Some research has suggested that strontium may boost the formation of collagen and cartilage in joints. In clinical studies, strontium ranelate seemed to reduce the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).
A year and a half ago, I reduced my daily dosage of strontium citrate from 682 mg strontium to 341 mg 4X per week and 682 mg 3X per week. Since then, I have developed the following:
1. A myxoid cyst, or digital mucus cyst, on my left thumb: A mucus cyst is a small, noncancerous bump usually found near a joint at the end of a finger. Such cysts are often found on the fingers of people with OA. Hot compresses may help shrink these cysts.
2. Temporomendibular joint disorder (TMD): I have had a few, mild, temporary flare-ups of TMD in years past, but this flare-up is quite painful and not easing up after a couple of weeks. I may have brought it on by eating dry papaya slices, which were tough and chewy. I may be clenching my jaws at night due to stress. The pain is worse just after I wake up in the morning. Most likely, my TMJ disorder is due to progressing OA.
Because of these two physical changes, I am resuming strontium citrate (SrC) at the full dose of 682 mg elemental strontium per day. Also, there was no reason to cut back the dosage in the first place because I was not having any adverse events from the strontium, and osteoporosis is a chronic condition--as is osteoarthritis. I didn't realize I have OA until I reduced my SrC, which was probably keeping the disease in check.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6040865/
https://academic.oup.com/mr/article-abstract/24/6/881/6302017?redirectedFrom=fulltext
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791090/
9 comments:
BoneLady, I just wanted to say "Thank You" for the information you have researched and shared on this blog and on Inspire. I have taken your information, along with others on Inspire, and made what I consider to be an educated decision to try the strontium citrate along with the MK4, etc. I have sent others to the Inspire site and to your blog so they, too, can educate themselves about alternatives to the pharma drugs. Thank you. Jacki
Hi Jacki, It means so much to get good feedback! I hope you have great success with SrC and MK4.
Hello BoneLady, your posts have been so helpful throughout many years--thank you!. After doing very well on strontium citrate, I had to discontinue all supplements when I went through pelvic radiation & chemo. A few months after radiation I sustained multiple non-displaced fractures of my pelvis (fortunately pain lasted only 2 weeks, and I've not been disabled!). I was put on Evenity by my endocrinologist, was warned that SC was not enough in my situation. I'm halfway through treatment which lasts one year. Endo wants to put me on Reclast for two years afterward to consolidate gains. I do not do well with bisphosphonates, so I am trying to figure out what I will do. I know you can't give medical advice, but I'm wondering if you have heard of anyone taking SC following Evenity, and whether it was successful. I have not been able to find anything in my searches. Thank you, Beth
Hi Beth, I am so sorry to read about your situation. After Evenity, most doctors follow up with a bisphosphonate, such as Reclast or Fosamax, or Prolia. The same follow-up therapy is usually recommended after Forteo. I have not read of using strontium ranelate or citrate after Evenity. I have read of using strontium ranelate after teriperatide (Forteo). One study concluded: "Our data suggest that SR following TPTD administration further increases BMD and could represent an effective sequential treatment." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19204890/
Good luck to you.
Thank you so much! It will be a difficult decision for sure.
All the best,
Beth
Hello BoneLady, thank you for your past comments. I did decide to follow a year of Evenity with SC (started SC in May 2025), and I just received my DEXA results: PA spine: -1.6 (-3.6 in 2024); Total hip/left -1.3 (-2.3 in 2024); FemNeck/left -1.9 (-2.5 in 2024). I'm thrilled for these results. TBS is not as good though: 1.281 (1.344 in 2024).
I will continue with SC and hope for even better results in 2 years. Do you think it's worth getting a REMS test?
Best, Beth
Hi Beth, Congratulations on your latest DXA results! I am conflicted about REMS scans. On the positive side, REMS uses ultrasound and is therefore unaffected by strontium in bone. Also on the positive side is that REMS is radiation free. On the negative side for REMS is tha fact that you will probably have to pay out of pocket for it. Also on the negative side for REMS is the fact that most health organizations still require standard DXA confirmation for official treatment decisions because DXA is still the gold standard. I have not had a REMS scan, although I am curious about what my results would be.
Thank you, BoneLady! I'll let you know if I decide to do the REMS scan. The only reason I would is if it would provide more information about bone quality. I was surprised to find good T score results but diminished TBS.
Best, Beth
Beth, I was not sure whether your TBS changes were statistically significant. So, I Googled it.
The Least Significant Change (LSC) is the minimum amount of change required between two consecutive bone scans to prove that a statistical, biological shift has actually occurred, rather than a simple measurement error. .
How Your Scores Compare to the LSC
Your Absolute Change: Your Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) dropped by 0.063 (from 1.344 down to 1.281).
Average TBS LSC Threshold: While each scanning facility calculates its own exact threshold, published medical data shows the average LSC for a Trabecular Bone Score is roughly 3.79%.
Your Percentage Drop: Your specific score dropped by 4.69%.
The Verdict: Because your 4.69% decrease exceeds the standard 3.79% LSC threshold, your change over the two-year period is considered a statistically significant decline in bone microarchitecture rather than a random variation in the software imaging.
The Fragility Score from a REMS scan produces an independent numerical score representing internal bone quality and microarchitectural status rather than just mineral quantity. Perhaps, it would be helpful for you.
Yes, please let me know if you get a REMS scan and how it turns out.
Good luck!
BoneLady
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