Strontium citrate, my story...

By phyllis Sunday, July 05, 2009

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Hello everyone, Pam has been asking me to create a sharepost on strontium citrate and for the longest time i thought "what can i share that is different from what can be read in any number of places on the web?" Well, now i do have something to share, my experience with it for almost three years. When i was first dx with osteo in 2006 i was just like everyone whoes dx with it or any or ther condtion. I was scared, fearful of the unknown and uneducated about what to do. My dr. wanted me to take actenol and i did for 2 months before i decided it was not the path i wanted to take to treat this. I was fortunate that i only had minor side effect...very dry eyes and a feeling of a lump in my throat all the time, but enough to say this was not right for me. Once i decided to quit, they both went away in matter of a week or so. That is the best decision in regard to my health i've ever made. I waited a month to help clear my system of the actenol (i did this on my own) and then started strontium citrate, 2 340mg. caps at bedtime. Then i waited.

I was scheduled or a a DEXA after 9 months of use and whoa and behold i already had improved scores, a 4% gain. I was really excited and determinded to take it till the next one 2 years later. During the 2 years i took the strontium faithfully every night, upped my exercise routine, did more of the walking i already enjoyed doing, tried to eat a healthy diet most of the time and took supplements that support bone heath. I've never had a side effects from the strontium. I did notice as time went on that i didn't have as many aches and pains in my hips and lower back and sitting in a car for several hours didn't cause me to squirm looking for a comfortable postion.

I just had the 2 year DEXA a couple of weeks ago and once again was very happy with the results. When i was first dx in 6/06 my left hip was -1.9, femoral head -2.7 and lumbar spine -2.9. Now after almost 3 years of use i have a 14% overall gain in bone mineral denstiy. The total hip t-score is now -1.1 and lumbar spine -1.9. I wasn't given a score for the femoral head. There were no adjustments made to the DEXA other than stopping use for 30 days prior as requested by my dr. I know the reading may not be 100% accurate and the scores may be off a bit, but i'm still very pleased about the gains i've made. I will continue with strontium for another 2 years and hopefuly get both scores well in to the normal range. I'll keep up the rotuine i've been doing..its now habit and part of who i am. A big plus for me is that i enjoy exercising and being active, and eating healthy is good for all of you, not just your bones.

My dr. was very impressed with the gains i made, but until it becomes FDA approved he won't tell his other osteo pateients about it. Fear has become part of a doctors daily life and they don't want to do anyhting that may cause them problems. You can be sure that i'll be spreading the word. A good friend of mine has been taking it for 2 years and has a DEXA later this month...i hope she has the same good outcome that i've had.

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Comments (52) | Add comment

Pam Flores, Health Guide

7/ 5/09 9:03pm

Hi Phyllis, as you know I've been so proud of you for thinking out of the box and taking a route for treatment that you feel is best for you. Keep up the good work, and I wouldn't be surprised if your scores go to normal on the next dxa.

Your positive attitude, I believe has a lot to do with the results, plus your diligent exercise, diet, and overall outlook.

Whenever we can find the thing that works for us we've made great strides, so thanks so much for sharing your story for those on the fence about this supplement. We all might not get the great scores as you, but it's entirely possibly it could happen.

Congrats on your wonderful advocacy for yourself on osteopenia and osteoporosis. We can all learn a lot from you with your down to earth decisions, once you realized you couldn't take a bisphosphonate.

Again this news is FANTASTIC NEWS! We all have a lot to learn from each other on the road to our personal advocacy.

Your friend and supporter of your decisions for treatment.

Pam

BoneLady

7/13/09 5:43pm

Hi, I would like to share my experience with strontium citrate. I've been taking this treatment now for two years, and my latest DXA scan results showed a remarkable improvement over my baseline results. I would like to invite you all to visit my non-commercial, ad-free blog to learn about my experiences with this product. Please check out http://www.strontiumforbones.blogspot.com. I'm not selling anything!

phyllis

7/13/09 11:13pm

Hi BoneLady...congratulation on your gains. It's a good feeling to know that what we are doing is making in difference not only in our lives, but in the lives we touch along the way. I've been reading you blog for some time now and would like to thank you for all the good info you have provided to so many of us "out of the box" bone builders. I'm hoping with the FDA trials of strontium malonate that we'll soon be able to get accurate DEXA scores. My dr. had me stop strontium for 30 days prior to the scan..did you do that? I've had all 3 of my scans on the same machine. Once again thanks and take care...phyllis

BoneLady

7/14/09 1:08pm

Hi! Phyllis, I'm glad you've been reading my blog. I hope you will comment on my latest post. I like to get feedback. I did not stop taking strontium before my DXA scan. Some people stop taking strontium for various time periods before a scan, while others do not. Strontium stays in the bones for years; that's one of its benefits.

BoneLady

cm81256

9/ 3/09 10:37am

Hi Phyllis. What great news about your Dexa scan. I asked my endo about stronium ane he said absolutly not under any circumstances. He said people see an increase in the Dexa scans but it is not a true reading. Something about stornium being heavier and making appear to have more bone. I don't really understand why he would not give me the go ahead. He just said Do not. I am tempted to go out online and start taking it anyway I have heard nothing but good reports about it....

phyllis

9/ 3/09 5:09pm

HI CM...Your dr. is right, taking strotnium does give an overestimated score, since it's a heavier that calcium and shows up differently on the scan. I've read that it can be up to 50% in some articles and less in others. Its not an exact science and won't be until our FDA approves its and regulates the testing. DEXA machines need tobe calabrated differently for stromtium and not many are willing to do that for a few people. With that said when i had my DEXA in June it showed when compared with previous scans to be 14% gain over 3 years..even if its really only 7%, that is a still a gain that i got without side effects or introducing potentially harmful chemicals into my body. Your dr. is like most..since it not FDA approved it can't possible good, effective or safe. If you are interested in strontium do your own research and come to to your own conclusions. take care..phyllis

Anonymous

1/10/10 3:24pm

As we learned from the harmful effects of bisphosphonates that were FDA approved; and promoted like God's gift; not everything FDA approves is safe or even effective. FDA like many places is run by politics and big money; namely, lobbyists of big pharma. So sometimes things get approved over a meeting, and a handshake deal. Other times, despite rigorous testing protocols and approval, drugs turn out to be toxic or fatal for some users then need to be taken off the market.

pac

10/ 6/10 5:59pm

I took Fosamax on my doctor's advice for two years. I asked her about jaw deterioration after the first year because 3 friends had told me they experienced this side effect. She told me that this was not a side effect and told me to continue use. I followed her advice because she was my doctor. A year later I had some dental problems and was told that my jaw had deteriorated to such a degree that I required a bone transplant before treatment could continue. Most physicians depend upon FDA materials and drug company studies to give advice about drugs. The next drug suggested was Forteo a hormone treatment that mentioned osteosarcoma in rats as a posssible connection to human side effects. I refused this treatment. I investigated the use of strontium citrate on my own and found clinical study reports from WHO and Mayo clinic. There is now a trial going on in California. I chose to take strontium citrate on my own and keep monitoring for any possible side effects. You must begin a dialogue with your doctor about the use of strontium vs other drugs. A dialogue does not include one person giving orders to another. If there are real concerns in your case about its use he should be able to explain them to you in a manner you can understand. If your physician refuses to have this discussion, then I might consider a second opinion with a person who is willing to truly speak to you as a person. Just my opinion.

shawn w

12/ 9/10 11:41pm

I am 53 years old and developed osteoporosis at the age of 45--had to beg my doctor to do a Dexa scan back then because I could tell something had happened with my posture. The long story short is that I took Fosamax for about four years and stopped when I began hearing about the jaw side effects. I have lots of dental problems. Last year, I had to have several root canals and several crowns. Did you know that Fosamax stays in your system for 14 years? Me neither. Not until I had to sign a ream of paper last year because of using Fosamax in the past to have an oral surgeon pull a tooth that had receded from my jaw and began to abscess (the oral surgeon's exact quote "Not only would I not use Fosamax, I would never use the IV form of a biophosphenate--that's even worse"). I also had a tooth that continued to hurt down into the jaw after a root canal and crown and the dentist said "We are not going to touch it and hope that it calms down". And so here I was, dental problem after dental problem, not going to use Fosamax or any other biophosphenate, and wondering what to do. I heard about the synthetic form of strontium in Europe and started doing my own research and found out about strontium citrate. I am happy to say that I began taking 680 mg per day along with 1200 calcium and 1000 of D and noticed a difference after about a month in my overall hand and arm strength and the tooth that was hurting all day, every day, mysteriously stopped hurting. I used to have kitchen scissors to open any container or bag, especially the ones that required you to pull up the cellophane tab on top of foam like those in bleach bottles, I would have to cut them out. It is remarkable that I have been opening jars, bottles, pulling up the tabs, having to cut down on how much gusto i exert to open my fridge door because it's overkill now, etc. The most dissapointing thing is that doctors do not explore any other options that might work. I have decided to not even bother to have any further Dexa scans--I know what I am doing is working. I want to also throw out there that a little dab of testosterone is helping to strenghten my bones. i think it's sad that these options are not offered or tried in the elderly--I work in a rehab center as a nurse where I see lots of compression fractures, broken bones, hips, etc. and it is always the same therapy--Fosamax, Boniva, calcium, Forteo. I just want to be an advocate for the patients, but I am not the doctor and he is not willing to explore other options for these people.

Pat

4/ 4/12 9:19pm

I was diagnosed with osteoporosus when I was 58; 8 months after the diagnosis, I accidentally discovered it on a routine visit to my doctor; seems the message never reached me. I was put on Didrocal, and some time after that I became involved in a verbal disagreement between the doctor and the pharmacist; when I went to a naturopath for more information, it was suggested I contact the Didrocal company--where a nurse recommended Fosamax! A few years on that, before the danger of osteonecrosis was discovered (3% of the patients)--I didn't like that risk, so switched to Actonel. A couple of years on that, still no positive progress on the osteoporosis, and my new doctor said that it wasn't adviseable to be on biophosphates (I'm not sure if I have that right) for too many years. By then I had been researching strontium ranelate, which is a European treatment. The study results of about 3,000 people were good, but my doctor wasn't interested in that or the alternative available in North America, Strontium Citrate. The specialist wanted me to go on Forteo, but against her advice and the advice of my doctor, I went on Strontium Citrate. 2 years later my bone density scores had improved by seven per cent! The technician was so impressed, she told me. My doctor admitted that whatever I was doing was working. I was skeptical, as I had heard one had to adjust the figures, but no one knew anything about that. 2 more years: my scan of last week revealed more improvement: My risk category is now "Low,less than 10% over the next 10 years" and my BMD change is "significant improvement." Now my doctor is telling me that I will be on strontium "for the rest of your life" (I pointed out that I began it against his advice.) He tells me that "studies show that discontinuing treatment rapidly reverses all improvement, until you are back where you started." I have very little faith in anything he says, so I'm wondering if anyone out there has comments. I am 65, and my T scores now range from -1.5 to -0.6 (I used to be in the -2.5 range)

pat

4/ 5/12 1:09am

My doctor and the osteo specialist both said "Do not." Wanted me to do Forteo or something. I said no. I went on the Strontium Citrate, and after 2 years had an improvement of 7 %. Same doctor said "Whatever you're doing, is the right thing." (I had been diagnosed with borderline osteoporosis at age 56 "with the bones of a 70 year old"; I was put on Didrocal, then Fosamax, then Actonel --6 years and no improvement; that's partly why I decided to 'self-medicate'. Now the same doctor says I'll be on Strontium "for life"; we'll see. I'm close to normal now; scan last week said "Low risk, osteopenia, significant improvement, 10% risk of hip fracture in the next 10 years." If I'm normal in 3 years, I'll try stopping the Strontium. Some doctors are not worth listening to. Perhaps they get a kick-back from the pharmeceutical companies?

anxious

11/12/12 9:57am

I had a shattered fractured femur and surgery this past July. I have a stainless steel (?) or titanium plate to attach bone pieces together along with 12 screws.

I am on 50,000 U of D-2 every week. Stontium has been suggested to me 227mgX3 hs. My concern is will this react with the metal in my leg? I have not seen any comments on this particular situation. Please comment

Thanks

Pam Flores, Health Guide

11/12/12 10:15am

Welcome anxious! I would doubt that Strontium Citrate would interfere with the titanium rods, but I don't know for sure. Can you ask you surgeon? He/she should know the answer. If not, I can contact Dr. Jennifer Schneider and ask her.

Dr. Schneider, is the doctor who has a femur fracture support group, and she may have members on SC. I do know most of her members took Forteo pre/post surgical placement of the intermudulary rod. See the link above for her email address. She would be happy to answer your question, and you may want to join her group of femur frax patients.

Good luck

llysa

12/17/12 5:22pm

that is why it is important for the dexa reading to be adjusted for strontium ranelate. otherwise, the reading will not be accurate because of strontium's heavier than calcium molecular weight. in uk, the maniufacturer of strontium ranelate included in the spc that the dexa reading should be adjusted.

nathji

7/ 7/09 4:08am

Dear Phyllis,

I must say I am deeply interested and inspired by your wonderful experience with strontium! Here is something that will surprise you -- people in India havent even heard of strontium as a therapy for osteoporosis, far less for anything else. Therefore your experience will be very valuable here in India and the Eastern Countries where everyone is given to understand by the doctors that biophosphonates are a "must" for osteoporosis.

I knew nothing about strontium and thought that it referred to strontium 90 a radioactive product that gets into the bones after a nuclear explosion! It interested me because I was a nuclear physicist!!

I am going to the net to study on strontium and osteoporosis, at first I had seen a website that gave dreadful side effects like heart troube etc. but other sites dont speak of these side effects. Since you have taken it for so long without any problems I feel maybe these side effects were stray instances. But all the same do go into them, before socninuing strontium for years.

You may also see the following experiences, which were described as one of the best yet seen on the web on strontium:

http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/strontium-therapy-for-osteoporosis/

Thank you so much for your wonderful encouraging description, most people give dubious results of their experiences with any medication, but yours is very lucid and inspiring and convincing.

I shall try to find out from New Delhi the capitol of India whether any doctors there have heard of strontium. If not, then I will tell them of your experiences.

Yours,

nathji

phyllis

7/ 7/09 10:33am

Hi Nathji, thank you for your kind words. I have done quite a bit of reading on strontium and luckily have had none of the side effects that can happen. It is not perfect for everyone, but for many there've been no side effects at. It's a shame that more people aren't aware of this supplement since so many have problems with the current crop of drugs.

There is prescription form of strontium citrate called Protelos, is made by the French company Servier. You can go to their site and read about their studies and results. It's being used in 72 countried around the world, but the USA is not one of them. I buy strontium citrate online.

If it would help you i could post the complete DEXA report i was given by my dr. It is basically what i posted, but an offical report may help when talking to dr. in your area.

Have a wonderful day..take care..phyllis

nathji

7/ 7/09 12:52pm

Dear Phyllis,

Many thanks for your kind reply. Yes, it would be very nice if you could post the complete Dexa results and how things improved. It would be a definitive proof of the working of the medicine for many people who are relying entirely on Dexa reports. I will copy and save it along with the rest of your post.

You are doing a wonderdul service to humanity by putting out these share posts -- which I am reading here,-- high up in the Himalayan mountains of Northern India!
One could never have imagined such sharing of ideas before the advent of the internet, which has brought us all so much closer across the oceans and continents!

Yours,

Priya

phyllis

7/ 7/09 1:48pm

Hello Pryia, once again you are being to kind. When i decided to take strontium it was me doing what i felt best for myself. Little did know how far that decision would travel and the interest it would generate. The world is indeed getting much smaller, it never ceases to amaze me that i can talk to people all over the world and learn so much from each. I've lived my whole life the midwest and can only imagine what it must be like to walk the Himilayas daily. I have seen the Rocky Mountains, they took my breath away. On your next walk think of me walking the flat country roads surrounded corn and soybean fields of Illinois. Take care...phyllis

This is a comparision to the scans done on 6/14/07/ and the original in 5/06. There were no adjustments made for the strontium. I recieved a call from my dr. telling me the t-score of the lumbar spine, it is now -1.9, in 2006 it was -2.9. No new scores were given for the left femoral head.

Bone mineral density is 0.833 g/cm2. There has been an increase in the amount of bone density since the baseline was taken 5/9/06 of 14%. 10% of this increase has been since the previous scan on 5/14/07. This is still in the mild osteopenia range with mild increased risk of fracture.

The bone mineral density of the left hip is 0.811 g/cm2. T score -1.1 (t-score in '06 -1.9and a Z score in the mild osteopenia range. There has been a 13.6% increase in the bone mineral density since the 5/06 study.

Conclusion...mild osteopenia in the lumbar spine and left hip. There has been moderate increase in the amount of bone mineral density since the previous exams.

nathji

7/ 7/09 2:35pm

Dear Phyllis,

Thank you for so painstakingly typing out the Dexa scans during your treatment with Strontium! This is invaluable information! Yes, I shall certainly be thinking of you in the aloofness of the Himalayan mountains! If a click at the mouse can carry across one's feelings in words, then the feelings of the heart can surely reach out directly over the oceans and continents. Every time a person in pain finds relief from Strontium, his heart and mine, shall certainly reach out to you in gratitude and love. I will keep in touch! I am ever so grateful to Pam Flores for getting me to know you.

Yours,

Priya

nathji

7/ 8/09 3:19am

Dear Phyllis,

A worrisome thought has struck me about strontium -- would you happen to know whether it has any deleterious effects on the kidney, which would show up only after a long time and surreptiously creep up as the drug accummulates in the kidneys?

Would a creatinine clearance test be required for the kidney function before and during the treatment with strontium?

Is it recommended for people with impaired kidney function?

Is the strontium excreted through the kidneys or does it follow the liver cycle and go out through the stools?

When we say we experienced no side effects -- would that also include symptomless side effects, like silent damage to kidney function?

Thank you so much,

Yours,

Priya

phyllis

7/ 8/09 7:14am

Good morning Priya, you ask very questions, but i do not know the answers. This is a link to a very good article that tells about strontium. It mentions the kidneys. If the link doesn't work try the copy and paste method or go to the site and look for it there. Sometimes my links work and sometimes they don't. Have a great day and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. take care..phyllis

http://www.rheumatology.org.au/community/documents/strontium130508.pdf

nathji

7/ 8/09 2:30pm

Dear Phyllis,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I was sorry to bother you so soon after you had answered so many questions already in such detail with dexa scans etc. However it concerned me that this might be of some importance even to you--have you had your kidney function tested before and during treatment with Strontium? Have you got a creatinine and urea blood test done?

I am now going to the site you have suggested and will get back to you if anything "sinister" presents itself, --I hope not. I would be such a spoilsport to such good news about strontium as you presented! But I am grateful to you for taking the trouble to locate the website and to send it to me. Thanking you again from the Himalayan Mountains.

Yours,

Priya

nathji

7/ 8/09 2:50pm

Dear Phyllis,

Thank you again for your kind information. I have downloaded the Strontium information -- and it does say that people with severe kidney disease should not take Strontium.

That is a bit discouraging, because many people dont know they have kidney disease since it is a silent disease with no symptoms until the kidney function falls much below 50%, and then there is water accumulation in the body, swelling etc., and low urine quantity. Somehow the word kidney disease always frightens me since my mother died from it without knowing she had it until it was too late.

But I suppose most medications, including biophosphonates, would not be allowed in impaired kidney function. For this reason I have always felt more comfortable with medicines excreted through the stools. But then one cant have everything in life. I was a bit worried for your sake lest you may have forgotten to get your kidney function tested, but you probably have and I do hope things are all right!!

I am still thrilled at your writing to me here in the Himalayas where medical aid is still as rare as a pink elephant. Can you imagine the only X Ray machine in the city is out of order most of the time? So if we break any bones we must travel miles down to a larger town with better facilities! And here I am talking about dexa scans!!

Please take care, and thank you again!

Yours,

Priya

Jan

7/14/09 7:36pm

My readings are not good concerning the osteoporosis....they want me to have the IV and I am afraid of side affects. They tell me you will feel bad for one day and I think.......well this is in my body for one year.....so what happens if I have side affects, then what? I wish I knew Strontium would really help build bone for me. I cannot exercise much with bad knees and back, but I try to walk when I can. I appreciated reading your input....thanks, Jan

phyllis

7/15/09 6:39am

HI Jan....I don't know much about the IV therapy and as for side effects its seems some people have them and some don't to varing degrees. Its not an easy decision to make when you've read the info and heard the stories. I did have good luck with strontium and so have a few others i know, but we are all different and will have different results. What to do with our bodies is a personal decision and finding the one we can live happily with is even harder. Do some reading on strontium and make an informed decison as to what you want to do for your bones. Have you talked to a physical therapist to find exercises that will be kind to your knees and back but, still benefit the bones? take care...phyllis

Jan

7/15/09 9:02am

Dear Phyliss,

Thankyou for writing back to me. I so appreciated what you had to say. I am to get synvisc shots in my knees and now they are saying my medicare won't pay for them. My Dr. wants to give me cortisone.....another drug I wish not to have in my body but not sure what to do anymore for the pain. I take no pain meds.....I take tylenol very, very infrequently. I had physical therapy a long time ago for my knees and ended up with a back problem. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis in my hip also......feel like I am in such a quandry regarding what to do and where to go.......I had cancer and almost 5 years clean so far.......it sure did a job on my immune system, my bones, and my stomach. I do not mean to go on but it is nice to have someone to talk to regarding all of this.......I asked the nurse to give me my results of the scan........Lumbar neg. 2.8

Left Hip.3.2 negative...........Femur 3.6....... I have been taking Ezorb calcium replacement and was told in two years my scans would be better. I have seen no improvement but has not gotten worse either. I am going to concentrate on finding out more about strontium and will get back to you. My Dr. said the IV would only bother me for one or two days.....but then I read all the other side affects from people who have had it and it is scary to say the least. Again, thanks so much for writing and for listening to me bend your ear........Jan

Nutmeg

12/11/09 2:54pm

Thanks for the strontium info. I was wondering if strontium skewed the dexascan results. It does make bones more dense, which SUGGESTS they would be stronger, but is that necessarily the case? I take some strontium - 227 mg ever other day - but I have not concluded that taking more would necessarily be better, as the excess must be eliminated and thus may tax the kidneys.

There are other nutrients people should be aware of. The following are supposed to help bones:

Vitamin D3

Vitamin K2

Vitamin C

Magnesium

Selenium

Boron

Calcium (and some say that milk is NOT the best source of calcium because it is not well absorbed from that source; I believe that statement may be controversial, however)

This list is probably incomplete, but it contains what I have heard from many sources. I offer the list so people will be sure to consider these vitamins and minerals in their own research; I believe a deficiency of any of the above will negatively affect bone health. You can be getting plenty of calcium, but if you do not have the other minerals and vitamins, you won't utilize the calcium well.

phyllis

12/12/09 9:21am

Hi Nutmeg, taking strontium does alter how a DEXA is read. Since strontium is heavier than calcium it shows up differently on the scan. You'll get an overestimated score unless the machine used is calibrated to account for the difference. I've read that it can be an over estimate of anywhere from 10-50%, so finding an exact score is hard at this time. Strontium not only helps build new bone, but also has shown to reduce fractures.

Thanks for posting the other important bone nutrients. You're right that its just not one thing that does the trick, but a combination of everything we do. take care, phyllis

beachin4ever

7/26/11 1:32pm

I cannot find Strontium here in my small town. I have been ordering it online, but I

am concerned about shipping in the summer heat. Will Strontium citrate degrade in the heat during shipping?

phyllis

7/26/11 6:00pm

HI beachin4ever, thats a good question and one i've never really thought about. Items are shipped so quickly that i doubt if heat would affect it, but can't be 100% sure about that. If you call the company you've ordered from they may have that information. Like you, i've never been able to find strontium in any stores in our area. I've always gotten it online and get 2 big bottles at a time so i don't have to reorder as often. Sorry i can't be more help. take care...phyllis

baily33

3/28/12 3:52pm

Can anyone please tell me if strontium citrate hardens bones causing them to be more prone to break as do the drugs normally prescribed for osteoporosis. I have just been diagnosed having a -2.5 in my hips but my spine is still good. My PCP advised me not to use stronium. So many different ideas about treatment, one M.D. says calcium over 800 mg has not been proven to be any more beneficial than 1200 mg. He also advises not using suppliments that contain Vit. A. I had been lifting weights prior to my fall and fracture of my wrist. Have always been active. Surgeon said don't put too much weight on Dexa Scan's because they are comparing your bones to those of a 30 yr old. I don't want to ignore this and end up with even weaker bones. I don't think I can become a full vegatarian, I enjoy meat and have turkey, chicken, fish, beef and pork as part of every meal, not huge servings, size of my palm. At the moment I have added a lot more vegatables to my diet, some days a turkey burger, some days no meat at all. I hate taking all these pills, Calcium 5 a day 250 mg ea and pretty large, magnesium 2 a day 400 mg, Vit D3 1 a day 2000 IU and strontium 2 a day 680 mg. I had been taking a multi but because of the issue with Vit A quit, not sure if I get Vit K and boron etc. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

phyllis

3/30/12 7:30am

HI bailey33, sorry to be so slow in respnding but i did find an article that will explain about strontium and fractures. The article is about strontium renalate, but the active ingredient in that is strontium citrate, which is what we are taking.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16735841

From what you wrote your doing the right things for your bones. My only suggestion would be get back into the weight training when your wrist is all healed and your doctor oks it.

You are taking the same supplements as i do, but 5 calcium tablets a day??? How do you remember to take them all? I take a slow release once a day 1000mg/800D3 that is made by Twinlabs. What did your doctor say about Vit A? About all i know about it is that its best to get most of it beta carotene.

take care, phyllis

baily33

3/30/12 11:10am

Since I am new at this I am learning as I go. Yes, the 5 pills of calcium alone become a meal, that is why I am asking for help from others who have more experience. Name brands and mg's to take. One place says take calcium, 1,200 mg, another specifies it must be calcium citrate. I had been taking the Schiff brand super calcium 1200 mg with 800 IU Vit D3 which was 2 softgels, then switched to The Vitamin Shoppe brand because of the Citrate, didn't read the label and was upset to see they were 250 mg tablets and quite large. I take Magnesium Glycinate 400 mg 2 caps (this was another switch too used magnesium oxide 400 mg 1 capsule until finding the list with specifics). Two caps of Doctor's Best Strontium Bone Maker and D-3 2000 IU. I use pill trays to keep it straight. I had been taking a multi vitamin too until purchasing Dr Fuhrman's DVD on Osteoporosis exercises. He claims no supplements of Vit. A at all. He also claims that a 800 mg of calcium is enough the rest you are getting from your diet and more can lead to heart problems. Since I was always more concerned with heart issues loosing my dad to a heart attach at 59 and other relitives stroke and late life diabetes, I exercised, walking, zumba, dancing, swimming, lifting weights, no smoking, no drinking, pop once a wk, no fun foods and to be diagnosed with this has me shocked. On continuing my education on this subject have come across,boron, biotin, silica, K-2, zinc and copper are also needed. All the articles are overwhelming! I just purchase 2 more books on the Osteoporosis subject. After just wanting to throw in the towel I am now choosing to fight. But, my PCP just told me on 3/28/2012 that strontium only makes bones hard just like the Actenol or fosomax. Told me I'm not doing proper research. I'm just so confused. What are these other test blood/urine that are better than the dexa scan? Why does the dexa have to be adjusted if you take strontium? Why can't you take strontium 24 hrs prior to a dexa scan? Where is the best place to get the proper and correct info? So many varying views, I just would like someone to help me that has been reversing there osteoporosis spell out what to take in lines of supplements, what exercises work, what to eat etc. It's confusing and I don't want to wast time on trial and error. I feel like a walking time bomb and evertime I slip or stumble, I feel like crying from the fear of another break. I'm 54, am raising my 13 yr and 19 month grandchildren. No one else in either side of my family has this, my Aunts live into their 90's and active, my mother is 84, no meds. I had been extremely low on Vit D yrs ago and took a supplement in the winter and then off in the summer. Then forgot. Wonder if this is the root of my problem since heredity doesn't seem to be. Any help, advice, lists etc would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for any and all help.

phyllis

3/30/12 11:09pm

Hi Bailey, I'm going to start at the top of your post and work my way down.

Let's see if i can help with the supplements you're. the calcium i take is from Twinlabs...1000mg./800mg D3, a combo of calcium carbonate and citrate,taken once a day, vitacost magnesium oxide 500mg, Vitacost strontium citrate (you can get a 240 capsule bottle for around $20) this is the brand i've taken the whole time. Naure Made womens over 50 multi, 1000mg. D3. The Vitacost SC is the best value i've found and its proven to me to be effective. I get some supplements locally but order most online. I too use pill trays to keep things straight and its also easier to fill once a week that open bottles daily. In addtion to the suplements i eat a healthy diet and like you stay away from soda and junk food. Do you like prunes? They are a great snack and if you add a handful of almonds you have a calcium rich sweet treat.

I understand how you're feeling. In the beginning we are all scared that we will break and i also understand the fear that we feel when we are told our bones are less than perfect. Its downright numbing for a while. You are doing all the right things with your diet, exercise and supplements. One thing to think about is try not to get wrapped up in all the things you read. Some are good, some aren't, and everyone selling a promise has an agenda. Its up to you to decide what your going to try and what your going to let slide. If you try to do them all you'll make yourself crazy tring to get everything right.

Have you read the Myth of Ostoporosis by Gillian Sansone? Its a very good book that has helped many get over the fear of the DX. Its loaded with good info. Another good one is Your Bones by Laura Puzzaro, it ahs a whole chapter dedicated to Strontium.

Ok, onto you strontium questions. The Dexa needs adjusting because the machine reads stronium dfferently than it does calcium. Strontium is heavier. It gives and overestimated score, but even if the scores aren't 100% accurate the reduction in fracture risk makes up for the inaccuracy of score. I was told by my docotr to stop taking the strontium for 30 days prior to the scan and this is what i've done each time. You also shouldn't take any calcium the day before or the day of the scan. The best place to take the scan is on the machine that you been scanned on before. You want the same machine and if possible the same tech. Consistency each time is important.

How long ago did you get DX? I felt the same way you do now for a while, but once i came to terms with it i stopped worring about every step and even though i've fallen a few times i've never hurt myself. I know this will sound crazy, but when i do fall i pick myself up and think to myself "see I didn't break" and feel good about it. Sometimes you need a minor fall to remind yourself that you won't break and that your are strong. It took me a while to get over the fear, and my scores weren't as good as yours in the beginning, but now i just do what i want and don't give it much thought.

Since you have no family history could there be a secondary cause for the denstiy loss in your hips? Has your doctor done full labs to see if ther are other things that could cause it? It sounds like you have a very busy life rasing your grand kids. Stress can affect your bones as well as your whole well being. One last thought i'd like to repeat, wade thru all you read and pick out the things you want to try, let the others go. You're on the right track with all you're already doing so try to relax, enjoy those grandkids and keep up the good work you're already doing. You're bones will thank you. Have a good weekend. take care, phyllis

Rosie

3/31/12 4:08am

Hi bailey, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis when I was 46, with a spine t score of -4.1. I took actonel for 5 years and my score improved to -2.9 at one stage before dropping back to-3.3. After 6 years of religiously taking my mrds and calcium I felt I needed a break, which my dr agreed to. Unfortunately about 10 months later I broke 4 ribs when climbing back on our boat after a swim. My dr sent me for another dexa and it had dropped to -3.6, so I went back on the actonel and calcium, but have not been very compliant with it. Unfortunately, my 12 month scan shows an even worse score at -4.2. I am devastated as I am only 54. My dr has now suggested an IV medication usually given to frail elderly people, with horrific sounding side effects. I have been reading about strontium but as I live in Australia I dint think it is available over the counter. However I think she did mention a daily drink beginning with a P, which reading the literature may be strontium renalate. So I think I may get a second opinion to see about the strontium

phyllis

3/31/12 6:44am

Hi Rosie, sorry to hear that you have had such a hard time. The brand name for Strontium Renalte is Protelos, made by Sevier, a French company. Its widely used in Europe and in many other locations around the world, but is not FDA approved for use in the USA. You'd have to check with your doctor to see you can get it where you live. Here in the States the only option is to buy OTC Strontium citrate, which is the active ingredient in SR without any of the fillers they use. Have a good weekend. take care, phyllis

baily33

3/31/12 9:07am

Phyllis thank you so much for the info and encouragement. I like you use pill trays filled 1X wkly. I have been reading and I guess I am picking and choosing what is do-able for me. When you have a family, husband, son, mother, grandkids to prepare meals for it is hard to change a diet for one person. And the added expense for fruits/veg. I live in the country, grocery stores are a once a wk trip and am still finding it hard to keep fresh veg. I am buying some frozen which are working better.

I had my DEXA done 12/22/2011. The only secondary issues for the bone loss that I can think of besides the fact that I was so low on Vit D would be too much salt in the diet. Dr Fuhrman in his book pointed out how bad salt is to bone loss. I was shocked when I started reading labels the amt of sodium in almost all products! My PCP said it's because I'm small built and thin ( I'm 5'7" normally wegh 132-136 now am 142 but where size 6 or 8 jeans) I was 110-115 in H.S ages ago, 120-125 up until about 42-45 when I was staying 132. My mom weighs 102 and is 5'5" to me that is thin/small.

No my PCP didn't order lab work, been 2 yrs since I've had. Surprised he didn't. Use to be yrly concerned about cholesterol numbers borderline, last work-up tolm me they wer phenominal for a woman my age. Diet & exercise and 5 oz red wine hit or miss each evening.

My life is very busy, but I am content. To me there is nothing that compares to sharing your day with a child, unless the child is ill mannered and out of control. I am fortnate mine are not. Grandaughter is a blessing, takes me by the hand & leads me to the stairs at nap time/bedtime if they were all as well natured.

Did your Dr express any concerns on strontium? Does it regrow new bones or just harden them?

I am going to add some other minerals to my bone building program. Doing cost comparisons, pill size, how many, where I can find a better deal and how much is needed in a diet. Hope to find a pill that has a couple minerals in one.

Have you ever wondered if the Fosomax, Actonel etc was designed to help your bones, why do the Drs still want you to take calcium/D3. Maybe its the supplements that help the most. I have sooo many stories I could share about my own PCP, my sinis infections his treatment antibiotics/Dimatapp drowsy all the time, now take Fen Gree as needed use to be 3X a day then 1X a day haven't had infection in 15 yrs./ Feet swollen heels & under toes he said Plantar Faciatis did everthing recommended no change,went back told him I was Getting depressed that I could not do my regular routine, he said he was giving me a pill to take care of everything (pill was for depression!!!) didn't take mentioned foot problem to my Chiropractor ended up impinged nerves in my legs spade shoveling flower beds all day likely cause 3X to her all better. Much more but the point is I have lost faith in medical profession.

I am going to work at getting my T-score from -2.3 to -1.9 or better. By the way what is the number to strive for?

Thanks again for the info and support. You enjoy your week-end too.

baily33

3/31/12 9:45am

Rosie sorry to hear about your T-score dropping. I am so new at this I'm not sure if I can be of much help. Strontium seams to be a better choice compared to Actonel. I only say that because of the numerous side effects. My mother-in-law had cancer, she used Fosomax for yrs. What she went through, operation,chemo, radiation,weak,sick, tired,loss of appetite, blood tranfusions, numerous scans. I guess my point is IF you have to take a med that could give you cancer, which in turn may possibly prevent you for yrs and yrs to enjoy life, to have your life become one that is a continuous trip to a Dr or hospital that leaves you more and more depleted of energy OR to take a OTC pill that seems to be working for so many others without side effects to me is a no brainer. I'm not a Dr, not in the medical profession at all, but am a person that thinks, too much my husband says. I find it odd that the medical Drs will tell you to use supplements when they want you to use them but will quickly point out that the FDA has not proven claims if you decide to use OTC over a presciption from them YET the FDA has said the same about calcium, Vit D ect.

Like Phyllis pointed out could there be something causing bone loss? I have been dabbling in shakes, 2 C collard greens, 1/2 C no sugar Almond Milk, 1 banana and 1/2 scoop soy protien powder or 1 C blueberries, 1 banana and the same amt of milk and powder. Would like to use something other than the powder to sweeten taste a bit and give texture just haven't thought of anything yet. You are my age and way too young to give up!

Talk to your Dr about strontium. You can order it on-line THe Vitamin Shoppe.com or Puritan Pride.com and am sure numerous other sites as well.

This makes me angry that you, Phyllis myself and so many others have to have our lives upset by this. Funny how this was not around 50 yrs ago, never heard of this. And why is it some other countries don't have this problem? Food manufacturers are killing us slowly and what they can't do the medical profession is taking care of the rest. My opinion and mine alone. Something is wrong and it is going to take determined individuals working together to figure it out.

Please hang in there. Maybe each of us on this site will end up making a difference.

phyllis

3/31/12 2:36pm

Hi Bailey and Rosie, funny you should say this wasn't arounbd 50 years ago, i've often thought the same thing. I worked as a nurses aid before i was married on an orthopedic floor,40 years ago and never once heard the word osteoporisis when an older woman came in with a broken hip, it was just a broken hip. i have an article i'd like you both to read about how all this got going. You may have to search a bit for it, but this is the link. Notice the title of the piece?

http://www.npr.org/2009/12/21/121609815/how-a-bone-disease-grew-to-fit-the-prescription

Bailey, thanks for telling your height and weigh over the years. When someone has a small petite frame their bone density may show up on a scan as less dense than it should be. It goes to figure that if your bones a smaller to begin with, the denstiy isn't going to be the same as someone who has a much bigger bone structre naturally. To be honest your scores aren't bad, its only your hips that are affected and they are on the dividing line.

The only concern my doctor was that something would go wrong and that i would blame him. He never said not to take strontium and wished me luck when i told him he was off the hook. Until it gets and FDA aprroval not many dotctors will recommend it our of fear. Here is another article that tells about stronium citrate, check out the site while your there, its loaded with good info.

http://www.osteopenia3.com/Strontium-Osteopenia-Osteoporosis.html

Well, ladies its time to get going and get a few things done. take care and ahve a good weekend. phyllis

baily33

3/31/12 6:36pm

Hello Again Phyllis! Thanks for the interesting info.

When you have your DEXA done are you required to remove your clothes? All they asked me to do was to lie on the machine and unzip and unbotton my jeans. Found that odd and inquired, the tech said that is how it was done. But I would think that a heavy material such as a jean would make it hard to get an accurate reading. Just curious how others are done.

Now I swear, no more computer today :-))

phyllis

3/31/12 7:23pm

Quick reply...when i have mine i wear elastic waisted shorts or sweat pants. I was told you can't be wearing anything with metal, like a zipper. take care, phyllis

rosie

3/31/12 9:22pm

Hi Baily and Phyllis,

Thanks for your reply. Actually my osteoporosis is hereditary. When first diagnosed I saw a rhuematologist, as my dr. said I was the worse case he had ever seen. The rheumatologist asked me to bend sideways, forwards, backwards and then looked at my hands. I thought this was odd until he spotted that I am extremely flexible in my joints. He said that I have joint hypermobility and that this goes hand in hand with osteoporosis and that I would never have had normal bone density. My paternal grandmother was very hunched over, and my mother has osteo, as do both my sisters. My daughter is extremely flexible, and will probably end up with it and one of my sons has had broken bones with miminal trauma and was tested at 11 years, and found that he has 25% less bone than normal at his age. I think I inherited a double dose. I would love to hear whether you two ladies are flexible in your joints also??

rosie

3/31/12 9:22pm

Hi Baily and Phyllis,

phyllis

3/31/12 11:18pm

HI Rosie, i woudn't say i'm overly flexible. I've never been able to sit on the floor with my legs in a wide V and get my head anywhere near touching my leg like i've seen others do. Can you give me an example of just how flexible your joints are? I've never heard of the connection between joint flexibility and osteo. take care...phyllis

baily33

4/ 1/12 10:48pm

Hi Rosie! This is new information. I haven't read anything about flexability and osteoporosis. I don't think I'm flexable. I never was able to do a split, didn't make it for cheerleader. If I sit on the floor I can't get my ankle behind my neck like other kids could and now well we will just laugh cause my ankle isn't getting anywhere close to my neck. Some stretches in my exercise DVD'S have you sit with legs spread and then you stretch out and touch your toes, the women on the DVD practically lay on there leg and then between them, and nope that is not me. So I am not overly flexable.

Are you having your daughters and son take any supplements or change their diet to add more vegetables and fruits? This has to be devestating for you, as mothers we try so hard to keep our kids safe and healthy. Maybe someone on this site will be able to help so your kids don't have to worry about bone loss. You didn't mention their ages but maybe a single dose of strontium every other day. Boy I would be curious to know what a Dexa would read for them now.

Rosie

4/ 1/12 11:36pm

Hi Phyllis and Baily,

Well, It is my spine which is really flexible. Even at 54 I can sit on the floor and lay my top half straight down on my legs so that my nose touches halfway between my knees and ankles. I can also place my hands flat on the floor when standing up so that again my nose touches my knees. I am really good at yoga as I can twist my top half, so that I can look behind myself, if you see what I mean. I do have some flexibility in my hips, but not as much as my daughter who has always been able to do the splits, and her spine is so flexible that she can bend over backwards and put her head between her knees. She does a lot of acrobatics and contortion. I am hoping her bone density wont be too bad as she has done dance since she was 9 and has been a lot more active than I was as a kid. I have the same type of osteoporosis that dancers and gymnasts have when they get older. My hip score is only -1.79, which is really good.

Unfortunately it is not possible to get strontium citrate in Australia, strontium renalate is by prescription only, and I am pretty sure my son would be too young to take it. I would not be able to order and import it either, due to strict import regulations. And trying to get an 18 year old boy to take supplements is difficult - I have tried. I am going to discuss the strontium option with my GP soon.

baily33

4/ 2/12 9:20am

Good morning Rosie! All I can say is wow! I've seen others bend as you described and have tried to get my own body to stretch further, but have never gotten to anywhere close to your flexability.

My brain works in quirky ways but I was thinking last night as I undressed to shower that I look like I have lost a pound or two. I have been using Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live book and have not been focused on weight loss since this seems to be what put me in a catagory for this. I went to reference in the book and yes it guarantees weight loss. This is where I get confused. You have to stay thin (not anorexic thin) to stave off diabetes and heart problems, knee and ankle problems and high b.p. etc. Flip side Osteoporosis. If I eat all these veggies and fruits and combined with exercise I'm going to loose weight! This is where I don't understand what to do! If I loose 10# or more until my next PCP appt he is going to flip, but if I continue to eat meat and potatoes w/veggie and salad I will have more bone loss. Out of curiousity, what is your diet and exercise routine like? Wondering is it what we eat that makes us loose bone or is it something else. Do you smoke? How about pop? When you got your DEXA did they do it through your clothes? Can't clothes cause shadowing on the x-ray? I was reading older posts and one said her dr said not to use strontium as did mine, wonder why some are so opposed. I am going to do more research and ask some friends who are in the medical profession. I will get back to you. Have a nice day Rosie.

baily33

4/ 2/12 9:20am

Good morning Rosie! All I can say is wow! I've seen others bend as you described and have tried to get my own body to stretch further, but have never gotten to anywhere close to your flexability.

baily33

4/ 2/12 9:21am

Good morning Rosie! All I can say is wow! I've seen others bend as you described and have tried to get my own body to stretch further, but have never gotten to anywhere close to your flexability.

Rosie

4/ 2/12 11:52pm

Hi Baily

Well now that you mention weight, I have lost 13.5 kg through weightwatchers, because I was overweight and now weigh about 60 kg. I think thats about 133 lb (after about 30 lb loss). This has been over the last 12 months, the exact time my BMD has plummeted, coincidence?? I have also changed jobs over the last 12 months and am now doing a much more sedantry job, which I suppose has contributed to the loss. I am going to have to start doing some high impact weight bearing exercise on a daily basis. Unfortunately I have just sustained a back injury getting out of a chair (another concidence??) so am having to be careful just moving. But I am thinking positively and planning to be more compliant with meds and supplements, and get more weight baring exercise in. By the way I have found several articles about joint hypermobility on the web, just google osteoporosis and joint hypermobility.

Strontium citrate, my story...

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