bisphosphonate problems?

[tex]

If we only knew then (when we were infants) what we know now.

Ain't that the truth. But unfortunately when I was young, I lived as though I were invincible. Health problems were for old folks to worry about. Now I is one.

Of course as we age, "old" is always in the future for us, so the threshold for the definition of "old folks" continues to advance as we get older. Back when I was in high school, "old folks" applied to anyone older than 30. But I noticed that as I got older, the threshold defining "old folks" steadily increased until now it applies to anyone older than 90.

Bingo! Not only does your insight make a lot of sense, but it explains why corticosteroids (which of course are glucocorticoids) cause osteoporosis and maybe even muscle wasting. They supercharge the process of gluconeogenisis.

Glucocorticoids are required for the increases in gluconeogenesis in starvation and diabetes.

Regulation of gluconeogenesis by glucocorticoids.

So now I'm wondering if maybe the "some people" you mentioned,

Some people, in order to get their diabetes under control (reduce insulin resistance thereby lowering blood sugar levels) find they also have to reduce protein intake because of gluconeogenisis where protein is converted to glucose.

might also happen to be using a corticosteroid, because corticosteroids are used to treat many issues these days, from IBDs to backaches, asthma, pruritus, and various other skin issues.

That can create some very convoluted health issues.

Tex

[JFR]

That can create some very convoluted health issues.

Tex

I think that was what I was trying to get at, the issues can get so convoluted. Perhaps when we spend so many years not supplying our bodies with the nutrients it needs to optimize health and ingesting so many substances that do outright damage to our bodies, when we finally reach the point where we want to start fixing things, there are so many factors and competing interests that need to be considered. Some combination of wisdom and patience, at the very least, is necessary, both of which can be hard to come by.

Jean

[Blueberry]

I used to chuckle at a grandfather. He was in his 80s and would complain about the old geezers everywhere.

Corticosteroids can make one feel better, but can play havoc with bone and other health issues. The book link was posted here on the sight. I read Peter Gotzsche's book recently, Deadly Medicines. He starts out with a story about his father. His dad had been a doctor that came to believe in the medicines brochures, and sales reps talks. The father in particular came to personally enjoy corticosteroids greatly, as they made him feel good, and as he was told there was little risk, few side effects. When his leg broke, as Peter related in the story, he believes his father broke the record for how long it took for his leg to heal.

[tex]

he believes his father broke the record for how long it took for his leg to heal

Yep, corticosteroids retard healing, also.

Tex

[crervin]

Just wanted to say that my grandmother had reclast 3 or 4 years ago and prior to reclast she traveled every other year to Germany to visit her family. She was in her mid 80s, she is now defined to a wheelchair. I blame it on the reclast, she never had any problems whatsoever prior to it. Never took any meds either......