POLL: How Many Take Osteoporosis Medication | Arthritis Information

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Just wondering how many of you with RA also take some type of osteoporosis medication as part of your medication regimen? Also, are you taking it prophylactically, or have you been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis?I'm 53, diagnosed with osteopenia, and have been taking weekly meds for a couple years.  Early menopause did my bones in.  My RD talked about it but after my bone density test came back good he said I didn't need it.Not me. I had a bone density test last year and results were great.  Hope that continues.I take Fosamax, because I have a history of low bone density in my hands and the long term pred usage. I am on 70mg tabs 4 times a month.

 
Edited to change "week" to "month". Brain not working right today. I have osteopenia, and I took fosomax for awhile -- but I stopped after about a year. I think those medications can be very dangerous and there are other, more natural ways that I chose to work on my bone health -- including adding regular weight training and higher impact exercise. I do not take prednisone so that was not a complicating factor.
 
I told my doctor that I would take strong medicine if I needed to. But I am following Dr. Andrew Weil's advice -- don't take strong medicine for mild disease. I think the medical community puts women on osteoporosis medication the same way they used to put us on hormone therapy -- without cognizance of the long term consequences. I am sure it is necessary for some people, but the number of prescriptions is staggering.
I don't....my bone density is in great shapeYes I take actonel weekly, for osteopaenia and constant fractures in feet from little trauma.  Mind you, I have been missing my med for a while as you have to take it on an empty stomach and then wait for 30mins before eating or drinking and the reflux, dry retching in the am for me is awful so I have to eat or drink something, so it is a problem for me to take it.  Also my Dr said this drug is awful for causing gastro problems such as reflux etc.BumpI, too, was reluctant to take Fosamax when my bone density test showed osteopenia.  However that all changed after I tripped on a sidewalk crack (while walking for exercise) one day and fell down - I broke my pelvis in 2 places!  Suddenly, Fosamax side-effects seem the lesser evil, if you know what I mean. 

Mary-Pat
Not yet.
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