Thursday, May 14, 2009 survivor asks

Q: Looking for drug that doesn't have stroke risks of Evista or heartburn, etc of Boniva

I successfully completed treatment for stage IV tongue cancer one year ago and am now dealing w/ osteoporosis and trying to find a suitable treatment w/ the lowest risks factors.

I also have barrett's esophagus which is why I don't think Boniva is an option for me. Is there anything that doesn't have the risks of stroke or blood clots that come w/ Evista or the heartburn, swallowing risks of Boniva?

Answers (1)

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phyllis

5/14/09 4:02pm

Hello Survivor..welcome to the community and congratulation on completing your treatment for cancer. You're right to look for something that won't cause more problems or give new ones with side effects. Have you talked to your dr. about possible options or are they recommending boniva? One you might want to look into is strontium citrate, i've been taking it for almost 3 years now and have had no side effects at all. It's a natural supplement that can be ordered online and if your lucky in some stores. There are plenty of sites that will give you info, but this one covers it all pretty well.

This link will provide info about the prescription from of strontium citrate..Protelos, which is used in Europe and many other countries to treat osteo. The article gives a very informative look at strontium, but here in the States we take 680 mg. a day in capsule form, not a powder mixed with water. It covers everything from what it does, how it does it and side effect to look for.

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:fkBqzrKUWoMJ:www.rheumatology.org.au/community/documents/strontium130508.pdf+strontium/pregnacy&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Have you started or doing a fitness progam of weight bearing and weight training? How bout supplements like calcium, vit D, magnesium, fish oil and good multivitamin? And lets not forget a good healthy diet. There are many things you can do to help your bones that are easy to work into your daily life.

If there is more we can help you with please ask. take care...phyllis

joy

8/ 4/09 3:04pm

Hi Phyllis, how are you doing with the strontium citrate? Have your scores improved? I had to go off actonel after one year because of severe shoulder and back pain along with acid reflux that i never had before. I have not been on anything for the last 8 months but i am afraid to take ivs or biophosphanates. I have taken estrogen patch for 15 years and then went off it when i was on actonel. i waited a couple months and went back on since i have no protection. i am afraid I am slipping since my last numbers are -2.5. would appreciate any comments thanks. joy

phyllis

8/ 4/09 5:44pm

HI Joy...i have had no problems at all since starting strontium 3 years ago this month. I had a DEXA in June and did have what i'd call significant improvements. I've gone from ospteoporsosis in the lumbar spine to osteopenia and my hips have stayed in the osteopenia range but a much better score. I've also had good dental check ups and fewer aches and pains. I know of one other woman whoes having fewer aches too. If there is anything i can help wtith just ask. take care..phyllis

joy

8/ 4/09 10:34pm

Thank you so much for your response Phyllis. Congratulations on your progress. What strontium do you take?

I will be needing a DEXA this fall and will be seeing my ob/gyn as well to persuade me into either iv or evista. not really liking neither. I am contemplating the strontium but am wondering how it will affect the dexa. if i decide to start on it now. would i tell the technician beforehand that i am taking strontium or do i go off it the week before?

I have taken estrogen patch 15 years and I know dr. wants me to go off because of the risk of blood clots and stroke for this long of time. do you know anything about blood clot risk and strontium? Do you take any estrogen? thanks, joyce

phyllis

8/ 5/09 7:30am

Hi Joy...I've been taking NSI Strontium from the beginning. I order it online. There are several brands to choose from, but this one has a good price and has proven to me that it works. Strontium does alter the DEXA results by as much as a 50% (this is what i read recently) over estimation and you do need to tell the tech doing the scan that you are taking it so it can be noted since it does make the bones look different. Strontium is heavier than calcium so it shows up different on the scan. If I were you i think i'd wait till after the scan to start using it, a couple of months may not show results yet and then you would have baseline scores to go from in the future. I'd been taking it 9 months when i had a DEXA 2 years prior and did have improvements. I was also told by my dr. to stop for 30 days prior which i did both then and for the scan i had in June. I don't know if this was necessary but wanted conditions to be the same for both. I've never taken any estrogen, i was lucky and never had a need for it. There is a slight risk of blood clots with strontium and that is something you'd have to discuss with your dr. If your dr. tries to persuade you to take recalst or boniva just be firm and tell her its not the path you want to take at this time. Hopefully she will support whatever you decide. My dr. wasn't happy when i told him i was not taking actenol anymore..i did for 2 months...but when i told him he was off the hook for any futrue happenings he calmed down. He has seen my results but until a form of it is FDA approved he won't tell others about it. Do your own research and when you go to see her take info with you to share since most dr. aren't familiar with strontium. I take articles with me whenever i see my dr, i feel its my job to educate him about alternative ways that have helped me and may help others if they knew.

You can go to the homepage and read my sharepost...my results are posted there.

have a good day. take care...phyllis