After experiencing jaw problems from using Fosamax, I found a great natural product that is affordable and works well. Called OsteoValin (osteoval carbonate forte), it is manufactured by the Carter-Reed Company. It is not a calcium supplement. It is supposed to be taken in addition to a bone health regimen. It assists the body in building new bone mass while reducing bone loss.

I have been using the product for 18 months, along with a quality calcium/magnesium supplement and my last bone density test showed great results. For me there have been no side effects. OsteoValin can be ordered by calling 1-800-898-5153. Their customer service is excellent and they won’t try to sell other products to you.

DEAR READER:
I have no experience with this product, having never even heard of it before your letter. You were kind enough to enclose a pamphlet on the supplement. I also did some brief research on the ingredients in OsteoValin.

According to the pamphlet, the main ingredients are a special blend of strontium carbonate, quercetin and hesperidin.

Quercetin is a plant-based flavonoid found in large quantities in apples, onions, red wine, teas and more. It appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Hesperidin is another flavonoid found in lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits. It is primarily used to improve blood flow and may improve endometriosis, PMS, hemorrhoids, and uterine fibroid tumors.

The final main ingredient is strontium carbonate. Strontium is a natural alkaline, metallic element which can be used to create several different types, including strontium carbonate, ranelate and others. It is NOT to be confused with strontium-90 which is radioactive and results from nuclear fallout.

Strontium is found in food, water and in trace amounts in the human skeleton. While, I couldn’t find anything directly linking strontium carbonate to improved bone health, I did find several references to medical studies done using strontium ranelate. In 2004, the New England Journal of Medicine had a report that showed the use of the supplement (in conjunction with calcium and vitamin D) led to early and sustained reductions in vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. It also reported that there were no significant differences in the number of serious side effects between the supplement and placebo.

In addition, strontium ranelate has been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in the United Kingdom under the name Protelos. Furthermore, in December 2008, the results of a head-to-head study were released in the journal “Osteoporosis International” that showed that Protelos improved bone volume, whereas Fosamax did not. The study was small, comprising only 88 postmenopausal women over a period of two years. It was, however, double-blind, meaning the researching physicians and patients didn’t know which medication they were giving or receiving.

While I cannot comment on the efficacy of OsteoValin, I cannot argue with your results. I must urge anyone interested in trying the supplement to consult his or her physician first. Especially those people taking prescription medications.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

My recent bone density exam showed a T-score of negative 2.6 for the femoral neck. The previous one was negative 2.2. My T-score for L1-L4 is negative 1.2 and the one before was negative 1.1. My question to you is, what can I do to improve my bone density?

DEAR READER:
You don’t say if you are taking calcium plus vitamin D supplements. If you are not, you should be. I recommend you take 1500 mg of calcium and 400-600 IU of vitamin D daily. The vitamin D aids calcium absorption.
You need to know why you are continuing to lose bone mass despite treatment. It is vital this is done before serious injury occurs. You are at an increased risk of spinal compression fractures which can occur without trauma. You are also at risk of breaking a hip or leg due to minor falls or accidents. Given your relatively weak bones, this could mean months or even years of painful and slow healing.

I urge you to return to your primary care physician and request a referral to an endocrinologist. He or she can order additional testing to see if there is another cause for your worsening bone density, such as thyroid disease. You may also benefit from an alternative medication such as Calcitonin which is derived from thyroid hormones.

Another option is Forteo. This drug is a daily injection that is reserved for severe cases that do not respond to other medications. It should not be used for more than a maximum of two years because of the increased risk of side effects. Forteo also has a black box warning because it has been shown to increase the risk of developing a type of malignant bone cancer is rats. It is unknown at this time if this holds true for humans as well.

As a final note, if you are on any other medications, it is important that the physician or specialist review them to ensure they are not interacting with or counteracting the Boniva. It is also necessary to find out if worsening bone density or calcium loss is listed as a side effect for any of them.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Fosamax plus D is an osteoporosis medication that also contains vitamin D which aids calcium absorption into the bones. Unless you have had testing that shows osteoporosis, you do not need this medication.

I would also like to add that I was unaware that calcium came in 120 mg tablets. Perhaps you miswrote, but if not, you should take 1200 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D daily to prevent osteoporosis.

I recommend you speak to your primary care physician or gynecologist if you have further questions regarding osteoporosis and treatment.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I’ve taken Fosamax for almost seven years for mild bone loss and recently read of a scientific study indicating the drug can cause heart abnormalities — including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and stroke! I stopped taking the Fosamax immediately.

Is my atrial fibrillation a chronic condition now or does the discontinuation reduce and eventually end the symptoms? Is there a SAFE bone-loss drug available? Have you any idea why this important information for women is not well known? Is there some sort of pharmaceutical cover-up?

DEAR READER:
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that presents as rapid, abnormal, irregular heart beats. The lower chambers of the heart can beat 130 times per minute while the upper chambers can send out more than 350 electrical impulses per minute. The irregularity results in a decreased amount of blood pumped to the body. The disorganized contractions of the upper heart chambers can cause clot formation.

Now for the Fosamax. I don’t know of any medication, to include aspirin, that does not have the potential for some side effects in some individuals. On the up side, research has shown Fosamax reduces the incidence of hip fracture by 63%. This is a significant finding for post-menopausal women. Now comes the down side. Fosamax appears to double a woman’s chances of developing atrial fibrillation, even if no history of heart abnormalities is present. This was not known when the drug was test marketed, nor was it known for several years thereafter. To my way of thinking, herein lies the problem. New drugs enter the market and promise to cure every condition known to mankind. Long-term effects of drug use are not known for years.

The manufacturer did not conceal the news; the bad press made headlines in newspapers and on television across the country. The drug is still being used and has not been recalled, but doctors are aware of the devastating potential side effect. Many have rightly converted their patients to a different drug without the side effect you experienced. You were wise to discontinue the medication. Hopefully your condition isn’t chronic and you will not experience repeat episodes.

Safer alternatives include calcium and vitamin D, calcitonin, and more. Speak with your physician about your best alternative. He knows your complete medical history and is your best bet for the suggestion of a substitute.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
You are referring to a small study reported in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, disclosing patients with low-to-no-trauma fractures. A large portion of those in the study had been on long-term Fosamax therapy for an average of 6.9 years. Of particular interest is that all of the breaks occurred straight across the bone and some were preceded by weeks or even months of unexplained aches and pains.

In the past Fosamax has been associated with osteonecrosis of the mandible (destruction of the jaw bone) in some users. When this information was made public, I recommended all my patients on the drug switch to something else for control of their osteoporosis. With this newest report, I can only state my personal opinion which is to stay away from Fosamax and consider other options.

While research is ongoing and positive strides are being made, it often takes years before we know the full story on any medication. For example, biphosphonates are available in weekly and monthly doses through oral tablets, or annually by injection. Personally, I feel it is too soon to know of any possible long-term consequences that could develop while on these drugs. To compound the issue, by the time complaints are made and stories are correlated for similarity, years may have passed and the damage to bones might already be done. It’s a difficult dilemma.

Calcium supplements for men and pre-menopausal women should be 1000 mg with a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU daily. For post-menopausal women, the appropriate dosing is 1500 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D daily. The easiest way to accomplish this is to purchase a calcium supplement that also contains D, such as Citracal + D or Caltrate + D.

I want to include a quick note about vitamin D, since overload can cause poor appetite, constipation, confusion, mental changes, vomiting, and heart rhythm abnormalities. While too much D is unlikely for the average individual, normal ranges are 200 IU daily for individuals up to 50 years of age, 400 IU for those from 52-70 and 600 IU for those over 70. The tolerable upper limit for individuals over one year of age is 50 mcg or 2000 IU. Be sure to read the recommended serving size on labels, since you may have to consume two or more pills daily to get the proper supplement amount.

If you are concerned about taking too much vitamin D, you can easily take a plain calcium supplement with a separate vitamin D supplement to ensure you are not getting too much or too little of either.

Eating well-balanced meals that include broccoli, kale, mustard greens, legumes, and shellfish will help maintain strong bones. Healthful foods should be a part of everyone’s lifestyle.

Take your concerns to your primary care physician. If you haven’t had a bone density X-ray (DEXA) in the last two years, requests your physician’s office set up an appointment. Determine how severe your osteoporosis is and work out a plan together as to which control might be best for you.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 120 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
As I originally reported, Actonel is ordinarily a beneficial drug. However, some people suffer side effects. Most are mild and do not justify discontinuing the drug, yet some are extremely serious. Chest and back pain, esophageal stricture, joint pain, nausea, diarrhea, back and abdominal pain, hypertension, urinary tract infections and more have been reported. As I’ve said in the past, all biphosphonates can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, destruction and death of bone tissue. Therefore, any decision to begin a trial of a drug should be discussed in depth with your physician.

You appear to be extremely sensitive to this class of drug. Your physician has correctly stated enough is enough. Try taking 1200 mg of calcium combined with 600 IU of vitamin D daily as an alternative. You should also eat more healthful meals, including foods that are high in calcium. Exercise to the extent of your capabilities to maintain strong, healthy bones.

I don’t like the idea of taking a strong medication such as Fosamax when I feel so great, and I don’t want to take medicine for something I might not have. Besides, if I do have a problem, it could be 15 to 20 years before it affects me, and there might not even be a significant problem then.

DEAR READER:
Before taking any medication, a patient should explore the risk/benefit relation. If, as you say, your bone density is “very low”, you are at risk of fractures and you ought to revise your objection to Fosamax or similar drugs. On the other hand, a moderate reduction in bone density can be monitored by annual testing.

You fail to indicate if you drink milk, eat yogurt, or get adequate calcium in your daily diet. If you don‘t, you might consider taking calcium with vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy bones. It’s safe, without side effects, and might be more to your liking than prescription medication.

At the end of a trial period agreed upon between you and your physician, you can be re-tested to determine if you have additional loss of density or if the simple supplement corrects any abnormalities. If additional loss is present, you will need to take prescription medication.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

My dentist has now warned me that he would never pull a tooth because of the Fosamax. He says he would do a root canal and cap the tooth however. Could you give me any advice regarding this medication? My gynecologist told me that there were no bad side effects unless the Fosamax were given by injection. Thank you.

DEAR READER: Your dentist is on the cutting edge. Fosamax (and related bisphosphonate medications) can rarely cause mandibular necrosis (destruction of the jaw bone). Tooth extraction, local infection and delayed healing following dental procedures put individuals with osteoporosis at higher risk of developing this disorder. It generally affects cancer patients who are treated with the IV biphosphonates. Individuals who are taking corticosteroids, are receiving chemo or radiation treatments, have existing dental disease or poor dental hygiene, anemia, infection or abnormal blood coagulation while taking Fosamax are also at higher risk. Dental surgery may worsen the condition, but it is not known if stopping the medication before dental procedures will reduce the risk. Even more rarely, women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and no other risk factors will develop mandibular necrosis.

This is a rare disorder but because it can be so detrimental, physicians are now taking precautions, such as your dentist has done and some are using prescription osteoporosis medications only as a last resort. Increasing calcium and vitamin D intake can help slow the bone loss and if started before significant loss has occurred, it may even prevent osteoporosis.

Because you have taken Fosamax for several years without side effects, I recommend that you continue. For you, the benefits outweigh the risks. If, however, you develop jaw pain, joint or muscle pain, stomach upset, cramps or bloody stool, see your physician immediately. Fosamax and similar medications can cause ulcers (rarely bleeding), esophageal stricture (narrowing) and other problems. To rule out more serious disorders, your physician should order X-rays and other imaging studies. If the Fosamax is to blame, he should switch your medication or discontinue it completely.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, number 10 stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER: There are several issues here.

First, Fosamax is a drug used to treat osteoporosis, an age-related bone softening condition, NOT high cholesterol.

Second, if your triglycerides have been high, the nurse’s diet is not an appropriate choice; rather you should avoid dietary fats.

Third, you need to speak to your doctor about a low-fat diet for your cholesterol problem and why you are taking Fosamax. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding about the Fosamax. If you do not have osteoporosis or osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis) you do not need Fosamax and could simply do with calcium and vitamin D supplements. You may also need a cholesterol lowering medication if diet does not lower your numbers.

I don’t like the idea of taking a strong medication such as Fosamax when I feel so great, and I don’t want to take medicine for something I might not have. Besides, if I do have a problem, it could be 15 to 20 years before it affects me, and there might not even be a significant problem then.

DEAR READER:
Before taking any medication, a patient should explore the risk/benefit relation. If, as you say, your bone density is “low”, you are at risk of fractures and you ought to revise your objection to Fosamax or similar drugs. On the other hand, a moderate reduction in bone density can be monitored by annual testing.

You fail to indicate if you drink milk, eat yogurt, or get adequate calcium in your daily diet. If you don‘t, you might consider taking calcium with vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy bones. It’s safe, without side effects, and might be more to your liking than prescription medication.

At the end of a trial period agreed upon between you and your physician, you can be re-tested to determine if you have additional loss of density or if the simple supplement corrects any abnormalities. If additional loss is present, you will need to take prescription medication.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.