<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Dear List mates,
Here's what I learned about osteo. meds. Most of you (9 people) said that
they were on Fosomax (which is a biphosphonate). Some however cautioned
about the use of this drug because it has gastro-intestinal side effects.
Others mentioned actonel (also a biphosphonate) as an alternate to the
Fosomax. Still others are using/suggested miacalcin alone and in
combination with a biphosphonate. Of course one would also need to increase
both dietary and supplementary intake of calcium, vit. D, magnesium and
other minerals which may play a role in bone formation and resorption
processes. Finally, weight bearing exercise is essential and this can
include very brisk walking, running, weight lifting, etc.
I am currently reading a very interesting book entitled "Preventing and
reversing osteoporosis" by Alan R. Gaby. It is very interesting and
stresses a natural approach with supplements, etc. He even mentions celiac
disease (although he calls it a food allergy - written in 1994!)
The following are informative excerpts from some of the messages I received.
If you are at or past the menopause, then HRT is a good treatment. Also
available are the biphosphonates (Fosamax etc) and calcitonin, but usually
these have a few more side effects than HRT.
You may have osteomalacia as well as osteoporosis. The easiest tests are
blood calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (1st 2 low, alk phos
high). However if these are normal, a more sensitive test is blood
25-OH-vitamin D; this is a more expensive test.
If you did have vit D deficiency then the treatment would hve to be more
rigorous.
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My Doctor (a nutritionally trained MD) recommends a very high quality
calcium supplement which contains vitamins and minerals called "Osteoprime."
It is distributed in Canada by "Enzymatic Therapy" in British Columbia, but
I understand it is imported by them from the States. It is taken along with
extra vitamin D and ipriflavone. The latter has recently been shown to
increase calcium intake.
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If you are at or past the menopause, then HRT is a good treatment. Also
available are the biphosphonates (Fosamax etc) and calcitonin, but usually
these have a few more side effects than HRT.
You may have osteomalacia as well as osteoporosis. The easiest tests are
blood calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (1st 2 low, alk phos
high). However if these are normal, a more sensitive test is blood
25-OH-vitamin D; this is a more expensive test.
If you did have vit D deficiency then the treatment would hve to be more
rigorous.
Joan K. Davitt
Instructor
Bryn Mawr College
Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
300 Airdale Rd.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610)520-2627
(610)520-2655 (fax)
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