Strontium Ranelate experiences?

[DeannaAlphi]

To take or not to take Strontium Ranelate? Has anyone had good results from taking it? I'd appreciate any information on people's experiences positive or negative. When I researched medications I was drawn to Stontium Ranelate because the claim is that it slows breakdown of osteoclasts and also promotes the formation of new osteoclasts. However, at the time it had been taken off the prescription list. It is now being prescribed again, I'll be seeing a rhematologist soon and have to review my decision. So far I have stayed medication free, except for supplements. Has anyone had good results from taking it? Thank you. Dido xx

[HeronNS]

Just fyi, there is a naturally occurring form of strontium, strontium citrate, which is considerably cheaper and more available as not a patented prescription med. It's considered a normal supplement. I think there are pluses and minuses for both, ranelate may be more bioavailable, but it also comes with a few more possible risks as well as the additional cost. Sorry I can't answer your question directly as I've felt no need to include this element in my regimen but I know others have and will no doubt be along to let you know about their experiences.

[LynneH-19 in reply to HeronNS]

I take it for the reasons you state. I live in the UK and have it on ‘free’ prescription. The down side is that I haven’t had a DEXA scan since 2013 as all strontium causes an inaccurate result. That said (touch wood) I haven’t broken any more bones since starting taking it in 2011.

I believe t’s still restricted to patients who HAVEN’T got either heart or circulatory problems,

Best wishes

[Jumpey in reply to LynneH-19]

Hi.What does Strontium do to scan results please? I have started taking it am not aware of this.x

[LynneH-19 in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey

Strontium has a greater density than Ca, so the DEXA scanner will measure this higher reading. When some strontium gets incorporated into the bone, the DEXA scan will be unable to tell the Ca and Strontium apart, therefore give a higher density reading overall, because of the presence of the strontium.

You cannot correct the score to allow for the strontium because there's no way of estimating what percentage of strontium is present in the bone. I assume this varies from person to person.

Servier who made the original SR said that the DEXA score could be out by as much as 50%.

Please also see my next comment to Met00

[Jumpey in reply to LynneH-19]

Cheers.xx

[Met00]

I've read of people in the US taking strontium citrate (strontium ranelate isn't available on prescription there) and stopping fracturing, but also that it doesn't work for everyone. The normal dose of the citrate (supplement) form is 680mg daily, whereas the normal dose of the ranelate (prescription) form is 2g daily, although I'm not sure if those doses refer to the strontium content alone - if they do, you're obviously getting much more strontium in ranelate than in citrate, so it's more likely to be effective. I've read research about ranelate that shows it is effective in reducing fractures. It's not recommended for anyone with kidney or cardiovascular problems, but otherwise is generally considered safe. I don't know if it's been in use long enough to know of any side-effects from long-term use. As far as cost is concerned, if you're in the UK and have to pay for prescriptions, it's possible to buy strontium citrate for a similar price (£12.99 for 45 days) to a UK prescription for ranelate (£9 for 30 days). Of course if you get free prescriptions, you wouldn't have to pay for ranelate!

[LynneH-19 in reply to Met00]

Hi Met00

Ref your comment about the quantity of elemental strontium in SR compared with Strontium citrate.

I cannot actually find a comment about this in the SR data, BUT I just happen to have an empty bottle of Dr's Best Strontium Bone Maker, which I saved for reference and looking at the assay on the label it states;

Strontium elemental 680 mg from 1944 mg of strontium citrate.

the 1944 mg of strontium citrate, is virtually the same overall 'compound' quantity as the 2 g ( 2000 mg) of the Strontium ranelate compound in the single dose packet.

I therefore assume that the quantities of elemental strontium is the same in both.

Hope this makes sense to you.

Best wishes

[Met00 in reply to LynneH-19]

It does make sense thanks. That's assuming the 2g strontium ranelate dose refers to the compound and not to the elemental strontium.

[Lynndeb]

Hi Dido,

I'm in the UK and I've been taking Strontium Citrate for about 3 years, although the last year has been a little bit hit and miss. I have since had a DEXA and my spine had moved back into osteopenia from osteoporotic, but my femur neck had deteriorated very slightly and is still osteoporotic.

I have ME/CFS and have not been able to exercise for the past year, which to me explains the femur neck deterioration, and I am now able to be more active and therefore hope to change this.

What I will say, is that I'm a small, slim, 5'2" and I have small bones, which I've read are harder to read accurately. My real test for my bone health came last summer when I was so busy looking upwards at stunning buildings that I fell over a small bollard - highly amusing. But that aside, my full weight was taken on my outstretched arm/wrist (silly I know, but it was either that or my face!), and my shin and ankle. The ankle had an actual dent in it and my shin was very sore, but just for a few hours. I did not break or fracture any bones, which tells me that it's about healthy, bouncy bones and not necessarily about how bone density shows up on a DEXA scan. No, I did not fall on my hip, so I don't know how that would have faired, but my wrists are tiny and it took a lot of weight.

I hope this helps! Lynn

[DeannaAlphi in reply to Lynndeb]

Hi Lynn Yes it does help. 2 years ago I was 5ft 5, small bones and slim. Am now 5ft 2 and putting on weight due to inactivity. Back in Nov fell and broke my wrist, have lost the end of one forearm bone, it looks deformed and is still painful. Am trying to get strength back in my fingers and they may well yet still operate. Have been ardently anti drugs until now. Posts like yours will help me to ditch the fears and try something. Thank you. Dido xx

[Lynndeb in reply to DeannaAlphi]

Oh Dido, I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, the outcome, and your height loss. It might help to look at Lani Simpson's website, which is lanisimpson.com and there is another specialist in New England but I can't think of his name at the moment. He's a long distance runner, or similar, and has had severe osteoporosis and for a time, had to take bisphosphonates in order to manage his bone density. When I remember his name, I'll let you know. I just found him on Amazon: R.Keith McCormick. Also, Margaret Martin has published a very good book focusing on exercises based around bone health. One day at a time... Lynn xx

[DeannaAlphi in reply to Lynndeb]

Hi. Yes I follow Margaret Martin. I have her book Better Bones and I get her emails in which she sends free mini videos sometimes. She is very good.

[LynneH-19 in reply to Lynndeb]

HI Lynne deb

Ref your comment: " it's about healthy, bouncy bones and not necessarily about how bone density shows up on a DEXA scan"

You have hit the nail of the head, your comment is so true! We get obsessed about DEXA scan numbers, but its bone flexibility and strength that really matters.

When I was looking through my Servier information about SR, for my reply to Met00, within the 'mechanism of action' section, apart from reference to osteoblasts and osteoclasts, it also mentioned that SR increased collagen synthesis in bone cell culture.

I keep going on about we need quality protein, to help maintain our bone matrix ie framework, which is composed of the protein collagen, as this is what gives bones its strength and flexibility,

I was completely forgetting that SR also helps with collagen production!

Best wishes

[Bookwormlover]

Hi I have been on Strontium Ranalate for 9 years with no problems at all, in 2008 my T score Spine was -4.1 at my last dexa scan in 2018 my spine was 2.6. due for another dexa in 2021 & my consultant will then think about me stopping it if my dexa results are ok.

[DeannaAlphi in reply to Bookwormlover]

Wow that is an impressive improvement. My spine is -4.2. Two years ago it was 3.7 so my bone density is getting more fragile despite my many efforts to improve it naturally. I know that SR is similar to calcium although the molecule which attaches to the bone is heavier than calcium. Thank you for sharing this, it's the highest improvement figure I have heard of so far. Well done you. You must be doing lots of things right. Dido xx

[Bookwormlover in reply to DeannaAlphi]

Hi Dido & Jumpey, I was started quite a few years ago on the daily injections of Teriparatide for 18 months, my problems started because of an early menopause at 40, you can only have those injections for a limited time. I was then put on Ibandronate 3 monthly injections, I managed 3 injections over the 9 months but they had to be stopped because they gave me terrible headaches which lasted 10 weeks out of the 12, then put on Strontium Ranalate, am also on Desunin which is Vitamin D as my levels were low. I am housebound/wheelchair bound because I have severe M.E. Maybe my dexa scan results vary because my last 3 scans have been on different scanners.

I know I am more at risk of heart problems etc which my consultant has pointed out but I have just turned 71 so what with not being mobile it is a bit risky for me,but my bones have been so fragile in the past they have just fractured by turning over in bed or just bending down, and I have lost 5 inches in height and a dower's hump as they call it on my back.

[DeannaAlphi in reply to Bookwormlover]

I'm so sorry that you really have had a hard time of things. Wish you the best. Dido xx

[Bookwormlover in reply to DeannaAlphi]

Thank you very much Dido, good luck to you too.x

[Jumpey in reply to Bookwormlover]

Wow brilliant result

Fab for you. What else do you do?x

[walk21]

I have taken strontium ranelate for twelve years before it was taken off the market. I had previously had four vertebral fractures. In those twelve years my T-score went from -3.74 to -2.9 in my spine, and this score was given after some adjustment for strontium being more dense than calcium in the bones. After strontium ranelate was withdrawn I had one Prolia injection, but will not continue that now SR is available again. There are strong warnings with the new SR packs about cardiac problems, and I have agreed with my GP that I will think again if ever I become housebound. At present I am quite active. There used to be a suggestion that we should stop SR if we are having planned surgery (I think 14 days beforehand) in case it might cause blood clots. I have had no side effects; just the inconvenience of having to take it at night and avoid milky drinks or indigestion remedies at that time.

[DeannaAlphi in reply to walk21]

Hi. Thank you so much. I'm feeling more confident to give it a try as a result of positive feedback like yours. Thank you again. Dido xx

[walk21 in reply to DeannaAlphi]

I hope it works for you. Any OP medication is a long term thing, so we just have to use what we can manage and hope! nI too like the idea that SR helps new bone growth.

[Lynndeb]

Hi, yes of course. I've been taking 600mg strontium citrate and the make is KLAIRE LABS. I get it through a UK doctor who specialises in ME/CFS.

I did take Boron, but I discontinued when I was diagnosed with CKD a couple of years ago. Having CKD means being very careful with how you supplement.

I was diagnosed with osteopenia years ago, but 5 years ago I went through a chronic highly stressful situation, lost a lot of weight, and then my hair began to shed. I suggested to my gp that my thyroid levels were checked and they came back ok. But 1.5 years ago I was finally diagnosed with a thyroid issue, which I think was triggered by the stress, and of course the thyroid plays a huge role in how our body functions, including bone health...

I'm by no means an expert in any of this, but I do hope this information is of help and I wish you the very best. Lynn

PS... are those two Norwegian Forest cats on your profile! They're beautiful, as is your mosaic background!

[Lynndeb]

You're very welcome!

I can't recall where I learnt about Boron, but I make sure I eat plenty of apples and leafy green vegetables nowadays, and try to eat a less acidic diet.

Yes I take it at night, and personally I don't take a calcium supplement, again I appear to get it enough of it through food, although I eat very little dairy, preferring to get it through vegetables.

I believe that if you take calcium you should NOT take it close to your strontium as strontium being the heavier element, would replace the calcium in the bone.

Ideally it is calcium that you want in your bones, that's why vitamin K2MK7 is so important because it helps activate the calcium you eat.

It's really helpful to have your vitamins and minerals tested.

I'm just muddling through and trying to learn as I go along, but I hope my suggestions give you ideas for your own research.

[Lynndeb]

Well personally I just eat a well balances diet. I do eat chicken and fish and a good mix of vegetables, fruit and other fibre and good fats etc. I don't buy processed food, and I buy organic and free range where possible. I stay well hydrated with water and have one good coffee in the morning. Some will have animal protein three times a day, on the whole I have it once a day. I don't eat lots of sugary fruits and I certainly don't drink canned drinks and by body doesn't like alcohol.

I think it's a question of balance, so I have a weekly Mars bar! And when I don't want to listen to my body I'll have some good wine! When I was first diagnosed I was very strict with myself, and if my bone health decreases then I will be again.