Has anyone in your family ever gotten Osteoporosis? My mom just got diagnosed.

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

My mom sent me an email explaining she has moved from having osteopenia to osteoporosis [the former is similar to the latter but less severe].  I did not even know my mom had the osteopenia.  The change in condition occurred because of some other medicine one of her doctors prescribed her [thanks a lot to this "doctor dunce" of hers].

This being said...  I am curious if anyone else has had people in their family [or friends or acquaintances].  If so what things helped them? -- I've done some reading and there seem to be multiple ways to improve a person's health, or even reverse osteoporosis after it has manifested [sadly, "prevention is the best cure" is a phrase I have read too often now].  I've also read about diets which may be beneficial.  And my mom has always been a little bit on the clumsy side [her depth perception very low, but I have read certain glasses may help] and has always had a tendency to fall down more than most other people.  Now that she has this condition in which her bones will be weakening a fall can be even more debilitating, including a possibility of breaking her hip/pelvis [an injury which often curbs the length of one's life].  In my research I came across a page on Wikipedia listing called, "Fall prevention", chronicling different ways to exercise to increase the strength of certain muscles so a person is more balanced and able to correct posture more rapidly to prevent a fall [I also read Tai Chi helps].  I'm not sure what to think about any of this stuff.

We have a small family, and both my brother and I live far away, so I am trying to do whatever I can from afar for my mom because she is very down about this and I love my mom tremendously [I am moving back to NY in late January or early February as it already is so the move will be good so I can spend more time with my mom and dad, and now take care of my mom].

Thanks to anyone who has any knowledge to share.

Todah Rabbah

[mord]

Don't they have medication for that ,i see that actress Sally Fields always doing advertisements for it

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

Don't they have medication for that ,i see that actress Sally Fields always doing advertisements for it

Yes, I have looked into what that is [my roommate told me to look into that one].  It seems to be popular, but it has painful side effects from what I read, but it is one option [maybe a good one since it is widely known].  With multiple medications available I just wonder what actually works best, and for my mom to avoid side effects as much as possible.  One thing I read is that most people simply do not want to take their medicine and quit taking it within one year [why they do this I don't know, maybe there are unpleasant side effects to much of what is available?].

[mord]

Don't they have medication for that ,i see that actress Sally Fields always doing advertisements for it

Yes, I have looked into what that is [my roommate told me to look into that one].  It seems to be popular, but it has painful side effects from what I read, but it is one option [maybe a good one since it is widely known].  With multiple medications available I just wonder what actually works best, and for my mom to avoid side effects as much as possible.  One thing I read is that most people simply do not want to take their medicine and quit taking it within one year [why they do this I don't know, maybe there are unpleasant side effects to much of what is available?].

Maybe vitamin D

[Rubystars]

I'm sad that she's having to go through this situation. I hope her bones get stronger. I don't completely trust doctors because of things like this and other stories I've heard. However it's really hard to do without them too, so I would suggest getting more than one opinion before she decides on a treatment.

[Lisa]

My mother has it, and she weighs about 89 lbs.  I don't know what medicine she takes for it, but I can find out. 

Does your mother do any kind of exercise?  If not, I recommend she slowly start with light weights.  Also, does she take a calcium supplement?  I understand calcium is best absorbed when taken in tandem with magnesium. 

Also, she should cut back on caffeine and alcohol, as it can leach the calcium out of the bones. 

[Yaakov Mendel]

I am sorry to hear this. I unfortunately have nothing to share with you that might be useful. It must not be easy if you live far from her.

[TheViper]

http://www.project-aware.org/Health/Osteo/osteo-bonehealth2.shtml

[TheViper]

Don't they have medication for that ,i see that actress Sally Fields always doing advertisements for it

Boniva is what she promotes on TV

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

Sorry to hear that, Ari.     I saw on the news last night a brand new medicine is coming out that looks pretty promising for rebuilding bone.  It's PTHRP (parathyroid hormone related protein)  - but it sounded like it's still in the initial stages.   They said it has the potential to build up bone density in 9 months.   

Btw, what's the canaan in your name ?

[Lisa]

Sorry to hear that, Ari.     I saw on the news last night a brand new medicine is coming out that looks pretty promising for rebuilding bone.  It's PTHRP (parathyroid hormone related protein)  - but it sounded like it's still in the initial stages.   They said it has the potential to build up bone density in 9 months.   

Btw, what's the canaan in your name ?

Ari Ben Canaan was the name of the main Israeli Jewish character in Leon Uris' book Exodus.

[Zionist Revolutionary]

Ari Ben-Canaan, I am so sorry that your mother has this terrible disease. I sincerely hope that your mother will recover from this, and I will pray for her.

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

Ari, your mother needs something that will boost her female hormones a lot, and Fossamax.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

The doctors can prescribe her something but you have to be careful because for some women 'boniva' does the exact opposite of what it's supposed to do and makes the condition worse rather than better.  So whatever she is given they have to stay on top of it checking often to make sure it's working.

[cjd]

There are a few meds on the market that claim to stop bone loss and one or two that even make claims of reversing the loss... My mom was taking something a while back in injection form that was causing more harm than good.... The bone medication had gone through extensive testing with good results however the medication came in some sort of syringe that held the dosages for the entire month.. From what I remember the trials for the medication did not use this monthly use injector and there was another medication needed to make the injector work... What ever this other substance was it was causing problems for my mom at the injection sites and she had to discontinue using it... The medication was also quite  expensive  . Research whatever the doctors suggest using for side affects... G-d willing your mom will find something that can help her.

[Rubystars]

Apparently some people have had some very bad experiences with Boniva:
http://www.topix.com/forum/who/sally-field/TJKAH6274R3RO3U92


http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm229009.htm
"Atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures are fractures in the bone just below the hip joint. Diaphyseal femur fractures occur in the long part of the thigh bone. These fractures are very uncommon and appear to account for less than 1% of all hip and femur fractures overall. Although it is not clear if bisphosphonates are the cause, these unusual femur fractures have been predominantly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

The bisphosphonates affected by this notice are only those approved to treat osteoporosis, including Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Boniva, Atelvia, and Reclast (and their generic products)."

[JTFenthusiast2]

Ari, your mother needs something that will boost her female hormones a lot, and Fossamax.

They no longer give estrogen to stave off osteoporosis.  Calcium 1500 mg/day; vitamin D 400-800 units and a drug like fosamax.  Check with your doctor first.  Certain drugs for GERD like omeprazole block calcium and vitamin D absorption... They can facilitate bone lossinadvertently

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

Thank you so much everyone.  I really appreciate what everyone here has said [they are all valuable input].  I will take in all of these things into consideration, and I will also actually forward the link to this thread to my mom so she can see exactly what is said here that she should consider [she happens to be a Kahanist in a lot of ways so it will be neat if she checks the rest of the site out too].  Thanks so much again everyone, it makes me feel better to hear from all of you.

RE: "Ben-Canaan", yes its from the Ari in Exodus [Its still me Ari Shayn!  My mom's favorite actor is Paul Newman and he played Ari Ben-Canaan in the movie version of Exodus, I happened to be thinking of her at the time when I decided a moniker switch-up].

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

Apparently some people have had some very bad experiences with Boniva:
http://www.topix.com/forum/who/sally-field/TJKAH6274R3RO3U92


http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm229009.htm
"Atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures are fractures in the bone just below the hip joint. Diaphyseal femur fractures occur in the long part of the thigh bone. These fractures are very uncommon and appear to account for less than 1% of all hip and femur fractures overall. Although it is not clear if bisphosphonates are the cause, these unusual femur fractures have been predominantly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

The bisphosphonates affected by this notice are only those approved to treat osteoporosis, including Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Boniva, Atelvia, and Reclast (and their generic products)."

I heard it was something like 10% of the people who take this type of medication.   Not sure how accurate that # is, but "I heard that" for whatever it's worth.

[Rubystars]

10% is still a pretty bad risk. If someone told me that there was a 1 in 10 chance of getting severe bone pain or fractures from taking a pill I'd probably pass on it and try to find another way to go. Of course osteoporosis can cause those things too. It seems like most of the medicines have such severe side effects.

[angryChineseKahanist]

I don't know if this is related, but my mother keeps getting smaller every year. its bone loss. I think its what she eats. She keeps drinking that bitter herbal stuff that dissolves all her calcium. quite possible that she doesn't have any bone problems at all and that its self inflicted.

[FreedomDefender]

At least no one cursed your mom in spanish. Because of the language barrier

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

10% is still a pretty bad risk. If someone told me that there was a 1 in 10 chance of getting severe bone pain or fractures from taking a pill I'd probably pass on it and try to find another way to go. Of course osteoporosis can cause those things too. It seems like most of the medicines have such severe side effects.
[/quote

Yes 10% is enormous.