my aunt has o/porosis

[Guest guest]

Just talked w/my 80 year old aunt in Denver and found out she was diagnosed

last week with osteoporosis. Should've suspected it bcuz she's been shrinking

A LOT over the past few years. She has never been really overweight and

never MO, not had WLS. So I'm wondering if the advice and info I've gleaned

off these lists would apply as well to a normie.

I need to get her some good data, as all her doc told her was " lift soup

cans " and " you ABSOLUTELY cannot fall down, as you will definitely break

bones if u do. " This is the first time she's ever had a bone scan. Duh. She

asked Auntie if she takes calcium supplements, and when Auntie said yes,

dropped it at that. Didn't ask her what kind, or how much, or what else she

takes. I am appalled at the apparent lack of concern or knowledge (maybe

both?) on the part of this doc. I asked my aunt what she's taking and she

said " Hi-Cal " --which is what the pharmacist had recommended to her. More

duh. This is oyster shell calcium! With some Vit D, wonder of wonders. She

takes one pill 3x/day, which I'm sure isn't anywhere near 2000mg elemental

calcium (which, I'm assuming is what she should be taking now that she has

full-blown osteoporosis), and have u ever tried to explain about elemental to

an 80-yr old? Or the diff btwn D2 and D3. I am a basket case right now.

I am trying to remember the name of the rx the doc put her on (Actinol? or

some such?) (I'm not hard of hearing, but I've got the memory of an 80-yr old

w/dementia, I swear. Have I heard of this before? Seems the only thing I can

remember is Fosamax. Anyway, she only takes it once a week. Anyone know

anything about this? How does it compare with Fosamax? Any other

recommendations?

Thanks,

Carol A