I’m getting on up there as a middle age female, 46, and see a plethora of TV ads for osteporosis preventive meds. Some are once a week, some once a month, and one is saying you take it once a year.
Muy confusing, so, what is the mechanism here? I’m all for taking something that helps my bones stay strong, but, would like to have that explained why the medicine does that. It’s all over the TV waves now, so, which one is best, and why so?
I believe you are talking about the class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Examples include alendronate, risedronate, etidronate, etc.
They work to reduce osteoporosis by making the bones stronger. Usually, but not always, that is synonymous with increasing the bone density.
Their mechanism of action is two-fold. Their primary effect is to inhibit the action of cells whose function is to eat away (resorb) bone. Such eating away, or resorption, is a normal part of bone metabolism. However, in osteoporosis, there is an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. The net effect is to have too little bone (note that the bone is normal, there’s just too little of it). By inhibiting the cells repsonsible for resorption of bone (i.e. osteoclasts), bisphosponates shift the balance towards more bone being formed than resorbed.
The second main mechanism of action of bisphosphonates is to change the chemical structure of the bones themselves thereby rendering them relatively resistant to the action of osteoclasts, i.e. rendering them less susceptible to being eaten away (resorbed).
You’ll need to discuss with your doctor which is best or if, in fact, you need them at all. You may find it helpful to go to a clinic that specializes in osteoporosis. Often, there is a team at such centers that includes a doc, a nurse, a dietitian, and other professionals with expertise in osteoporosis.
Generally, bisphosponates are safe. Still, there can be some rare, but very serious, side effects. Be sure to review these with the doctor.
Thanks for that answer, KarlGauss. I’ve wondered the same thing myself, but wasn’t able to find anything that explained it as clearly as you did.
I read somewhere that hormone replacement therapy slows the rate of bone loss. There are side effects with that too though.
elelle, ask for a bone mass density test if your doctor thinks you’re at risk. There’s a simple one that looks at your heel bone, and a more comprehensive one that looks at your whole body. It’s a really easy test – you even get to keep your clothes on!
But take it seriously! I stopped taking Fosamax (without asking my doctor) after a couple of years because I worried about stomach ulcers. About a year later, I broke a hip. I was only 58 at the time. It might have happened anyway, but it was reckless of me to go off the medication.
ETA: I thought broken hips only happened to “old” people.
I take Fosamax, and I have no idea how it works, but however it does it, I am also supposed to take a calcium supplement or get calcium into my diet, because apparently it works better if there’s calcium in your system to work with.
I actually have no idea IF it works. I haven’t had a new bone density done, but on the other hand I haven’t gotten any shorter. I don’t have any reactions to it at all but I’m kind of bad at remembering to take it once a week. But if I don’t take it… and I fall off my polo pony and break my hip…that would really suck.
Perhaps I could grow old a little more gracefully.
I’m borderline on the bone density test and my doctor told me to continue to take calcium supplements, as I have been for several years, but also to add a vitamin with extra D in it to assist in the absorption of calcium. And to do weight-bearing exercises to build the bones back up. She says the best exercise is simply walking. So you may not need the prescription osteoporosis medication yet, but you do need to get a bone density test done. It’s quick and painless and keep you on track. Good luck. Let us know how it goes!
I’m thinking it does work. The BMD scan done two years post-injury showed improvement. “Slight” improvement, but I’ll take it. I take that women’s vitamin with calcium and D, and I drink milk every day.
You have a pony? I’m jealous.
I set the pill bottle on the bathroom counter every Friday night so I’ll remember to take one on Saturday. The hardest part is waiting 30+ minutes before eating or drinking. I need my coffee! But the longer you wait, the more medicine is absorbed.
Thanks,KarlGauss for that wonderfully clear explaination. And thanks AuntiePam & others for the encouragement to get a bone density test.
I’m on the early side of being at risk, but, having had a bad knee injury last fall that took awhile to heal, makes me realize the body is getting some wear and tear. Better to start early to recognize any problems.