I''m really worried about going on any medication. The side effect saying it causes 'jaw bone death' and 'femur fractures' freaks me out. Why would medication that is supposed to build your bone also destroy them?
My oral surgeon has told me not to take anything because I've had so many emergency tooth problems (pulled teeth, bone graphs, implants, root canals ) and also have an infection along with them. So going off something for 3 months before dental surgery doesn't sound very helpful when a bad tooth is screaming at me.
But my bone doctor tells me I'm in great danger of breaking something if I don't start a treatment.
I'm really dismayed and at a loss of what to do.
Written by
dunehens
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"Can some types of osteoporosis drugs actually hurt my bones?
Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D.
Certain types of osteoporosis drugs have been associated with an increased risk of two rare but serious problems — osteonecrosis of the jaw and an unusual type of fracture in the upper thigh bone (femur).
Osteonecrosis of the jaw may develop after a minor injury, such as getting a tooth pulled, and shows up as a delay in healing.
An impending atypical femoral fracture can cause pain in the thigh or groin that begins subtly and gradually worsens. It sometimes develops in both legs at once. If untreated, a complete fracture of the femur requiring surgery can occur even with normal weight-bearing.
Bisphosphonates — such as alendronate (Fosamax, Binosto), risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), ibandronate (Boniva) and zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa) — and denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva) have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femoral fractures.
The risk appears to increase with the length of time the drugs are taken.
In addition to treating osteoporosis, bisphosphonates and denosumab are also used to treat cancer that has spread to the bone. ....
As with all medications, you and your health care provider should discuss the benefits of the medications to lower the risk of broken bones and their resulting disability, along with the side effects,,.
Hit your bone thinning hard - with nutrition, supplements and whatever approprite exercsie you can manage. Have a look at my story for some ideas. There is increasing evidence that natural means can help. I've just read on another HU thread (Bone Health) about a woman in her 80s who has imcreased her bone density by 10%. Near the end of this thread:
I’m no expert but if my dental surgeon who sounds as if he knows your circumstances well, advises against bone medication then I would follow his advice. I would also read what HeronNS has suggested and work on your nutrition and weight bearing exercise.Good luck - it’s quite a dilemma - I’ve been there myself.
You say your bone doctor tells you you're in great danger of breaking something, but do you know what he's basing that on? Have you already had a fragility fracture (little or no impact)? What are your t-scores? Do you have other factors that raise your fracture risk? My GP told me I could end up in a wheelchair or worse if I didn't take the meds, yet the DEXA report said I didn't need medication!
dunehens, like HeronNS has mentioned it was my mother who reversed severe osteoporosis without drugs. If you click on the link HeronNS provided you can see what she used. Look into adding delta tocotrienol and boron for your dental bone building. In addition to being a bone builder, delta tocotrienol offers benefits for periodontal ligament fibroblasts. See the attached link. Boron is often overlooked for bone health and tooth health but is a regular Builder Bob when things look beyond hope. I encourage you to research this information as it will not only benefit your immediate concern but your whole body as well. Dr Weston Price a Canadian dentist discovered something he called Activator X that has a positive effect on dental health. Search on "Dr Weston Price Activator X" for an interesting read. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.
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