I'm trying to take a step back from Friday's doctor's appointment and my latest education from the web regarding fosamax. I feel I got myself too upset, and funny, it was one of those things where the more I learned the worse I felt.

So, I'm wearing a brace and it definitely helps the pain. Definitely. The person who fitted me in the surgical supply store said that the cloth braces with laces are better than the plastic molded ones because the molded ones tend to ride up, and the support is needed low down. It's pretty comfortable, just ugly. Plus, with only one prescribed and gotten, it gets ratty before I wash it, and it's looking a bit tattered. I think getting a couple more and dying them red or black would do me better!

Second, I spoke with another doctor today who said maybe somebody could just scrape the vertebrae up a bit again, like when it was initally done, and off fosamax, and maybe on Forteo (I'd have to check this out but they do seem to think that this one helps grow bone the correct way), I could fuse without having another major op.

I've an appointment with a bone specialist, but not until late June.

There's good evidence that vibration grows bone, and that exercise sets up vibrations which set up electrical fields, or something like that, that stimulates osteoblasts. So there seems to be a connection between why exercise helps and why the electric stimulator works. But also, doing exercises on a vibrating platform the VBV, seems to be the best for promoting bone health.

"Bones for Life" seems a good group.

I'm stressed out, and taking a step back.

My brace is cloth, with a pocket to add this plastic molded device if I want it, just over the low thoracic-lumbar region...the cloth support covers the whole thoracic and lumbar region. I bought the cloth support first, then later thought maybe I needed the plastic, but you are probably right...it probably feels pretty uncomfortable and could cause skin injury.

I do feel better when I use it, I just hate getting all fixed up in it...mine has velcro...it is super duper velcro and it doesn't move at all, but yours sounds like a better brace than mine. Mine wasn't cheap...I think over a hundred bucks, plus $35 for the molded plastic piece which I still have in its package...only problem is my brace has these shoulder harness pieces that after a while hurt my shoulders too...but it beats going without.

I don't want to make light of the issue, but doesn't this all sound like the CORSETS of the late 1800's-early 1900's? Without the velcro, of course.
NOW GUYS! NO JOKES HERE! THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF! It's a middle-body equivalent of a knee imobiliser! Can anyone here really say they are comfy? Doubt it.
I mean, fabric, eyelet ties, the equivalent of 'stays', WHO CARES IF IT WORKS?

I think there are some class action suits about Fosamax and others 'hatching' -not enuf evidence in yet to create fear and discontent? [check out www.breastcancer.org to see if there are...those ladies are ON TOP OF IT ALL!]

I do recall my endo mentioning Forteo...and similar alternatives, but, I've got to wait & see if my stuffing my face w/MANY extra otc supplements mite do the job...tests to follow next week, week after results...maybe? Sigh!

I do know many cancer folks take such treatments/therapies, either during or because of chemo and rads....Seems that what can kill the goose, also does in the gander to many with many conditions/issues...compounded by other treatments or meds meant to do us GOOD but not knowing any of the peripheral 'other things' that make current things, more, well complicated?

This whole thing mite be useful or totally useless, but the Fosamax issue IS going on for those with other conditions....I'll check out what there is between epilepsy [meds], Fosamax and bone loss as well, I'm not unselfish here, I may be facing major molar removal in the future.. I for one, do NOT want my jaw disintegrating on top of other stuff? Maybe this is one of those...we'll know once we 'Get in there' moments.. I sure don't want to find out THEN?

Hugs Liza Jane, you've LOTS to cogitate on... - j

--we could get you one of those vibrating chairs Melody's Alan likes so much?

Do you know how much of an electrical voltage is recommended in these bone growth devices? I assume we're talking non-implanted device (that would be covered by insurance).

Also, what about the ultrasound bone stimulation route? Have you seen anything on this for failed fusions? (I know there's a lot more on electrostim for that category of failed bone knit.)

I've been pulling up a lot of Internet stuff along these lines:

http://www.fchp.org/NR/rdonlyres/DAE...GrowthStim.pdf

--and the stuff on Spine Health and Spine Universe (which I imagine you've seen); but I can't seem to get specific references to ultrasound and spine, other than many insurance plans will not cover it, and I haven't been able to find sites that explain why or what contraindications are involved.

cycleops---Yes, there are many suits against Merck for fosamax. When you google fosamax, the lawyers sites are prominently placed.

Glenntaj: I have an EBI stimulator, and insurance paid for it. They are apparently used to accepting insurance as payment in full, becaue they haven't bothered me particularly about the copay. I got one bill for a copay and reminded them they told me not to worry about paying for it, and I've gotten no more. I don't know much about the electric current or electricity in general, just that there were studies on it which made me optmistic. You might pubmed on bone growth stimulators AND fusion, or bone growth if you're interested.
I've never heard of ultrasound being used.

Dahlek: The corset is actually incredibly comfortable. It's huge and encasing, and if there were no velcro, very victorian. But I can see how they LIKED wearing these things---you can just let go and let the stays do the work of holding you up. I'm going to see if there's a corset shop which has something similar but prettier.


Forteo: I've been hearing more about this--just another doctor saying, Maybe you should be on Forteo, has anyone suggested it? So I have an appointment with a bone doc in June.

I should imagine such a 'corset' would do a bit more than 'keep one together' so to speak.

About Forteo...this is interesting:
http://www.ccjm.org/pdffiles/DEAL703.PDF
I'd be cautious jumping onto the bandwagon as lots of info on current known s/e's are sort of vague and for myself, my concerns are related to peripheral fractures...not to mention the cost per month.

I'll do some more searching to see what other options there are...If I recall correctly, there are several options-for the life of me tho, I'm drawing a blank rite now? Guess I'll have to read up more on the 'parathyroid'! - j

I have had a tibial plateau fracture with a rather 'iffy' explanation. It was a non-union for over a year, and they finally ordered one of those electric coils...supposedly it worked...I am not sure how exactly they know that as the fracture was diagnosed on MRI, and they never repeated it. (First they told me it was paid for...then they told me it wasn't...then I told the company that brought it, to take it back if it wasn't going to be paid for...it was a fortune...but then they worked it out, and it was paid for.) I think they work really well on healthy people, but I wonder if they work as well on PNers.

It still kind of hurts there, but my gait is quite off, and I am pretty reliant on orthotics, and it may be time for new ones. I have a pretty nasty case of pronation. I have been tripping and twisting my ankle a lot lately, which means something is off.

I am one of those PNers who doesn't feel their feet well, except when standing for a while and then they feel broken...like broken bones.

I have spinal problems which can not be addressed surgically, so, I don't have much choice other than some exterior support....the braces can be quite hot in the summer which is a big draw back, not to mention, not attractive, but, if it helps you do what you gotta do.

I can't take fosamax--gastroparesis...I have no option other than HRT.

Anybody remember them??? I was 18 and had my first job and my mother told me "you have to buy a Playtex Girdle". I didn't even know what it was.

But I got one. A full one with the legs down to the knees.

Imagine wearing underwear, pantyhose, and then a playtex girdle.

I do not know how I breathed, wearing all those things.

I know it took 10 lbs off of you but where do the 10 lbs go when they GO!!!

Jeez, we women really suffered to look good.

Liza Jane, if you haver to wear a corset, then buy an outfit that shows the rest of you. I mean, if you have to, you have to, but flaunt it girl, flaunt it!!!!!

lol
Mel