1. Posted by glacierpark3 on Fri, Mar 23, 2007, 4:10 pm PDT

While I'm glad that you've mentioned the non-drug therapies associated with osteoporosis treatment, 1200 mg of calcium a day is below the 1500mg of ELEMENTAL calcium recommended for anyone over 50. Plus, many don't realize that 500mg of calcium citrate does NOT equal 500mg of elemental calcium, and elemental calcium's the number that counts. In fact, of 500mg calcium citrate, only 21% of that is elemental calcium. Furthermore, when you quoted that the absolute risk reduction for Boniva is only 5%, did you neglect to mention that was for LOW risk people only? The relative risk reduction is 50%, meaning that in a moderate risk patient (a 10-20% 10 year risk of fracture) that's over a 10% absolute risk reduction. In high risk group (including anyone who’s had a fracture and has low bone density), that’s over a 10% absolute risk reduction. Also, regarding the osteonecrosis of the jaw, that "some" people is an astronomically low number, and most cases have been associated with IV bisphosphonates for cancer therapy and major oral surgery. This side effect is VERY RARE with oral bisphosphonates. Your article has also failed to mention the consequences of a hip or vertebral fracture. 20% of women and 40% of men will die within the first year after a hip fracture, and within 5 years after a vertebral fracture. Two thirds of those who fracture a hip will have reduced motility and 50% will lose some independence. Not to mention the pain associated with all fractures. If you can prevent fractures in a minimum of 5% of these people (especially considering how significant 5% is in a population of millions), I'd consider the drug therapy a success and well worth starting. So please stop scaring patients off a potential life-saving medication.

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2. Posted by normalivingston1924 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 7:23 am PDT

do you have in information on Vertigo

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3. Posted by ginamluce on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 8:09 am PDT

Any thoughts on Forteo injections?

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4. Posted by Kerry Stendell on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 11:28 am PDT

good to know. i am small-boned and cannot take the new meds because i have reflux probs and have to take large amount of prevacid have my esophagus dilated all the time. don't smoke and i do exercise a lot, but my tailbone just broke for no reason. i'm 45. anything else i can do before i fall apart like older my female relatives all have?

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5. Posted by mbfineout on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 12:18 pm PDT

What are the symptoms of degeneration (osteonecrosis) of the jawbone? What is your recommendation for patients who take Synthroid for calcium replacement? Would the daily doses of Calcium Citrate be any different and would the benefits of Fosamax, etc. outweigh the side effects?

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6. Posted by gorbatysusan on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 12:24 pm PDT

is the drug miacalcin as effective as boniva and fosamax?

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7. Posted by callirose02 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 1:07 pm PDT

I take prevacid for GERD and recently read that Prevacid hinders calcium to be absorbed. I started taking ENCORA and it makes me sick so I've stopped. I'm already taking HRT and started meno at 39, I'm 60 now. I take citracal 2x a day. I have osteopena at this time. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects from everything I'm taking or am just getting old. I have bowel problems ie, loose and gas alot. My stomach can't tolerate alot of different foods. I've had a cough for 5 mons. and have gone through 2 antibiotics w/not much change. Maybe this isn't the place to say all these things about my health. Will you respond? Thanks for listening.

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8. Posted by callirose02 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 1:07 pm PDT

I take prevacid for GERD and recently read that Prevacid hinders calcium to be absorbed. I started taking ENCORA and it makes me sick so I've stopped. I'm already taking HRT and started meno at 39, I'm 60 now. I take citracal 2x a day. I have osteopena at this time. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects from everything I'm taking or am just getting old. I have bowel problems ie, loose and gas alot. My stomach can't tolerate alot of different foods. I've had a cough for 5 mons. and have gone through 2 antibiotics w/not much change. Maybe this isn't the place to say all these things about my health. Will you respond? Thanks for listening.

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9. Posted by callirose02 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 1:08 pm PDT

I take prevacid for GERD and recently read that Prevacid hinders calcium to be absorbed. I started taking ENCORA and it makes me sick so I've stopped. I'm already taking HRT and started meno at 39, I'm 60 now. I take citracal 2x a day. I have osteopena at this time. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects from everything I'm taking or am just getting old. I have bowel problems ie, loose and gas alot. My stomach can't tolerate alot of different foods. I've had a cough for 5 mons. and have gone through 2 antibiotics w/not much change. Maybe this isn't the place to say all these things about my health. Will you respond? Thanks for listening.

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10. Posted by callirose02 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 1:11 pm PDT

I take prevacid for GERD and recently read that Prevacid hinders calcium to be absorbed. I started taking ENCORA and it makes me sick so I've stopped. I'm already taking HRT and started meno at 39, I'm 60 now. I take citracal 2x a day. I have osteopena at this time. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects from everything I'm taking or am just getting old. I have bowel problems ie, loose and gas alot. My stomach can't tolerate alot of different foods. I've had a cough for 5 mons. and have gone through 2 antibiotics w/not much change. Maybe this isn't the place to say all these things about my health. Will you respond? Thanks for listening.

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11. Posted by callirose02 on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

I take prevacid for GERD and recently read that Prevacid hinders calcium to be absorbed. I started taking ENCORA and it makes me sick so I've stopped. I'm already taking HRT and started meno at 39, I'm 60 now. I take citracal 2x a day. I have osteopena at this time. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects from everything I'm taking or am just getting old. I have bowel problems ie, loose and gas alot. My stomach can't tolerate alot of different foods. I've had a cough for 5 mons. and have gone through 2 antibiotics w/not much change. Maybe this isn't the place to say all these things about my health. Will you respond? Thanks for listening.

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12. Posted by teddi_caraway on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 4:11 pm PDT

Well, it is about time some member of the medical community take a step back into the land of common sense. Why in heavens name would we think that the answer to osteoporosis would be to keep old unhealthy bone? Would it not make more sense to give the body what it needs to make new healthy bone? Not only are these medications not making a healthy framework for our bodies, they do nothing to address a healthy bone matrix! Patients need to understand the importance of not only taking a good form of calcium, but also vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, vitamin D, boron...and the list goes on...that help the body utilize the calcium. And everyone forgets that by the age of 50 the hydrochloric acid production of the average American has dropped by 50%, and when you throw all of the acid blocking garbage everyone is taking into the mix, that percentage drops even more...and we all know that in order for calcium to be absorbed into the system it must by hydrolized!!!(meaning it needs hydrogen provided by the hydrochloric acid our stomachs produce).

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13. Posted by henrylincoln@sbcglobal.net on Mon, Mar 26, 2007, 6:44 pm PDT

What other other drugs may have these side affects,i had to have cortisone shots in my arms and back for nerve's,arthritis.My left jaw bone be sore all the time now.Maybe some of my other medicine maybe causing it. Henry

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14. Posted by angelo d on Tue, Mar 27, 2007, 1:04 am PDT

dr weil.. my mother has severe atrhritis in bothe her hands and feet, and she had knee replacement on both knees. her hands and feet are severely disfigured from arthritis. can boniva really improve her bone condition? she's been taking it for about 4 months now. thanks..

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15. Posted by angelo d on Tue, Mar 27, 2007, 1:06 am PDT

dr weil.. my mother has severe atrhritis in bothe her hands and feet, and she had knee replacement on both knees. her hands and feet are severely disfigured from arthritis. can boniva really improve her bone condition? she's been taking it for about 4 months now. thanks..

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