1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

I reversed osteoporosis without drugs

Posted by sheilad1 @sheilad1, Dec 28, 2022

I had my bone quality test yesterday along with another bone density test. This was my third bone density test in 14 months.

My first bone density test was Nov 2021.
I started consulting with different doctors. If I must take meds I would. But I had to get to the truth.
The physician who appeared to know the most is Keith McCormick DC the chiropractor who got osteoporosis at a very young age and really understands it.

That first DEXA scan showed I had mild osteoperosis of the spine, within the margin of error.
So no McCormick said to take the CTX (blood) test and a few others.
CTX was good.
My CTX shows that the osteoclasts are not breaking down too much bone. therefore, my next bone density test shouldn’t show that that I am much worse.

I decided not to wait until 2 years for another scan and took
I took another bone density (aka DEXA) scan 10/2022 to see if that was true about the CTX.
My spine was actually better in that scan and it was now osteopenia.
My hip was a little worse bringing it outside the margin of error. McCormick said this was a tough call so I said to him why don’t I get a bone quality test (that he told me about) and I figured that will buy me a little time anyway lol.

Unfortunately, the bone quality test only measures the spine.
Since it’s unusual for your spine to get better and your hip to get worse, it made me think - what have I done differently since the last test? Why would my spine improve but not my hip? What is my spine doing that my hip is not?

I decided it had to be the Supernatural virtual reality exercise app that I exercise to (on the oculus quest VR helmet). Even though I am striking the air, there actually is resistance, and I push hard to hit it as powerfully as I can.

I decided to put weights on my ankles. Everything I read says weight training should be once or twice a week, and I certainly only did it once.

Back to yesterday and the bone quality (TBS) test and yet another bone density (DEXA) test.
My hip was back to where it was on the first test. This put me back inside the margin of error where I would not have to take medication
This demonstrated to me that the CTX score did in fact mean I'm not losing density quickly.
Yesterday's test shows that my spine continued to improve and my bone density score was no longerosteopenia. It was normal. My bone quality test was great. The tech really loved it and called me over to show me how I was completely in the green meaning It was normal which is a little unusual at my age, 74, altogether.

I may be wrong about supernatural helping.
I’ll probably take the DEXA again in six months because I am anxious to see how the hip does, and if it improves even more.
And if so, I’ll turn myself into a study. 😂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

kayraymat | @kayraymat | Feb 1 9:05am

Diet & exercise are the hardest & easiest aspects of our life to control
but the most vital. They affect all parts of our body & MIND, so however slight
an improvement is, it is important in the long run.
Keep working on both & be grateful for any good things in your life.
Complete the typical dual list of positives & negatives in your life &
it will surprise you!!
KayRay

REPLY
jasperina | @jasperina | Feb 1 9:10am
In reply to @mlwh "Hi Jasperina, I began lifting with a trainer, and was with him for most of my..." + (show)
@mlwh

Hi Jasperina, I began lifting with a trainer, and was with him for most of my first year. He made me start with teensy Barbie weights, which was really smart. I learned good technique, built muscle endurance, and didn't get hurt. After that year, I had developed a strong core, knew how to use it when lifting, and had reasonable form. I lift on alternate days, and do core work and walk, or row, or use an elliptical on the days I don't lift. I'm small, 5'3.5" and 102 pounds, 28-29% bodyfat according to my DEXAfit scans. I lift what feels heavy to me. I try to be sure to work all muscle groups every week. I use weights that I can get 10 reps with, and then in a second or third set, I increase the weight by a small increment, and work to failure, whatever that might be. Sometimes just one or two reps feels like a victory, but if it seems TOO heavy, I wisely give up. I love Planet Fitness because of the machines that allow a 2.5lb weight increase, which works for my tiny frame. In my first year, I got to bench pressing two 15# dumbbells and could not make the transition to 20#, until I went out and bought a set of 17.5#ers. Now I know lots of tricks like adding washers to my barbell, or adding 1# wrist wrap weights to my bar. When I seem to have reached a stopping point at adding weight, I go back to a substantially lighter weight and do sets of 15 or even 20 reps for a while, and then gradually build again. I have recently added a vibration plate, and will be curious to see how that works out for me. Wishing you luck and progress in your bone building journey!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. Your program sounds great. I have thought about the vibration plate but would like to see more data before I shell out the money. Good luck on your program!

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1 reply
timely | @timely | Feb 1 10:03am
In reply to @busyyaya "I’ve read MK-7 is what you need to get better absorption of D3 & calcium" + (show)
@busyyaya

I’ve read MK-7 is what you need to get better absorption of D3 & calcium

Jump to this post

Also, on the Inspire site, there was an entire thread going back to 2011 which state that so many who took the K2 M7 got arrhythmias and had to stop taking it.

Now, they are saying that the K2 M7 is better metabolized but no mention of arrhythmias.

Obviously,they have not fixed the arrhythmia problem and NO wants arrhythmias or more arrhythmias if they have them already.

The K2M4 is in food but one may not get enough to balance with the D3 tablet intake.

The K2 and D3 work hand in hand and both are needed.

So, my non-medical conclusion is to try the K2 M4 and not the M7.

REPLY
3 replies
ripley | @ripley | Feb 1 10:53am
In reply to @teb "@normahorn, very true. and thanks as always for your perspective, @windyshores , @sallyj2, it is also..." + (show)
@teb

@normahorn, very true. and thanks as always for your perspective, @windyshores , @sallyj2, it is also my understanding that a .1 gain is not statistically significant.

Also important to keep in mind that arthritic changes in the spine (very common as we age) may show up as increased bone density so Dexa is not a terribly accurate modality for showing improvement.

In my experience, no amount of good nutrition or targeted exercise could improve my bones. I'm about as natural as you get, motivated and diligent in my diet and exercise regimen but ultimately, I had to make the difficult decision to embrace a pharmaceutical option to save my bones from further deterioration. And boy am I glad I did.

Jump to this post

What osteo drug did you go on and what was your experience and results? Thanks.

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busyyaya | @busyyaya | Feb 1 11:03am
In reply to @timely "Also, on the Inspire site, there was an entire thread going back to 2011 which state..." + (show)
@timely

Also, on the Inspire site, there was an entire thread going back to 2011 which state that so many who took the K2 M7 got arrhythmias and had to stop taking it.

Now, they are saying that the K2 M7 is better metabolized but no mention of arrhythmias.

Obviously,they have not fixed the arrhythmia problem and NO wants arrhythmias or more arrhythmias if they have them already.

The K2M4 is in food but one may not get enough to balance with the D3 tablet intake.

The K2 and D3 work hand in hand and both are needed.

So, my non-medical conclusion is to try the K2 M4 and not the M7.

Jump to this post

Interesting thank you!
I haven’t had any so far but will certainly be aware now. I wonder how much these arrhythmia patients consumed/ day. I’m only taking 100 mcg daily = 1 tab of Nature Made K2-MK-7 form. On it one year so far.

REPLY
mlwh | @mlwh | Feb 1 7:50pm
In reply to @jasperina "Thank you for your response. Your program sounds great. I have thought about the vibration plate..." + (show)
@jasperina

Thank you for your response. Your program sounds great. I have thought about the vibration plate but would like to see more data before I shell out the money. Good luck on your program!

Jump to this post

Jasperina, I use the vibration plate in the Total Body Enhancement Machine at Planet Fitness. I am 70, so regular membership is free with Silver Sneakers. I give them 14$ a month for Black Card to use the hydromassage, and vibration plate. The machine is a "Beauty Angel" and has red light therapy, which I am not interested in, so I keep my clothes on and wear dark glasses. I used the plate at the Beginner (five minutes and quite gentle) level for a couple weeks and then tried the Intermediate (8 minutes and a bit more aggressive for part of the time), which they say is suitable for beginners as well. I don't intend to go further, unless my BMD density improves to an Osteopenia level. For some this might be a stretch, but I feel really comfortable with it. I think the quality of the plate matters, and from what I have read, this is a decent one. I think it's a personal call, and consulting you doc or trainer is always useful. There is a YouTube Tutorail if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV7uNluSBgA

REPLY
jasperina | @jasperina | Feb 1 9:23pm
In reply to @timely "Also, on the Inspire site, there was an entire thread going back to 2011 which state..." + (show)
@timely

Also, on the Inspire site, there was an entire thread going back to 2011 which state that so many who took the K2 M7 got arrhythmias and had to stop taking it.

Now, they are saying that the K2 M7 is better metabolized but no mention of arrhythmias.

Obviously,they have not fixed the arrhythmia problem and NO wants arrhythmias or more arrhythmias if they have them already.

The K2M4 is in food but one may not get enough to balance with the D3 tablet intake.

The K2 and D3 work hand in hand and both are needed.

So, my non-medical conclusion is to try the K2 M4 and not the M7.

Jump to this post

What is the Inspire site?

REPLY
2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 2 3:19am
In reply to @jasperina "What is the Inspire site?" + (show)
@jasperina

What is the Inspire site?

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https://www.inspire.com/groups/bone-health-and-osteoporosis/

@jasperina I do not find it as helpful as mayoclinicconnect but there is an expert- dexaguru- who knows a lot on that site...

REPLY
timely | @timely | Feb 3 9:01am
In reply to @jasperina "What is the Inspire site?" + (show)
@jasperina

What is the Inspire site?

Jump to this post

http://www.inspire.com discusses osteoporosis and osteopenia. Ask Q’s there.

Sue Muscate

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