Osteoporosis drugs and reflux?

[Tappingirl]

Recently diagnosed with osteoporosis (age 60). Very active and healthy except for having reflux. My gp wants me to go on a biophosphanate (sp?) medication, but I've read that those don't jive well with reflux. Anyone taking a prescription drug for both reflux and osteoporosis? How is that working for you?

[kimmw728]

hi

Has your gp done any work up to determine the cause or is he/she saying age? Did you have a fracture that led to this? Dr Doug Lucas has a lot of information on his YouTube channel. Maybe you can watch and talk to your GP about it? I am 56 and dealing with a similar situation. I hope this helps.

[Tappingirl in reply to kimmw728]

Thanks kimmw728. No fractures! I'm in very good health apart from this and reflux..doing all the things I'm supposed to do. My gp recommended doing a dexa scan when I turned 60 (maybe due to my build? Tall & small boned). Dexa showed a -3 for my spine, so I'm still recovering from that shocker! Doc sent me a note this morning and said no problem taking Fosamax and Pantoprazole together. I guess we'll see

[kimmw728 in reply to Tappingirl]

my numbers are the same. I am going with quality supplements and exercise. My PCP is open to this and some blood work. There is alot more to bone density than just dexa. I am looking for a center that offers REMS imaging to help me figure this out. It is so frustrating!!! I hope things go well!!

[Skinnyblue in reply to Tappingirl]

Be careful with Fosamax. Check webmd or Rx.org to check latest info. It was found to be causing hip fractures in elder women.

[Raleigh59]

I am 60 and live in North Carolina.

My numbers are very bad. I finally decided to try bisphosphonate even one tablet just to try it. My dr recommended actonel for less side effects. Then my insurance said they don’t cover that unless you try fosamax and Boniva first. So I guess now I have to try those first and I will see what happens.

[Tappingirl in reply to Raleigh59]

Raleigh59 let me know how it goes for you. I messaged my doc this morning, telling him I'm willing to give it a go. A compression fracture in my spine is just too horrifying of a possibility to not do anything.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Tappingirl]

hi what city are you in ? I am in Raleigh NC. I picked up fosamax generic daily tablet 10 mg today and looks like I might do just half a pill and see what happens.

[Cologne1 in reply to Raleigh59]

I was on Actonel for many years and then my insurance company changed it to a non formulary drug and wanted me to go on Fosamax or Boniva. I refused and they turned around and refused to cover the Actonel. I went off medicine completely. The insurance companies don't want to cover medicines that they think are too expensive so that's probably why they won't cover it even if it might help you. The insurance companies are calling the shots these days never mind what the doctor prescribes. There is something wrong with this whole system.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Cologne1]

Tell me why you didn’t want to try fosomax or Boniva ?

I’ve decided to go through the insurance route the way they want people to. If I get side effects then they keep trying medicines until I don’t have a side effect. I talked to the insurance company and they said it is called a step process. They start with the lowest priced medicine and keep increasing in price as you have side effects. Possibly that depends on the insurance .

[Cologne1 in reply to Raleigh59]

Shortly after going on Actonel I begin to experience heartburn. It does not affect everyone that way. You could take it and not have any issues all at. I was on Actonel for almost 11 years and suffered with the heartburn and never had any real big improvement with my bones. The doctor chose not to put me on Fosamax because she felt it was slightly harder on the stomach. At the time I started medication, Boniva was not out yet and came out about a year later. Years later my employer got a new insurance carrier and they wanted me to switch medication. I tried to fight it and had my doctor's office talk to them to no avail. The heartburn was becoming too much and I felt it would probably be even worse with the other drugs and that is why I stopped the medication. Of course, my doctor was not happy and wanted me to go on Prolia and after seeing what the side effects were I refused. Other people have had good results taking medication so you need to consult with your doctor and decide what is best for you and what your insurance company will work with.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Cologne1]

yes understand so you had burps ? My pharmacist said not getting worse means the medicine is helping .

[dcdream in reply to Cologne1]

my mom went through the same route as you except she was off meds for about 5 years and then had a reclast. The last 5 years she gained a huge hump, fractured both wrists and shoulder. She has what appears to be now, brittle bones, which is common for those on meds for many years off and on, as dictated. I'm not taking meds but focusing on maintaining balance, correct posture, diet, exercise, etc to avoid fractures, which is exactly why the meds exist. There are other ways to avoid fractures without meds as I mention above. Like you all, I'm frustrated because I feel my options are limited and big corporations are not bothering to develop better meds without side effects, even though they know 35% + go off the meds due to side effects.

[Raleigh59 in reply to dcdream]

I think there’s a focus on side effects of gastro intestinal problems but I read bisphosphonates also cause anxiety and depression.

Its possible these side effects are not explained to the public.

I am not an angry type but how do women know where to accept the risk of the bisphosphonates and where they do more harm than good. I read 1/3 of women who take bisphosphonates still fracture.

I am ok with taking bisphosphonates if I don’t have side effects. But millions of women cannot do them with all the many side effects.

My friend said you have to take a medicine 3 x to see if the side effects go away.

[TWEETYCAT in reply to dcdream]

Your are so right. So many natural alternatives that drugs companies don't want us to know about. There only goal in life is to make money and not our health. It's frightening what is really doing on behind the scenes of these companies. I'm like you, I'm 68 and don't take any medications. I actually refuse to and my doctor is fine with it.

[jaqre]

Hi - The medication you are taking for reflux may be contributing to your osteoporosis. PPIs have an increased risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies which can have an impact on your bones. Confirm it with your doctor and maybe they can switch you to a different reflux medication. I weaned off of prevacid and only use pepcid if needed. Hope that helps.

[Skinnyblue]

Just general comments. Verify use of Fosamax. Few years ago, had seen in TV, there were many lawsuits. It caused fractures in many elderly women. Check latest Update, if they have improved formula.

***** Do not take too much Calcium alone. It has to be taken with 50 % magnesium, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2 ( MK7), as well as boron.

***** Better option, drink two cups bone broth everyday

Make your own bone broth from chicken bones.

***** Add resistance training and weight lifting exercises, walking and climbing stairs at home.

***** If you have lost teeth early or have partially broken teeth, that is a sign of too much Calcium -- brittle bones.

******* One doctor in California, has a formula to increase bone density. I am not allowed to post it here. Any one interested, send me private message.

****** If any one has type 2 diabetes, there is a good chance to have vitamin D ( d3) deficiency which can affect calcium absorption and lower bone density.

******* Osteoporosis is NOT reversible. But doing exercises and taking medicine or supplements along with nutrient dense diet can prevent further deterioration.

****** WebMd, Mayo Clinic has good info.

******* Three most common medicines for Osteoporosis are Fosamax, Boniva and Prolia. Each one has side effects.

[TWEETYCAT in reply to Skinnyblue]

Magnesium and calcium should not be taken together. They fight each other for absorbancy in your stomach/system. Studies show to take calcium and magnesium at least 2 hours apart. I was not aware of this until a few years ago and glad I found it through my research.

[DakotaMae in reply to Skinnyblue]

very helpful info! have recently read there is a suspected connection of osteoporosis and gut biome. Wonder how many of us fit in that category. I was diagnosed at 60 after a lifetime of being small (not overly skinny) and extremely fit.

[Skinnyblue]

Very sad to know that some of you are under age 60 and have this issue. I understand, women have this issue after menopause. ****** If you are over 65 and have Medicare , you should complain to Medicare if certain medicine is not covered.

***** If no medicare, age under 65, and private insurance does not cover -- I strongly suggest to talk to other friends in your town, at work, church etc to have awareness and than meet in person or write letters to your state senators and HR.

****** If not covered, how expensive is it ??

May be try for six months , pay out of pocket, and see if helps.

[Pte82]

Tappingirl, search on thiamine for your reflux. Thiamine requires magnesium to become activated. Magnesium threonate and two forms of thiamine, benfotiamine and TTFD, have an easier time passing through the blood brain barrier than other forms. The brain and the vagus nerve needs activated thiamine to control the function of the sphincter valve together with other digestive functions and may be an answer for your reflux, it was for me. Mine was so bad I was spitting it out! Also be aware of phytic acid in foods as it impairs mineral absorption possibly contributing to loss of bone. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.

[HeronNS]

Although this hasn't really come up in this thread, I'd like to suggest before you take any OP drugs that you read my story. As you are in good health, have no previous "fragility" fractures, and are able to keep active, you may find you don't really need medication. if you are of slender build (naturally small boned) the one-size-fits-all DXA scan may read you as having osteoporosis. I dont want to tell you not to take medication if you decide it is the right choice for you, but do look at the alternative:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

osteoporosis.ca/medical-con...

[lgd333]

I'm on Risedronate Sodium for osteoporosis and take Lansoprazole for acid reflux. Seems to work for me.