Image by lanuiop
It’s been a while since I wrote about my osteoporosis, although I moved my long post about it to its own page on this blog, since it’s a pretty significant part of my life and I want to get the word out about this pervasive disease.
I have a couple of updates for you. First, about a month ago I began a weight-loss program that our library has adopted called Dump Your Plump. This is a no-frills program that encourages movement and healthy eating. I’m participating and so far, I’ve lost nine pounds in four weeks. Cool! I’m pretty happy about this. I should reach my goal for the 10-week program by next week (5 weeks). My overall goal is to lose 25 pounds. I hope to fit into a little black number by our library’s holiday party on December 13, the night before my 43rd birthday!
I’m especially proud because I’ve started making healthy choices again:
- I’ve designed a fat and calorie budget for myself and stay within it daily.
- I’ve been keeping food diary.
- I’ve begun eating actual serving sizes, exercising portion control.
- I’ve been exercising almost every day.
- I’ve taken up my osteoporosis exercises again.
- I’ve begun taking my supplements and vitamins again.
- I feel better.
- I look better!
The other update is that I stopped taking Fosamax a couple of months ago because of its nasty side effect, heartburn and acid reflux. I told my OB about this last week and she got on the phone with my health insurance provider. In what I would call a stroke of extreme good fortune, I was approved to take Reclast, the new osteoporosis drug that is given once a year via an IV infusion. I will be doing this sometime in the next three weeks. I consider myself extremely lucky to be getting this because the treatment is nearly $2,000. I continue to be grateful for my good health and good health insurance.
Ladies, I implore you: when your doctor tells you to take your vitamins and calcium, stop smoking, eat healthier, and exercise, listen to them. They know what they’re talking about.
Congratulations! I’m glad everything is going so well
Melissa-Congratulations on your success with your weight loss and osteo results! It’s all in the choices we make. I have reversed my osteo by taking my supplements and just being more active. Of course, the green leafy salads and soy protein shakes each day have really made a difference, too. I got off of Fosomax, too, and had my gyno tell me that I would be out of bones in 6 months–that was 2 years ago! I had read a lot about the side effects and I just didn’t want to put anything synthetic in my body. I am stronger and have more bones than ever now!! I hope others take the same steps–with persistence, and God’s help–we can live long and healthy lives. Jeanie
Great post on osteoporosis. I have it too and have been taken Actonel. I think the best thing to do is to share information so we can beat this disease. If you’re interested here’s a couple of other posts on osteoporosis that might help http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/phosphorus-foods/ and http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/lycopene-and-osteoporosis/ and http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/ways-to-avoid-osteoporosis-what-to-do-and-what-not-to-do/