About osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become porous, fragile and are more likely to break. Think of a new sponge, it is thick and tight.  Now think of a sponge that you have used for many weeks.  The sponge becomes weak and floppy and the holes are not as tight as when it was new. Osteoporosis is when the bones become like the used up sponge. If not prevented or left untreated, osteoporosis is painless until a bone breaks.  Broken bones, called fractures, usually occur in the hip, spine or wrist. 

A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It will affect your ability to walk and can cause prolonged or permanent disability and even death. Spinal fractures are also very serious and can cause loss of height, severe back pain and deformity of the spine.

Bone Density Tests
It is very important to know if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (the pre-osteoporotic condition).  Because the progression of bone loss is painless, it is recommended that women and some men have a bone mineral density test every two years to monitor the condition of your bones.

Bone density tests are painless and usually look at the bone density in your lower back and hip area. The results help your healthcare provider determine appropriate treatments for you.

Treatment
There are several treatments available for osteoporosis. Some are pills that you take weekly or monthly and others are intravenous treatments that you take every three months or every year. Your nurse practitioner or healthcare provider will discuss the best treatment options for you.

Varnam Family Wellness Center has decided to offer Reclast®, a yearly treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia with complications. There are few places in our area to receive an infusion of Reclast® and we feel this is an important service to the community. The information that follows is specific to Reclast® and we want to make it clear that there are other very good treatments for osteoporosis. This is not the only treatment. Discuss with your healthcare provider the best treatment for you.

Information about Reclast® Infusions
Before we schedule your appointment, the company that manufacturers Reclast® will verify the infusion with your insurance company and tell us how much your financial responsibility (copayment) will be if any, depending on your insurance. Once we know this information, we will contact you and tell you how much your copayment will be.  After you have decided to proceed we will schedule your appointment and order the medication.  You will need to bring your copayment with you to your appointment.

Before the Infusion:

• You will need a simple blood test to check your calcium level and kidney function.  This may have already been done at your healthcare provider’s office, if not, we will have you come to our office prior to your infusion to have this drawn.
• Let us know if you have dental problems, cavities, or have permanent dental implants.
• Drink plenty of fluids starting a week before the infusion.
• Be sure you are taking your Calcium and Vitamin D supplements as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

On Infusion Day:

• Eat normally and drink 2 glasses of water prior to coming to our office for your infusion.  Drink plenty of fluids after your infusion to assist your kidneys to remove any extra Reclast® that your bones did not absorb.
• Take 2 500mg acetaminophen (Tylenol®) prior to coming to your appointment.  If you forget, we will have acetaminophen on hand for you to take. Reclast® can cause some muscle and joint pain during and for a few days after the infusion as your bone absorbs the medication. Acetaminophen helps with the discomfort. If you have been on pills for osteoporosis or have taken Reclast® before, you will likely have less muscle and joint aches than someone who is receiving Reclast® for the first time.
• You will meet with our nurse practitioner briefly prior to receiving your infusion to answer any questions you may have regarding the infusion or the treatment of osteoporosis.
• Wear a short sleeved shirt because we will need access to your arms to start an IV.  Once the IV is started, the infusion takes about 15 minutes.  Then we will ask you to wait about 15 minutes to be sure you are feeling well after the medication is infused. 

After the Infusion:

• For a few days after the infusion drink plenty of water.
• You may have mild muscle aches or joint pain.  Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort.
• Take Calcium and Vitamin D supplements as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Generally women with osteoporosis need to take at least 1200mg of Calcium and Vitamin D 1000IU per day.

For more information regarding osteoporosis, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website at:  http://www.nof.org/