Osteoporosis Q & A

Could you tell me if there are any benefits for a woman to start taking fosamax at the age of 85?

I am a 51 year old woman and had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago. My rheumatologist told me I have a very severe case of osteoporosis in my lumbar and should resume treatment immediately. Her suggestion is a daily dose for 2 years that I will inject myself. I cannot remember the name of it and cannot find any further information at this time on the internet. I would like to know if you know of any of these treatments and the safety. Also, I have read over and over that steroids contribute to this disease. I have had several injections of cortisone in my lumbar and other areas of my body. I also have a hemangeoma in my L4 vertabrae that consumes at least half of the inner vertabrae. I am currently scheduled to have epidural injections in my lumbar for pain treatment in the same area of my most severe osteoporosis. I am very confused and ready to cancel this appointment. Why would doctors put my back at further risk knowing the dangers of steroids and osteoporsis? Please tell me your opinion on this subject.

I am a 92 lb 5 ft 59 yr old female on Fosamax for 5 years. My previous bone density test 5 years ago read: spine -2.6 and hips -3.5. My new test read spine -2.3 and my hips -3.8. The radiologist confirmed that the machines since then have been recalibrated so he could not make a good comarison. I did have the test done at another facility in the same hospital system. Could that mean that my hips might not have changed but the new calibrations have higher standards? Also, is it common to improve in your spine and get worse in your hips while on Fosamax. Does Fosamax generally work better on the spine than hips?

What procedure would you recomend vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for a 69 year old women?

ARE THERE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO THE BISPHOSPHONATES OR HORMONE REPLACEMENTS FOR REDUCING AND MANAGING OSTEOPOROSIS?

Is tiredness common when taking actonel?