Hi. I was just wondering how people have gone about choosing the right osteoporosis treatment for themselves? Did you just go with the one the GP prescribed or did you look around at other options first?
Hi. I was guided by my rheumatologist at the time but that was before I was a member of ROS and knew much about the various different drugs available. Also there were no anabolic options 10 years ago when I started treatment except for teriparatide. I’m due a review soon and feel more empowered to have a discussion about the best treatment at this point in my life and the new anablic drugs (romosozumab and abaloparatide) rather then just accept what they suggest without question. Hope this helps.
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I always ask for different GP, or consultant opinions if possible
Hi
Make sure you take your notes with you when you see any doctor of what you want to discuss including any side effects. You can find this on the ROS website. This will help you to be focused. I do that everytime I see any doctor. Take care and hope all goes well with the best treatment.
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Good shout. I saw this in the recent ROS January newsletter and it’s really helpful. Not matter how mentally prepared I think I am I always get a bit flustered with the Doc due to time pressure so a physical check list is great.
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Whatever I take it will scare me. I’m not used to medication, not even paracetamol, so the situation I’m in is alien to me. (I was only diagnosed 4 weeks ago)
I’m leaning toward yearly infusion so I don’t have to take tablets on a regular basis. My GP is useless. Has never bothered to contact me so I’m in contact with the hospital
Hi be your own advocate. Sometimes Radiologists comment on the DXA scan results. Mostly they tend to prescribe Allendronic Acid weekly. Depending on your DXA scan results you could request a referral to the hospital as GPs tend to have general information but specialist in the hospital will be more focused.
Above all, look at the Royal Osteoporosis Society website which gives a lot of information. I am a member and get emails and quarterly newsletters which are very informative.
Also most important is the bone impact and muscle strengthening exercises (ROS has 3 stages of these exercises). Exercises are important so set time aside to do them.
Remember to check your risks at home and outside. For me, I put light at home at night, no high heels and no long trailing dresses.
But with a bit of adjustments, life is great.
Take care.
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I’m newly diagnosed too. My gp recommended denusumab which I was happy with but the hospital said alendronic acid would be a safer option so I am now a bit confused.
Does anyone take prolia and have they had any side affects?
My GP has been very good. I managed to see her the day after I got my diagnosis (albeit that was via a text message at 10 pm which was far from ideal). I rang the surgery explained that I was overwhelmed with the diagnosis and my GP saw me that afternoon. She was pragmatic and calm and reassuring and explained the treatment plan of Alendronic Acid once a week plus calcium and vitamin D supplement. She was helpful and supportive. I have now been on it a year - don’t like taking medication as a rule but I know it is the right thing to do and it has just become part of my routine and feel absolutely fine. Increased exercise and now incorporated strength training and feel much more positive than I did this time last year.
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Hi everyone,
A very warm welcome to our new community - thank you so much for joining us here! 
It’s really good to see such thoughtful sharing of experiences around osteoporosis treatments here as finding the right osteoporosis treatment is such an important topic. We just wanted to drop into the conversation to share our information about different Osteoporosis medicines, and to mention our BoneMed Online free service which provides tailored information to those starting or changing osteoporosis medicines.
We also have information about Talking to your doctor about your bone health that might feel helpful for any upcoming appointments.
Thank you again to everyone who has shared their experiences here, we hope you can continue to reach out as you take any next steps
Wishing you all the very best,
Lulu
ROS Moderator
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Hi Fidrefly1
Yes I take prolia. I have taken it for 2 years on six monthly injections. No problems encountered.
I have just had a bit of a back on forth with my GP. I wanted to go another route other than drugs. I did as much research as I could and printed it out with all relevant guidelines and long term implications and I eventually got a Dr to listen to me. If I had gone with the first Dr it would have been “there’s a pill - see you in 5 years”. The fracture liaison clinic discharged me and told me I wouldn’t be offered further dexa scans if I didn’t take the drugs.
I’ve been on denosumab (Prolia) for 7 years now having been first on alendronic acid for several years (it wasn’t doing the job). I chose this as opposed to the yearly infusions as it does leave the body over the 6 months. I had to have a wisdom tooth out so timed it to coincide with a few weeks after the 6 months were up and then waited about 4 weeks more when the gum had healed before starting it again. It just felt safer though I know the possible downsides of the drugs are the same. I’m not sure about the safety of denosumab versus alendronic acid, it may be worse, but I had to change whatever. I don’t have any after effects from the injections.
Hi
I was guided by my rheumatologist but I also made a list of the drugs and took it with me.
Best of luck
I think osteoporosis medicines have side effects. You may have to stay on some medicines for life or risk a rebound when quitting. Teeth problems can be more complicated with medicines. Trials use a relative score not an absolute.
Hi Lexie
Yes there are some side effects with the jaw bones.
But my dentist says:
Visit the dentist 6 monthly:
I visit my dentist 6 monthly and my hygienist 3 monthly. It is expensive but I need to avoid osteonecrosis of the jaw (occurs when you have a major dental procedure). So these visits of mine ensure that my teeth gets checked regularly.
I brush my teeth the way my hygienist recommended at night and once in the day.
And I hope for the best.
So have a word with your dentist and the hygienist about your osteoporosis and the medication. In particular read about this subject so you are well informed when discussing with your dentist
Take care
Zanzibar