Here are some animations showing how bone is remodeled with certain osteoporosis drug interventions:

http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opmovies.html
Some of the animations are not working anymore. But the discussions are up to date..click on the blue words.

I found the animation for bisphosphonates--- here:
http://classvideos.net/anatomy/fl/fl370104.html
You can see how bones become very brittle clearly.

There are other nutrients for bone strength:
B12
Vitamin K
Strontium
Essential fatty acids
Magnesium
adequate protein

Low in any one or more of these in addition to Vit D and bone will be impaired.

Thanks, the graphics that did work, are good.

I think that the pharmaceutical industry tends to generalize the use of many of these drugs to include as large of a customer base as possible.

I think there are cases where these drugs ARE essential, but many in which they are optional and the risk versus benefit ratio isn't worth it.

I have not maximized my options yet.

Again, thanks....this was very helpful to me and to hubby.

I think today is a good day to indulge in cheese.:p;)

After watching health care deteriorate into the business model, I thought it reasonable to investigate further into the 'investment' side of drugs.

My conclusion is I bought some stock in some small biotechs that are developing some big sellers....basically stuff in phase 3 trials that have a large unaddressed group of 'customers' which are called 'patients'.

I have been watching one particularly interesting disease 'awareness' campaign, which is directly tied to the impending release of a new biologic, first treatment in 50 years for this disease. Even the foundation is in on it.

None of this is based on altruism. Health care is now reimbursed on an 'outcome' based model....that doesn't bode well for an aging population or the chronically ill.....it is fine for investors.

Big business control our medical 'treatments'. We are basically a 'market'.

If I were faced with some forms of cancer, YES, I would try pretty much anything. What I have is degenerative, painful and crummy, but, I will likely not die from it, imminently. If I take some of these drugs, I will die quicker...Period. No one but ME is looking out for me...(except some of my friends on the forum who give me good information!;)).

I am not sure why doctors, who seem to be educated people are advocating this junk for us, and all I can figure is the pharms have managed to get this crud into our treatment protocols....hence, even on low dose prednisone, you MUST order a bisphosphonate, even if bone density is normal well into menopause.

I am not dissing researchers, many of whom I am sure care greatly for their work. It is just the thought of the investment angle and the pressure to produce a drug that will be marketable and bring profits to stockholders, well, call me skeptical. I think the downsides of these compounds are being overlooked in lieu of the enormous profits of pharma, marketing companies, and the whole large cog of the now for profit medical system. Let's face it....there is no way that huge profits can be made from taking care of the sick....for centuries only prophets and nuns used to do it.

Now the public is trained to feel satisfied with a physician when they get a pill to pop.

It is about money....and the FDA isn't doing its job as well as it should because of the enormous amount of money involved and the effect this would have on the economy.

I am off to watch the Bowl.....

....And that's just one side of the Politics of Pain. :eek:

Interesting research fodder.....

SSRI's contribute to bone loss? Hmmm....and new research into serotonin antagonism in the gut to prevent bone loss???

I am more and more inclined to be in awe of the intricately designed nature of nature and less inclined to believe man has any concept of what they are messing with.

Back to the pregame.....it HAS been on forever.....;)

Yet, about osteo? ...
 

This is 'brain food for thought', or not?

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215629.php
In some ways a 'heartening' article, in others, TERRIFYING!

I DO know that many of the anti-seizure and other pain meds we take, are downright killers in terms of bone loss! AND, I lost that fight for sure. Can't undo what's done, no matter how well intended. Just have to live with the consequences. AND get by.

As for the 'game'? I'll watch the replays tomorrow, saves time and lots of sports jocks' blatherings. [Sorry guys - I just can't get it all? B'Ball? Get it, Hockey? Same. Concussions? Can get 'em in other ways, thank you! Which are more fun to me! Been there and done that.
NOT that concussions are 'fun' by any means.
The 'ads' should be interesting tho...

Hugs to all - :hug::hug::hug::hug:'s!!!!!!!!!! - j