 Posted 21/09/2010 22:52:27
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| Hi I am new to the forum and would welcome anyones advice. I am 31 and have osteporosis ( diagnosed at 21 ) and I have recently jsut discussed pregnancy with my doctor and I must say I was very scared by his advice. Obviously as a dcotor he has pointed out the worst risks ie spine collaspe, bend in spine etc and pain associated. If any one can give me a bit more expence advise or their doctors take on it I would find it really helpful. Thanks
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Posted 22/09/2010 17:12:27
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Hi JD
Many thanks for that, I will look at getting the book you have mentioned. Incidentally I saw my consultant yesterday who was intending to put me on zoledronate (? spelling) not palmidronate (? spelling!) (I had been given a shot of palmidronate whilst in hospital and understand that these drugs stay in the bones for years!). I was in contact with Dr Stevenson who has now replied on the subject of biphosphonates (after my quoting you) and his reply was very informative. I was very worried to hear that zoledronate is the newest drug and very strong. My consultant did say that if I did not take it, then she could not be sure that I would not have another fracture in the next two years..... Dr Stevenson says that they are not sure of any of the side-effects at all of these drugs. I am getting a referral to him via my GP. Thanks for all your help and any other suggestions/books etc you have/know of are invaluable.
I have just seen the most recent posting from the lady with osteoporosis and her enquiry about pregnancy. I'm not sure what to say other than she should see a consultant for their advice and not a GP, probably Dr Stevenson (???). From what I understand the danger period for this is the third trimester when the baby's skeleton starts growing and drawing down most of your calcium and I was told somewhere along the line that they would take the baby away early in order to minimise the effects on your bones. I don't know if any of this is correct. I have to say that is a very difficult question to answer as I was diagnosed by surprise and post baby!
Very best wishes
Carolina
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Posted 25/09/2010 12:43:36
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Hi Carolina and welcome to the forum Mel1j - So sorry, that I haven't been on the forum for a while, but we've just recently got 2 Pointer puppies and it's all a bit hectic here. I think it must be a bit like having twins!! Good to hear that your GP will be referring you to Dr. Stevenson, Carolina, as I know, once you have seen him, you will realise that you can recover from this, without taking any medication and you will be able carry on a normal life with your lovely baby. I've been looking on the Amazon website and was amazed how many books are available about Osteoporosis. I've just ordered one thats written by Dr. Marilyn Glenville Phd, called 'Osteoporosis How to prevent, treat and reverse it'. I'll let you know what it's like when I've read it. I notice that many nutritionists actually state that dairy foods can cause Osteoporosis, which is the complete opposite to what we have been lead to believe over the years!
Mel1j - You were diagnosed with Osteoporosis at such a young age. Have you been able to find out from any doctors why this happened to you at such a young age? I know that many young women that are very thin and have a lack of periods, can end up with early Osteoporosis. A lack of Vitamin D could be a problem for you too - worth getting your Vit D levels checked. Do you live near London, as I think Dr. Stevenson, who is at the Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea, would also be the right person you to see, especially regarding advice about Pregnancy and Osteoporosis.
Back to the discussion about Biphosphonates - It seems that a lot of reports about the side effects of these drugs are coming from America, which is probably because they started to prescribe them earlier, than here in the UK. There are even reports of women that have been suing the drug companies in the US, because of the side effects they have caused.
Anyway, I had better get back to those naughty puppies, as they are starting to wake up from a little nap. Speak soon. JD
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Posted 25/09/2010 21:02:17
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Hi JD
Yes the issue of dairy produce is an interesting one ie. that dairy produce is very acidifying and trying to realign your body to a more alkaline PH drains calcium from your bones!!!. I have just ordered the 'save your bones' book by the lady you recommended. Her regular emails are very interesting too. I've also got Bharti Vyas' book 'The PH Diet' which offers a lot of interesting information on the diet-link. I look forward to meeting Dr Stevenson and am glad that I have talked to you.
Sorry this is so short!
Thanks JD - will keep you updated.
Carolina
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Posted 30/09/2010 17:47:41
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Hi all - Just a quick note to say that I noticed an article in todays Daily Mail about an Osteoporosis drug called 'denosumab', which is not a biphosphonate and apparently has less side effects. It's a newly licensed drug for use in the UK. The article was about the fact that this particular bone drug may also protect against breast cancer. I also checked it out on the internet and found a site that was quite informative. Here's the link, if any of you want to have a look: http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/9487/21390/research
JD
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Posted 01/10/2010 09:32:03
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JD (30/09/2010)
Hi all - Just a quick note to say that I noticed an article in todays Daily Mail about an Osteoporosis drug called 'denosumab', which is not a biphosphonate and apparently has less side effects. It's a newly licensed drug for use in the UK. The article was about the fact that this particular bone drug may also protect against breast cancer. I also checked it out on the internet and found a site that was quite informative. Here's the link, if any of you want to have a look: http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/9487/21390/research
JD
There's also a write up about it on the site home page
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Posted 11/10/2010 16:20:15
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Hi JD and all,
First of all thank you so much for all of your support. Any information you give us means a lot to us all as this is so poorly understood.
Sorry I haven't been on lately. Just too much to do at home...
JD, special thanks to your input! Your remarks are so uplifting and make me feel hopeful. How exactly were you able to regain most of your bone density without medication? What did you do? Did you change your diet in any way? How long did it take? I guess you must have finished reading the book Save Our Bones by now. Is it worth getting? The website looks a bit commercialized...
Carolina, I live in Croatia so there is no way I can meet doctor Stevenson. He was kind enough to reply to my email but I have so may more unanswered questions. I am hoping that you will see him soon and share with us some of his advice.
Bye for now...
kk
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Posted 11/10/2010 20:34:02
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Hi
Still waiting for my referral but will update you when I see him.
I am half way through the 'save your bones' book - it makes an interesting read (however commercialised her programme has become). Please keep me updated on anything else you are reading - how is the latest book JD?
It is a shame you are in Croatia - I will let you know of anything I am told.
Best wishes
Carolina
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Posted 12/10/2010 13:33:22
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Hi Carolina, KK and all. I haven't had much of a chance to read any books recently, as the puppies are taking up so much of my time. I have managed to dip in and out of the books though and I find the 'Save Our Bones' one really does have some good advice and there are some useful recipes in there too. I agree with KK that it is all very commercialised, but I think that's typical of anything from the US. I also find her 'Vivian answers day' on the website useful too, as there are a lot of women asking about biphosphonates.
Regarding your question KK about how I managed to build bone again without medication: - I certainly didn't change my diet drastically, although I did think about nutrition more, but that was probably due to having a young baby and realising that I was responsible for this baby's health and I think this made me much more aware of eating healthily. So, I never eat processed food or take aways and I eat lots of fresh fruit and veg. I'm not vegetarian, although I did go through a veggie stage for a while, but became anaemic, as I wasn't getting enough iron. I tend to only buy organic food now (I never eat non-organic meat) but when I was in my twenties/early thirties, organic food was hard to find. Organic food is more expensive, but if there was more demand for organic food, the price would come down. I also grow a lot of vegetables myself, as there is nothing better than freshly picked homegrown veg. I try to drink 2 litres of water a day, don't drink much coffee, but love tea. Allow myself things like chocolate, crisps and the odd glass of wine too. When I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis, I was a young woman of 28 at the time and I decided that this illness was not going to win. I AM STRONGER THAN THIS. So I took Dr.Stevenson's advice, which was "Carry on with your life as normal" which I SO did and I also made sure that I exercised regularly, lots of walking, gardening etc. I wanted to get my body as fit as possible..... mind you just lifting a baby that gradually gets heavier and heavier is a good weight bearing exercise!! I still believe that your hormones at your young ages will now be back to normal after your pregnancies, which should naturally build your bones back up again. I hope that helps.
Speak soon. JD x
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Posted 12/10/2010 17:39:47
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Thanks JD,
I will buy the book. its not too expensive. Regarding diet, I am perhaps the healthiest eater in Croatia! I buy organic wholemeal produce, absolutely no junk food, and eat loads of fruits and vegetable. My blood tests during pregnancy and after showed excellent mineral levels and I have not caught a cold for a long, long time. That is why I was shocked when I discovered I had osteo...
How many months after the healing of the fractures were you able to carry your baby again? Its been 3 months since I was diagnosed and my husband prohibits me from carrying anything heavy (more than 2 kg). When I try to carry my son, I do feel my back again so I guess I am not quite ready yet, and I am scared I will get another fracture... Any thoughts on that?
Carolina, I look forward to hearing from you after you see Stevenson.
kk
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