Re: Alendronate (Fosamax) vs. Etidronate (Didrocal)

On Nov 19, 7:50 pm, "gerry" <notforgenera...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I am new to this group with a recent osteopenea diagnosis and am attempting
to get my ducks in order re: treatment.
Both these drugs (see heading) have come up with Fosamax apparently the gold
standard. I thought I had seen a webpage stating that the FDA had actually
removed Edidronate from the recommended Osteoporsis therapy list but now I
can't seem to find that reference.
Can anyone tell me why Fosamax is better than Etindronate? (I do have a
propensity for kidney stones)
Aside from determining which is best, I am dealing with a plan that states
that you can't be covered for Fosamax unless:
a) there are proven fractures from osteoporosis, and
b) Etidronate has been used for 1 year without proven improvement.
(don't you just love those plans)

Thanks in advance, and I'll be following the group from hear on out!
Best wishes to all,
Gerry

I'll suggest you also look beyond the anti-osteoclast meds the
bisphosphonates.
Have you read up on what the researchers are saying about vitamin D3.
Also read up vitamin K as it rarely mentioned and it is really
important
in this context.

Wasn't etidronate approved for Paget's disease and not osteoporosis?
I didn't check this point.

Do you need any teeth pulled?

Age which decade of life are you in?
Gender? I gather you're male.
Do you have low testosterone levels?
If you are and you are low, this a strong reason to go on testosterone
replacement. How is your prostate?

What are you doing now for your body density and strength?
Why do you have osteopenia?
What meds are you on? What meds have you been on?
There are a number of things you should consider taking
in my opinion that you can do now without your Doctor
approval.


There are things that a person can do to prevent kidney stones.
Starting
with increased water intake. What type of stones? Do you tolerate
citrus fruit?

Elevated PTH due low vitamin D levels can contribute to ectopic
calcifications.

Have you learned to use PUBMED and have you signed up for
Medscape? If you haven't, it is time to use both.

Do you know anything about the bone and it cells and structure
and what the bone matrix is made of? It is all important.

I am of the opinion that an informed person can often improve
their outcome concerning bone health. More so than someone
who just goes to the Docs and passively accepts all that they
say.

Those are my off the cuff comments.


.

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