Archive for Bone Density Drug Dangers
Will Osteopenia Become Osteoporosis?
Posted by: | CommentsStella was very worried when told she had osteopenia. Her doctor explained that it just meant that her bones were weaker than “normal”. She wondered, “Will osteopenia become osteoporosis?” The purpose of this post is to relieve your mind if that is your worry. Osteopenia does not have to become osteoporosis.
- But what is “normal” bone density?
- Why are bisphosphonate drugs prescribed for osteopenia?
- How can you prevent osteopenia from becoming osteoporosis?
Every body is different, so what is normal for you may not be normal for me.
Just a couple decades ago there was no such “disease” as osteopenia. The word had not yet been coined. Of course, that was before the drugs for osteoporosis had been developed. Guess who invented that diagnosis? Normal is thought of as what your bone density was at age thirty. But if you don’t have a record of that, the next best number is an educated guess.
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Drug Scare: Link Between Femur Fractures and Bone-Loss Drugs
Posted by: | CommentsJeanette McLearen of Warren, Michigan has recently stopped taking her Fosamax due to reports of a link between femur fractures and bone-loss drugs.
According to a March ABC News report, 66 year old retiree, Jeanette McLearen of Warren, Michigan was prescribed hormone replacement therapy to reduce her risk of heart disease. But after 15 years of taking that drug, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 2002, Jeanette learned that HRT actually increased the risk not only of heart disease, but also of breast cancer. That was a very difficult time for her.
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A New Osteoporosis Medication – Does Prolia Work?
Posted by: | CommentsJane has suffered serious side effects caused by the bisphosphonate drugs for her osteoporosis, so her anxious question to me was, What about the new osteoporosis medication – does Prolia work?
I knew of her former problems with nausea, irritation of the esophagus and heartburn so she understandably had the following questions:
- Does Prolia increase bone strength?
- Does Prolia prevent fractures?
- Does Prolia cause necrosis of the jaw?
So what about this new osteoporosis medication. If you are reading this article, you are probably wondering like Jane-Does Prolia work?
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Less Bone Quality For More Bone Quantity?
Posted by: | CommentsAre you happy to receive less bone quality for more bone quantity? Would you prefer a small gold coin or a silver dollar?
Finally research is confirming that although the biophosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel, Bonita, etc.) seem to improve the quantity of your bone, it is at the expense of the quality of your bone.
Scientists are finding that these drugs that are being used to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia actually cause the bones to break easier if used over a period of time. This is causing researchers to question if it is wise to get less quality for more quantity.
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Why A DEXA Scan Is Not Reliable
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Cross Section Through Head of Femur
Do you know why a DEXA Scan is not reliable in testing for osteopenia?
I have often been asked if I get bone density scans.
My answer is always that a DEXA bone density scan for osteopenia is not reliable, so I see no point in getting one.
In fact, you may be worried that you are in serious trouble with weak and less than normal bones, when your test is not at all trustworthy.
There are several problems with DEXA scans. A few of them are:
1. You usually don’t learn anything about the condition of your bones until 1 or 2 years after the first scan
2. The scan may be referencing the wrong spot for the second scan
3. Looking at a picture does not tell you what is happening inside the bone.
4. The test scans a spot now and then takes another scan at a later date to compare with the first one to see if there is any change. During that interval you just have to wait for the report
5. It is difficult to aim the scanner to the exact same spot that was scanned the first time, so it may not even be a true comparison.
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