 Posted 27/01/2012 19:38:52
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| Hello, new here so looking for as much information as possible. Recently diagnosed (LS -3.3), my GP only offered Alendronic Acid but after reading posts here I decided against taking it. I had my first OP appointment this week, spoke to the nurse about my concerns and eventually after much debate had the option to now try Strontium Ranelate (Protelos). Obviously all medication has its side effects Protelos seems to have had quite a lot of success. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has taken this, good and bad so I can make an informed decision whether this is right for me. I think we should all have the right to choose, after all we're worth it ! Thanks to everyone here for sharing your experiences Jackie
Jackie(LS -3.3 age 54)
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Posted 27/01/2012 20:55:39
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Hello Jackie
Glad you came on this forum, hope you find it helpful. I know I do. It is a shock to come on here and find out all the things you never ever thought to ask though.
Like you I gave AA a miss and was put on SR. For about a month everything was fine, but then I got 'loose bowel movements'. I did not connect it to SR until after about 3 months when I saw a specialist and said that some people gave up on SR because of the diarohoea. I do not value the opinions of the specialist who is very much of the 'take the pills and SHUT UP' brigade.
So I spoke to my GP who is really on the ball with OP trreatments - and she saw no benefit for me in continuing with SR as I was getting little benefit from the drug or the alkali diet becuase of the diarhoea.
That is why I now do not take any OP medication - but I do take supplements.
You said you wanted bad exerpiences as well as good ones!
Sarah
Tscore Lumbar spine -3.3, Femoral neck -2.6, Hip -2.2
Alkali diet (+ no caffeine/sugar/salt/rhubarb/spinach) and exercise and supplements of Vit D (2,000IUs daily), Vit K2 as MK7, vit K2 Menatetrenone, Cod liver oil.
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Posted 27/01/2012 21:36:13
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Hi Jackie,
Welcome to the forum !
I've been on Strontium Ranelate (Protelos) for five years now and I've never had any side effects from it at all. I'm very happy with it and pleased that I was prescribed it right from the start. I have a history of duodenal ulcer and hiatus hernia and medications like alendronic acid are contraindicated so my consultant put me straight on Strontium Ranelate.
I also do weight bearing exercise, a specific weight lifting technique for osteoporosis twice a week, lots of walking and some exercises on a vibration platform twice a week. I take special care of my diet - I got very bad side effects from calcium supplements so I get all my calcium from my diet and that is practically dairy free too but I still get enough calcium from my foods. I also make sure my diet is alkaline loaded so that calcium is not leached from my bones. In addition I take a high dose of vitamin D3 and get my levels of serum D tested regularly, and since last year I have added supplemental vitamin K2 too.
Osteoporosis - Strontium Ranelate, Dekristol vitamin D3 20,000 IU/week, weight lifting, walking and vibration platform exercise, alkaline loaded diet, vitamin K2 MK-7 100mcg/d, K2 MK-4 5mg/d. Diabetes - Repaglinide, low carb diet and exercise. Congenital heart defect - Omacor and CoQ10
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Posted 28/01/2012 10:54:18
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Hi Jackie
Glad you found this Forum - there is a huge amount of info here that will help you make up your mind which direction you want/need to go in. I only came accross this Forum a short while ago, but was diagnosed 6 years ago. I was put on Fossamax, but that did not agree with me at all so after 1 year, I stopped taking it. I than tried to improve my diet, cut out all sort of things and had a great exercise program which I followed. I felt great, but little did I know - last year in March I had another compression fracture and at the moment I am nursing 4 fractures (2 T and 2 L) for nearly 2 months now.
So, besides Vit D3, K2, a natural Osteofood (I buy all of these online from Higher Nature in the UK) and additional Magnesium, I have started 2 weeks ago on Protelos (SR). You see, all my blood results showed I was doing great, but my bones were obviously getting worse. I have spent a massive amount of time in these last 2 months researching all sorts of options and the only thing I am sorry about is that I did not do that 6 years ago!!!!! I guess I did not take OP seriously enough.
Sarah, I love you comment 'take the pills and SHUT UP' brigade. Far too many of those around that want to push you into a direction that suits them not us.
Oh, so far I have not had any side effects from the Protelos - was made aware of it by a German Lady out here in Spain who has been on it for 6 years without any side effects and looked great.
Good Luck in your decision making - it is your body, so do your own research.
Regards
Sieglinde
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Posted 29/01/2012 20:35:06
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| A very big thank you for all your replies. I should have my blood test result this week so will know then whether my GP will sign the prescription for SR (Protelos). I read an article saying it may be useful to introduce this to your system over a 4 week period, a quarter of a sachet to start, aiming to take a full sachet at the end of the 4 weeks, perhaps that's sensible, may try it if I get the go ahead. In the meantime, healthy diet, exercise and read, read, read !! Kind regards Jackie
Jackie(LS -3.3 age 54)
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