Calcium supplements

[Tiredcat]

About a week ago Mrs Nails put up a wonderfully clear and informative post ,about Alendronic Acid. (Mrs Nails, your work is so much appreciated.)

I was very interested to note she says supplements of calcium and Vit D are to be taken AS WELL AS bisphosphonate, if you have osteoporosis, which I do ( lowest T score -2.9 .)

Have I understood what you are saying correctly, Mrs. Nails?

I have had one infusion of Aclasta, due to have another one but feeling dubious about it.

In Professor Dasgupta's webinar last year , I have written down that he said there is no need to take supplements, and he encourages a good intake of calcium naturally, i.e. through dairy etc. Unfortunately I couldnt manage to save the webinar, my computer skills weren't up to it. After hearing that I stopped taking the calcium I had been buying myself. It isn't prescribed here in NZ, though calocalciferol, ( VitD) is.

What does anyone think ? Did anyone else note Dr Daspupta saying no need to take calcium? Did I pick that up incorrectly?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Most people take the VitD/ calcium supplement- and it’s recommended in the management guidelines....plus AA is also recommended if required...for people in your situation -

“Bone protection - Weekly bisphosphonate and calcium/vitamin D supplementation”

First author mentioned - Prof - DasGupta!

I took AA as I was regarded susceptible- family history/early hysterectomy & v, high doses for GCA.

Fortunately all okay, so stopped at 4 year period (then recommended a reappraisal at 5 years) - but continued supplements after finishing Pred - at GPs suggestion..

Report from DEXAscan two years showed no osteopenia, but recommended continuing supplement...which I have.

[Tiredcat in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your reply, Dorset Lady. I must have misunderstood Prof Dasgupta. I'd be very interested to have another dexascan, to see how my bones are doing.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tiredcat]

I’m not saying he didn't say it....perhaps he didn't clarify very well ..... just pointing out his name is on the guidelines!

[Tiredcat in reply to DorsetLady]

hmm, probably should take the supplement I think.Actually I have just realised the post I was referring to from 8 days ago, titled Alendronic Acid, was reposted by Mrs Nails, but in fact written by PMRPro. Sorry to have wrongly attributed it. Of course, anything by PMRPro is very clear and well-informed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tiredcat]

MrsNails Is collating the FAQs, posts come from her, PMRpro , (who has penned many), myself and other sources.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

i think he meant supplements in general - some people take a lot of stuff in the hope it will make the PMR (or anything else they may have) go away. The salespeople do make something of a meal of what supplements can achieve!

You DO need the calclium and vit d when on any of the bone protection drugs because they make calcium go into the bone structure - and that means there must be a consistent supply or the blood level will fall to a low level. Low calcium is very bad for you and can make you quite ill. My husband is on Prolia injections as he can't swallow the oral versions but couldn't have the first injection until he'd had blood tests AND identified a form of calcium he could take since his diet is very poor (not my fault, I did my best!) and the prescribed calcium carbonate supplements just make him ill. He is able to take a calcium citrate supplement so we have to pay for that ourselves. He also doesn't need the usual 2x daily, that caused TOO HIGH a blood level - equally as bad.

An extremely low calcium level may cause tingling (often in the lips, tongue, fingers, and feet), muscle aches, spasms of the muscles in the throat (leading to difficulty breathing), stiffening and spasms of muscles (tetany), seizures, and abnormal heart rhythms. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work leading to confusion, disorientation and difficulty thinking. Normally the body maintains the right blood level - taking it from the bones and reducing bone density if the blood level is too low but if calcium is being taken into the bones by the bisphosphonate drug, the blood is second in line and the level can fall.

[Tiredcat in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your information, PMRPro, always appreciated.