize the acidity. Sorry but the only contraversy comes from conventional thinking which has been successfully nurtured by big business, namely the dairy industry. Furthermore, considering the conditions and processes used in its production, the final product bears little resemblance to what our ancestors of a hundred years ago used to drink. Let’s face it, conventional milk is not far from being an artificial food.
Hi – can you tell me if goats milk is ok to drink please, and also is there a difference between goats milk yoghurt and cows yoghurt and which would be best for osteoporosis?
Many thanks
If you compere nutritional values between cow’s milk and goat’s milk, thereis some differances. But Ialways made my own yogurt and the real differance is the type of bakteria in the yogurt. Not the milk as a base material for fermentation. If yogurt fermented longer than 12 hours or wormer enviorment, it gets acidic. Imake kefir yogurt from goat’s milk and it is fresh every day therefore the bacteria is full and healty. Remember, bacteria is a living organism. It dies in wrong conditions or can become asidic in wrong surcumstances.The yogurt we buy from supermarkets are not that pure or nutrisional in my oponion.
Slightly off topic, but why can’t I print more than page one of your articles? Many times I do not have the time to read them off of the screen.
Esther Davis
I’ve gotten your book and read most of it allready. Ive always drank a lot of milk and thought I was doing my bones a favor. I have osteo, but have never taken any of the prescribed medicine, because I had a huge reaction years ago with fosamax. My numbers are not good but I take my calcium and vitamin D and I am very active. Ive dodged the prescriptions for 15 years. Im 82
I am growing organic cucumbers right now but eat them all year long. There are some good recipes out there for cucumber salad. Some marinate sliced cucumbers in vinegar (I use cider vinegar), then add thinly sliced onions, plain yogurt or sour cream, and dill weed or other herbs. I eat this and a potato (alkalinizing foods) along with meat which is acidifying keeping the ratio of the meat to these veggies 1:4. I’m sorry that I did not include exact measurements. I like to create dishes and meals within the boundaries of this diet and so don’t use exact measures. For those who are like me, experiment. For those who need exact measurements, cooks.com and other food sites have recipes. Just alter them (such as using cider vinegar for example) to fit the Saveourbones diet.
I try to go to a M.D. who is also trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover her services. Sadly, my family practioner, who has a specialty in osteoporosis put me on Fosamax!! When I questioned her she said that she would put me on a low dose. From the start, my TCM doctor said, “NO MILK”. She simply stated that we are the only species that drink other species’ milk. That makes sense, doesn’t it?
My 93 year old mother-in-law is on bone drugs and plenty of cow’s milk. My dentist is a health fanatic and he has me on powered calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.
It’s scary that there are so many “expert” opinions. I tend to trust nature and those who listen to what the earth has to say.
Thanks for your information.
I would love to hear what you have to say about a product by the name of Ezorb. It is an organic calcium made from plants, and is supposed to have a 92% absorption rate.
For almost 2 months I”ve been experiencing stiffness, swelling and severe pain on my knees that affect my mobility because my joint knees suddenly lock when I moved. I was diagnosed of having rheumatoid arthritis, the rheumatologist has injected my knee with cortisone and prescribed me to take methotrixate, then I’ll have my 2nd shot of cortisone on July. The swelling and stiffness is gone but the pain still bothering me. Please tell what to do, I’m waiting for my MRI
The pain is increasing and went up to by backbone now.I’m also taking Glucosomine sulfate ,calcium 2000mg.with Vit. D 4000, Vit.E 400iu, Drinking Forever young product with glucosomine,seeing Chiro for back pain, physio for mobility, accupuncture,accupressure to releive pain but nothing help. what do you recommend for me to do. Please help me because I’m still very young to to become disabled. Thank you very much.
lilibeth
i also was diagnosed with ra.. was on prednisone & methotrexate..had 1 bladder infec after another.. i am now on plaquenil and prednisone.. be careful with methotrexate as i am hearing it is causing alot of problems with tumors on lungs.. u may want to try the plaqunil … i also googled herbal remedies.. sea cucumber, rose hips..etc..good luck..
I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis in spine and hips and put on daily injections of Forteo.I’m having serious side effects with stomach pains indigestion,contipation,chest pains,muscle aches and joint paint i need to know if anyone else has had these problems.Should i just forget injections before i do more damage?
I too was taking Forteo injections and had joint aches for first time in my life, abdominal pain, and muscle weakness. I stopped the Forteo without Dr consent and it took 6 months to recover. No more joint pain, however, I still don’t know what to do about my osteoporosis.