[pimelea]

Help with Bisphosphonates

by pimelea on Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:26 am

Recently diagnosed. Taking Bonefos. Thought I might help things along by taking a natural compound (includes vitD3,Strontium, bone strengthening herbs, etc) as well to stimulate new bone growth. Would that cause any problem with the medication in controlling cancer growth?
Thanks for any informed opinion.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Help with Bisphosphonates

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:41 pm

My understanding is the primary purpose of the bisphosphonates [like Aredia, Zometa, and Bonefos] for those with myeloma is not to fight the cancer but help minimize the destruction of bone the disease causes, though there are some UK studies that have shown the bisphosphonates Zometa may help in the fight against myeloma progression. I do not know if that means other bisphosphonates such as Aredia also have anti-myeloma effects.

All the doctors I have listened to on the subject of bone health and myeloma have recommended taking Vitamin D. I take calcium as well as I understand that bisphosphonates can actually lower your calcium levels. Bisphosphonates do not actually stimulate bone growth directly, they work by inhibiting the activity of the osteoclast cells whose function is to break down and destroy old bone for recycling by the body.

It is my understanding that bisphosphonates do nothing to stimulate the activity of the osteoblast cells that grow new bone, so extra calcium and Vitamin D may be a good thing to promote bone growth or at least make sure the osteoblast cells have what they need to grow new bone.