Nancy, Eileen and Good1, thank you for responding. I've thought about the bioidentical and will have to look into that further.

She drinks a ton of milk (at least 2 gal./wk.), but that doesn't seem to help. But then again, perhaps things could be worse if she didn't drink it at all. As for exercise, she walks quite a bit.

A bone density test was done and the lack of bone mass is so great that the doc said that something needs to be done. Boniva would be the next plan of attack if the estrodial wouldn't prove effective. The once per year infusion was ruled out, if I understood correctly, due to the potential for adverse affects due to the large dosage of radiation that my mom had to the jaw.

The estrogen patch (Estradiol) would start at .25 mg and then be increased to .5 mg. My mom is 76 and pretty active. I feel as though I'm backed against the wall with this new problem. Doing nothing could be bad as I don't want her to suffer any fractures or breaks. Adding a couple of new drugs to her diet that have questionable side effects just doesn't sit well with me.

I have a feeling I've got a bit of homework to do. Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.

All my best,
Dave