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Younger than usual with severe osteoporosis
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Aug 21 6:28pm | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
Hi , I too am 50 and was recently diagnosed with severe osteoporosis a few weeks ago. My scores are very similar to yours (spine -3.6, fem neck -3.5, total hip -2.9). I am also thin and petite but have always exercised, kept a healthy, mostly organic diet, and supplemented with calcium and Vit D (since I do not eat dairy). I was very surprised to have such low numbers at this age with all the steps that I have taken to try to avoid it. My mom was diagnosed in her late 50's and is now 79. She was never comfortable with meds and unfortunately has progressed, suffering from fractures of the spine. Clearly for me there is a genetic component, since I have been incorporating many of the recommendations since I have been in my 30's. It sounds like Forteo might be best for me.
I just wanted to thank you all for your posts! It is a lot to absorb in the beginning and I have already learned so much here! Wishing you all good health !
Replies to "Hi , I too am 50 and was recently diagnosed with severe osteoporosis a few weeks..."
I am 73 with DEXA scores similar to yours, and am also thin and petite. Have you made a decision on which drug you will start taking? I'm still doing research and trying to decide what to do.
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Hi @mdg22,
I genuinely empathize with the shock you experienced when you were told you have severe OP. It's scary especially when we (fingers crossed) have so many years ahead of us.
What led to you having a DEXA scan?
Did you have a fragility fracture? The pain I experienced with mine was on the level of childbirth.
I'm sorry to hear that your mother suffers with fractures. When she was diagnosed some 20 years ago, treatments options were limited, and HRTs were being demonized. Even if she'd accepted one of the drugs available then, she may have ended up in the same situation. Those of us with severe OP now have a fighting chance of avoiding your mother's fate. Not only do we have anabolic medications, we also know far more about what diet and exercises are good for bone health. We both can, and, I'm sure, will continue using natural approaches alongside drugs. My goal is to improve my natural bone metabolism enough while on OP drugs that I can eventually stop taking them all together.
Our stories are nearly identical, and there are a surprising number of others like us. It makes me wonder--If 'early' OP has been a thing for a long time, and just not being diagnosed, or is OP affecting women earlier for some reason?
The Dr. Doug video I shared in my last comment references a retroactive study gathering statistics from real life fragility fractures and diagnoses prior to regular screening at 65. The study is designed to be used, in part, by insurance companies. Hopefully, they will read it and see the value of early detection. DEXAs are relatively cheap. It would be to their advantage if patients are diagnosed before their T-scores reach the severe range.
It's great that you found this group and you're quickly educating yourself on the best treatment sequence. Forteo or Tymlos are both excellent options provided your insurance will cover them. Evenity works faster. It's possible to do one after the other. If you go that route, it's supposedly most effective to do Evenity after one of the others. It includes anti-resorption which can blunt the benefits if followed by Forteo or Tymlos which, to my understanding, are purely anabolic. @windyshores did Tymlos and then started Evenity. If you haven't already read about her journey, it's worth doing so. We're fortunate to be able to learn from the experiences of others.
I look forward to hearing more about your bone health journey over time.
I wish you health and happiness,
@hopefullibrarian