Big Pharma is at it again. A well-known actress – you might know her from the acclaimed sitcom Will and Grace – sings the praises of an osteoporosis drug in a TV commercial.
If a glamorous celebrity promotes a product, then it must be good, right? Wrong! While Blythe Danner is a talented actress and probably a lovely person, her endorsement of Prolia, Amgen’s injectable drug, is not a heartfelt, well-researched position; she’s simply reading a carefully crafted script.
So I’ve written a farcical script of my own, which unlike the actual TV ad, reveals the truth about Prolia.
But first, let’s take a look at …
The Prolia Commercial
You may have already seen the commercial featuring Blythe Danner strolling confidently through an outdoor farmer’s market, buying various wares and closely inspecting and cradling a fragile glass ornament. She even climbs joyfully into a hay wagon, talking and laughing with others.
If you haven’t seen it yet, here it is:
The actress says:
“If you have post-menopausal osteoporosis and a high risk for fractures, I can tell you Prolia is proven to protect bones from fracture. But the real proof? My doctor said Prolia helped my bones get stronger. Are your bones getting stronger?”
If I Were Writing And Directing The Ad, It Would Go Something Like This…
My version of the Prolia commercial opens with Blythe Danner strolling into an open-air farmer’s market, her long summer dress blowing behind her in the breeze. There’s upbeat, energizing music playing in the background, enhancing the bright, sunny day. She turns to the camera and smiles, as if you’ve just walked up to her, and says:
“Hello! Would you like to know what I’m doing? Believe it or not, I’m shopping to make my bones stronger! Come along, I’ll show you.”
Blythe turns and keeps walking, and the scene cuts to one of the vendor stalls, where she’s tucking some fresh tomatoes into her shopping bag. She looks directly into the camera and says:
“If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor may have prescribed the twice-yearly injectable drug Prolia. I know mine did. You see, I wanted to avoid bisphosphonates, and I thought Prolia was different, but now I know I was wrong.”
She then turns and walks to another stall, chatting and smiling at various shoppers along the way.
As she heads for the bins of fresh kale, she says:
“When my doctor saw my bone scan results showing I had osteoporosis, she wrote me a prescription for the twice-a-year Prolia injection. She told me I was facing painful fractures, pain, and incapacitation if I didn’t take the medicine. I was petrified!”
The scene cuts to Ms. Danner walking around the market, fresh kale poking from the top of her shopping bag. Then a series of quick clips show her selecting apples, broccoli, and green beans. She sits down on a bench as the activity of the market fades behind her.
Once again, she addresses the audience:
“Thankfully, I didn’t listen to my doctor, and set out to find the truth about Prolia. I learned that it really isn’t that different from bisphosphonates such as Fosamax and Boniva. Prolia does the same thing bisphosphonates do, but using a different mechanism – basically stopping bones from remodeling the way nature intended. So instead of taking Prolia, I’ve decided to follow a drug-free path to prevent fractures, such as including bone-building, alkalizing foods in my diet.”
She leans closer to the camera and almost whispers
“My doctor barely warned me of Prolia's terrible side-effects, but I discovered them on my own.”
Then, Blythe sits back and explains:
“You see, Prolia tampers directly with your immune system, stopping a protein called RANKL from allowing certain immune cells to be converted into osteoclasts, the cells that remove old bone to make room for new bone. When old bone cells build up, a bone scan may show increased density, but dense bone made up of worn-out bone cells is a recipe for fracture. So Prolia doesn’t make your bones stronger; it actually makes them weaker!”
Now she turns and points to her grocery bag:
“This is what your bones need to get stronger – vitamin and antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re alkalizing and give your bones the nutrients they need to build and resist fracture, no matter your age. And I also love to shop at outdoor markets because I know how important sunlight is for strong bones. Just ask my daughter, Gwyneth, who avoided the sun and ended up with dangerously low Vitamin D levels when she was just 40 years old! I hope she continues with her commitment to get more sunlight, and stays away from Prolia and all other osteoporosis drugs.”
The camera pans out to reveal Gwyneth Paltrow smiling as she walks through the sunlight and makes her way to the bench where her mother is sitting. Blythe stands up with her shopping bag and joins her daughter. The two walk out of the market, chatting with vendors and shoppers as the camera slowly zooms out and a voiceover comes on to warn of the side effects:
“Do not take Prolia if you want your immune system to function properly. Prolia is not for you if you wish to avoid atypical femoral fractures, osteonecrosis of the jaw, skin rashes, severe pain in your muscles, bones, and joints, and low blood calcium. Avoid Prolia if you don’t want to be susceptible to severe infections that could require hospitalization.”
The scene fades to black, and a red warning label comes on the screen that states:
“WARNING: Prolia is a dangerous drug that can ruin your health and your life.”
It’s Too Bad This Is Just Fantasy.
You’ll never see the unvarnished truth presented in any ad for osteoporosis drugs! That’s because all osteoporosis drugs increase bone quantity at the expense of bone quality, despite the fact that research points to bone quality as a crucial factor in fracture resistance. And these osteoporosis drugs always carry the risk of side effects, some of them devastating and debilitating. Prolia is no exception.
The bottom line is, you don’t need dangerous drugs to build your bones. True fracture resistance and bone strength are achieved by supporting healthful bone remodeling through nutrition and exercise. This produces youthful, high-quality bone that’s resistant to fractures.
Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss
Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
The scientifically-backed, research-supported concept of bone quality over quantity is at the heart of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. And that’s the truth!
Till next time,
I started using Prolia because I was impressed with the dosage of one injection every six montbs, the side effects and possible serious problems minimal, (per the company’s information) and endorsed by someone like Blythe Danner. This ‘medication ‘ (in my opinion – using the disclaimers they now acknowledge) was responsible for my fractured femur. I began experiencing excruciating pain in my groin area while watching the July 4th parade and stopping at a yard sale on the way home. I did not fall or even bump into anything, ended up in the E.R., had tons of tests which which were inconclusive, and sent home with pain meds. I ended up returning via ambulance, a few nights later, was re-evaluated, and diagnosed with a compound femur fracture so extreme that emergency surgery was performed on a Sunday afternoon, six weeks in a rehab facility, and six months in a wheelchair. I am still amazed that there was class action suit filed, since the disclaimer has radically changed, even now mentioning severe damages possible up to and including fractures, jaw problems. Now Blythe Danner isn’t even repping it anymore!!!!!
I have a question due to prolia I had 1 injection in December I will admit its not in my mind I have had quite a bit of unwanted symptoms after the first month I have been doing a lot of reading researching and I should have never took this drug as I read you cannot come off. I am waiting for this drug to leave my system and look at other options. Is it possible to stop
I appreciate the Save Our Bones newsletter and I appreciate the founder of this information resource, Vivian Goldschmidt. After taking algeacal and strontium citrate for two years after a bad scan result on my bones (I am 61 now), I had a new scan (not st the same place or with the same machine) and the results were allegedly worse. I have misplaced the scan results from two years ago so I need to find those. Anyway, the upshot is that my g.p. Naturally shoved the Prolia brochure under my nose. That is what doctors do, the ones who depend on the establishment of Big Pharma to provide answers. I am not mad at him. But am a little upset that I did not pay more attention to Vivian Goldschmidt’s recommendations. I will start skipping today and eating more veggies. I will pay more attention to what she says to do. And I appreciate all the poor dear participants who are sharing their mistakes and horror stories. I wish them healing! We have to be attentive, careful and patient and never lose hope.
I too have recently been put on prolia as my doctor scared me into it and only found your site after I was given my first injection. Not sure what to do now as I have read so much about a rebound effect that makes you even more susceptible to fractures than before you started if you discontinue it. I was only oestopenic and my last bone density test showed an improvement and I put that down to eating even more fruit and vegetables and walking and stair climbing everyday. My doctor said to disregard this as I already have one compression fracture in my spine and statistics say I am likely to suffer more in the next few years and I now qualify to go on prolia. He also committed that I was too young at 60 to start suffering from this continual decline and would end up a very hunched up old lady at a very young age if I did not go on prolia. He also said that if he was me that that is what he would do. I originally refused as I wanted to treat it naturally but his words kept ringing in my ears and as a doctor I believed he would do me no harm and he would know far more about this subject than I, so I trusted him. I read that brochure that came with the injection and read all the side effects and my doctor assured me that they were extremely rare. I didn’t realise that once you start you are on it for life. The instructions only talk about being on it for 10 years. I am only 60 and that would make me only 70. What happens after 10 years then?
One month in and I have no adverse symptoms other then putting my back out about the same time as my first shot that isn’t healing as fast as it usually does when this happens.
I now regret this decision and don’t know whether to have the next injection or not fearing the worst..
It makes me feel sick that I didn’t follow my gut feelings and was talked into this. I have always looked after my health with diet and excercise and feel that I have let my self down big time after a life time of healthy discipline.
PLEASE HELP ME make the right choice.
My doctor is trying to get me to go on Prolia but I’m very nervous about it. I was on Actinel for 5 yrs then refused to take it anymore and am going the natural route. But at 65, my bones are very bad so several doctors have tried to get me to take the shots. Did you end up stopping the treatment? It’s a tough decision.
Jenny. As I was reading your comment it sounds exactly what happened to be. I regret I was talked into this drug. I do feel many symptoms ,
And I sit here in fear of the worst still to happen. Did you ever take the next injection? Or did you look at other options.
I had 6 shots of Prolia and it did nothing for my bones. Now my insurance company is making me pay back the $2,100.00 that they payed for my last shot!
They say that since this drug didn’t work for me it is considered experimental.The first 4 shots were covered.
I’m trying to appeal. I can’t pay for this.
This drug also caused hip pain.
Thank you for this information. I am 52 and was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis when I was 27. I had the bones of an 83 year old woman. I have broken vertebrae at least 15 times…lost count…and other fractures besides. I can’t take fosamax or boniva due to stomach issues. I was on forteo for two years. This is the only medication to actually build bone, but two years is the limit due to bone cancer risk. Then I was on aredia, an infusion, for many years, but it is the most damaging of the bisphosphonates to the jaw bone so I stopped since I have bad teeth.
When my last two dexas came up with more bone loss, we knew it was time to start something again to address the issue. My doctor suggested prolia as it was not damaging to jaw bone health as the bisphosphonates are, or so she said. But the more I read about this drug and especially the risks after it is stopped, I don’t think I will be taking it. I have severe gastroparesis and nutrition is difficult, but I have no choice it seems, than to try to address this through diet and exercise.
Prolia has caused me great damage to my jaw bone I need to get in touch with whoever is in charge of this drug so they can pay for me to have this problem corrected before I get an attorney
Excellent parody, Vivian–nicely done and very well written! As a nonpracticing dentist, health journalist, researcher and science writer myself, who shares your skepticism (to which I add a liberal dash of cynicism, when needed…which is often…) about big pharma.
Having spent a sizable chunk of my writing career inside big pharma cos…I have learned to look for what nobody sees, and what nobody says. The tobacco connection to osteoporosis never seems to get mentioned. Cards on the table: I am an ex-smoker, smoke-free for 32+ years.
Blythe Danner is not only an “osteoporosis spokesperson”; she also has a video rolling in dental-office waiting rooms warning patients to get screened for oral cancer, which sadly took her late husband, Bruce Paltrow, who didn’t get screened early enough. Tobacco and alcohol are the 2 biggest OC risk factors. Did Bruce smoke? Blythe isn’t telling–it’s just not in the script. I find this odd. Does she herself smoke? Again, tobacco is steadfastly absent from what you (quite accurately, I’d say) call a carefully crafted script.
As I’m sure you know, tobacco use increases risks already present in osteoporosis patients–especially women, and probably predisposes postmenopausal women to this disease. How is it, then, that Blythe gets to be an osteoporosis spokesperson–AND get media coverage for the ‘health makeover…changing of her naughty ways’ she undertook as a result of her own osteoporosis-driven reality check…with not a mention of tobacco, even as a general comment on it being something to avoid, especially if you’re osteopenic or have osteoporosis?
Or if she really wants to be transparent, say she’s quit? Unless, of course, she hasn’t, in which case, she really can’t (credibly, anyway…) say anything. Maybe that’s why she isn’t saying anything.
As a dentist, I look at teeth…Blythe’s are positively GRAY…which, to me, suggests smoking. I could be wrong. In addition, her voice sounds gravelly and thoroughly ‘smoked’ as well. Again, I could be wrong.
So which is it, Blythe? Life-disrupting yet downplayed side-effects and adverse events of this drug aside…doesn’t your Prolia-taking public deserve an answer–or at least some constructive, science-based, actionable advice (ie, DON’T SMOKE…)?
I guess not, because with two major public-health concerns where lives are lost every hour to every day, Blythe consistently skirts the issue with impunity. And she’s not alone. Tobacco remains “The Great Celebrity Taboo”…except for the occasional officially-sanctioned ‘script’…Blythe’s daughter Gwyneth Paltrow is well known for copping to her ‘guilty pleasure’ of one cig per week (except when Barack Obama visited her home, when she reportedly chain-smoked under the stress…)—is this a ‘guilty pleasure’ or ‘naughty habit’ mother and daughter share? My inquiring mind can’t be the only one that wants to know. With such elephants in the room that are so obvious to some of us, I have to think that other people must be asking these questions too…
But then I remind myself that we live in the United States, the Chronic Disease Capital of the Developed World…and most of us are pretty clueless about health, because so much of what we see from mainstream media and on the Internet–DTP pharmaceutical ads included, as you correctly point out–is a total load of BS.
So, does she or doesn’t she? Does even her doctor know for sure? And does (s)he even ask?
Vivian, thank you again for this much-needed poke at Big Pharma, and the celebrities who are helping it keep its secrets–and maybe theirs as well…secrets that could compromise the health and lives of people who take these ads at face value and don’t research the facts further, as sadly, most consumers don’t. Let’s keep trying to change that through education, and I commend you for your efforts in doing so!
I was given a shot of Prolia about 3 years ago, I had severe pain that night in my ankle and the pain never stopped, it got to a point I couldn’t sit, sleep, stand, walk, you name it, after about 3 months my PCP put me on perdizone until the pain subsided, it last about 14 months. I called Prolia and they told me a doctor would call, but nothing, it’s all about money. Don’t anyone take Prolia,it’s poison to your system.
I had my first injection 4 weeks ago and been living in pain ever since! I was fine before the injection. My hip is killing me as the pain is down my leg to the ankle. 3 days after the injection, my left rib cage was so sore I couldn’t take a deep breath, went to the ER, took X-ray all was fine, they gave me anti inflammatory meds, that went away in two days, then my hip started. I have appt with a ortho dr. Thursday to see if he can help, like a steroid injection or something.
How long to your joint pain last?
Dear Vivian,
I have tried to find a forum to ask my urgent questions and don’t seem to know where to go. If this is the wrong place maybe you can direct me to the right one. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and have not been using any drugs after finding your Save our bone program. I have used your program but not religiously but have changed a lot of my daily decisions I make about what foods i eat and what I drink and how I exercise. I believe in the Save our Bones Program soooo much! I was so glad I found it all those years ago. I have had 3 bone density tests in the past 10 years (2007 , 2011, 2016) and now in a situation that I have a T score of – 4.4 severe spinal osteoporosis, Hip Osteopenia -1.4 Vit D and calcium normal and have been strongly advised by two doctors to take Prolix/ Prolia which I don’t really want to. I need your help in making my decision. I’m a 55 years old, healthy women, no children – due to pre menopausal at 40 years of age I got married at 45 no family hip fractures but osteo arthritis with family members suffering hands and joints pain and deformity, I’m a non smoker 105/71 mm, Hg 64bpm, 64 .9kg, 162cm I don’t know what to do!! I want to be reassured that if I choose to take Prolix that it will help or if I don’t and continue with the program I will manage o.k into my 60’s 70’s, 80’s and 90’s without fractures. I’m at the stage that I’m very scared of the side effects of this drug. My husband and I live a drug free life and eat really healthy and drink only socially. We are expats and have been living aboard for the past 6 yrs. I have your books and recipes and exercise program. I think the main problem is the stressful jobs we lead which limits us with a lot of what I should be doing for my bone health. I take high quality whole food supplements. I have many more years of quality life to lead with my husband on our return home in 2 years. I hope you can help me or one of your team, or just lead me in the right direction. I don’t want to continue fearing that I may experience a compression fracture because I didn’t take any drugs but I read that taking Prolia doesn’t make any difference to your bones but just messes up your immune system! Please help me with my decision with such serve osteoporosis.
Thank you, Vivian and to all the people who have bravely shared their stories. Any more people who have take Prolia, I would love to hear how you are getting on!
Hi Katherine, I am not on staff here and do hope that Vivian or her staff get back to you. So I am only giving you my opinion.
I am 75, found out in ’09 that I had 39 percent bone loss in the lumbar. Instead of drugs, I went on Vivian’s program pretty religiously for 2 years. After the first 13 months, I gained back 10 percent bone density in the lumbar. The second year I gained about 5 percent. I was stress that second year from a bad relationship.
Then I got married to someone else, and the first 3 years were a stressful adjustment. (Now we’re okay.) Plus, I got very lax on the Save Our Bones program although I continued to eat more veggies than the average person. But I cheated with grains, sugar, too much meat. Due to Afib, I also had to exercise less. Plus I had to go on a prescription drug for Afib, which may or may not contribute to bone loss. Now it is 7 years since I began Vivian’s program. Due to my cheating, I have gained no more bone, although a couple years ago I had lost 5% and by returning somewhat to the program, regained the 5% in 12 months. So at this point in time, I have about 24% more bone density to gain in the lumbar to haves the bone health of a 30 year old woman. I think I can gain 15% of it in the next 12 months, just as I did that first 13 months after learning I had osteoporosis. Today, I start back on Vivian’s program!
I learned from my new doctor MD that somewhere in the last 8 years I have had a compression fracture in the lumbar. Other than pain for a couple of weeks from the two times when it might have happened (both times due to injury), I can still get around, take 1 mile walks, work out at the gym, etc.
This new doctor wants to put me on Prolia with all her scare tactics. I know that you and I can regain much of our bone density by being very religious in our approach to Vivian’s program. The doctor may be angry and I hope she doesn’t fire me since I need those scans every year, but giving up sugar and excess meat is a small price to pay for regaining density the healthy way. Plus, we need to find ways to de-stress which is VERY important! In my case, I will no longer make mountains out of molehills.
BTW, my previous doctor gave me a good tip which helped me to regain the lost 5% density that year: stand up for at least 4 hours a day. He said it’s even more important than exercise, although I did that too.
May you find success and peace of mind! We can do this!
So, that is my vote for going “natural”.
I am 52 years old and have had many steroids over the years and now am post-menopausal; and, without hormone replacement due to cardiovascular risk, I now have osteoporosis and recently suffered 2 severe fractures. My physicians are advising Reclast. The reviews are really 50/50 for and against, so I am really conflicted in my decision, and exploring all options. A good friend recommended your website.
stopped taking fosomax since I heard ot can cause bone loss in jaw..joanne from sept 8, 2016 are we related?
Prolia certainly did not prevent me from having bone fractures!
I think you should abso-LUTE-ly make that commercial, Vivian — even if it’s without Blythe and Gwyneth. Everything in *your* version is true, so make it! I’ll bet you could get a lot of “savers” to chip in if you did a crowd-funding campaign to pay for it! C’mon! Make it!!! 🙂
I was wondering Vivian what your opinion is on taking powdered organic eggshells 1 tsp daily as a calcium supplement?I read it online and has been proven to help osteoporosis.As my Dr also recommended very strongly the Prolia also as many other Dr will , stating the side effects are non existent! Many thanks for your input.
thank you for let me know vivian. loved
After refusing Prolia and Boniva from my two last endocrinologists, I had PTH surgery adenoma removed yesterday. I am thrilled that my calcium dropped to 9 immediately .
I feel reborn and so glad that I continued to search for a competent surgeon to remove the source of the problem rather than simply write a script for those awful BigPharma drugs.
I will have a DEXA in six months to see the improvement in my scores. I followed a diet of K2MK7 for six months and lowered my calcium by 8 tenths of a point, a success in my opinion. Finally, I found a surgeon who performed a successful operation after two failed surgeries and he did not prescribe PROLIA but removed the source of the problem. He also has me to continue my K2 intake.
Listen to Vivian and take her advice.
Keep up the good work!!!
I am so thankful we have such a knowledge base to go to for bone information.
At the very least my cortisol will diminish some. But, what i have learned, from Vivian’s website, in the past two weeks, is astounding. I was doing so many diet and lifestyle issues wrong. i wondered how I got so far behind the curve.
I grew up S.Illinois style eating wonder bread and drinking whole enzyme-less milk. Now , I wonder how to undue some of that damage.
BB
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I am 58 years old. I also am scared to death because I have no discipline in exercise and cooking these great receipes you have on line. I know ignoring this problem isn’t good for me. I also will not take the injections that the doctor recommended because that is even more risky then not doing anything about it.
May God help me and may God help all those out there with the same situation. My mother and grandfather both had osteoporosis so I was DESTINED to this. How sad.
Wishing everyone my sincere and genuine prayers to each one of you!!!!!!!!!!!
3 years ago after my doctor received the results from my DEXA scan she recommended I try Foxomax or any one of the other drugs. I told her no, thank you. I did see an endocrinologist. She agreed with Me! We discussed diet and exercise. My scores were exactly at -2.5 three years ago. I recently had another DEXA scan. No significant bone loss this time!!!! Vivian, I enjoy reading all of the information you have provided. I am excited to exercise more and improve my eating even more!
3 yrs ago my doctor said I would not be able to stop or reverse my bone loss. At least I stopped it for now!
I am being told to take Prolia my scores are -2.5 hip .2.5 spine I am 53 had ovaries out and mastectomy when I ws 46- My scores were worse when I was 46 – I as on actonel for 3 months years ago- I just want to be stable I was on estrogen and progesterone for 8 years and have been off since October – Do i try Prolix or go back to estrogen- HELP
Vivian!!
Well said, I read your whole parody commercial to my hubby and we were both impressed. I was on Boniva years ago and my girlfriend said “get off it now”!! I did and shortly there after I found your website. I want to thank you for all your posts and all the wealth of information.
Take care.
This ad itself is completely farcical!
The warnings that come after it go for longer than the ad itself. Who would seriously take Prolia after hearing all that?! At least they are obliged to inform about side effects but the problem is the persuasive tactics of doctors.
Go Vivian!
I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis 2 years ago. My doctor recommended I start prolia. I researched it & realized it was more dangerous than having Osteoporosis. I decided to eat heathy & keep active. I haven’t had a bone scan since. When I do decide to get another bone scan. I won’t change my mind about taking dangerous drugs!
Do you think everyone can reverse osteoporosis on your plan… we would like the truth. Please answer the question. It makes think that you are just in it for the money as well.
With a history of breast cancer my oncologist is suggesting prolia as there seems to be some info that is prevents bone cancer and 50 percent less fractures. I’m skeptical and have cancelled appoints for prolia.
My oncologist, as well as my neurological oncologist, has told me the same thing and has encouraged me to start on the Prolia as there have been some studies with Prolia and the prevention of bone cancer. Would like to hear more from anyone else.
I would love to see your commercial so that more people could see the truth behind these terrible drugs. In 2004, at age 60, I suffered a fractured femur after 2 1/2 years on Fosamax, which my doctor insisted I needed to take due to a diagnosis of osteopenia. At that time it was still unknown that a fracture could be a result of these drugs. I continued on the drugs, Fosamax and Boniva for another 5 years. I had many of the terrible side effects now associated with them but did not realize at the time that the drugs were causing them. Thanks for your program–so glad I found it!!
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Sandi. I am so glad you’re doing your research about osteoporosis drugs, and finally have some answers for what you were experiencing.
I’ve been on Prolia 3 years after other biphosanates. Dr, said bone density up now. I wonder if it’s the Vit-D I take. I’m having to have an implant now, I take care of my teeth, this has happened now. In meantime, I’m not taking Prolia because of this tooth procedure, telling me of problems I could have. What to believe?? You’d think you could believe your Dr.! I’ve had 6 vertabre compression frx’s, 2 wrists and one broken shoulder. Been on Fosamax, Forteo & others….????
Hi Betty,
I am so sorry to hear about your fractures, and I wish you a speedy recovery! Unfortunately, the one to be blamed is not you but rather, your doctor(s) that kept you on bisphosphonates for so long. And here’s why.
The half-life of bisphosphonates is approximately 10 years, meaning that it takes 10 years for the body to get rid of half of the drug that attached itself to bone. As you know, these drugs stop normal bone metabolism, namely bone remodeling, but as it gets released and less is attached to bone, normal bone remodeling resumes at one point. The question, of course, is when. As with everything else in the human body, this varies with each individual. According to a Harvard Medical School study, pre-drug bone metabolism is restored to “normal” levels in an average of five years.
So the next question is, when will *you* get there? Nobody can answer this, but rest assured that at one point this will happen and you will be noticing some improvement.
So be patient, follow your own bone health philosophy, don’t let brainwashed doctors interfere with your own decisions, and know that had you continued with the drugs, not only would you have been at even greater risk of large bone fractures, your bone health would probably have worsened.
So believe in your bones and believe in yourself!
I had one Prolia injection in January of this year because my doctor reminded me of the softness of my bones. I had read the side effects and didn’t think that I should take it, but I did. Within a month I had jaw pain and later my my body started to shift, leaning more to one sided. My gait had worsen. What medication can save selected bones and rotten another? I feel that no one should push Polia.
This is a very insightful point, Clara:
“What medication can save selected bones and rotten another?”
That alone should raise a red flag!
It is a well-known fact that big Pharma is laughing all the way to the bank…
I for one, never had to take drugs, because, I was raised by a mother who believed in the best nutrition and so, I have always enjoyed excellent health!
In addition to always eating fresh fruit and vegetables, I walked 1 mile every day.
I am a non-smoker- never smoked. I do not touch alcohol…
I am well passed 70s’ and so as I said I have been excellent in every way…
most doctors were blown away when they would learn of my age… and so I would inform them that my youthful appearance and energy stemmed from living a healthy life-style- all that I mention here.
Doctors are always impressed with me.
A year ago I fell in my home – I slipped on a rug in my office as I was about to sit down on my computer- chair and so this is how it happened- I fractured my left- hand and so I was rushed to the hospital and I was taken care. Hand in a cast… I repaired quickly. 6 weeks later, I was completely healed.
Now comes the big one… I became a patient of a rheumatologist, thinking that she would guide me, instead, this doctor took advantage of the fact that I had experienced a fracture in my fall and so Big Pharma came into play here.
The doctor prescribed Prolia, stating, that this molotov cocktail would protect my bones. She never informed me of all the side- effects of Prolia…
Well my body soon sent me messages and so after 2 shots, I stopped and now I addressed it to the Order of Doctors- the case is pending.
This unscrupulous doctor had just added 1 more sucker on her list in order for her to collect her commission. Greed is the name of the game here.
I soon experienced side- effects… the usual, painful joints pain in my thighs, crusts on my beautiful flawless skin… and the worst is that I have major dental work to be done and now I have postponed it, due to the fear of necrosis of the jaw.
It goes without saying that I was on the right path until my accident, I got carried away.
If only I had researched it before allowing her to convince me.
A few months ago , I was preparing dinner and as I reached for my cell phone something so strange happened to me.
My wrist on my left hand dropped rendering my hand lifeless- I was rushed to the emergency- room and 2 doctors immediately took care of -setting -me -up for CT Scan for my brain- EKG for my heart- and a ultra-sound for my Carotid arteries- the medical team were perplexed… the Neurologist was speechless. The doctors thought that I had experienced a mini stroke. But after seeing the result of my tests they remained in askance…
I will need to address it with the team of doctors that, what happened with my wrist is a direct link with Prolia. I never mentioned it – it goes without saying that Prolia is the direct link to what has happened to me 3 months ago.
My message here is the following: Always research any medication that your doctor prescribes before leaping. Just bear in mind dear public that Big Pharma is paying the doctors with kickbacks.
Need I say more?
Thank you for reading my story.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, Thank you for your comments about drugs, years ago they had me take Fosamax & I starting having side effects, I was only on it for a couple of months, but that was too long. I also have (osteo) & scolious in my back, but I am not taking any drugs that I don”t have too. In August I broke out with a rash on legs, arms,etc, they don’t know what it is from, doctor , after doctor, my one doctor wants me to go on Prolia, but I said NO, I have enough allergies from wheat, soy, etc, mainly from food, I have 1 week & a half until the24th of this month to get off predisone, then i will have a food allergy test, to see what I am sensitive to, it has been 3yrs, since I had this blood test, & I live without any drugs ,lots of veggies & fruits, grains, beans, etc.
I also go to a Osteo class @ the senior center, & a dance class which includes a chair & also regular dance steps with small 2lbs or 3lbs hand weights.
We have to stand up for our rights for our body, No drugs for our Bones.
P.S. (I am 83yrs young, & don’t give up with your exercise or healthy eating, it makes a difference, & Thanks to Vivian for all her help, she has been wonderful trying to help people.
I took fosamax for a while years ago and my tests did come out better. I have not taken anything now for about four years and my Dr. wants me to take prolia or fosamax again. I am 75 and worry about fractures but I also worry about my immune system and the pain in my joints that may go along with taking prolia..injections. I do have friends taking injections and tests have improved. Still don’t know the answer. There are side affects to every drug, but our food is lacking in nutrients also.
Hi Vivian: I was to get my first Prolia injection this Spring (2016). But after doing some research I called & cancelled my appointment. Thank goodness I found your website & started reading up on the injection. Soooo glad I didnt get it. THANK YOU for your great info. Yes, maybe you should put this valuable info on Facebook to pass around!!
I am glad you found the information at the right time for you, Kitty!
Great commercial! I agree with Vivian. You should make this commercial and put it on YouTube. You could use a fictitious drug name, but this information needs to be spread around more widely and somebody has to do it. It’s a horrible thing that drug companies are allowed to try to poison and debilitate us in the name of profit.
Thank you, Alice. I do hope as many people see this as possible, so the truth gets out there!
2-1/2 years ago my bone scan showed I had slipped from Osteopenia to Osteoporosis. My doctor had printed out information about 3 Pharma he suggested. Prolia, Evista, etc. I told him to give me two years to try a natural approach. i doubled my walking from 2-3 miles to 4-5. I started getting more sun. I doubled my Vit D and stopped any drugs that I had read could damage bones. My recent bone density showed 5.3% increase in my hip bone. The only disappointment was that the Femoral neck stayed the same at -3.0. I had no bone density decreases. How can I target the femoral neck to make it stronger? I have a torn Labrum in my hip joint, not sure what exercises to do and keep my labrum tears from getting worse. A surgeon I consulted won’t operate to fix labrum because my femoral neck could crack.
Adding to my comment above. I forgot to say I have been trying to eat better and have been taking an Algae based calcium supplement during this 2-1/2 years.
Dianne, I, too, told my endo that I would not take Prolia and started my own K2MK7 and natto diet focusing on foods high in K2 such as natto and prunes. After six months, my calcium dropped .8 of a point and PTH from 102 to 61. Then, I had successful surgery to locate and remove bad PTH. I will continue the K2 regimen and believe it is effective over a long run. No BigPharma for me. Two surgeries had failed to locate the adenoma but I found Dr. Chris Raeburn at Colorado University Anschutz hospital who confidently braved the successful third surgery that my previous surgeon had pronounced impossible. Never give up. Find a competent surgeon, the cutting edge doctors are at teaching schools like CU Anchutz Aurora/Denver Dr. Chris Raeburn
It is very important that you take Calcium with magnesium. Go to Dr Carolyn Dean’s Web site. Dr Dean says that magnesium tells calcium where to go in your body, in the bones for instance instead of in your arteries where it should not be. Also go and subscribe to the greenmed site as well as the dr mercola web site. There is lots of info out there on how our bodies work and how to feed them and add vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotics etc. I know that vitamin D is also important for bones and more,so getting sunlight is important in the summer and taking vitamin d capsules in the winter. It is a journey to total health and that includes bone health, but once you start it’s fantastic.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis by accident when I was in my early fifties. I was really shocked as I felt healthy and strong. I was given fosomax straight away and took it for a year, and then one of my teeth cracked, and when I told my dentist I was on fosomax, he told me he couldn’t remove my tooth, as one of the side affects of fosomax is rot jaw. I was so shocked. I went to a specialist clinic to have it removed, and I had to wait 3 months to see the outcome. I was advised against inplants for the lost tooth, and in the future too. I stopped taking fosomax straight away. I walk regularly, go out in the sunlight moe, and try and eat calcium building foods like almonds, sesame seeds, and I plenty of fruit and vegetables. I now make a vegetable broth, where I boil beef bones and add plenty of vegetables. I feel healthy, and hope what I’m doing is enough, but I know it’s better than taking Fosomax, or injecting prolia.
This is a well written script, and I think you could do a youtube…might just go viral. Consider the possibility!
Thanks, Vickie!
With a history of breast cancer my oncologist is recommending prolia as she says it helps prevent bone cancer. I only have osteopenia in hip. Am on arimidex which is not great on bones. I have cancelled my appointments for prolia. Are you aware of anti cancer affects?
I was on your Savers program and was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and ignored my Dr’s advice to use drugs. I then suffered compression fractures of the spine and have been debilitated since the beginning of this year. I am now taking prolia, I still try to eat healthy food but I need calories to help my weight which means more sugar and fat are beneficial. Any suggestions???
Vivian
I notice you are only replying to those who agree with or thank you. To the woman who suffered compression fractures while on your program, and is now taking Prolia, while still seeking to eat well and exercise…no response from you?! Please reply to her. She has chosen to do both.
Dahna, I’ve noticed that too. She doesn’t seem to be so good at addressing the more complex issues of her subscribers. Too bad because I appreciate her program and the information. I have to ask my naturopath when I have larger questions.
Thank you.
Thank you Vivian for helping to keep us strong with truth and the correct way to protect our bones and keep them strong. It’s so easy to allow a doctor to scare us half to death but knowing the truth about these harmful drugs gives us strength and courage to resist a doctor’s advice. Thank you.
You are welcome, Paulette. Glad you’re here! Knowledge quells fear. 🙂
I love Vivian’s commercial! How wonderful if it actually could be shown on TV. It would help so many people to have better lives, to become stronger, healthier, happier, and more energetic. A lovely fantasy.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your kind words. While the commercial is fantasy, the truth is real, and the more people who discover it, the more people that will become stronger, healthier, and happier!
It is amazing how a multi Billion dollar advertisement fool the consumer by adding whip cream and cherry on top. Vivian your precious info is always appreciated.
God Bless
I love your imagery, Sebastian! Very insightful. And I am glad you appreciate all the information.
Hi, I’m 53years old & was told by my doctor that both his parents take Prolia & it does wonders . He also said he would take it if needed . “That sounded encouraging ” after I researched the drug I was terrified , went back to my doctor & told him what I discovered & he denied the side effects. ENUF SAID ?
The good news is, you found the truth yourself! Good work. 🙂
Thank you,Ita.
I took Prolia for four years and have now developed osteocronosis dead bone jaw. Enough said.
I am very sorry to hear that, Diana. I know you will find support and helpful information here that will aid your healing process.
The best thing I have done for my osteoporosis is join the Save Our Bones group!!! I love thus parody and wish that was shown on TV. I took 2 Fosamax pills because my doctor scared me so much, but fortunately i threw the rest of them away! Thank you Vivian
I’m glad you’re a part of the community, Joanne!
i live in the UK I can only hope we don’t have the awful Prolia ad. here. I think it’s absolutely disgusting that it should be allowed.
Wishe they would show your version, Vivienne!
Hi June,
I wish they would show this version, too! But at least the truth is out there now, so people know they have a choice.