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I requested information from the list with the following message:  My doctor
is putting pressure on me to take a drug due to a bone density test which
did not show good results.  Two of the drugs he mentioned were Evista and
Didronyl.  My question is - has anyone taken either of these drugs and with
what kind of results?

Janet in Maine

I received these answers:

Somewhat surprising.  Everything I've heard suggest fosomax is the number one
drug.  That's what I am taking.


You may want a second opinion. My Ob/Gyn favors Fosomax, which is gf, but if
you don't follow the directions explicitly, you can end up with ulcers,
especially in your esophagus. I took it for a while and had to stop. I may go
back on it. I have a friend who can take it for 3 mos. at a time, stops for a
while and then does 3 months again, etc.

When I questionned the doctor about Evista and other products, she said the
other products don't necessarily build strong bones, so even though bone
density may appear to increase, the connections within the bone are still
fragile and the breaks will still occur. That's her opinion. She does tend to
go to conferences to be up to date on menopausal type problems and is very
respected in the southern New Jersey area, but I don't know if her opinion is
indeed the absolute fact. I also take Prempro, which is gf. For a time, she
did not want me on both, then she said they do work well together, but I
haven't resumed the Fosomax.

As for finding out if the drugs your doctor recommends are gf, I'd recommend
calling the manufacturer. Even if other celiacs say they're safe, if each of
us contacts the companies individually, then they realize their is a market
for gf meds.

Good luck.


In the internet it says an onion a day will put bone down and won't get thin
so try that for a yr first  at least there won't be side-effects.
stop drinking dairy and eating dairy.
along with onions (medium) eat lots of veggies


Janet,  I've taken both, and thought I followed the directions to the
letter, but I sat up and did not stand up the whole time after taking the
medication in the early morning - before breakfast.  Eventually I developed
the beginnings of a stomach ulcer and it was over a year before it healed
completely, so if possible start with a light dose and  be very careful to
drink lots of water and stay on your feet.

PS,  I'm not taking any bone medication right now, and know I have a severe
case of osteoporosis, but am too busy to think about it, and as I have had
it for over ten years, with no dowagers hump and no other symptoms - no
broken bones, etc., I am afrain I've been ignoring it.  I can only deal
with one thing at a time!


I work in a pharmacy and we have a few people using both of the drugs you
mentioned.  People have gotten good results with both...

These two drugs are considered easier on your system than some other drugs
that do the same type of things.  Another drug that is used for treating
bone denstiy deficiencies is called Miacalcin.  It is a nasal spray that is
very effective but is a little more expensive than Evista, (about $60 for a
month), but the results are worth it.

Miacalcin also eliminates the worry about contaminated binders in pills
since it's a spray and isin't ingested.
good luck!


I am a celiac and have been for 12 years.  I developed osterporosis about
3-4 years ago, and they put me on Drisdol Capsules (50,000 IU).  I take this
form of Vitamin D by prescription twice a week, and also take Walgreens
Antacid Tablets Super Strength (1,000 mg) active calcium cabornate.  I feel
alot better now.  These two items are/will be part of my weekly items for
the rest of my life.  Rheumatologist prescribed both of these items to me.
Now I can walk by myself, and was able to resume bowling actives.

If you have any more questions, please feel you can email me direct.  Have a
great day!


Not at all familiar with the two you named ...  been on Fosamax for 3 years,
from severe, and I do mean SEVERE, osteo, I now have normal bone density ...
broke my leg, VERY badly, which led to the discovery of my osteo ...  long
story, but I have NO problems with the Fosamax, I follow the instructions to
the letter and so far, so good,


I use Miacalcin for osteoporosis.  It's an inhaler - you alternature nostrils
each day.  It's made from salmon bones and has no side effects.  I had
another bone scan last year and my bone density had improved.  I see a
wonderful rheumatologist in Dallas - find a good one.  He also has me take
1,500 grams of calcium per day and a vitamin in the morning and evening.


Sorry to hear your bone density test results are not so good.  I just wanted
to share with you that my mother, who is not celiac, also has bad bone
density.  Her last test came back at 4.7 with the absolute worst being 5.0.
My mother is taking fosamax and calcium every day.  I am not sure of the gf
status of the fosamax.  I am taking extra calcium with vitamin D (500 mg)
and drinking at least 16-24 oz. of skim milk every day to try to help my
bones from getting so bad.  I have always been a big milk drinker so
hopefully I won't have to deal with this problem


I'm on Fosomax...my doctor said it gets the best results.


lease do not take drugs. The only way to build up bones is to eat
properly. The drugs take away from bones and leech vitamins and minerals
from your body. The medical profession is poisoning everyone with drugs.

They all cause cancer and degenerative diseases.

Please go to www.paleodiet.com and read about how NUTRITION alone can save
your bones and your life.

The best book I have found on the subject is Neanderthin at:
www.sofdesign.com/neander

We are all being duped by the medical industrial complex. The only winners
are the pharmaceutical companies.

Please search the side effects of any of the drugs you mentioned and you
will find that they are devastating.

Don't believe the doctors; they are merely drug pushers for the big
pharmaceutcal conglomerates.


I've been on Evista for a year and a half.  It can cause hot flashes, which
I have, only on hot, humid days and in hot rooms, or near the oven.  I seem
to be barely holding in place on bone density, but I am 65 ...


I was on Didronyl for almost 2 years - not effective - and most osteo
specialists here now discount the value of it, particularly in borderline
patients.  I was unable to deal with Fosomax, which is why a doctor put me
on Didronyl.  There is a nasal spray - calcitronin - or something like that
- that is considered of more value than Didronyl.


I had breast cancer in 1988 and my surgeon and gyc have given me the
go-ahead to try the lightest dosage of estrogen.  Research seems to show
that .03 has the same good for osteo, etc, as .06.  I am thinking about it
very seriously.  You can get it in a patch the size of a postage stamp.  And
the surgeon says I can talk both Evista and estrogen at the same time.