Calcium/Vit D with Fosamax??

[tricia keegan]

Hi everyone,

I just had a bad result from my last Dexa which is showing severe osteopenia, so need to begin taking Fosamax.

My onc is away right now so I had to see a different Dr who said theres no need to continue with my calcium/vit d once I begin taking it?

I feel a little uneasy about this and wondered what other's are doing or have done and what amount you take in conjunction with Fosamax.

I intend calling my Onc about this when she's back, but just needed some opinions sooner as I begin taking it this week.

Thanks for any advice!

[Laurel]

Tricia,

There are some new studies indicating caution with calcium supplements, fyi, however I take a bisphosphonate in conjunction with my 5000IU of Vit D per day. I also take strontium for my bone health. In my opinion, based on review of the research available to me continuation of your Vit D supplementation and modest calcium supplementation is order. Most docs are embarrassingly ignorant of nutrition.

I am going to take a few shots of Whiskers to send to you. We'll have to post our boys photos side by side to show the others how we have twin kitties.

[Jackie07]

Perhaps he has based his advice on this recent report:

Osteoporos Int. 2010 Oct;21(10):1741-50. Epub 2009 Dec 1.
Alendronate reduces osteoclast precursors in osteoporosis.

D'Amelio P, Grimaldi A, Cristofaro MA, Ravazzoli M, Molinatti PA, Pescarmona GP, Isaia GC.
Gerontology Section, Department of Surgical and Medical Disciplines, University of Torino, Corso Bramante 88/90, 10126, Torino, Italy. patrizia.damelio@unito.it
Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis, cytokine production, and bone resorption in postmenopausal women. We suggest that it acts on mature bone resorbing osteoclasts after 3 months of treatment, whereas, after 1 year, it diminishes their formation by reducing their precursors and serum RANKL.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoclasts are the target cells of bisphosphonates, though the most drug-sensitive steps of their formation and activity have not been determined. The present study evaluates the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis, cytokine production, and bone resorption in postmenopausal women.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 35 osteoporotic women; 15 were pretreated with alendronate 70 mg/week, whereas, 20 were treated with calcium 1 g/day and vitamin D 800 IU/day. After 3 months, 30 received alendonate 70/mg, vitamin D 2800 IU/week, and calcium 1 g/day for 12 months (combined therapy), whereas, the other five patients remained on calcium 1 g/day and vitamin D 800 IU/day. The following parameters were assessed before and after therapy: changes in bone resorption markers, circulating osteoclast precursors, formation of osteoclasts in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, their viability, and variations in cytokines production.

RESULTS: After 3 months of alendronate, there was no significant reduction in the number of osteoclast precursors, osteoclast formation and viability, and cytokine levels, whereas, there was a significant reduction of bone resorption markers. One year of the combined therapy, on the other hand, reduced osteoclast precursors, osteoclast formation, and serum RANKL, whereas, calcium plus vitamin D alone had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that alendronate mainly acts on mature bone resorbing osteoclasts in the short term, whereas, its long-term administration diminishes their formation by reducing their precursors and serum RANKL.

PMID: 19949772 [PubMed - in process]
[Brand name: Fosamax]

[Fosamax is a type of bisphosphonate drug that is used for the purpose of maintaining or improving the volume of minerals and calcium within the bones (bone density). In short, Fosamax is used in order to stave off bone loss, known medically as osteoporosis. The brand name for alendronate, Fosamax gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1995.
Fosamax is manufactured by pharmaceutical juggernaut Merck & Co. and is commonly used as a drug treatment for numerous bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteitis deformans (Paget's disease).]

[PatS]

I had to start taking boniva due to osteopenia and was told to also take 1200mg of calcium and 1200IU of vitamin D.

Pat

[tricia keegan]

Thanks for your replies, I did'nt feel good about stopping these supplements and will discuss more with my onc in a couple of weeks.

Laurel, Whiskas is soo cute

[harrie]

I am taking montly Actenol, plus around 1200 IU of calcium, as well as 5,000 IU of Vit D3 daily. Plus I try to include some wt resistance training and some other exercises. It is a good idea to get your Vit D levels checked.

[tricia keegan]

Thanks Harrie, I have'nt had this done but it's another question I'll be asking when I see her!

[Laurel]

Tricia,

I haven't gotten to those photos yet, but I will. I want to start a pet thread.

I also wanted to post to suggest taking probiotics with the bisphosphonate as they are wicked hard on the esophagus causing reflux. Presently I am struggling with some pretty painful heartburn which has been getting increasingly worse as I come up on my 2 year anniversary of taking Clondronate. I am to go another year after that, but I am not at all certain I can take it much longer.

Bones like Swiss cheese or holes in our esophagus (or is it esophagi?)! No way to win with this stuff, is there?

[tricia keegan]

Thanks Laurel, I've been taking a daily nexium since I finished chemo which usually works for me