22nd August 2007
Hi Kimmey~~Welcome...
"My question, is there an RX that is safe without all the warnings and class action lawsuits?"
To answer your question, I don't thinks such a thing exists. There is Strontium Citrate which isn't an rx, it's otc, like Phyllis mentioned, but as far as rx meds go I don't think you'll ever find one that doesn't have a warning on it.
Since you like to do research, here's a place to start.
[url]http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opbmd.html#WHO[/url]
On the above site, that page is in the middle of a long physiology course through the Univ of WA, but it's an excellent place to start. To get to the beginning of it "from the t-scores" go to the bottom of the page and click on the HOME page. There's tons of good info at this website, and the Dr that put this together is preimminent in her field, and referred to as one of the top osteo docs in the country. It will take quite some time to get through the entire course (it's a physiology course for the Univ) but make sure you go through all the different links which there are hundreds, but well worth the read.
If we knew your t-scores that would help a lot to ascertain the type of med that most drs consider for the various scores. An example would be bisphosphonates if you score is between -1 and -2.5, but as you already know they come with a lot of baggage, however millions of people take them every day with good results, so it would definitely be an individual decision.
There's HRT, for the same scores, another med with warnings, calcitonin (miacalcin nasal spray) which has less side effects, but doesn't work as fast as the others. Forteo is used for scores of -2.5 or lower, but as you mentioned has a black box warning (I take that with no problems) with excellent results. The black box warning doesn't bother me, since the tests done on rats can't really be compared to the human tests. The rats rec'd up to 60 times the human dose for their entire life, and are susceptible to bone cancer, where humans are limited in the dose by 20 mcgs. and can only take it for 2 years or less.
With all of these you need your bone vits, weight bearing exercises, and balance exercises. When you calculate your vitamins, especially calcium add both you dietary intake with the supplements to get the total so you don't take too much. Some people have trouble with absorbtion/kidney stones when they take too much of this. I get my calcium from my diet, but I have unusual considerations to factor in. Your body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time, so break it up into several servings to total 1200 mg (but confirm that with your dr).
You mentioned that your Rheumy got some negative blood tests back for you; were they Thyroid or Parathyroid tests by any chance? If so that will greatly affect what you take since probs with either of these glands can cause osteoporosis and have their own solutions. Calcium, and D levels also play a part in your treatment, so you really need to get your lab print out and your dxa results so we/you know what's going on. If you had Rheumatoid Arth, that would also be a secondary cause of osteoporosis, so keep an eye on it, even if the visual test was negative, the high blood score isn't normal in RA.
With a family history of osteo, and low hip bmd, you need to do something. I have DDD (degen disc), OA (osteo arthritis) and the DDD can contribute to bone loss. Also ask your dr about the OA affecting your t-score, because it does. OA will make your score look better than it really is.
Have you gone through meno? Since a lot of young people go through early meno (like me at 25) you could take fosamax, but it's usually rx'd for those that are post menopausal. If you are not pm, then I'm wondering about you being able to take fosamax or any of the other bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva or the iv ones Aredia, etc).
Good luck, and come back for more help if you need it. If you can get those 2 print outs (dxa, and lab) that would help you to understand all this. Were you checked for any other secondary causes of osteo? Secondary would be Celiac, early meno, cortisone use, bone disease [paget's, osteomalacia etc] Thyroid/Parathyroid disorders, calcium or d absorption probs and other things?
Don't panic, it will all fall into place. Unfortunately, on the meds, you have to pick your poison-so to speak-and go with the most beneficial, all things under the sun have side effects.:wave:
"My question, is there an RX that is safe without all the warnings and class action lawsuits?"
To answer your question, I don't thinks such a thing exists. There is Strontium Citrate which isn't an rx, it's otc, like Phyllis mentioned, but as far as rx meds go I don't think you'll ever find one that doesn't have a warning on it.
Since you like to do research, here's a place to start.
[url]http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opbmd.html#WHO[/url]
On the above site, that page is in the middle of a long physiology course through the Univ of WA, but it's an excellent place to start. To get to the beginning of it "from the t-scores" go to the bottom of the page and click on the HOME page. There's tons of good info at this website, and the Dr that put this together is preimminent in her field, and referred to as one of the top osteo docs in the country. It will take quite some time to get through the entire course (it's a physiology course for the Univ) but make sure you go through all the different links which there are hundreds, but well worth the read.
If we knew your t-scores that would help a lot to ascertain the type of med that most drs consider for the various scores. An example would be bisphosphonates if you score is between -1 and -2.5, but as you already know they come with a lot of baggage, however millions of people take them every day with good results, so it would definitely be an individual decision.
There's HRT, for the same scores, another med with warnings, calcitonin (miacalcin nasal spray) which has less side effects, but doesn't work as fast as the others. Forteo is used for scores of -2.5 or lower, but as you mentioned has a black box warning (I take that with no problems) with excellent results. The black box warning doesn't bother me, since the tests done on rats can't really be compared to the human tests. The rats rec'd up to 60 times the human dose for their entire life, and are susceptible to bone cancer, where humans are limited in the dose by 20 mcgs. and can only take it for 2 years or less.
With all of these you need your bone vits, weight bearing exercises, and balance exercises. When you calculate your vitamins, especially calcium add both you dietary intake with the supplements to get the total so you don't take too much. Some people have trouble with absorbtion/kidney stones when they take too much of this. I get my calcium from my diet, but I have unusual considerations to factor in. Your body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time, so break it up into several servings to total 1200 mg (but confirm that with your dr).
You mentioned that your Rheumy got some negative blood tests back for you; were they Thyroid or Parathyroid tests by any chance? If so that will greatly affect what you take since probs with either of these glands can cause osteoporosis and have their own solutions. Calcium, and D levels also play a part in your treatment, so you really need to get your lab print out and your dxa results so we/you know what's going on. If you had Rheumatoid Arth, that would also be a secondary cause of osteoporosis, so keep an eye on it, even if the visual test was negative, the high blood score isn't normal in RA.
With a family history of osteo, and low hip bmd, you need to do something. I have DDD (degen disc), OA (osteo arthritis) and the DDD can contribute to bone loss. Also ask your dr about the OA affecting your t-score, because it does. OA will make your score look better than it really is.
Have you gone through meno? Since a lot of young people go through early meno (like me at 25) you could take fosamax, but it's usually rx'd for those that are post menopausal. If you are not pm, then I'm wondering about you being able to take fosamax or any of the other bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva or the iv ones Aredia, etc).
Good luck, and come back for more help if you need it. If you can get those 2 print outs (dxa, and lab) that would help you to understand all this. Were you checked for any other secondary causes of osteo? Secondary would be Celiac, early meno, cortisone use, bone disease [paget's, osteomalacia etc] Thyroid/Parathyroid disorders, calcium or d absorption probs and other things?
Don't panic, it will all fall into place. Unfortunately, on the meds, you have to pick your poison-so to speak-and go with the most beneficial, all things under the sun have side effects.:wave: