Bone Density Treatment.......Was It Really Worth It
As the yrs have gone on with my Lupus I've always had doctors tossing the word "osteoporsis" back & forth & all around but never really actually saying I had it.
I know several yrs back in when I had been on prednisone for a fairly long period of time I did have a bone density test done & the results were, although not disasterous, were not too wonderful. Over time I have taken the rounds of all the bone builder drugs, Didrocal, Actonel, etc. etc. None of them agreed with me stomach wise except for Didrocal which although it agreed with me it did a horrible number on my Restless Leg Syndrome. Wow was that awful. I take my calcium & vit D as prescribed & I even take Greens Daily Vitmain Plus Bone Builder.
A few months back while I was at my rheumy we were revisiting this issue & the fact that I can't take any of the drug regiems for bone building. He proceeded to tell me abt Aclasta & felt it was a good fit for me. Aclasta is given by I V infusion. It only takes abt an hr in total & is done at clinics or day hospitals, etc. The cost is something that can send you over the edge. Canada medicare does not cover this & I did find out that my personal insurance did cover a percentage. Brace yourself, the cost is $767.00. You only have this done once a year.
I prayed & thought long & hard on this & do I or don't I. Well my rheumy went ahead & submitted the request & I was approved for it. I still was not sure whether I was comfortable with this fairly new treatment drug. So when all is said & done I felt it was meant to be.
I had the treatment done yesterday. The nurse spends some good education time with you fully reviewing all aspects of this & the whole bone density issue in post menopausal women.
Of course there is the magic word, side affects. I fully knew that with my stomach that would be a huge issue so she advised me to take Gravol or something similar before my treatment which I did. She advised eating light yesterday which I did. The rest of yesterday went better then I could have hoped except for feeling like I was run over by a transport truck.
Well wouldn't you know it, today is a totally different matter. I've got major acid reflux going on. I've popped so many things to help this that I wonder if my systerm knows which end is up. I had a small bit of juice at breakfast & three bites of a small toasted cinnamon bun & pushed it aside, no way that was going to work. I'm now just sipping on a gingerale. Should be an interesting day juggling insulin injections & food or lack there of. Thankfully there's gingerale. I think it shouldn't last too long or I sure pray, hope, wish, etc. etc. that it won't or I'll get awfully think awfully fast I tell ya.
BUT, it still now leaves me wondering if man alive was this really worth it or not, especially since I wasn't having any bone issues. I guess thats what you get for having a proactive doctor.
I know several yrs back in when I had been on prednisone for a fairly long period of time I did have a bone density test done & the results were, although not disasterous, were not too wonderful. Over time I have taken the rounds of all the bone builder drugs, Didrocal, Actonel, etc. etc. None of them agreed with me stomach wise except for Didrocal which although it agreed with me it did a horrible number on my Restless Leg Syndrome. Wow was that awful. I take my calcium & vit D as prescribed & I even take Greens Daily Vitmain Plus Bone Builder.
A few months back while I was at my rheumy we were revisiting this issue & the fact that I can't take any of the drug regiems for bone building. He proceeded to tell me abt Aclasta & felt it was a good fit for me. Aclasta is given by I V infusion. It only takes abt an hr in total & is done at clinics or day hospitals, etc. The cost is something that can send you over the edge. Canada medicare does not cover this & I did find out that my personal insurance did cover a percentage. Brace yourself, the cost is $767.00. You only have this done once a year.
I prayed & thought long & hard on this & do I or don't I. Well my rheumy went ahead & submitted the request & I was approved for it. I still was not sure whether I was comfortable with this fairly new treatment drug. So when all is said & done I felt it was meant to be.
I had the treatment done yesterday. The nurse spends some good education time with you fully reviewing all aspects of this & the whole bone density issue in post menopausal women.
Of course there is the magic word, side affects. I fully knew that with my stomach that would be a huge issue so she advised me to take Gravol or something similar before my treatment which I did. She advised eating light yesterday which I did. The rest of yesterday went better then I could have hoped except for feeling like I was run over by a transport truck.
Well wouldn't you know it, today is a totally different matter. I've got major acid reflux going on. I've popped so many things to help this that I wonder if my systerm knows which end is up. I had a small bit of juice at breakfast & three bites of a small toasted cinnamon bun & pushed it aside, no way that was going to work. I'm now just sipping on a gingerale. Should be an interesting day juggling insulin injections & food or lack there of. Thankfully there's gingerale. I think it shouldn't last too long or I sure pray, hope, wish, etc. etc. that it won't or I'll get awfully think awfully fast I tell ya.
BUT, it still now leaves me wondering if man alive was this really worth it or not, especially since I wasn't having any bone issues. I guess thats what you get for having a proactive doctor.
Replies
Aw, I\'m sorry you are feeling so badly from something that is supposed to be good for you. We think, right? I totally know what you are saying about these proactive doctors. And I always wonder \"why not break these treatments that the body finds so intense/overwhelming\" down into smaller ones that the body would find more accepting???\" It is frustrating.
I hope it passes quickly for you! My general rule of thumb is if western medicine says I need something every year, I\'ll make it every two years. I figure they say what they do to A. make money and B. cover their butts. Like seeing the dentist. I doubt going every 12 months instead of every 6 makes much difference at all!
But that\'s just me. I do hope that your bones get strengthened and at least you have the good in that, right?
Hope your insulin levels stay OK today too. love and prayers, m
Very interesting details on your \'procedure\'. Hmmmm. Your last 2 sentences make me think your doc is preventative and proactive. Hope you don\'t have more side effects and the narly acid reflux goes away. I have that and a little pill helps me. Will be back to check in to see how you\'re making out. Hugs.
I am so sorry to hear this. And I am sorry I have not been here for you. I wish you would of talked to me before you did it. I just wish it would of helped you.I don\'t always agree with the doctor\'s. I really think some times they are more interested in making money the helping there patients but thats me. i question everything.I just hope you don\'t have more side effects. I will be looking for you and checking in with you and of course praying for you. Love, xoxo