When I first was sick, I had bone, joint, and muscle pain. Little by little, as my health issues have been address, pain levels lessened and are now tolerable. Vitamin D3, Lauricidin, and strontium citrate helped me the most. The bones in my spine grow weak and begin to hurt if I don't get enough strontium citrate.

I don't take the prescription meds either for my osteo, because the once-a-month Actonel that I tried gave me horrible side effects for 4 weeks. And when I changed doctors because of insurance, she wouldn't put me on fosamax or Boniva either, as they are in the same family of meds as Actonel. She suggested that I try calcium, magnesium, vitamin d3, and vitamin k2 each morning, and then strontium citrate each evening. This regimen seems to work for me. Of course, I'm also gluten-free and was finally able to get off long-term prednisone. So these things help too.

As for bone breaks, falls can be dangerous for us, as are bad/hard bumps. And it's important to do gentle exercises to help build bones. Hope this info helps. Best wishes to you.

Last summer I had lightning bolt pains that would strike my thigh bone. Now the doctor is telling me the osteoporosis is bad there. I am just wondering if it has anything to do with it. I will bring it up when I have my appointment today to discuss my options for treatment. I just thought it was another weird MS thing.

Gentle hugs, Linda

I would certainly get a second opinion and research both the Osteo and MS well.

For myself I always do as much learning as I can before having anything done to my body. I have even changed my mind before surgery. [On my arm for torn rotator cuffs] I now have no pain and am functional.

My son had MS. He passed from a massive HA that had nothing to
do with the MS.

missd, I had a neuro xray my thigh because he thought it might be bone cancer by the way I described the pain. But no, it was OK. It stopped and never came back. Just another one of life's mysteries. LOL


Gentle hugs, Linda

Ok, so just because there is pain around the hips doesn't mean the bones are going to break right?

Can't speak for your situation, but in my case, the bone pain is a sign of weakening bones. Of course, if ignored, that could probably lead to a break, especially if I were to fall. But now I know that when my bones hurt, it's an indication that I might need to up my supplements for awhile, especially strontium citrate. BTW, I'm to the point now that I only take the osteo supplements every other day. Best wishes for you to begin to gain bone strength and density.

Nanny...what is this strontium citrate that you speak of???? Can you get it at walmart? Is it expensive! I was just told a week ago I have sever ostseoprosis and my doc put me on floramax, but I took my first weeks pill and that night I had a serious side effect. I called my pharmacist and told him I had the black tarry stool and on the paperwork they listed that as a SERIOUS side effect, he said, No, it is just a simple side effect nothing to worry about, but if it continues, talk to your doc!

I do not like side effects and am EXTREAMLY sensitive to all kinds of medications and this stuff scares me a great deal! I would rather find a way to not take an RX for this????????? I feel so lost! My doc told me very little except that she is worried if I fall, that I could shatter my back (as my back is already really back from other issues with it) I do not want to break any bones. I have started weight bearing exercises daily, I get so much calicum from my diet, but not 1,000mg so will get a suppliment that also has 1,000 mg of Vitamin D and some Vitamin K!

I have been taking vitamin D3 5,000 mg a week for about 3 years ago and that is what my doc wants me to continue!

What other choices do I have besides RX meds? Going to be losing my health ins within the next month, but will be getting on the market place and see just how much we have to pay to have health coverage!

Thanks for any help?

Oh one more thing......almost 3 years ago I was driving my car and I had this HORRIBLE pain in my back. I let my husband drive and I was in such pain! Doc put me on muscle relaxer, a steroid for a week and tramadol! Next year same month as the year before, same place and I was driving my car it happened again! This time she ordered an MRI and I have all kinds of back problems that cause so much pain! I take tramadol which keeps me sain and moving around in life!

@nelliebellie
My current GP and an orthopedic surgeon told me to take calcium, magnesium, vitamin d3, vitamin k2, and strontium citrate. The ortho said that people should only take 4-600 mg. of calcium per day and they should take a matching amount of magnesium. As for Vitamin D3, the ortho started me on mega-doses of it for about 5-6 months, and then dropped me down to 5,000 iu's per day. My GP has kept me on 5,000 iu's per day ever since, and she told me to use Vitamin K2 as well. I take these (cal-mag, d3 & k2) in the morning.

The Strontium Citrate is a supplement that the GP told me to take in the evening. That's the supplement that helped my back pain a lot. Some people are afraid of it, because they think it's the strontium on the Periodic Table that is harmful to people. But for me, it's been a blessing. I buy mine from Vitacost, because that's the least expensive place I've found to buy it. In fact, I get most of my supplements there. Here is a link to the strontium citrate. In the beginning I took 2 capsules each evening, but now I only take 1.
http://www.allstarhealth.com/de_p/10395/Doctor%27s_Best_Strontium_Bone_Maker_(340mg).htm

Regarding the strontium citrate, I meant to mention that it's not the same as strontium on the Periodic Table.

Thanks nanny! I asked my doc if I should take more Vit D3, because my mom also takes 5,000 of the stuff every day and my doc said no just stay on 5,000 a week. Sounds odd to me!!!!

I have only taken one dose of fosamax, but I did not like it and the side effects scare me ALOT! I would rather do this naturaly if I can! I am now doing weight bearing exercises, so I may try your way! Thanks for the info!

@nelliebellie
I understand your concern. Once-a-month Actonel gave me horrible side effects for 4 weeks after taking the first dose, and I knew I couldn't take it again. When I found a new doctor she said that Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax are in the same family of meds and that I would have reacted to any or all of them. So she helped me get set up with the supplement regimen. She's an M.D. who practices integrative medicine, so I'm grateful to have her. BTW, my bone density increased on this system. Yay!

Congratulations nanny, you have been on here a long time and I respect your opinions you seem to be on the right track.

Thanks, missd12932. It's always good to hear from you. How are you getting along these days?

My Dexa last month showed some lose of bone density. I still have osteopenia in my hips but my spine is still good.

I had stopped taking the strontium for some reason, but will start it again to try and stave off the bone thinning.

I hope you are doing well otherwise. I left my husband 1 and 1/2 years ago, cracked a hip and had a lot of rehab to do. I am fine now but my hip and leg will never be normal, I can walk fine, I just have to keep trying to strengthen the leg. It is coming but so slow, they say it is my age, we just take longer to build muscle.

Sorry to hear of your bone loss, missd12932, but glad that your spine is still good. It's sounds like you've had some stress in your life the past couple years, which can make recovery more difficult. I hope that your life settles down and that you begin to feel stronger each day. Good to hear from you and best wishes.