Interesting article about the skeleton

[HeronNS]

As many of us need to be careful to keep our bones healthy, I thought you'd be interested in this article which kind of brings the skeleton to life. It was posted recently in the American Bone Health Community:

smithsonianmag.com/science-...

[FearFracture]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. It makes me question the osteoporosis drugs doctors are so quick to prescribe even more.

[JGBH in reply to FearFracture]

I too have questioned those dreadful drugs which often cause more damage than they do good. Furthermore they’re for life …because one gets rebound fractures when they are stopped.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JGBH]

That isn't strictly true - rebound fractures have been seen with Prolia/denosumab, not with the bisphosphonates, and with denusomab it should be used to achieve a speedy increase in bone density which is then maintained by using a bisphosphonate which doesn't increase bone density but is used to maintain what has been achieved.

[JGBH in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed Denosumab caused rebound fractures for which nothing can be done. The bones are rather weak and it is wrong from professional people to tell people who have osteoporosis that Denosumab will actually make their bones stronger when in fact the quality of the bones is very poor. I cannot use Bisphosphonates so that was always out of the question. Many people can’t use Biphosphonates. I should never have been put in Denosumab in the first place, I was bullied through fear when I only had osteopenia. Unfortunately I did not know much about osteoporosis and those dreadful drugs at that time. I have compression fractures at L1 now and my mobility has been destroyed and suffer much pain. Diet can make a big difference as can exercise when possible. Since I have tweaked my diet my osteoporosis has not progressed further.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JGBH]

The bone it makes is fine - the problem is that once the denosumab is stopped the density degrades very fast UNLESS the patient is put on bisphosphonates to maintain the integrity. That isn't the same thing and there is certainly something that can be done to prevent it. Not least, continuing with the denosumab indefinitely for the patient who can't take bisphosphonates. I wouldn't dispute that diet and exercise is a preferable approach though.

[JGBH in reply to PMRpro]

I was told one could not be on Denosumab indefinitely. Indeed, professor Olivier Lamy of Switzerland has discovered one should not. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of this research until it was too late for me, incredible damage being done. Yet, they still keep on pushing this drug. Clearly there is still no drug that ‘treats’ osteoporosis without causing problems.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JGBH]

The original thought WAS that it shouldn't be used indefinitely - and then they found the rebound loss of bone density.

I don't see anything about not being able to continue it in his paper Stopping Denosumab - do you have another reference?

This

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

suggests up to 10 years is not a problem but it is clear that if it must be stopped for any reason, it must not be done suddenly without a plan in place.

[JGBH in reply to PMRpro]

I had some of his research papers a few years ago. I kept them for a while but then decided to clear things and do not have them anymore. Am not even at home at the moment because I am recovering in a care home, from a hip joint replacement. I even managed to get Covid here… Can’t wait to get back home.

[HeronNS in reply to JGBH]

🌺 Get well soon! 🍀

[JGBH in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you… am getting there.

[powerwalk]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Thanks….was having a conversation yesterday about bones with someone who has been on AA a long time.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Dem bones, dem bones, dem not so dry bones ...

[123-go]

Fascinating! Thank you for posting this.

[JGBH]

Thank you for the link.

[Viveka]

Thanks, v. interesting. BtW, I'm a Heron too. And I live near Herons.

[Exflex]

Thanks for posting…

I stopped taking Risedronate when I got to 2.5mg, now on 1.5mg.

I simply have no idea whether I embarked on a risky strategy or not. Dexa scan referral 5 months ago, not heard anything. My first and only Dexa was in July(ish) 2020, higher dose of Pred then but also taking AA.

It’s a minefield.

[HeronNS in reply to Exflex]

Certainly points to the need for a lot more research. Prevention is the cure - we all need to have been brought up knowing how to look after our skeletons. I've always counted myself simply lucky that somehow I knew, even in pre-internet days, that we needed more calcium when hitting midlife, and also that load-bearing exercise was important. Not long afterwards I was finally back to work after raising a family, and my first job was as a humble bookshelver in the local library which meant bending, lifting, pushing, stretching, carrying, for several hours a day. I was probably healthier those years than at any other point in my adult life, and even after I got a better position (money and status, not health!) at the library I was still conscious I needed to keep on trying to maintain similar exercise. Given the osteopenia diagnosis after starting pred I bet I'd have been deeply into osteoporosis without that fortunate stage. But it was only after diagnosis that I actually paid a lot more attention and learned a lot more - much of which should have been shared with all of us by public health or appropriate organization much earlier in life.

[Broseley]

Thanks, a fascinating article! I have forwarded to some of my old Biology teacher friends.

[HeronNS in reply to Broseley]

I wonder what they'll have to say about it?

[dartmoorlass]

A very belated thank you Heron for your link to this really interesting article. Good to have confirmation that my breakfast Greek yogurt is as beneficial as we've all thought.

My husband of 60+ years has developed a serious illness which, in addition to his memory problems doesn't leave me much time or energy to engage in my own interests at present - hence my late reply.

Hope you're continuing to keep on top of any would-be health problems and managing to enjoy the change in seasons.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to dartmoorlass]

Sorry to hear that - have you got help? You have to be able to look after you too. Hugs

[HeronNS in reply to dartmoorlass]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Do you have any family nearby to give you some help or relief?

As for me, doing well PMRwise thank you. Do look after yourself as much as you are able. 🌷