PPMD Community

Osteoporosis

Has anyone tried the new medication, Reclast,(once a year med for osteoporosis). The doctors want to send my son for an evaluation for this treatment.

Favorite

0 members favorited this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Shumsky on January 12, 2011 at 9:23pm

I work for an insurance company and we have been prior authorizing this medication for over a year and a half now (so we are seeing provider offices calling in for their second year of treatment on our beneficiaries) and so far our providers are really pleased with the the results. Now keep in mind we manage the health care benefits (Medicare and secondary health benefits) for retired coal miners and their dependants, so we are dealing with average age 70 year old more woman than men. Reclast is in no way indicated for use in children, so no boys are going to be given this med, but I see your son is 20 so I think it could be a great thing for him.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Scaglione on January 16, 2011 at 3:06pm

Kathy

I was also looking into this for my son. Does your son have any fractures or pain? My son is complaining of lower back pain. We did xrays in Oct and didnt find any fractures. I want to get new xrays to rule out the fractures. My son son is 18.

Michelle

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Guthy on January 17, 2011 at 8:21am

Hi Michelle,

Has your son had a bone density done? Did he have back surgery,( Chris had spinal fusion, rod placement 7 yrs ago) His Xrays show some arthritis and osteoporosis, we want to rule out a fracture. Some doctors have suggested an MRI or a CAT scan which would better diagnose the problem. Would you consider those tests? Also look at the wheelchair and cushion, sometimes changing back support or ROHO can help. Let me know what happens.

Kathy

Michelle Scaglione said:

Kathy

I was also looking into this for my son. Does your son have any fractures or pain? My son is complaining of lower back pain. We did xrays in Oct and didnt find any fractures. I want to get new xrays to rule out the fractures. My son son is 18.

Michelle

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Scaglione on January 17, 2011 at 2:28pm

Hi Kathy

Johnny had a bone density and xrays. They showed no fractures. I would like to repeat them since the pain has been in the last 2 months. Johnny is fearful of everything and is refusing to go for tests. He has not had back surgery. I am going to give his wheelchair people a call and see if she has any ideas.

Michelle
Kathy Guthy said:

Hi Michelle,

Has your son had a bone density done? Did he have back surgery,( Chris had spinal fusion, rod placement 7 yrs ago) His Xrays show some arthritis and osteoporosis, we want to rule out a fracture. Some doctors have suggested an MRI or a CAT scan which would better diagnose the problem. Would you consider those tests? Also look at the wheelchair and cushion, sometimes changing back support or ROHO can help. Let me know what happens.

Kathy

Michelle Scaglione said:

Kathy

I was also looking into this for my son. Does your son have any fractures or pain? My son is complaining of lower back pain. We did xrays in Oct and didnt find any fractures. I want to get new xrays to rule out the fractures. My son son is 18.

Michelle

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Guthy on January 17, 2011 at 7:14pm

I just asked my son Chris if he had any other suggestions for you. Chris asked if your son takes a bus to school or program. When Chris rides a bus, often the placement of the wheelchair is in the back of the bus and Chris would get back aches all the time.(speed bumps, bumpy roads etc.) He is still in pain now ,(but not due to the bus, something else is going on). He must get into bed every 2-4 hrs. depending on the day as that relieves the pain. Chris also has a hospital bed with an air mattress,(turn q). Does your son have an air mattress?

Kathy Guthy said:

Hi Michelle,

Has your son had a bone density done? Did he have back surgery,( Chris had spinal fusion, rod placement 7 yrs ago) His Xrays show some arthritis and osteoporosis, we want to rule out a fracture. Some doctors have suggested an MRI or a CAT scan which would better diagnose the problem. Would you consider those tests? Also look at the wheelchair and cushion, sometimes changing back support or ROHO can help. Let me know what happens.

Kathy

Michelle Scaglione said:

Kathy

I was also looking into this for my son. Does your son have any fractures or pain? My son is complaining of lower back pain. We did xrays in Oct and didnt find any fractures. I want to get new xrays to rule out the fractures. My son son is 18.

Michelle

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Scaglione on January 18, 2011 at 2:41pm

Hi Kathy

Johnny is out of school. When we go out its in our van. Yes he complains if we hit a bump. We also have a special bed. Its the one they had at the PPMD conference. The ProBed. It has air and special foam. He turns at night every so often.
He has said getting into bed helps also. My son has alot of fear recently. He is petrified that he will pull out a muscle and wont do anything anymore( like swimming). Sometimes he is complaining and I ask what hurt and he says oh nothing I was scared. This has been since he hurt his back when I put him on the toliet.

Other times he starts screaming and I know that movement he felt pain. So now he is afraid to move.

Michelle
Kathy Guthy said:

I just asked my son Chris if he had any other suggestions for you. Chris asked if your son takes a bus to school or program. When Chris rides a bus, often the placement of the wheelchair is in the back of the bus and Chris would get back aches all the time.(speed bumps, bumpy roads etc.) He is still in pain now ,(but not due to the bus, something else is going on). He must get into bed every 2-4 hrs. depending on the day as that relieves the pain. Chris also has a hospital bed with an air mattress,(turn q). Does your son have an air mattress?

Kathy Guthy said:
Hi Michelle,

Has your son had a bone density done? Did he have back surgery,( Chris had spinal fusion, rod placement 7 yrs ago) His Xrays show some arthritis and osteoporosis, we want to rule out a fracture. Some doctors have suggested an MRI or a CAT scan which would better diagnose the problem. Would you consider those tests? Also look at the wheelchair and cushion, sometimes changing back support or ROHO can help. Let me know what happens.

Kathy

Michelle Scaglione said:

Kathy

I was also looking into this for my son. Does your son have any fractures or pain? My son is complaining of lower back pain. We did xrays in Oct and didnt find any fractures. I want to get new xrays to rule out the fractures. My son son is 18.

Michelle

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Guthy on January 31, 2011 at 8:52pm

Has anyone done a bone scan for their son? This test means Chris would have to have an isotope injected into him and then they scan his bone to see if there is a fracture. We are also having a tough time with technology, since Chris has knee contractures, some machines cannot scan him,(Chris is 21) Any ideas anyone?