Osteopenia

[Greenginger12]

I have ostepenia in neck and hip

The rheumatology consultant has started me on risedronate 35mg once a week and calcium vitamin d

Is there any alternative to this medication?

Also in applying for pip benefit any advice please ? I live in N.I

Thanks inadavance

[HeronNS]

First of all medication is NOT recommended if you have only osteopenia, aka low bone mass, not osteoporosis. There are many risks and side effects involved with all the bone medications so they should be reserved for times when their benefits outweigh the risks.

It is possible for people even with osteoporosis to improve their bone density without the use of medication, so it's disappointing that doctors don't seem to realize that people with osteopenia (low bone mass) should be given the chance to improve their bone density through nutrition, supplements and appropriate exercise.

Calcium and Vitamin D are a start. Please add Vitamin K2 (not K1) if you can. And have a read of my account of my early days of dealing with a diagnosis of low bone mass:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Greenginger12 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you for your advice very interesting

[MCW22 in reply to Greenginger12]

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia and it WAS recommended that I take medication as I had already had a fracture

[HeronNS in reply to MCW22]

I believe they weigh the risks. I'd had a fracture, although I dispute whether it was a "fragility fracture" and that was one of three risk factors they considered when advising I should take a bisphosphonate. I've also been taking prednisone for PMR and this was a further risk factor. But if the only risk factor is a low bone mass diagnosis I think that is not considered enough reason to take medication. I believe it's something called FRAX, which gives a wider picture of the risks of fracture than just a DXA scan.

[AnnieW55 in reply to MCW22]

I have osteopaenia, broke my neck of femur and was put on Alendronate Acid by the hospital (I suspect “as a matter of course”). However I stopped them due to side effects after a couple of tablets and starting to do my research. My fracture was not a frailty one though, it was a high impact stress fracture.

[sweetsusie]

You shouldn't be taking any meds for osteopenia...so go off this immediately...and do not let them talk you into ANY of the bone meds in the future, if/when you develop osteoporosis...these meds should all be taken off the market...please do research about these before letting them talk you into them!

[MCW22 in reply to sweetsusie]

The people on here shouldn't be telling you what you should and shouldn't be taking. They should only give advice and support and share their own experiences. Your Drs are the ones who are medically trained and have access to your records. Listen to them and what they recommend. Do some research and maybe try what they say to see how it goes before commiting.

Carol

[Kaarina in reply to MCW22]

Well said MCW22. We are not medically trained and have no access to your records.

Knowledge is power. Find out as much information as possible from all sources and then make up your own mind.

[sweetsusie in reply to Kaarina]

We may not be medically trained but have much experiences with these awful bone meds, and the doctors DO NOT give this information to their patients when prescribing them....their heads are stuck in the sand regarding osteoporosis....

[sweetsusie in reply to MCW22]

Just trying to give a warning to this person, because these bone meds are terrible.

[Nanaedake]

You need to discuss risks and benefits with your doctor and then make up your own mind. There is good information on the Royal Osteoporosis website and the Canadian Osteoporosis society website and other reliable places too. If you have been prescribed weekly tablets you can always stop taking them if they don't suit you and discuss it with your doctor.