Osteoporosis Support

I'm not that familiar with osteoporosis, other than doing what I have heard to do to avoid it. Lots of assimiable C-complex and calcium/magnisium and b6.
So far, at 69, so good. I am a member of Vitality-LifeChoice which has great health formulas. They just came out with a new product for balancing the immune system. Does anyone know if the current scientific think believes that osteoporosis is related to an overactive immune system? I don't know, but if a person was already doing the above, was using a balance cream to help with progestone/estrogen, and still had osteoporosis, then perhaps this product would be worth a try. It is expensive, and new, but special price now for anyone who will buy the product and write up the results. Take a look at http://www.netswan.com/ministry/breakthrough.htm
Pat

Gingersnap- I do get my yearly Mammos and ask others to do the same. Simply heard the statement and found it interesting and wondered if anyone else had heard it too. As for the back bag - I love it - I like you use it instead of a purse.

Sharyn: I have a Healthy Back Bag, made by Ameritech...and featured in
lots of catalogs and in luggage shops...and used it for a 3 week trip to
British Isles. It is great...not so much strain on my shoulders and easy
to keep from pickpockets, etc.  I got mine in microfiber so it'd be
as light as possible and easy to clean.  I used mine instead of a
purse. I found it wonderful for carrying a water bottle in the outside
back pocket, etc.  I continue to use it for a purse when I go shopping,
etc.  [I have the medium size...called an overnighter, I think, in
some catalogs]  It's not a back pack..but more like a shoulderbag.
"It is said that folks with osteoposis have
lower risks for breast cancer."   PLEASE
don't assume that quote is valid!  I have had both breast cancer and now
osteoporosis! Get that mammogram yearly, please! It may save your life!
 
 
Gingersnap

Many thanks to all of you for your messages re my results. Yes it's wonderful knowing I'm in the clear. Must have done something right in the past!
To Junia2 no I just do a 1/2 hour walk most days which nearly kills me sometimes with the pain in my hips but one has to keep going. I guess because I led a very active life before retiring (was a trained nurse in ER plus reared 5 kids!)it must have helped somehow. I certainly didn't go on any special diet nor did I take extra calcium.
Tresya I was very lucky in that my Dr. explained the bone scan readings to me. Your info. is very timely. I shall certainly keep looking at this forum in future.

Thank for the info, I think it will help all of us
better understand what we are up against.

Since this is Breast Cancer awareness month, has anyone hear this. "It is said that folks with osteoposis have lower risks for breast cancer."

Wonderful news, ANJOH. I hope you still will drop here sometimes.

I looked Back Bag in the catalogue, thanks a lot for it SHARINE.

I found some information on the evaluation of bone density measurement. You may find it useful.
My doctor first did not give me the scan results, but I asked him to make a copy, so now I can see myself how my oteoporosis is proceeding.

Usually bone mass is expressed as T-score, with a T-scor=

Hi all, Had a bone density scan done the other day. Guess what the results say?! No Osteoporosis!!! Can you believe that? For years I've been under the impression I had this disease after Drs. told me my bones were very thin. It seems I have bone density of a woman much younger than me in the spine, but in the hips it is within normal range for a woman my age. It has really surprised me as the only thing I did was to take HRT. No extra calcium, & only my normal diet. I thought the smoking might cause osteoporosis but it didn't seem to make any difference to me.
All my blood results came back normal. In fact I'm a very healthy person. All I have to do now is work out how to get rid of the pain of osteoarthritis. Like Junia2 I sometimes have to force myself to go for walks. So far I manage from 1/2hr. to 3/4hr. taking a steady pace. I shall try those exercises as I think I need something like that to help losen up the muscles & joints. I shall keep in touch as much of the info. here is very helpful

The back bag is like a back pack that hangs on a single strip. "The bag hangs asymmetrically from an integrated shoulder strap contoured to fit the natural curve of your back. Your load feels 1/3 lighter because weight is evenly distributed throght the entire length of the bag." Has a total of ten pockets both inside and out to keep thing organized and easily accessible, also an adjustable shoulder strap. Bag is teardrop shaped with strap running from top to bottom, Not cheap - prices run from 45 to 169 but worth the money. To get a Norm Thompson catalog 1 800 547 1160 or www.NormThompson.com.

glastonbury, Junia2

Nice to hear of your exercises and walking routine. Still actively working, for me is difficult to have time for daily excercises, but I try to walk everywhere instead of taking a bus or driving. I also used to ride a bycicle, which is very useful, since osteoporosis is the most seriouse at my hips.

SHARINE,
Very interesting your findings. May I ask what is back bag good for?

ANJOH,
Any results of your bone density scan?

Well, guys, I have found a calcium supplement that I think you will all like. Made by NATURE MADE, called CALBURST. You can find it at Wal-mart in the Vit. dept. 60 soft chocolate chews for about $6 Taste like Kraft chocolates squares, also comes in chocolate-cherry. each chew is 500mg of calcium,
200 I.U of Vit. D and only 15 Calories
Item # 2 If you have not tried it, then take a look at the BACK BAG from NORM THOMPSON. This is the same bag suggested by the National Osteoprosis Foundation (NOF). It is wonderful, lots of pockets and seems to weigh less then my other bag.

To Junia2, you have been very lucky to have found a Dr. who helped you all those years ago. I had been told I had Osteoporosis years ago but nothing was ever done about it. I have now found an excellent Dr. who is actually listening to me & doing all the tests necessary for this disease. I am actually going for a bone density scan on Monday. At last I am able to get this done! Anyway, he is getting an over-all picture first before deciding what treatment if any will be needed. At the moment I do plenty of walking,& am on HRT. I,d be interested to know what kind of exercises you do. Are they very strenuous?

Hi junia2,

Your case is very comforting. May I ask how old you was when you was diagnosed? It would be helpful for us knowing more about your excercise and walking parctices, too.

tresya

You can find some intereseting information (Evista, HRT and Fosamax included) on osteoporosis clicking on the following link.
information on osteoporosis

SHARYNE,
You are right, we should need more practical advices concerning our lifestyle. I have heard that there are patient clubs where such things are discussed.

MARIAANN,
It's great if we have a med which replaces bone density.

ANJOH,
We are looking forward to here about your results.

fluphy,
I took miacalciun nasal spray, its really easy to take - and for me was helpful.

My dr. has just started me on miacalciun. a nose spray , and much easier for me to use.Fosomax and all the water interferred with my busy schedule.

Its great to know that slowly more info. about Osteoporosis is coming to light & reading the few books on the subject helps us understand it more. I have just met a Dr. who, with a few other Drs. are studying this disease & are looking to alternative medicine & treatment. It is very hard to find a Dr. who specialises in this disease, but hopefully I have found one. So far I have only had some blood tests done. No results until next week. Will keep you informed on how this program will work.

Yes, I have found info on the test meanings - THE OSTEO CURE - chapter 3 Assessing your bone health, give ex. of people , different ages, and bone density and what it all means. Getting good info is hard to find. Most web sites will tell you what osteo is and the meds you can take but no one talks about what we have to look foreward to - are the bras with back support worth the time and money, should I sleep on a hard or soft mattress. What should I do about the pelvic/lower back pain. They say eat foods high in calcium, fine but what if you have high cholesterol.
I would love to see someone do a catalog for our needs. What do you think!

ANJOH and SHARINE,

Thanks for sharing information of so many good books on osteoporosis. I think it is very important to be familiar with our disaes, although doctors are not always happy abut it.
I also try to understand the interpretaion of scores of bone density measurements. Did you find some explanation on this in your books?

Hi Tresya,
I just had a second bone density done in June, my reading on my spine are T-2.95, not very good for a 52 yr. old. The books I have found most helpful are:THE OSTEOPOROSIS CURE by Harris McIlwain,M.D. & Debra Fulghum Bruce (latest info on Fasamax, meaning of Done densities, etc)
THE OSTEOPOROSIS HANDBOOK by Sydney Lou Bonnick, M.D.(good info on exercise)
STYLE WISE put out by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (a real must-will help you understand how to dress as we[may]develop compression fractures of the spine)

Hi Tresya
Here are some book titles I mentioned earlier. I think some of you might find them helpful and interesting as I did.
"Eating Well Living Well with Osteoporosis" This comes from the Duke University Medical Centre. by Series Editor Connie W. Bales. Also Marc K. Drezner,M.D. & Kimberly P. Hoben, R.D. This gives you a whole list of calcium enriched foods. Even some recipes! Next is "Better Bones, Better Body" by Susan E. Brown, Ph.D.
Lastly one from Australia! "Osteoporosis the Silent Epidemic" By Dr. Leonard Rose, which I'm reading at present. He also writes of ways to increase Calcium in your diet. The controversal issue of the benefits of HRT & many more issues in this quite small book, which makes it easy reading.

Hi Carol,

I guess how difficult can be to live with so many maladies.
Are your problems due to osteoporosis influenced by weather? What's the weather like where you live?

Hi ANJOH,
Loosing weight is also a constant goal to me, too ( but I like to eat so much LOL).

As to HRT, I did not try it (prefer not to take hormones). As far as I know, there are no remedies from osteoporosis, that is the stop of bone density decline is the most, what medicines can do.

Thanks Tresya for the food list. Very handy to know, but will have to stick to the low fat products so I can lose some weight. As far as I know the only thing we have here instead of Frosamax & Evista is Hormone Replacement Therapy. At least that is what I was given. It is suppose to slow down the process of bones thinning. Haven't had it proved yet though.

Thank you Treysa for you very informative post on Calcium. I feel that if one's diet contains adequate Calcium giving foods one would not need supplements. Most calcium can be found in dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yoghurt etc. I can't help you with the figures. I would imagine it would be a very long list!
I got more info. about Fosamax & Evista which apparently is available here in Australia, BUT, it is only prescribed to those who have had a fracture. Not because one has osteoporosis. Which is a shame really, as taking this medication might just help prevent a fracture in the first place!

HAVE9LIVES,

Yes, the absorbtion of calcium is increased by vitamine D. Though, you can get this also by food containing vitamine D, and first of all by taking sun.
Overdosage of vitamine D can be very harmful. So you should take it only by the doctors advise.

ANJOH,
Blood tests are needed to test right calcium level (to be not too high and not to low). Excessive calcium may be deposited in the kidney causing kidney stones. This test is necessary first of all when calcium is taken along with D-vitamine. (When I was taking Miacalcin and Aplha D3(containg D vitamin) my doctor said I should not take extra calcium). Also test of phosphate content is necessary, because if this is too high, it can decrease calcium absorption. (e.g.coke is rich in phosphate).

A have just read that a health conference established the following numbers for how much calcium is right:

-Men, ages 25-65: 1,00 milligrams daily
-Women ages 25-50: 1,000 milligrams daily
-Pregnant and nursing women: 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams daily
-Women at menopause (ages 51-65) who are taking estrogen: 1,000 milligrams daily
-Women at menopause who are NOT taking estrogen: 1,500 milligrams daily
Men and women over 65: 1,500 milligrams.

I was looking for figures about the calcium content of different food, but did not find yet. If anybody knows about it, please let us know here.

Tresya

It is interesting to read of the different medications there is for osteoporosis. I hadn't heard of Evista or Fosomax before. I was diagnosed with this disease through Xrays I had of the spine for my osteoarthritis. I was to have a bone density scan done some years ago, but I changed Drs. & we never followed it up. I took HRT for a few years but have stopped them for the time being as I believe one needs a rest from drugs now & again. HRT doesn't cure osteoporosis, it only slows down the process. Walking definately helps ease the pain & stiffeness. I had been ill the last couple of weeks with 'flu & couldn't get out for a walk. Now I'm suffering & feel stiff & sore! But a couple of days back into walking & I'm already feeling the benefits.As for the blood tests Gingersnap mentioned. I feel they might be a waste of time & money. Bone density scans & Xrays are the only way. As long as a person has plenty of calcium in their diet, supplements might not be necessary. One has to be careful not to "overdose" on calcium. So only take calcium on your Dr's. advice.

I have had regular blood tests in the past, but now doctor does only for cholesterol levels. I don't know that a blood test for calcium tells anyone anything about bone density. I'd had those tests for years, but didn't know I had osteoporosis until the bone density test (not a bone scan...that's different--used to see if cancer has spread, etc.) was done. gingersnap

Yes, Mariaann, apparently Evista can cause bloodclots if you are sitting or lying down for long periods of time, like on an airline flight, or if you are a person who already has problems with blood clots. I asked the pharmacist about Ultra Tums. He said that different types of calcium work with different people. I've been taking oyster shell calcium with D at least 2x a day. Don't know how well it's working until my next bone scan. Also take Evista and Fosamax. I intend to stop this loss!

Hi Gingersnap,
Thanks for the information.

To All,
I am interested to know whether you have blood and urine tests? I used to have it regularly to check calcium level and others.

tresya

Evista is the brand name for raloxifene in the US. It's the same drug. I've been on Evista for a year...have continuation of hot flashes, but I"ve had those for 10 years, so don't know how much I can attribute to the Evista. I also am on miacalcin, and 1500 mg of calcium in capsules daily.

Gingersnap

Hi Mariaann,

To me Fosamax caused esophagus irritations.

Does anybody know exactly the connection between Evista and raloxifene?

Please find a link to the above mentined news about raloxifene therapy.

raloxifene

HAV9LIVES,

Are you taking the two medicines simultaneously? I also tried Fosamax and had side effects too, so I had to stop.
A wish it helps to you. Let us inform later about results.

Tresya

I've got it, too, and can't take HRT because of breast cancer. But I do take Evista (reloxifene) and Fosamax because my bone density keeps going down. Yes, exercise is a must. I have now side effects from these drugs and hope they start to do the job!

Hi gingersnap,

Thanks for the information. I did not hear yet of Evista. As to Myalacic and Fosamax I know them. I will try to find the article you mentioned.

There has been research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the benefits of Evista for osteoporosis. Have you read this information...appeared in an AP story in many US newspapers this past week?

Also discussed briefly were Fosamax, HRT, & miacalcin.
gingersnap

Hello ANJOH,

Nice to meet you here. Interesting to know how well it is published the disease in Australia. Sorry to say many people do not care about the disease only after knowing that are affected.
You write you do not know whether HRT helps you or not. With densiometric measurements the change of bone density may be well traced. Are'nt doing such mesurements to you?
You are right saying that we should find the happy medium. I also like walking, and try to walk as much as possible (e.g.instead of taking a bus). But I can not go upwards (I do not know whether this has anything to do with osteoporisis). I also make excersises at home - at least three times an hour per week. I feel this helps, I have back pains if I fail to do it.

Tresya

Logged into your column about osteoporosis. This could be interesting. Reading some previous posts I am amazed so many people don't know much about this disease. Here in Australia it is very much publised & we have a lot of help & info. from the health dept. with plenty of booklets available about this disease.Our local library also has books on the subject & if anyone is interested I can get some titles which might be interesting to you.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis some years ago & was put on HRT which is suppose to slow the disease down.Whether this helps or not I don't know Unfortunately there is no cure for it It seems my lower spine is pretty weak & I need to be careful not to knock or jar it & my hips can be painful at times.As you say its a silent disease & I only get pain now & again if I've overdone any lifting or too much walking. One has to find the happy medium here! Alas, this is a disease you don't know you have until you break a bone Then it's too late!

Hi,
I try now answer to your questions - hoping you did not loose your interest due to my delay.

Ro,
You asked about signs of the disease. Osteoporosis is called the silent disease, because there are no symptoms for years, maybe until the first fructure. During menopause overall bone loss may occour, most bone loss occurs within five to seven years after menopause. But not everybody takes the same risk.

Risk factors are:
Being female
Cucasian or Asian
A small, thin frame
Advanced age
Family history of the disease
Early menopause
Diet low in calcium
Sedentary lifestyle
Cigarette smoking
Excessive alcohol intake

Nettie,
"When we see old men and women appear to 'shrink' and bend over, is that caused by osteoporosis? " - Yes, exsactly.

Sabre94,
I do not know about herbs, but Calcium rich diet helps for sure. Milk, dairy products, vegetables. (I will give you a more detailed list later - sorry I lost it in the Cybersapce).
Vitamine D is also necessary for effective absorption of calcium (margarine, some breakfast cereals, herring, as well as butter and eggs). Eat 3 or more calcium-rich foods every day - for prevention.

Note:
According to a Gallup poll 75% of women ages 45 to 75 have never talked with a doctor about osteoporosis.

That's all for today. Let me have further questions.
Tresya