Parkinsons and Osteoporosis medications

[ge1shh]

Hello all. I have both PD and osteoporosis. When I got my PD diagnosis last year, I was on a rest period from all osteoporosis treatments except Vitamin D. My recent bone density tests were not too bad, but the docs are concerned about my PD and want me to resume the osteo medication. This time they suggest a 6 monthly injection of something called denosumab. Does anyone else here juggle with these two conditions? I take Madopar for Parkinsons, which works well for me, and am reluctant to possibly complicate things with other medication. Does anyone else take medication for both PD and osteoporosis, and have there been any complications?

[hopedope]

I have osteopenia, not yet osteoporosis, but was advised last month by my new doctor, a geriatrician, to have a Reclast injection. My osteopenia dexa bone test score was 2.0. Drugs are usually not prescribed until the score is 2.5. I felt I didn't need to be in a hurry for the injection and want to ask my movement disorder specialist about it in November when I go in. Reclast has less side effects the geriatrician said but many patients on the internet had pretty bad reactions. So I too am wondering if anyone on Health Unlocked has experience or questions about these drugs. I have been taking 25/100 CL for 3.5 years now and have no symptoms at all so I don't want to cause any changes!

[park_bear in reply to hopedope]

Reclast is a bisphosphonate, like Fosamax. Fosamax has been shown in large epidemiological studies to increase fracture risk rather than reduce it. Bisphosphonates create an abnormal condition that increases bone density but not bone strength.

Vitamins D & K, and minerals silica and boron, give your body what it needs to move calcium out of the bloodstream, into the bones, to reduce fracture risk and cardiovascular risk. All this is documented extensively in my writings:

When Good Doctors Prescribe Bad Medicine:

tinyurl.com/zvgcu79

How Big Pharma pollutes the scientific record and propagandizes doctors.

Bisphosphonates (Fosamax, etc.) increase fracture risk and should not be on the market.

Statins are effective but dangerous.

Vitamins D and K and a couple of minerals improve bone strength, reduce fracture risk and prevent hardening of the arteries. In so doing they result in better outcomes than both bisphosphonates and statins.

Other hazardous meds and how you can protect yourself.

Vitamins and Minerals for Bone Health and Reduced Risk of Cancer

tinyurl.com/hya5dwd

Vitamin K: Unsung and Essential

tinyurl.com/yd9l4j3q

Details of the vitamins and minerals that improve bone strength, reduce fracture risk, prevent hardening of the arteries, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and reduce cancer risk.

What You Need to Know to Reduce Risk of Hip Fracture and Cardiovascular Disease

tinyurl.com/y8o9jy8u

A review of the foregoing + calcium deposits on teeth as a sign of trouble.

[hopedope in reply to park_bear]

Thank you, ParkBear. I saved the urls you posted. I did tell my new doctor that I am very proactive so she may understand why I didn't make an appointment for the injection yet. I do have a normal level of vitamin D and take 2000ius of it. I may add vitamin K now too. I guess doctors worry more about the bones of people with PD because we can fall more easily. I do have good balance from my 2-3 years of tai chi classes too.

[Dap1948]

I have both osteoporosis (dx 2014) and PD (dx 2010). I refused injections for the osteoporosis and found the walking I do for my PD has increased my bone density since my original diagnosis. I add D3 and K2 and prunes. Lots of research confirms daily prunes - about five or six - improves bone density. They're good for PD constipation too! The injections might slow down the thinning but weight bearing exercise increases bone density.

[hopedope in reply to Dap1948]

I am probably going to continue putting off the injection for 2 years when my next bone density test is due to see if I can get a better score. I will try to walk more on the 3 days that I am not cycling. I agree that prunes are important. They are a good source of boron which is good for bones. I try to eat 3 a day--I know 5 is better. I think raisins can help too. Thank you for pointing out that the injections slow down the thinning but weight bearing exercise is what increases density.

[ge1shh in reply to Dap1948]

Thank you Dap, that's interesting. I might try the prunes, but as yet, since my PD diagnosis,I don't get constipation, in fact the opposite! Must be unusual. I will discuss the suggested resuming of osteo medication with the doctor in Sept. So still time to think about it.

[hopedope]

I looked up denosumab, the drug your doctor advised and it is apparently not a biophosphate. Unlike biophosphates, it is supposed to build bone mass. Since it is injected every 6 months instead of once a year it may be easier to tolerate.

[ge1shh in reply to hopedope]

Thanks for your replies, hopedope

[Macelott2]

My husband dx pd 1984 aged 36 now 70. Dx osteoporosis about 6yrs. I have ra and osteoporosis,we have both had zolendronate infusions yearly for the last few years,without any problems.

[ge1shh in reply to Macelott2]

I had the zolendronic infusion a few years ago and it worked well - but I got an eye condition like persistent conjunctivitis afterwards. That's why they now suggest this other medication. I have an appointment in Sept to discuss it. Hope you and your husband keep reasonably well. Age 36 was a young age for diagnosis.

[Macelott2 in reply to ge1shh]

Yes it's been a long time,I am now 24/7carer,he started getting hallucinations about 7yrs ago so was taken off most of his Parkinson's meds which has resulted in mobility issues,also has associated dementia.

[ge1shh in reply to Macelott2]

Oh that sounds very difficult for you both. I hope you are able to get some support and help. Best wishes to you.

[hopedope in reply to Macelott2]

I'm sorry he is having so much trouble now and for you too trying to care for him.

[hopedope in reply to Macelott2]

It's good to know that you and your husband both had the zolendronate infusions for the last few years and no problems with it. That is the same as Reclast which my new doctor wants me to take.

[Hidden]

ge1shh,

Along with the other great ideas that have been listed here, you can also consider prunes! Yes, that is correct, dried plums can help osteoporosis!

According to the following study, prunes may be the snack fruit of choice for people with osteoporosis. Given that constipation is an established problem for many PWPs, just that much better! Btw, a well established common side effect of denusomab is constipation!

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Given the non invasive nature of prunes, it seems to make plenty of sense to consider it as one of your many options!

Art

[ge1shh in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Since my PD diagnosis, I've had the opposite of constipation and had to change my diet to compensate. Had tests to make sure there was no other condition, but nothing found. I don't particularly want to get constipated either! It all seems to be a juggling act with medication. A few others have also recommended prunes for the osteo.

[Hidden]

ge1shh,

If you are afraid that the prunes may be to potent of a laxative effect, you can also consider the laundry booster borax or boron. I take this one for arthritis, but it also has benefit for osteoporosis as mentioned in the following video by Dr. Flechas. He is also a well known advocate of iodine and others!

youtube.com/watch?v=1-QHgRn...(Not working as expected?)

Art

[pad10]

This was a timely post...i was just diagnosed w/ osteoporosis on Wed. I had Pd 1st. ive been very fearful of the diagnosis...fearful it can't be stopped or reversed, fearful i will have to go on those medications w/dreadful side effects. But thanks to the information in this tread and some of my own research i am feeling more empowered...there are things i can do.

in searching for more information i found a sight if women researchers who specialize in bone health and what works. they have a wealth of information. here is the website. betterbones.com/

also here are a couple of sites w/ video interviews studies on prunes and exercise and BH

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

facebook.com/betterbonesbet...

Lastly i just wanted to share i am going to start on 'Bone Up' by Jarrow. it is a complete bone formula ... not just calcium. it has calc, d3, mag, vit k as mk7, boron, zinc, pot, mang, cop, vc. i have a 78 year old friend with PD who swears by it. She's been taking it for 15 years. Shes had some pretty good tumbles w/ no breaks.

[ge1shh in reply to pad10]

Thanks for all this helpful info Pad10. I've not had chance to look at the links yet, but will do so. It depends on the results of your bone density scans as to whether they will try to persuade you to take medication. And there is no guarantee that the medication will save you from future bone fractures - they just say it should lessen the risk. I was told that being underweight was a big risk factor. I was advised that putting on weight would be surer protection for me than medication. But I'm unable to gain weight, and don't really want to anyway. I will probably take the treatment they are now suggesting (as well as other things that you and others have suggested on here) and just hope it will be okay. I hope it goes well for you too.

[hopedope in reply to ge1shh]

Ge1, I was told that my weight was a risk factor too, although not told I was underweight and not told by my new doctor at the introductory appointment to gain weight (she is however overweight). I like my shape as it is and do not want to gain weight either. I think in January at my next appointment if she still wants me to have an infusion I will mention the one you may use-denosumab--which may satisfy her. But actually I am going to push to put it off until after my next dexa test 2 years from last May.

[hopedope in reply to pad10]

I had forgotten about the Better Bones site. I was reading it several years ago and because of it began eating prunes almost daily. Hard to eat 6 though. I never tried her stewed prunes recipe but may try it now.

[ge1shh in reply to hopedope]

I will have a look at the site. I think I might have gained a bit of weight when I was on osteo medication then lost it afterwards, though that might be coincidental. I did ask the bone doctor recently if there is any indication of weight gain from the bone density medication, and she didn't know. She tried googling it. Well I can do that! In fact I have and it doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere. I think my recent further weight loss is connected with the Parkinson's, though again, they don't confirm that.

[hopedope in reply to ge1shh]

I think weight loss might be associated with PD also. I have lost 10 lb. in the last year, but I like it. It may just be from my 45min of cycling every T, Th, Sat and Sun without fail for a little more than a year. Before that I cycled only 3 days a week. It is such a habit I don't have to think about it. I am going to try to walk more on the other days. I go up and down our stairs many times during the day on purpose. Most PD people are on the thin side it seems.

[ge1shh in reply to hopedope]

I go up and down stairs many times as our house is on 3 levels. I suppose at some stage we will have to move. My main exercise is a Parkinsons 'Rock Steady Boxing' class once a week. It is excellent and I'm sure it helps. But I need to do more.

[hopedope in reply to ge1shh]

Yes, exercise is our new job. Our Rock Steady has 3 classes a week now but they are not good times for me. I like cycling at home in the morning at 45 rpms and 7 tension on my Kaiser bike which is like a spinning class bike. It is nice to do it at home while watching tv. I get very sweaty so can take a shower after. I have a tai chi class one night a week that I drive myself to--about 30 min. The Rock Steady is further away at the Y. If your Rock Steady has more classes you should try to go to them.

[ge1shh in reply to hopedope]

Unfortunately only once a week, and it is a difficult time for me. I can't get there every week. I do bits at home myself, but should also try Tai Chi and other things.

[hopedope in reply to ge1shh]

Keep thinking about ways to add exercise to your life. It is very important. You can even just march around the house every day!

[pad10]

Ge1shh, thank you for sharing your experience....hope things all go well for you also.