When you trusted a medication to help with one health condition, you likely never expected it would put you at risk for another serious and potentially debilitating disease. However, certain drugs may increase the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak, brittle, and more prone to fractures due to decreased density.
Whether osteoporosis is reversible depends on several factors, but one thing is certain: you should not have to bear the burden alone. If you have developed medication-induced osteoporosis, you may have legal options to seek compensation for your medical care, ongoing treatment, and the impact this condition has had on your life. Call the Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC’s experienced Depo-Provera tumor attorneys today for side effects caused by a medical treatment.
What Is Osteoporosis and What Are Its Symptoms?
Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that disrupts the natural cycle of bone tissue renewal. In healthy bones, old tissue breaks down while new tissue forms to replace it. However, osteoporosis interrupts this balance, causing excessive bone loss, insufficient new bone creation, or both. This condition often develops silently over years without noticeable symptoms. In many cases, a fracture occurs, and the osteoporosis is discovered.
Some of the most common signs of osteoporosis include:
- Sudden back pain
- A measurable loss in height
- A stooped or hunched posture
- Unexpected broken bones
- Reduced mobility
Can You Reverse Osteoporosis?
In the majority of cases, you cannot completely reverse medication-induced osteoporosis. However, certain treatments can help prevent further bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. A combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring can help you manage the condition effectively, as long as you start early on.
Whether or not your osteoporosis will improve depends on many factors, such as:
- Your age
- Your overall health
- The type of medication that caused the condition
- How quickly you start treatment after diagnosis
If you develop symptoms of osteoporosis, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Your doctors will assess your condition, create an individualized treatment plan, and launch into the appropriate medical care to help slow down the progression of these symptoms.
Treatments and Lifestyle Changes for Osteoporosis
To manage medication-induced osteoporosis, your doctor will likely recommend both medical treatments and lifestyle modifications. Simple changes to your daily routine can help improve your overall bone health and reduce the risk of broken bones. When combined with proper medical care, these lifestyle adjustments create a strong foundation for managing your condition:
- Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet: Foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals, can strengthen your bones and slow mineral loss. Your body also needs adequate protein to maintain bone mass. With a proper diet, you can help maintain your existing bone density and support your body’s natural bone repair processes.
- Stop Smoking and Drinking: Smoking weakens bones and interferes with calcium absorption in your body. Alcohol can increase your risk of falls and make bone loss worse. Your doctor will likely recommend that you quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to improve your overall health.
- Modify Your Living Environment: Osteoporosis is dangerous because even minor falls can lead to serious fractures. Create a safer living environment by removing loose rugs, improving lighting in hallways and stairwells, and installing handrails where needed.
- Participate in Exercise: Certain exercises help improve balance and coordination. Your doctor will likely recommend activities that put gentle stress on bones, such as walking, stair climbing, or low-impact aerobics.
Medication is a critical component of osteoporosis management. Your doctor may also prescribe different drugs based on factors like the severity of your bone loss, your overall health, and the risk of future fractures. These medications may include:
- Bisphosphonates: These medications slow down bone loss by inhibiting cells that break down bone tissue. Available in both oral and injectable forms, bisphosphonates help maintain your current bone density and reduce the risk of broken bones.
- Hormone-Related Therapies: For certain patients, hormone replacement therapy or selective estrogen receptor modulators may help strengthen bones by mimicking natural hormones.
- Biological Medications: You may be a good candidate for advanced treatments that target the cellular processes involved in how your body builds and maintains strong bones. These medications can help rebuild bone density and may be an effective option when other treatments have failed.
- Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements: These essential nutrients help support bone health, and your doctor may prescribe higher dosages to compensate for your condition. While taking these supplements, your doctor will order regular blood tests to monitor your levels and adjust dosages as needed.
Your Legal Options for Osteoporosis Caused by Medication
Pharmaceutical companies have a legal duty to disclose known risks associated with their medications. When manufacturers fail to adequately warn about the potential for developing osteoporosis, affected patients may have grounds for legal action. A defective medication lawsuit can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, ongoing treatment costs, lost income, diminished quality of life, and any other damages that you suffered due to osteoporosis.
To win your case, you will need to prove the connection between the medication and the development of osteoporosis. You will need to show that the manufacturer failed to warn you about these risks and that you have suffered losses in your daily life due to your diagnosis. Proving these facts can be challenging alone, which is why you need an attorney on your side.
A medication injury lawyer can support every aspect of your case, from determining your eligibility for filing to fighting for your rights in court. Your lawyer can:
- Investigate the medication’s history and known side effects
- Gather medical records and other pieces of evidence
- Calculate your current and future damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies and manufacturers
- Ensure that you comply with all legal procedures and deadlines
- Connect you with medical experts who can testify about the severity and extent of your osteoporosis
- Enlist the help of scientists and other experts who can evaluate your case and testify about the medication’s defect
Discuss Your Next Steps with Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC
Living with medication-induced osteoporosis can be devastating, especially if you were not properly warned about the risks. Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC represents clients nationwide in cases involving dangerous medications and their long-term effects. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 to discuss your case with attorneys who can explain your legal options and help you hold pharmaceutical companies accountable.