Alendronate (Fosamax) for Loss of BMD

Yet another study on the benefit of a bisphosphonate to treat/prevent
loss of bone mineral density (aka osteoporosis) while on ADT.

Greenspan SL, et al.

"Effect of once-weekly oral alendronate on bone loss in men receiving
androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a randomized trial."

Conclusion: "Bone loss that occurred with ADT was prevented and improved
with once-weekly oral alendronate. Because most men have low bone mass
or osteoporosis, physicians should assess their patients' bone density
and provide preventive and therapeutic measures as appropriate.
ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00048841."

But as we see all too often, medics often have no idea of the SEs of
their txs. We must be our own advocates, and help our brothers to learn.

Of course, our resident Chicken Little will lecture us on the horrors of
bisphosphonates, failing as usual to note the vital differences between
infused and oral txs, and failing as usual to note that
gastro-intestinal SEs of the oral txs are rare and can usually be
prevented. And failing as usual to note that, where a patient on an oral
bisphophonate is unable to tolerate it, he can simply move on to the
infused med. Virtually all SEs, including the very rare osteonecrosis of
the jaw after extensive dental work, can be avoided.

I recommend that he be ignored in favor of the facts.

I apologize for ending with rant about that nuisance.

Regards,

Steve J

"Empowerment: taking responsibility for and authority over one's own
outcomes based on education and knowledge of the consequences and
contingencies involved in one's own decisions. This focus provides the
uplifting energy that can sustain in the face of crisis."

--Donna Pogliano, co-author of _A Primer on Prostate Cancer_, subtitled
"The Empowered Patient's Guide."