Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:37 pm I'm really worn out tonight so this may not come out as clearly written as other posts. OTOH, maybe it's just wishful thinking that my other posts are generally clear!

I don't want to wait until the morning to update you on my appointment this morning.

As many of you know, one measure or bone density is the T score. Values at or below -2.5 are considered indicative of osteoporosis. My lowest T score, for an area of my right hip, is -3.2. Only one of the four measured was as 'good' as -2.5.

Tomorrow morning, I'll start the once a week dosage of Actonel. This is one of the bisphosphonate class of drugs approved for treating males with osteoporosis. With insurance, my copay for this came to $90 for a one month supply of 4 tablets. Despite the really steep price, I feel fortunate. I have no idea how people with no insurance and/or less money can afford proper medical care. Truth is, they can't. That's one of the great injustices of life in the US. Even my pharamacist has unkind comments for the profits of the pharmaceutical companies.

As it is for me, a pretty hefty chunk of my monthly salary goes for drugs. I don't like it and it would be nice to have some of the money to spend on other things. At least for the time being, though, I'm able to pay for the meds. A lot of people aren't nearly as fortunate.

I'll be making changes to my diet, including eating more leafy green veggies, downing more milk, drastically reducing my caffeine intake, etc. While I've been exercising more or less regularly, I now need to make sure I exercise on a very regular routine that I skip only if I'm ill. I'll be taking a calcium supplement to make up the difference between what I get from milk, other dairy products and veggies and the 1500 mg/day my doc says I should be getting. I want to be careful to get enough calcium. Too much of the supplement, though, can cause kidney stones. I'll err on the side of kidney stones, though, if I'm in doubt . There will be other changes, too.

In one year, we'll redo the bone density scan. I'm optomistic that these lifestyle changes, combined with the drug therpay, will result in a large improvement in bone density.

BTW, my doctor never suggested I stopped taking Androcur. He fully accepts where I'm at with being transgendered.

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to provide lots of useful information and emotional support. It helped me get through a difficult week.

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:21 am Hey MrT,

I suspect that Actonel may not be on my insurance plan's list of fomulary (i.e., preferred) drugs. One of the other's in this class of drugs may be much less expensive.

I'm not sure that the little info I've read on these is accurate, but there's some thought that Actonel may be faster-acting than the others. I'm going to check into this more. If there's really no preferred reason to use Actonel and I can get one of the other's for less, I'll get a new prescription.

I appreciate your advice, as always. I don't think sheet rock would be of much use but its taste might not be any worse than some of the other stuff I take