Reclast?

[Crankin]

I want to find out exactly what my levels are. I don't want to over supplement something that could build up in my body. I know some don't care too much about this, but I have reactions to everything, including vitamins and minerals.
I used to have an asthma attack after getting Vitamin B shots.

[newfsmith]

I'm also osteoporotic and have had one Reclast injection, recommended by the endocrinologist. Like you, my stomach couldn't tolerate Fosamax. The injection itself was a breeze (given in the infusion therapy unit where the nurses are used to putting IV's in very sick chemotherapy patients, so are really good at it). You are warned to arrive for the infusion well hydrated and they want you to drink extra for 2 to 3 days post infusion. None of that was problematic. However, 6 months later, my routine blood work had a spike in my kidney values. My kidney values had never strayed from normal, even when I was in the midst of renal colic with a kidney stone. I gave my next injection (due back in June) a miss, and will make my final decision based on my next round of blood work in January and discussion with MD then.

Like you I have a very strong family history of osteoporosis, every woman on my father's side had at least a "Dowager's hump" and one of my aunt's had a vertebral fracture that left her permanently looking at the floor. My mother has had a sacral fracture that caused nerve damage, leaving her totally incontinent. That has severely impacted her quality of life. However, at this point, I'm inclined to take my chances. It's one thing for Simvastatin to give me slightly high liver values, the liver is good at regenerating. Kidneys are a different story. I'm not sure how much I'm willing to risk damaging my kidneys to reduce my fracture risk. After all, 2 out of 4 of my closest female reatives did not have any significant fractures. I really should have paid more attention in my statistics class.

[Crankin]

Thanks, Jean. I guess I have to take my chances. No one had any fractures, but my grandmother lost like 3 inches and had a hump. My mom had, now that I think of it, may have had fractures, but it was totally related to the meds she took for her liver disease, which accelerated the osteo.stuff. On the other hand, my grandmother lived until 92 and died of something else. My mom was extremely athletic for someone of her generation, but she died at the young age of 67 from her liver disease, which was viral/contracted in utero, from what she told me.
I see my gyn. Friday and will take it from there. I've been having a lot of back and hip issues, which I've been told is a disc, but maybe it's related to this? I am frustrated! I look young for my age, but I think my body is giving out. What good has 30 years of exercise done for me????

[tctrek]

I had osteopenia about 7 years ago. I took Actonel for a little over a year and put all the bone back + added some. Just found out that I have it again only this time they told me to treat it with calcium/Vit D for a couple of months and then test again.

It's sad that you can't tolerate the standard meds, because they really work.

[Crankin]

I saw my gyn. yesterday; I will be seeing an endocrinologist (one I saw for thyroid nodules, so no new doctor, thankfully) and she had her assistant draw blood to test my Vitamin D levels right there in the office. She also gave me a list of calcium rich foods, which included a few things that I didn't know (did you know cumin has a lot of calcium?).
My gyn lost 115 lbs. in 2005. She now is a tri-athlete. I used to see her at the gym, where she compulsively goes everyday at 5:30 AM. Anyway, she just completed a half marathon, so I got a whole earful about that. She keeps telling me she is still "scared" to ride on the road for the most part and how her DH is not active like mine, hence, she goes to the gym and trains early in the AM, so it doesn't interfere with her family life and delivering babies. Although I was the same way at her age, it seems like she has replaced one addiction for another...
Anyway, she gave me a big lecture about not getting down about the osteoporosis because even people who lead super healthy life styles get stuff.

[Biciclista]

Interesting gynecologist you have. She's right. and I think you're young enough to turn it around.