Get Informed: Osteoporosis
1 in 34 Americans have Osteoporosis
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 50,949 patients with Osteoporosis from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 8.81 million Americans have Osteoporosis with women being 2 times more likely to be affected than men.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
Medications used for Osteoporosis
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard.org users for Osteoporosis are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multivitamin | 29% |
|
Yes |
| Calcium | 14% |
|
Yes |
| Actonel | 10% |
|
Yes |
| Fosamax | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Vitamin D | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Premarin | 6% |
|
No |
| Percocet | 5% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Boniva, Calcium Carbonate with Vitamin D, Estradiol, Evista, Glucosamine, Loestrin, Magnesium, Nabumetone, Osteo BI-Flex, Vistaril
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard.org users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Osteoporosis ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
There has been some discussion in the raw food diet fans that taking calcium supplements can cause calcification of the arteries. Any research backing this?
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-19 09:07:58
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Calcium supplements have been used for many years to help prevent and treat osteoporosis. The research at this time does not show that calcium supplements cause calcification of the arteries. However, elevated calcium levels in the body can cause other issues, mainly with the heart, so it is best to make sure your physician is regularly monitoring your calcium levels and supplement intake to create the right balance.
Posted: 2009-09-26 23:17:53
Question/Comment:
Ok, hopefully 3rd time charm. What type of doctor should I see as a 48 y.o. female for osteopenia?
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-10 16:45:36
Answer/Reply:
I would advise you make an appointment with a rheumatologist. This is the type of doctor who treats my osteoporosis.
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-20 17:36:59
Question/Comment:
For the benefit of others, I'd like to note that I have taken Fosamax and then its generic, Alendronate, for about six years. Recently, I've experienced heartburn and reflux, so I sought the advice of a very reputable bone specialists to see if I could stop taking this drug that's supposed to help retain bone density. She had me to two 24-hr urine collections and told me that my urine was "severely abnormal." She said I have a genetic condition called hypercalciuria (high amounts of calcium in my urine), that indicates that my kidneys are not absorbing the calcium I take. I've taken large amounts of calcium + Vitamin D for years--apparently for nothing! Apparently, many women who take these supplements may be in the same boat. She prescribed a very low dose of hydrochlorathiazide, a diuretic, and said to discontinue both the weekly Alendronate and daily calcium tablets. Not only was the calcium not doing me any good, but it could potentially have caused kidney stones. Something to consider is to inquire about this possibility. If it's diagnosed with a simple 24-hr urine collection, it may well be worth it!
68 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-28 10:52:00
Answer/Reply:
What type of bone specialist do you see? I'm seeing a rheumatologist but wonder if she's the right specialist to see.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-06 16:55:46
Answer/Reply:
I too had the urine test done and had high levels of calcium in my urine. It was due to Parathyroid Disease for me though. This caused my osteoporosis, for which I am taking Fosamax and calcium and also kidney stones and gall bladder problems (Had to have the gall bladder removed). I was lucky to have a doctor that was able to recognize this disease from my blood tests. Still, he waited a year to have my parathyroid gland partially removed and the damage was mostly done. Good thing is that once the proper amount of parathyroid gland is removed all calcium levels return to normal immediately. This is one other thing to think about with calcium problems.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 16:24:05
Answer/Reply:
At the time of menopause, a doctor advised me to take hormones (approved at the time) and drink a lot of milk. I followed his advice..for a while. Didn't think more about it until I realized my backaches were caused by the beginnings of kyphoscoliosis.
I could not take Fosamax because of a swallowing problem, so my present doctor put me on Evista. And advised me to drink lots of milk and take calcium with Vitamin D. Warned me that I might have kidney stones. Which I never have, though the calcium not absorbed by my blood probably is excreted in the urine.
The reason I am replying to your letter is that I wonder whether you have received more benefit from all that calcium than you think. I have a serious balance problem and spend a lot of time on my back, hips, knees and face on carpet, boards, asphalt, even concrete. Is the calcium the reason no bones have so far not broken or do I have a guardian angel?
I will be 86 next week if I have not died from a broken neck.
87 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-24 20:10:51
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed with osteopenia three years ago and started using Fortical (nasal spray). I also took calcium (1200+ mg) per day and 800+ mg of Vitamin D, along with my daily multivitamin. After two years, I had another bone scan and was shocked to find I had lost even more bone mass. My doctor wanted to prescribe Boniva, administered by IV every 3 months because I have acid reflux. After reading online horror stories about Boniva, I was able to talk my doctor into letting me try Fosteum, 27 mg taken twice a day. I'm wondering if anyone else is taking Fosteum and if it is working for them.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-23 13:58:52
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Fosteum is a combination product used to treat the dietary concerns of osteoporosis. It contains cholecalciferol (Vitamin D), geniseum, and zinc. Geniseum is a soy product. It can help to slow bone mass some but is not as effective as a bisphosphonate. Fosteum is a dietary supplement whose and not been thoroughly tested - its safety and effectiveness is not proven. The recommended first-line treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia is a bisphosphonate, such as Fosamax or Boniva. About 80% of iGuard members believe the benefits outweigh the risks of taking Boniva. Also, when taking calcium as a supplement, make sure to split your doses so that you are not taking more than 500mg at one time, as that is the maximum the body can absorb at one time. Your multivitamin probably also has calcium in it, so separating it from the calcium supplements will increase the amount of calcium that you are actually getting. It is also best to take calcium supplements with meals. It will help you remember to take the medication and improves absorption. Moderate exercise, including weight-bearing exercises have been shown to decrease fracture rate in patients with osteoporosis. Before starting any exercise program or medication, discuss the changes with your physician to make sure you have medical clearance.
Posted: 2009-07-26 13:27:07
Answer/Reply:
Thats very strange. I am diagnosed with that too and my doctor never percribed me with anything for it.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 11:30:44
Question/Comment:
Anyone else heard of Reclast (1 year infusion) for Osteopenia) or have used it and your results? I have tried other medicines and could not take them because of shell fisws allergies. Any other sugestions?
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-18 18:04:01
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Reclast is a bisphosphonate used for osteoporosis. It is infused over 20-30 minutes in a physician's office once each year. A shellfish allergy is not a contraindication to using Reclast.
Posted: 2009-07-21 00:19:34
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Patient Comments about
Osteoporosis