Announcements
Welcome to the WebMD Osteoporosis Exchange with experts from the National Osteoporosis Foundation who rotate their time here.
Includes Expert Content
What are my options, NOW?
chia6000 posted:
Hello, I have looked at the many posts in this forum and am impressed with the knowledge of its members and healthcare experts who provide valuable information: thank you all so much! I am a 33 year old female. with osteoporosis: t scores of -3. I have taken Actonel/Bonniva in the past, with pretty uncomfortable side effects(even when taken as prescribed- I know the empty stomach requirements, etc), and gave up. I stil take calcium/ Vit D , but irregularly, as they seem to effect my digestion negatively. My last Bone scan showed a worse score than previous ones, and my doctor strongly urged me to start something again. Forteo sounds pretty effective with reasonable /manageable methods of taking it (I can "stomach" injections much better than actually taking pills!) but my insurance provider says they won't cover it- what else can I do? Any thoughts or suggestions would be GREAT. I did have my doctor agree to try to appeal it to get it covered, but it is not looking good.
Thanks for any help!
Erin
Thanks for any help!
Erin
75 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Hello, I have looked at the many posts in this forum and am impressed with the knowledge of its members and healthcare experts who provide valuable information: thank you all so much! I am a 33 year old female. with osteoporosis: t scores of -3. I have taken Actonel/Bonniva in the past, with pretty uncomfortable side effects(even when taken as prescribed- I know the empty stomach requirements, etc), and gave up. I stil take calcium/ Vit D , but irregularly, as they seem to effect my digestion negatively. My last Bone scan showed a worse score than previous ones, and my doctor strongly urged me to start something again. Forteo sounds pretty effective with reasonable /manageable methods of taking it (I can "stomach" injections much better than actually taking pills!) but my insurance provider says they won't cover it- what else can I do? Any thoughts or suggestions would be GREAT. I did have my doctor agree to try to appeal it to get it covered, but it is not looking good. <br /> Thanks for any help!<br /><br />Erin
Sorry I can't help you with that one. Never heard of anybody having extra belly fat from Forteo. Now, I know as we age we can get a "spare tire," but the timing is suspicious. Be curious to see what happens when you complete the treatment.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Sorry I can't help you with that one. Never heard of anybody having extra belly fat from Forteo. Now, I know <i>as we age</i> we can get a "spare tire," but the timing is suspicious. Be curious to see what happens when you complete the treatment.
Thanks I too will keep a watch.
Determinedsandy replied to osteotex's response:
The name is Algecal they have a web page goggle it. I bought the tablets from their web page there is also alot of good reading on their site. I am on the gluten free diet nearly 3 years now, i do believe its a good diet for bone health as alot of the grains i eat instead of wheat have an alkaline effect on the body and i have done alot of reading into acid v's alkaline diets and the effects acid forming foods have on our bone health, Vivian Goldsmith talks about this topic in the 'save our bones' programme. Since my first bone scan in several years ago to my last in jan2011 my bones have improved my specalist said its a combination of the gluten free diet and the foreto. I dont know when ill get my nxt scan they say every 2 years is enough. Hope this helps!!
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?The name is Algecal they have a web page goggle it. I bought the tablets from their web page there is also alot of good reading on their site. I am on the gluten free diet nearly 3 years now, i do believe its a good diet for bone health as alot of the grains i eat instead of wheat have an alkaline effect on the body and i have done alot of reading into acid v's alkaline diets and the effects acid forming foods have on our bone health, Vivian Goldsmith talks about this topic in the 'save our bones' programme. Since my first bone scan in several years ago to my last in jan2011 my bones have improved my specalist said its a combination of the gluten free diet and the foreto. I dont know when ill get my nxt scan they say every 2 years is enough. Hope this helps!!
nannywiz1938 replied to PVTEYE1's response:
I just found out at 73 yrs. old that I have severe osteroprosis. Just found out about it and am getting off "arimidex" for breast caner the 21st. of Oct., so I have to be careful what I can take until then. What I am going to try is "calcitonin nose spray: They had to ordered it, it is one of the oldest drugs and someone said it was costly. Anyway I will start it tomorrow when it's delievered and then plan on taking "reclast" when I am thru with Rimidex. My cancer doctor suggested it, give it once a year and he said none of his patents complained on it. Just wanted to let you know there are other ones that no one takes about. I will let you know about it, I have to inhale it and heard it can irritate you nose. Good luck to you. Nannywiz
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?I just found out at 73 yrs. old that I have severe osteroprosis. Just found out about it and am getting off "arimidex" for breast caner the 21st. of Oct., so I have to be careful what I can take until then. What I am going to try is "calcitonin nose spray: They had to ordered it, it is one of the oldest drugs and someone said it was costly. Anyway I will start it tomorrow when it's delievered and then plan on taking "reclast" when I am thru with Rimidex. My cancer doctor suggested it, give it once a year and he said none of his patents complained on it. Just wanted to let you know there are other ones that no one takes about. I will let you know about it, I have to inhale it and heard it can irritate you nose. Good luck to you. Nannywiz
nannywiz1938 responded:
Hello, I just started my new medicine this morning: Calcitonin Nasal Spray for my osteroprosis. I am always scared when I first started a new med. Don't get me wrong, I have gone thru Pshco medicine and am still take something for my nerves and always will do that. I had Breast cancer 5 years ago and had the lump removed and ended up (mine and my husband's decision) taking Arimidex lmg. that will be completed Oct 21.st. Then 3 days after breast cancer surger I had a heart attack. Was flown to largest town by helicoptor. Am take medicine for that. Now after the Arimidex robbed my Estrogen I have advanced osteroporosis. Now I can truly say I have just about been thru the ringer. ha Oh, I had complete knee replacement 3 years ago. Am a Grand grammie of 2, a grandmother of 6 and a mother of 3. My husband is retired from military and I was a nurse. So really have experience alot. Now I just want to tell thiese people that think there is no other choices. I have started the Calcitonin this morning and so far so good. I will try to keep you up on any side effects. Good Luck with you all. Nannywiz
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Hello, I just started my new medicine this morning: Calcitonin Nasal Spray for my osteroprosis. I am always scared when I first started a new med. Don't get me wrong, I have gone thru Pshco medicine and am still take something for my nerves and always will do that. I had Breast cancer 5 years ago and had the lump removed and ended up (mine and my husband's decision) taking Arimidex lmg. that will be completed Oct 21.st. Then 3 days after breast cancer surger I had a heart attack. Was flown to largest town by helicoptor. Am take medicine for that. Now after the Arimidex robbed my Estrogen I have advanced osteroporosis. Now I can truly say I have just about been thru the ringer. ha Oh, I had complete knee replacement 3 years ago. Am a Grand grammie of 2, a grandmother of 6 and a mother of 3. My husband is retired from military and I was a nurse. So really have experience alot. Now I just want to tell thiese people that think there is no other choices. I have started the Calcitonin this morning and so far so good. I will try to keep you up on any side effects. Good Luck with you all. Nannywiz
bonebabe replied to nannywiz1938's response:
Good for you and the progress you've made. Please do keep us informed and best of luck to you!
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Good for you and the progress you've made. Please do keep us informed and best of luck to you!
nannywiz1938 replied to bonebabe's response:
Hi this is Nannywiz again, still taking Calcitonin-Salmon Nasal Spray for a month. I checked with my military insurance and I can get this thru the mail for 3 months supply for $22. I decided I would just stay with this and pray it is working. Still having no side effects. Every once in awhile I feel a funny feeling around a bone in my body and am thinking maybe this is the meds. I take calcium 600 and Vit D 400 twice a day also. Even do alittle exercise in the house and walked up and down our stairs 4 or 5 times yesterday. I know I should walk and my husband would walk with me but I have fallen 3 times in the last 3 years and hurt 2 ribs, bruised my hip and bruised myself alittle. and am scared I would fall dowm or trip. Have several canes but just haven't got to that. One Doctor gave me Voltren cream to put on my fingers (just for fingers) and that works great for that. Thought I would let you all know it's 1 month completed and I don't think I want to change meds. God Bless all of you. Nannywiz
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Hi this is Nannywiz again, still taking Calcitonin-Salmon Nasal Spray for a month. I checked with my military insurance and I can get this thru the mail for 3 months supply for $22. I decided I would just stay with this and pray it is working. Still having no side effects. Every once in awhile I feel a funny feeling around a bone in my body and am thinking maybe this is the meds. I take calcium 600 and Vit D 400 twice a day also. Even do alittle exercise in the house and walked up and down our stairs 4 or 5 times yesterday. I know I should walk and my husband would walk with me but I have fallen 3 times in the last 3 years and hurt 2 ribs, bruised my hip and bruised myself alittle. and am scared I would fall dowm or trip. Have several canes but just haven't got to that. One Doctor gave me Voltren cream to put on my fingers (just for fingers) and that works great for that. Thought I would let you all know it's 1 month completed and I don't think I want to change meds. God Bless all of you. Nannywiz
Thoughts on Prolia?
Vibration Therapy?
Vibration Therapy?
Our medical director, who is an osteoporosis expert and is on the board of ISCD, says that Prolia is not to be used until all other options are tried.
Vibration therapy? Who knows? If you haven't had spinal fractures I don't think it would hurt. I think the main benefit is from being on your feet, not necessarily the vibration.
Vibration therapy? Who knows? If you haven't had spinal fractures I don't think it would hurt. I think the main benefit is from being on your feet, not necessarily the vibration.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Our medical director, who is an osteoporosis expert and is on the board of ISCD, says that Prolia is not to be used until all other options are tried. <br /> <br />Vibration therapy? Who knows? If you haven't had spinal fractures I don't think it would hurt. I think the main benefit is from being on your feet, not necessarily the vibration.
Reclast also has side effects. Mainly hip and upper thigh problems it seems . . . and there is nothing that can be done if these problem occur. I would discourage anyone going that direction. Sometimes my hip and thigh are okay and other times it hurts to walk. And sometimes on the first step I almost fall.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Reclast also has side effects. Mainly hip and upper thigh problems it seems . . . and there is nothing that can be done if these problem occur. I would discourage anyone going that direction. Sometimes my hip and thigh are okay and other times it hurts to walk. And sometimes on the first step I almost fall.
I certainly sympathize with your there. I have the same problem myself. Sometimes carrying groceries up the stair is difficult because I can't put my full weight on my left leg due to the pain in my hip and thigh. But then other times I can run up and down like a teenager. Difference in us is that I don't take osteo meds. A chiropractor works with me.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?I certainly sympathize with your there. I have the same problem myself. Sometimes carrying groceries up the stair is difficult because I can't put my full weight on my left leg due to the pain in my hip and thigh. But then other times I can run up and down like a teenager. Difference in us is that I don't take osteo meds. A chiropractor works with me.
Sigjo responded:
I took Boniva for over 10 years and it did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to prevent my bone loss.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?I took Boniva for over 10 years and it did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to prevent my bone loss.
I was on Boniva for over 10 years and it did NOTHING for me
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?I was on Boniva for over 10 years and it did NOTHING for me
Just curious - can you elaborate? when you say it didn't do anything to prevent your bone loss, were you losing more bone or did you stay the same? Had you had a fracture prior to taking Boniva or did you fracture while on the Boniva? What are your numbers? Do you have an inflammatory illness like Crohn's or IBS or RA? Do you take prednisone? Have you had your Vit D levels checked? Did you consume 1200mg/day of calcium?
Why would you stay on a med for 10 years if it wasn't helping?
Why would you stay on a med for 10 years if it wasn't helping?
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?Just curious - can you elaborate? when you say it didn't do anything to prevent your bone loss, were you losing more bone or did you stay the same? Had you had a fracture prior to taking Boniva or did you fracture while on the Boniva? What are your numbers? Do you have an inflammatory illness like Crohn's or IBS or RA? Do you take prednisone? Have you had your Vit D levels checked? Did you consume 1200mg/day of calcium? <br /> <br />Why would you stay on a med for 10 years if it wasn't helping?
bonebabe, I hope you are still here as I received super info from you two years ago. Am finishing Forteo in a month and wondering what you think of Prolia now as it is being suggested for me. Once again I worry about side effects and reading info makes me crazy. Forteo did amazingly well for me but now what.......? Thanks in advance.
Report This| Share this:What are my options, NOW?bonebabe, I hope you are still here as I received super info from you two years ago. Am finishing Forteo in a month and wondering what you think of Prolia now as it is being suggested for me. Once again I worry about side effects and reading info makes me crazy. Forteo did amazingly well for me but now what.......? Thanks in advance.
Helpful Tips
Reverse osteopenia
For anybody suffering from osteopenia (I just read Gweneth Paltrow has it) please check out site called reversemyosteopenia This site has ... More
Was this Helpful?
1
of
1 found this helpful
- Osteoporosis! Stop it befor stopped u
- Great product for arthritis pain sufferers
- Osteoporosis** There is hope!
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website
Other Osteoporosis Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.