Guest guest Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 After a recent bonescan, I've just been informed that I have osteopenia. I'm 43, relatively healthy, prefer herbs and alternative therapies to traditional allopathic treatments, and have a family history of osteoporosis. My physician has recommended that I begin taking Fosamax. I would love input on experiences with Fosamax and other traditional osteoporosis pharmaceuticals, as well as additional options in a more holistic realm. Thanks~Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Great article, Shana! Thanks. I never take drugs and this is not the time I will begin. I have bought the progesterone cream and decided to stop because I had a brest tumor that was progesterone based, or whatever it is called. So, I am not sure it is a good idea for me. What is your opinion? As for Vit. D, I know that the multi vitamins add Vit D2, which is synthetic. Where can I get the 3 type besides going out in the sun? Also, I was reading about the vibration exercise machines regarding adding bone mass. Have you heard anything about it? Thanks again for your attention to my question, Shana. I appreciate you, Maria , " Shana Clagg " <A.Healthier.Shana wrote: > > Maria, > > Take the article I've pasted below to " them " and set them straight! :-) > > If you're not already, now might be a good time to start on a natural > progesterone cream. Progesterone builds new healthy bone. Dr. John Lee found > that the use of a topical progesterone cream leads to a 10% increase in bone > density within 6 to 12 months, followed by an annual increase of 3% to 5% > until the bone density of his post-menopausal patients stabilized at the > levels of healthy 35-year-old women. > > Shana > http://www.women4balance.com/hhnw > http://www.BalancedNowPodcast.com <http://www.balancednowpodcast.com/> > > > *Overuse of Osteoporosis Drugs* > Time was, osteoporosis was diagnosed only in frail, elderly people with > brittle, easily broken bones. Then Big Pharma developed drugs to treat it > and suddenly this so-called " disease " became much more common -- and was > seen to be endangering wide swaths of postmenopausal women. Over the years, > the definition of osteoporosis was broadened to include even more women and > greater awareness of osteopenia, a sort of " pre-osteoporosis " in which bone > density is low but not so low as to constitute osteoporosis, was urged. > > UNNECESSARY DRUGS WITH DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS? > > Now it's hard to turn on the TV (or open a newspaper or go on- line) without > being bombarded with ads for drugs not only for osteoporosis, but also > encouraging women to proactively ask their doctors if they should take these > drugs if they are " at risk, " with hardly a mention of the very real side > effects and dangers associated with them. > > The drugs aren't so benign, however. The US Food and Drug Administration > (FDA) has issued a drug alert for bisphosphonates (a class of drugs that > includes alendronate and ibandronate), warning that they can cause severe > bone, muscle and/or joint pain. Other side effects of bisphosphonates > include difficulty swallowing, esophageal problems, gastric ulcer and bone > tissue death of the jaw. Raloxifene (Evista), another type of osteoporosis > drug known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM, increases the > risk of blood clots and stroke. Ironically, alendronate (Fosamax) has been > linked to femur fractures. (For more on the dangers of these drugs, see > Daily Health News, January 18, 2007.) > > MORE RISKS THAN BENEFITS FOR OSTEOPENIA > > According to a recent report in the British Medical Journal (January 19, > 2008), drug manufacturers regularly smudge the line between osteoporosis > itself and osteopenia in order to sell more drugs. It's true that these > drugs can successfully reduce the risk of fractures, at least in the short > term, in people who actually have osteoporosis... and now that we're living > longer lives, osteoporosis may become more common. But, says article > coauthor Pablo Alonso-Coello, MD, a family practitioner affiliated with > Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, Spain, the benefits of osteoporosis drugs > are exaggerated for people who just have osteopenia. " This move to treat > pre-osteoporosis raises serious questions about the benefit-risk ratio for > low-risk individuals, and about the costs of medicalizing and potentially > medicating an enormous group of healthy people, " writes Dr. Alonso- Coello. > Not coincidentally, using current medical criteria, nearly half of > postmenopausal women could be said to have osteopenia, which represents a > huge and highly profitable potential new market for Big Pharma. > > PLAYING WITH STATISTICS > > In their research, Dr. Alonso-Coello and his colleagues looked at several > studies on four drugs used by drug companies to demonstrate the benefits of > such medications for women with osteopenia. They found that the results were > expressed in a way that suggested the benefits were greater than they really > are. Statistics can tell almost any story you want, after all. > > Dr. Alonso-Coello gave me an example: Osteoporosis drugs are generally > reported to reduce the risk of fracture by 50%... but it is important to > look at " absolute " rather than " relative " risk. A woman with osteoporosis > might reduce her absolute risk of a fracture from, say, 10% to 5% (which > might be a clinically relevant benefit), while the risk for a person with > osteopenia drops only from an already low 2% to 1% or even 1% to 0.5%. So > calling it a 50% reduced risk in these cases inflates its clinical > significance. He also warns that many study authors were employees of, or > otherwise connected with, drug companies, pointing to a likely conflict of > interest. > > TAKE STEPS TO PROMOTE BONE HEALTH > > Don't be swayed by the advertising. There are a number of strategies you can > follow to prevent fractures and keep your bones strong and healthy as you > age -- and they don't all involve drugs. > > Among the non-pharmaceutical steps recommended by The National Osteoporosis > Foundation to promote bone health... > > * Take in adequate calcium and vitamin D. Current daily guidelines for > adults over 50 are 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D. > D-3, or cholecalciferol, is the form of vitamin D best for bones. Taking a > daily walk in the sunlight can also boost vitamin D levels. > > * Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking and dancing, and > resistance exercises such as using weight machines or resistance bands. > (Read more about safe exercises online at > http://www.nof.org/prevention/exercise.htm, and talk to your doctor before > embarking on any exercise program.) > > * Don't smoke at all and don't drink alcohol to excess. > > * Consider having a bone mineral density test if there is indication you > need one. Dr. Alonso-Coello advises bone density testing not as a regular > screening exam, but only for women who have had a previous fragility > fracture or who have risk factors for a fracture (eg, a family history of > maternal fractures). Early menopause may be another risk factor. (Watch for > our upcoming story on a new way to determine who needs bone density > screening in Daily Health News next month.) > > Dr. Alonso-Coello additionally recommends instituting measures to prevent > falls for older people. For example, use a walker or cane as necessary... > wear supportive, low-heeled shoes... install grab bars on bathroom walls > near the tub, shower and toilet... be sure your home is well lit... keep > rooms free of clutter... and be sure carpets have skid-proof backing. > > Osteopenia is not osteoporosis, and using drugs for prevention is not the > same as using drugs for treatment. If you consider taking any drug solely as > a preventive treatment -- especially if the treatment is long-term and has > potentially serious side effects, as with osteoporosis drugs for osteopenia > -- Dr. Alonso-Coello strongly advises that you seek a second opinion. Be > sure to talk with your family physician and research treatment options > before making your decision. With so many ways to keep bones strong > naturally, medication should only be considered as a last resort. > > Source(s): > Pablo Alonso-Coello, MD, family practitioner, Hospital de Sant Pau, > Barcelona, Spain. > > > > On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 11:06 AM, Dr. Maria Moratto < > drmoratto wrote: > > > Greetings, > > I just received news that I have osteopineal, which is the > > precursor of osteoporosis. > > Is there a treatment that can help me with this? > > They want me to take drug to prevent bone loss but I refuse to > > intoxicate my body. > > Thanks. > > Maria > > > > . > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 Maria, Don't bother with the fake Vit D2. Vit D3 is available in capsule form - I take the D3, because I live in a northern state where it's cold all winter and not much sun. If you can get in the sun for 15 minutes a day that should be enough Vit D3. I also take a red yeast rice product that has been proven to lay down new bone. Don't get the kind for lowering cholesterol - get the bone kind. My friend has one of those vibration machines - I think it's called a chi machine? She loves it, but I don't know if it would add bone mass because you're not putting any weight on your bones when you use it. I use a mini trampoline, which is great when you can't get outside and walk. Carol , " drmoratto " <drmoratto wrote: > As for Vit. D, I know that the multi vitamins add Vit D2, which is > synthetic. Where can I get the 3 type besides going out in the sun? > Also, I was reading about the vibration exercise machines regarding > adding bone mass. Have you heard anything about it? > Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Thank you, Carol I will look into the rice yeast. Sounds very good and there are some in liquid form. The Chi machine is an oscillating machine that goes sideways and you lay down. I have that one but can't use because it hurts badly the skin in my ankles. Plus it has no support for the knees and that is not good either. The vibration machine goes up and down and sideways. It truly vibrates. Some people swear it helps with bone formation. Costs an arm and a leg. It would be good to learn from someone who has experienced one of them. My liquid multivitamin has the D3 so I will continue taking it and also will go in the sun. It has been quite a while since I last enjoyed some " sun bathing. " I lost my patience to be in the sun, though I always loved it. Take care, Maria , " Carol " <carol wrote: > > Maria, > > Don't bother with the fake Vit D2. Vit D3 is available in capsule > form - I take the D3, because I live in a northern state where it's > cold all winter and not much sun. If you can get in the sun for 15 > minutes a day that should be enough Vit D3. > > I also take a red yeast rice product that has been proven to lay down > new bone. Don't get the kind for lowering cholesterol - get the bone > kind. > > My friend has one of those vibration machines - I think it's called a > chi machine? She loves it, but I don't know if it would add bone mass > because you're not putting any weight on your bones when you use it. > I use a mini trampoline, which is great when you can't get outside and > walk. > > Carol > > , " drmoratto " <drmoratto@> > wrote: > > As for Vit. D, I know that the multi vitamins add Vit D2, which is > > synthetic. Where can I get the 3 type besides going out in the sun? > > Also, I was reading about the vibration exercise machines regarding > > adding bone mass. Have you heard anything about it? > > Maria > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Maria, Your tumor was progesterone receptor positive? (PR+) In my humble opinion... Dr. Lee and Dr. David Zava say this is a good thing. It means there are progesterone receptors present that will recognize and utilize the progesterone. Dr. Lee said: " If a phone line came by your house, but you didn't have a phone, you would be unaware of it -- that's how it is with progesterone. The message of progesterone to breast cells is to stop them from becoming breast cancer cells. So therefore, there is no reason ever to not give progesterone to try to help someone prevent or stop breast cancer. " Pretty strong statement, isn't it? You might want to check out the book " What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer " . It's eye-opening. Shana http://www.TheGoodPersonTest.com <http://www.thegoodpersontest.com/> http://www.women4balance.com/hhnw http://www.BalancedNowPodcast.com <http://www.balancednowpodcast.com/> On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 3:21 PM, drmoratto <drmoratto wrote: > Great article, Shana! Thanks. > > I never take drugs and this is not the time I will begin. > > I have bought the progesterone cream and decided to stop because I > had a brest tumor that was progesterone based, or whatever it is > called. So, I am not sure it is a good idea for me. What is your > opinion? > > > > Thanks again for your attention to my question, Shana. > I appreciate you, > Maria > > > . > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Maria, I don't think you can get the bone building red yeast rice in a liquid formula. It's probably for cholesterol. As far as I know the only bone building kind is in capsule form. Carol , " drmoratto " <drmoratto wrote: > I will look into the rice yeast. Sounds very good and there are some > in liquid form. > Take care, > Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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