What would you do? Medication.

Based on your most unfortunate experience, if you had it to do over, how much weight would you lift? I'm afraid to start beyond light hand weights for this very reason.

Since my diagnosis, I don't even pick up watermelons from those big boxes at grocery stores.

To protect my spine, I practice hip hinges with a straight rod at my back to get used the habit of holding a straight back. Doing squats often (make sure you do it the right way) to strengthen major legs muscles also goes a long way for lower body strength, as well as for many daily tasks that involve at lower/floor level.

Hi Windy, I tried that, but all that came up was a message someone sent to me. I didn't (and don't) see a way to generate a new message.

@babs10 you click the envelope and then "compose" is on top right in the black oval space with the image of a pencil.

I have not had an unfortunate experience…YET, thank goodness, but I work with a very experienced and cautious personal trainer. With. -3.2 lumbar and -1.9 femur, I started about 18 months ago with mostly 5 and 8 pound dumbbells and am presently using mostly 12, 15 and 20 pounders. I use these with squats, overhead presses, curls, deadlifts, rows, lunges, etc. I workout once a week with the trainer and duplicate the exercises at home. Since I do not have a barbell set, I’m not using that yet, but I have used a couple of machines at his gym….inclined leg press up to my own weight, and a few cable exercises with anything from 30-60 pounds. So nothing too ridiculously heavy, a very small start and very gradual increase, and adapting when needed for weak wrists and an occasional cranky knee. The MOST important thing is FORM and learning to properly use your core, which requires someone with experience to spot you and give feedback with consistent prompting. I would never attempt anything like this without professional guidance. It’s the best money I have ever spent!

I have watched her and agree with you. I also signed up for the Onero online classes. I'm not sure how long I'll stick with it. All of this gets so expensive and if I end up taking Forteo, I'll really be in dire financial dire straits.

I’m avoiding meds at the moment. But I’ll probably need to suck it up at some point. Trying to exercise as best I can and keep my spine from fracture at the same time. I hope things turn around for you with your program of exercise and use of meds. Keep us posted.

Now I am really ticked off.

My Frax Scores:
From DEXA report 33.9 (Major), 16.4 (hip)
From 2 on-line calculators 21 (major), 9.5 (hip)

That difference is astounding. Let's just say that I am considerably relieved.

That's intersting.

Check what frax method your dexa report states. I used a different system, university of sheffield frax assessment calculator, results are similar to what was on my dexa report, which used WHO fracture risk assessment tool.