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.

@teb

@debkincaid I always exercised (I was a dancer) but when I found out I had osteo, I really upped my game as I was determined to increase my density naturally. My exercise included:

weight training 3x a week
walking an hour a day on hills in a weighted vest
got a standing desk to work at my computer so on my feet all day
two 1.5 hour dance classes a week
half hour of core work every morning
heel bumps daily

During that time, I tracked my nutrition in an online program to make sure I not only met my calcium needs but all nutrients (and I ate 5-10 prunes a day as well!). I gave it a full two years to see results. At the two year mark my dexa revealed that I went from -2.8 to -3.2.

My current endo mentioned to me that more exercise does not always equate to better bone density. He said that marathon runners typically have lower bone density. So sometimes (most often, I believe), we can't eat and exercise our way out of this disease.

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Yes, so many variables can contribute to osteoporosis. However, as far as exercise, its been clinically proven to build bone - look up the Liftmor clinical trials- but they were lifting HEAVY and only supervised by trained physical therapists. Onero is the name of the program in Australia where they are having real success in building bone in post menopausal older women, some who had previously fractured . Several of these programs are now in the US but only about 4 - on the east coast. Hope for more. I suggest looking them up for what exercise is effective.

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@vgkime

Yes, so many variables can contribute to osteoporosis. However, as far as exercise, its been clinically proven to build bone - look up the Liftmor clinical trials- but they were lifting HEAVY and only supervised by trained physical therapists. Onero is the name of the program in Australia where they are having real success in building bone in post menopausal older women, some who had previously fractured . Several of these programs are now in the US but only about 4 - on the east coast. Hope for more. I suggest looking them up for what exercise is effective.

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thank you. I'm familiar with both. Lifting heavy weights is pretty challenging as I weight train 3x a week and can not be supervised due to cost. So I lift the heaviest weight I can manage.
(by the way, alignment/form in the Liftmor trial videos on some of the participants was pretty awful. they are lucky did not fracture)

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@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.

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I had issues with MK4, was considering MK7, so thanks for info.

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@sallyj2

I had issues with MK4, was considering MK7, so thanks for info.

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I do a combo of D3 and MK-7 but only 45mcg of the latter. I think people may take too much.

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@windyshores

I do a combo of D3 and MK-7 but only 45mcg of the latter. I think people may take too much.

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I was wondering the same. After I regulate hormones, I will try the smaller dose of MK-7. Thanks!

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to sheilad1
I would like to comment more about your achievement. It brings a hope to many of us, the patients with the same diagnosis. Thank you again for sharing your story. Would you please, share also which supplements you took during the period after which the improvements in your spine were demonstrated. I have osteoporosis in spine as well, and it would be reassuring to follow you.

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@sheilad1

Can’t take calcium pills because I have a very high calcium level in my heart. I’m in the 91st percentile for women. My age comment 74. I ate a lot of dark leafy greens. I had a half a cup of yogurt every day. It was the only breach of my plant-basedcan’t take calcium pills because I have a very high calcium level in my heart. I’m in the 91st percentile for women. My age comment 74. I ate a lot of dark leafy greens. I had a cup of yogurt every day. I mix 1T kale powder with a little yogurt. It tastes bad but I add some sweetener and eat it quick. I take D. But I was already taking D when diagnosed. There's plenty of K in the food I eat. You should definitely do stregnth training 3x a week. Wear 1 pound ankle weights 30 minutes a day.

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I am also in the 90 - 95 percentile for women on my heart, but not one of the three cardiologists I've seen has mentioned not taking calcium. The only concern came up when I started investigating Evenity, The rheumatologist I saw recently found two studies that showed that Evenity can potentially make coronary calcium worse. He wasn't quite willing to take a hard line against Evenity for me based on those studies, though.

I am impressed that you have been able to make improvements to your bones with a WFPB diet and exercise. My brother is a huge fan of this diet and has been trying to get me to try it. I'm quite okay with just eating plants and grains, but I'd have a hard time giving up my kefir, yogurt, milk and cheese. Those are my staples.

Also, thank you for the advice on kale powder. I will have to look for that.

It's been over a year since your last post. Would you please give us an update on how your next DEXA scan went?

Take good care!

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@wilkenl

I am also in the 90 - 95 percentile for women on my heart, but not one of the three cardiologists I've seen has mentioned not taking calcium. The only concern came up when I started investigating Evenity, The rheumatologist I saw recently found two studies that showed that Evenity can potentially make coronary calcium worse. He wasn't quite willing to take a hard line against Evenity for me based on those studies, though.

I am impressed that you have been able to make improvements to your bones with a WFPB diet and exercise. My brother is a huge fan of this diet and has been trying to get me to try it. I'm quite okay with just eating plants and grains, but I'd have a hard time giving up my kefir, yogurt, milk and cheese. Those are my staples.

Also, thank you for the advice on kale powder. I will have to look for that.

It's been over a year since your last post. Would you please give us an update on how your next DEXA scan went?

Take good care!

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After I had the TBS and it was GREEN - normal I won't be having another scan for a year.
I think dairy is ok. Especially yogurt which is high in calcium and it's OK with my cardiologist.

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Awesome. Happy to hear this.

Your are so lucky to have found Dr. McCormick when you were 1st diagnosed.

Would you please consider posting the results of your bone turnover marker tests. I desperately trying to get a better understanding of my BTM labs and my endocrinologist is zero help—he only ordered them because I requested the tests.

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@fearfracture

Awesome. Happy to hear this.

Your are so lucky to have found Dr. McCormick when you were 1st diagnosed.

Would you please consider posting the results of your bone turnover marker tests. I desperately trying to get a better understanding of my BTM labs and my endocrinologist is zero help—he only ordered them because I requested the tests.

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@fearfracture there is apparently a lot of controversy on bone marker tests. My main endo doesn't use them and said there could be a whole conference on this one issue. He said that the markers don't give the whole picture on what is going on in our bones. I saw another endo who does use them, but with caution, and at one point had my PCP order them for Dr. McCormick.

My bone markers have not really matched up with expectations or matched my results, I think they are good to do but we shouldn't rely on them too much. Just my view after talking with all these providers and reading etc.

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