My doctor just told me to take extra calcium but I'm concerned as my dentist didn't like my recent jaw Xray and also my fingernails are horrible. Also have back and hip pain. So I'm now concerned my doctor was too casual about the calcium and maybe I haven't taken enough extra calcium. What should I be concerned about now and what should I do?
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Q: I have been taking boniva injections for about a year, but have low blood calcium. What about this?
Answers (2)
11/29/08 8:42pm
Hi Anna: Very interesting question. I'm not a Dr but I can lead you to some info regarding your question, that I hope will help.
When you say you have low calcium (hypocalcemia) do you mean that your total serum calcium score was below the reference range listed on the lab report?
Different labs will have different reference ranges, which is just another way of saying normal range. At my lab the reference/normal range is: any number between 8.6 and 10.2 mg/dL. Is your score below your labs lowest number listed in the reference range? The reason I ask is it's easy to misinterpret these scores. To get a dx of hypocalcemia you *usually* have to have more than one test result that is below 8.6 (or whatever your labs lowest number is in the range).
If you've had consistently low scores below the lowest number in the normal range then I would ask your Dr if he/she thinks the Boniva would be contraindicated for you. If the Dr feels that the additional calcium supplement will correct this, then just keep an eye on the score.
If you read the info from the manufacturer of Boniva, it say's that Boniva is contraindicated for those with *uncorrected* hypocalcemia. Since I don't know your actual score it's hard to say if you have a diagnosis of hypocalcemia or if your results are just at the low end of *normal* for the test.
Here's the link on Boniva that explains this issue with low calcium. Ask your Dr if it's ok to continue with this drug, if you do indeed have low calcium.
As far as the pain goes, this med can cause joint/bone/muscle pain. Have you had a recent injury to the area where the pain is, that might explain this? Whether you have or not, I would ask your Dr to check it out, since we don't know for sure if the med is causing the pain or not. Since the pain could originate from some other source, besides the med, then think about what type of testing might help to explain it--like an x-ray etc.
Good luck with this, and I hope your calcium isn't below the reference range, and if it is hopefully the additional calcium supplement will help bring the score up.
11/29/08 10:17pm
Hi Anna: Sorry but I have a couple other suggestions... Try and print the Boniva (link) info that includes the "Important Safety Information (Injectable)" paragraph to make sure that the Dr is aware of this. If you can't print this, can you take the package insert with you or have the Dr look it up in the PDR about the calcium issue? Each of these sources all say the same thing about the calcium issue with regards to this med, and all other bisphosphonates.
If you aren't satisfied with his/her explanation, can you get a second opinion "just to be on the safe side" provided your calcium level *is* consistently below the normal range, on *your* labs test print out.
Good Luck again, and I hope you get a satisfactory answer to this and a resolution!! If you need more help from any of us post back.
Best Wishes,
PF
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