Q. I am 55 and was diagnosed with osteoporosis last April. I just learned that I am deficient in vitamin D.
I have felt fatigued and mentally foggy as long as I can remember. Could I have been vitamin D deficient for years and, as a result, developed osteoporosis?
I have read about the dangers of drugs like alendronate (Fosamax) and would like to learn about other ways to deal with osteoporosis.
A. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to many chronic problems including weakened bones and cognitive difficulties (CNS Drugs, Aug. 2011). Ask your doctor to check you for celiac disease, since this condition can lead to multiple nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, fatigue and dementia.
Many prescription drugs are used to treat osteoporosis. Some, such as Actonel or Boniva, are similar to Fosamax and can also cause bone, joint or muscle pain, heartburn, and eye inflammation.
Other options, such as low-dose estrogen (Menostar), raloxifene (Evista), calcitonin and teriparatide (Forteo), along with non-drug approaches, are described in the Guides to Osteoporosis and Vitamin D Deficiency that we are sending you.
