Okay, so I got the part that MTX and Boniva target two different "deliveries" of drugs to treat two different parts of diseases, inflammation reduction vs new bone growth.
On page 15 of my Sept/Oct 2007 Arthritis Self-Management magazine is an extensive article on MTX. It states: "Also less common, but more severe, is the risk that MTX will affect the bone marrow, which is where blood cells are made."
Okay, so bone marrow is where new bone growth starts using the blood supply, right? Well, close enough. So if you are taking Boniva or something else to build stronger bone growth for osteoporosis (which is using the same blood supply and bone marrow), why can't MTX affect how Boniva is working? Or vice versa?
I am just trying to understand here, not start a posting war. I just feel conflicted about the science between taking MTX to stop bone erosion via reduced inflammation using the blood and joint fluids, and taking Boniva to build newer better bones at the same time using the same blood source. And I am only conflicted because of the reactions I have had three months in a row, all different, but not good.
Looking forward to enlightenment :) Cathy
Cathy,
On your ponderings, would not bone marrow production be a blood to blood vs. re-building blood be blood to bone????
You need to send message to all science majors on the board LOL
Isn't it funny the things we think of in our quest to beat the clock and solve the puzzle of RA.
This thread will be interesting :) Take Care
LuAnn
edited for poor grammar . ..
< =text/>_popupControl(); It is a not so common side effect that mtx can possibly affect the bone marrow. Part of the reason for the yearly xrays and bone scans etc.
I would think that if the side effect of mtx damaging the bone marrow was more prevalent, then you might not be prescribed the Boniva to build the better and newer bones.
The question I feel that you have to ask yourself here is this....Do I continue taking the mtx to stave off the bone damage that is done by my RA and try to start building those newer and better bones by taking the Boniva. My answer to that question for me would be...I would take my chances by using both the mtx and Boniva together. The chances of my blood marrow being affected by the mtx are small and I would rather try to do something to stop or prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis and take the Boniva.
From what I can understand, mtx and Boniva being taken together are a pretty common thing for us ladies getting to the point where we either have osteopenia or osteoporosis. To me, it is like getting the best of both worlds. Not only am I hopefully staving off damage from the RA with the mtx...I am also renewing bone loss or possibly preventing bone loss. RA takes enuf of our bones from us. To me, anything to save them and possibly have new bone growth I am going to give it the ole college try.
Cathy - I don't have an answer for you, and I think you are in a difficult situation because there are probably so few women on both those drugs at the same time. I do get sense you are having some 'gut feeling' on Boniva, so maybe you should act on that - do you have other treatment options for your osteoporosis?Cathy,
On my serious side, I am now entered the OA club and not one Dr.
has suggested putting me on anything for bone loss. Really, I don't think there is an answer. You know what's right for you. You might ask your Dr. what difference Boniva is to Fosamax.
Cheers,
LuAnn
< =text/>_popupControl(); I did find this out on the web about all three drugs. Do not know how much I like the article since the author speaks for manufacturers. http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/73/8029/boniva-o ral/1/Hi, this is an aside, but i had 'stiffness and pain' after taking Boniva once a month, now I take fosamax once a week. It is better for me. I also take 20mgs. of mtx. I called my doc after a bone density test showed 'less bone mass' my a lot, he said, 'I'm not worried as long as you take the fosamax. I was pleased as I don't need one more thing to worry about!! LyndaMTX attacks rapidly dividing cells such as those in cancer tumours, inflammation, The side effects such as birth defects/miscarraige, stomach problems, mouth sores are in part because fetuses and the other structures are made up of rapidly dividing cells. Remember that MTX is a folate inhibitor. Folate is an important componant allowing for these cells to rapidly divide. MTX in and of itself does not stop bone erosion. It attacks and kills the rapidly dividing inflammatory cells that are causing the chemical reactions that cause the erosions.
MTX has a chemical makeup that only allows it to bind to cells with a cooresponding chemical makeup. Boniva looks for its chemical partner. The size, shape and makeup allow these meds to be used simulatanously even though they use the same bloodstream. Th easy explanation is that MTX is looking for cells that have a square hole and Boniva is looking for a triangle hole.
MTX can cause a decrease in Marrow production this will lead to fewer red blood cells and a severe case of anemia. But the Boniva will still be looking for those triangle shaped holes to plug.
Having said that a known and major side effects of all of the Bisphosphonates is severe joint pain. You might look into Evista which is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. Or Reclast. while it is still another Bisphosphonates it is given by IV once a year .
Talk to your doctor about your options but in the meantime don't worry too much about a possible MTX-Boniva interaction. One is not inhibiting the action of the other
Buckey - thank you, I greatly respect your posts and had hoped you would respond. Is osteoporosis something you HAVE to take drugs for, or just let it run its course? At this point in my life, I am starting not to really care and wish for all this to be over. I had my fun when I was young, but I have been rethinking even taking treatment for the disease.You have already had fractures due to the osteoporosis which means you are past the point where simply adding calcium, viitamin d, and exercise would help all by itself.
There is a significent risk of death in the year following hip or serious spine fracture. Advanced osteoporsis is very painful as the spine contracts.
I understand wanting to chuck all the meds..been there done that...but you are still young enough that you really don't want to spend the rest of yourlife unable to do anything because your bones are so fragile.
before totally giving up talk to your doctor about your options
and Thank You...I try to help where I can
Well, I saw my rheumatologist, and he is taking over my osteoporosis treatment from my primary. He doesn't like Boniva either, and put me on Fosomax(sp) once a week and will see how this goes.
Then he said back in two months (no more come back in two or three months, I don't care), and is running speciality tests for osteoporosis - Vitamin D, etc. This is from the same rheumy I have been seeing for over a year and never did any baseline xrays or a bone density scan. Now he is all over it suddenly.
Thanks buckeye - he even asked about my calcium intake, I about fell out of my chair.