Osteoporosis

I would like to hear from post menopausal post ops to see if they have had bone density tests and how they are doing? I have had several. before surgery i had been diagnosed with osteopenia ( not quite there) I have been on actonel, calcium etc. recently i had a repeat Bone density test that was not as good. I am wondering what will help. Recently i had gotten out of the exercise habit and in fact seemed to be a little depressed. Not keeping house very well, Staying in my night gown until late morning. My Nurse practicianer suggested that i increase my prozac to see if that would get me moving again. I did that and am feeling much better. 4 weeks down the road. I am voluntariloy getting my house in better order and will soon resume water aerobics. Hope this solves my problem. I want to hear about others experience. thank you. Thelma

How much calcium are you taking a day?   Are you taking calcium in the form of calcium citrate? Are you spreading your calcium intake out over the day (no more than 500 mg at one sitting)? How are your labs - especially calcium, PTH (parathryoid hormone) and Vitamin D?   You want to be sure that your PTH isn't elevated.  That means that you most likely aren't getting enough calcium and your body is pulling it from your bones to keep your serum calcium normal.  The body is just plain funny that way!  Robs Peter to pay Paul.  Egads! You want to make sure that your vitamin D level is 40 or above - better yet 50 or above.  That helps calcium absorption.  The nutritionists at our hospital now say that low normal (in the 20s) for vitamin D isn't good enough for post-ops. I'm premenopausal (perimenopausal actually) and have osteopenia courtesy of a tumor on one of my parathryoid glands that forced my levels up and pulled from the bones.  I had the tumor removed a year ago and hoped my bone density might improve but it didn't.  Now have to discuss just how much calcium I need to take.  Was taking 2000 mg a day of calcium citrate. Weight bearing exercise like walking and strength training is best for bones.

Hope that your change in meds and the water aerobics helps your mood!

Best wishes, Kathy

Kathy's advise is excellent.  In addition to the calcium and Vitamin D, you should also make sure that you are getting enough Magnesium and Phosphorus.  They play a huge role in "bone remodeling." XOXOXO, Sharyn

Thanks to Sharon and Kathy for the reply. I was taking Calcium citrate with Magnesium, but not taking enough. I thought one tablet contained 600 mgm and i found that the serving size is two tablets for 600 mgm. I am now taking 4 tablets divided thru the day. I also take ADEK and two centrum silver chewable each day.Labs are done every three months and have had no bad results. Just the bone density test had regressed a little. I feel like getting the exercise going and correcting the dose of calcium will do it. I hope. Time will tell.  I also take sublingual B12 about once a month. My test is alway high. May not even need it. Thanks again. THelma

Hi Thelma, I'm 66 years old and a few years ago I had a 20% reduction in my  hip re: bone density test. My doc sent me to a bone specialist and with some testing found that I had been dumping calcium in my urine. Don't know for how long. I asked her if it was from the surgery and she said she has seen it before, but could be hereditary. A number of years ago, I broke my ankles 4 times at about 5 year intervals. I suspect this was happening then. I was pre-osteopenic too.  I was put on Fosomax for a number of years, but it wasn't until I was put on Spironolactone that I started seeing results in my bone density.   So, if you have further tests done, this might be an answer. A simple urine test will do it. Good luck Marilyn

WLS really levels the playing field.  The age no longer matters for us.  Weight loss always causes some loss of density, whethr by diet, exercise or WLS.  Sadly, the WLS world is just discovering that we need dry form vit D3 in doses by the thousands, not the hundreds.  I was 6 yrs out when I got my first scan and it was too late for me.  Osteoporosis.  Too many years, wrong kind, not enough calcium, and accepting "ok" D levels vs pushing them up mid range (which is about 70 on newer ranges of 32-100). I start my proximals on 2000mg calc citrate (you've got a lil over 1200 there) and 5,000 IU of dry form D3.  And still, the PTH begins to rise as the D levels drop. Is bone thinning common?  YES!  And sadly, of those who CAN get pre-op scans (insurance, doc's willing to order, small enough to fit in the machine), 50% already have lost some bone mass...... from all those previous weight losses.  How sad is that? Today, my D levels are at 70, PTH went from 80 to 20 (low is good), calcium hangs right at mid-range where I put it.  the loss in my hip and spine is minimal, but my wrist progresses as if I'm doing nothing at all.  If I fall on my  grass, my wrist will fracture.  I am SO not old enough to be this fragile.  Fix it while you can.  Be sure you are getting D, 25: PTH intacr and calcium  tested, at least every 6 months so you can get a grip on this.

Hi, Well I have just turned 63 am 3 yrs out of WLS. I did have a bone density that was good before surgery. I had another 1 year after that showed ostroperosis in my hip and ostriopernia in my spine. I was put on Actonal....but had some problems and am not takeing any bone building meds right now. My tounge began swelling..I dont know yet what to do. I take my calcium citrate chewable faithfully daily 1600gm...i eat yogert every morning and cheese 3 oz every day at noon. I just started takeing vitimin D tab. What do you mean vitimin D3 dry form? Also fish oil and 2 flintstones complete and a folic acid tab. My Dr. says my bloodwork  is good.  I really dont know what to do about the Actonal..wondering if i should give it another try. I dont want the ostrioperosis...at this time I cant walk as I have a heel spur. Not that I am an active person. I do need to walk and exercise. Im in the process of trying to sell our house so I am in emotionally stressed to and am turning to food...the bad kind. Just to put my 2 cents in ..Im with you. Blessings Cha

I again want to thank the folks *****plied in re osteoporosis. I counted up the d3 in my various suppliments. The total is 2700 per day. Is there a difference when you say "Dry" D3?. This is a new term to me. My total calcium citrate is now 2260. I was taking half that. I really am concerned and want to be sure to do everything to avoid Osteoporosis. I am due for another round of labs this month. I will have a lot of questions for the doctor thanks to all of you. Next trip to the store i will look for d3 as a dry form. Thelma

Well, I usually start my proximals and bands on 5,000 (one pill), and distals & DS on 10,000.  But when the problems start, we skip right to the 50,000 (one pill).  Do you know your vit D and PTH levels?  You might find, um, a challenge in finding those at a regular store.  You will prolly find the A&D (10K of A, only 400 D) or maybe D alone, (400).