Postmenopausal and osteoporosis prevention type drugs - anyone taking these?

My ob/gyn recommended I take Fosemax or Evista (or another of the osteoporosis prevention type drugs) because I am "losing bone and heading toward osteoporosis." The risks are not pretty - esophageal ulcers with Fosemax (my doctor advised against this one because of Crohn's); Evista - risk of fatal blood clot.... So, another risk laden drug I need to start taking. I postponed my decision by making an appointment with an endocrinologist and couldn't get in until March 2012. Anyone taking any of these drugs?

I just finished a 5 year stint of Boniva IV infusions every 3 months. When I was 37 (in 1997), I fractured two bones in the top of my foot just squatting down on the balls of my feet (and I'm a light weight). After x-rays and a Dexa Scan, my 'bone age' was determined to be that of a post-menopausal 64 year old woman (thanks to prednisone). I was diagnosed w/osteoporosis at that time. I periodically took an oral daily or weekly 'bone builder' (Didronel, Actonel) but following ileostomy surgery in 2005 (also had a total abdominal hysterectomy at the same time, no HRT = instant full blown menopause), I could not tolerate the oral meds and went the IV infusion route. I also have a blood clotting disorder (Lupus Anticoagulant) and am on Coumadin therapy for life. A Dexa Scan a month ago put my bone age at 58. I am now 51 so I *think* I'm closing the gap.

My rheumatologist had me on the 5 year Boniva plan after my hysterectomy to minimize the unwanted long term side effects. For me, he did not recommend staying on the Boniva longer than 5 years post-menopause. He is continuing regular blood draws and Dexa Scans to make sure I stay on track. So far, so good.

Good luck, ski bum. When you talk to your dr., have a list ready outlining your all your concerns and hopefully he can customize a safe plan for you.

FORTEO!!!

Made up of a portion of the parathyroid hormone. Only for those who are post-menopause and men. It is a daily injection you do yourself - needle as thin and short as those for diabetics.

And lest you think you just could NOT inject yourself - you are reading the experience of a woman who would go into dry heaves at just the sight of a needle! When my kids were little our family doctor had to bring their innoculations into the room on a small tray covered w/a towel, tell me to close my eyes and he would give them their innoculation. Seriously!!!

There is no discomfort to the Forteo injection. It has so far been approved for only 2 years of use. At the end of my second year of daily Forteo injections I had gained back 10 years of deterioration of my bones and had a T-score equal to then in both hips and spine. I opted to stay on it a 3rd year and still had improvement but not as drastic improvement as the first two years so opted not to continue it.

The second year of no Forteo or other osteoporosis medication I opted for an IV infusion of the bisphosphonate pamidronate (Aredia). I lost ground that year.

I asked to try a 4th year of Forteo. And surprisingly was approved w/no hassle at all!!! Unfortunately, after 3 years of not giving myself a daily injection I could NOT remember to give it each day. It must be kept refrigerated and all my meds are kept upstairs in my 'puter room.

Forteo comes in a large pen w/a 28 day supply of medication. At the end of the 28 days no matter how much is left in the pen it is to be thrown away. It was just TOO expensive to be throwing away as much as I was throwing away so I discontinued it after 9 months. Nonetheless in 9 months I held my own vs losing ground annually w/the bisphosphonate.

I have never tried the oral bisphosphonates and would not ever agree to any of them. I have had enough gut problems to last me a life time. I am NOT willing to risk more.

There is a product, strontrium ranelate, that has been in use in Europe for several years w/good results. There hasn't been any interest in the US as it is not something they can synthesize to make development money off of. However, they have managed to come up w/a powder to be mixed w/water that is strontium ranelate or its equivalent. If I remember correctly the name is Protelos AND it is being considered for approval by FDA, perhaps fairly imminently. My endocrinologist has been keeping an eye on its progress here in the states for me.

Until then - I heartily recommend Forteo for those who are post-menopause!!!

I knew this would be the place to get a jump start on my research into these risky drugs! Thanks so much for responding. Your answers, as always, are very helpful and very eye opening.

Rosemary - thank you for referring me to the book, Saving Our Bones. I will definitely read it and it will probably scare the poop out of me. Meanwhile, I'm going to bump up my Vitamin D. My girlfriend couldn't have a dental procedure because she was taking Fosemax - something about too much bone build up. She immediately stopped taking it. Sounds like I'll hear more about that in the book.

nenagirl - did you have any side effects from Boniva? That's the class of drug, I think, with the risk of GI symptoms. My ob/gyn identified esophageal ulcers as the big risk.

NYveggie - that's pretty much what my ob/gyn told me - that I'm one step away from osteoporosis. I heard about the increase in femur fractures with these drugs. That's pretty ironic - bone fractures while taking a drug to prevent bone fractures.

ChrohnieToo - I thought Forteo was for people with moderate to severe osteoporosis and with a history of bone fracture. I have a friend who took this for the 2 years with very good results and then a year of IV infusions, however, she told me about the risk of bone cancer. Each drug apparently comes with its own unique risk, and none of them can be taken lightly. I did hear that one of the benefits of Evista is it reduces your risk of breast cancer. I'm going to mention to my endocrinologist the product you mentioned that's being used in Europe.

Conmire - I hope your bone scan gives you some good news. Slainte to you too!

Here's to strong bones everyone! We don't want to be looking at our feet as we walk in our twilight years. SB

Ski Bum - I was aware of the Forteo risk - but I carefully read the clincial trial results, etc. before making my decision.

The rats were fed high doses of Forteo from birth to the day they died or were euthanized. The "cancer" is at/of the growth plates of the long bones. In humans the growth plates close somewhere by the mid-20s. Growth plates don't close in rats. When I weighed that against the trials w/the various bisphosphonates and the per centage of GI bleeds - I opted for the Forteo.

And Ski Bum!!! Are you insinuating that I have ugly feet??? *wicked grin*