If you are taking these commonly prescribed drugs for your osteoporosis, rather than using natural hormones, then this is an important piece of news as even the doctors who prescribe have their doubts about their long-term use.
According to Pauline Camacho, MD, study investigator and director of the Loyola University Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease Center, “These drugs are potentially harmful when taken for long durations, yet little has been known until now about the length of time osteoporosis patients should go without treatment for this debilitating condition. Our study demonstrated that bones can remain stable for a number of years after these drugs are discontinued.”
Doctors recommend that patients take drug holidays from bisphosphonates after four to five years. These drugs continue to stabilize bones and reduce the risk for bone loss after treatment ceases but of course they do not fulfil the vital function of bone building that is needed and that is provided by natural progesterone.
It could also be a long holiday as Dr Camacho further commented.”While further research is needed to adequately assess the optimal duration of the drug holiday, we do know that patients can relatively safely discontinue their treatment for at least three years.”
If you are in that position it could be an ideal time to try natural progesterone to assess bone density improvement and you may never want to go back to biphosphonates again. Particularly as some of the side effects associated with the drugs include kidney damage, irritation of the oesophagus and, in rare cases, osteonecrosis of the jaw which may happen if you take bisphosphonates for longer than a year. You must always tell your dentist you are having bisphosphonate therapy or tell your doctor if you need dental treatment.