Bone Coach - How do you know it works?

Hi Babs, same thinking here but I like to listen and learn! The rest might come, who knows!

I am so sorry for your difficulties. If it is any comfort, my spine, wrist, and hip are worse and my situation is also complicated, so I am a skeptic. Even is the advice is good, which I doubt, I am not sure it would apply to me. I would particularly be suspicious of anyone selling anything as a remedy. We don't really have any proof of who the are or the results of their protocols. I see a lot of people mentioning taking a supplement that has improved their DEXA scores. Usually it contains strontium, a mineral that is denser than calcium that will make your bones look stronger on a DEXA scan, but there is no proof that it reduces the risk of fractures. If you read up on it and want to take it, it is easy to find and cheap to buy on line. I would not. Density is not the only measure of strength. Who knows if using strontium to increase density will lead to more brittle bones? I am just guessing, I don't know what this guy is saying but I have seen similar videos.

Hi Barb, I am new to this discussion about the bone coach and just found this mayo clinic thread. Do you have a program or work with a MD? Do you have osteoporosis?.
I just got diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and the Endocrinologist scared me terribly. I am very petite and have a history of not being able to tolerate medications and have ended up in the ER several times through the years because of horrific side effects. I don't take pharmaceuticals and this doctor insists that nothing will work to improve bones other than the risky medicines that are promoted with serious and and life threatening side effects. I am so stressed as I have other health issues to deal with. Do you have a doctor , or how did you come up with your daily routine?. I was considering the Bone Coach only because I am at a loss and there doesn't seem to be another program out there. Do you know of any other recommendations, or where I could find a qualified professional to work with? I'd be thankful for any help with this.....Lolamarie

@barbakp I can make a suggestion -join Margie Bissinger’s program entitled Happy Bones, Happy Life. 4 times a month we get together with her. She offers 2expert people each month, a Q&A 1x , and Happiness Training 1x . Stress has a lot to do with osteo. And another suggestion . When she does her annual Osteoporosis Symposium at the start of the new year -attend . 7 full days of people in the osteoporosis world sharing their thoughts and expertise. Good luck - I’ve learned a tremendous amount of information from all of that!!! Good luck and check it out!!

@barbakp a other source is Margaret Martin PT. Lots of you tube videos short and longer. Has 3 books out concerning exercise for osteo. Website ie melioguide.com - tons s of info- check that out as well. A lot to get you started in right direction. And not to poo poo what you heard about DrFishman’s yoga but you have to be careful and it’s been said by other experts it’s not going to change much in the area of building back your bones in a big way. Meeks is a highly respected PT having treated osteoporosis pts for years. The three big things that are stressed over and over again that are not working for you and you should try to limit or avoid is
Gluten
Sugar
Dairy
There you go for now!!

I dont know what everyone on these support groups think but I have never seen so many podcasts on the internet in my 84 years old life! I cannot comprehend what the motivation of those "fixers" is .
I maybe can imagine that they know more than we do but without proof that is usually impossible to check. Our fear is the culprit, so lets keep getting more educated with Mayo Clinic and ourselves. Thank you Mayo Clinic and you all the people here.

So far I have found the following bone health experts who all have different program models. They all seem to focus on finding the root cause of your osteoporosis first and will look at your tests (individualized):

1. Bone Coach (Kevin Ellis)
2. Dr. Susan Brown
3. Dr. Doug Lucas
4. Dr. McCormick

There may be others. All of them seem to acknowledge that meds may be the best solution but looking at causes that might be corrected otherwise is a good first step.
I haven't started any program yet so I can't help with feedback. I would love to hear others experiences if they have because I am not sure which program to go with and they are all fairly costly.

@tilou, I'm right there with you. I think there are some credible experts but I think many are preying on the vulnerable (us) with magic potions and some of them are extremely expensive program. I have personally decided that some of us have low bone density but good bone quality, some of us have poor bone quality despite having decent bone density and some of us have low bone density and poor bone quality. If you fit into the latter category, I do believe medication is the way to go because the last thing anyone wants to do is fracture. Once that happens, we are all at high risk for more of the same so anabolics are indicated to build the bone. I don't want to take the medications either, and more than that, I don't want to fracture. I'm waiting on some blood test results before I decide on a course of action.

I am following this discussion with great interest - thank you for all your insights. I have mild osteoporosis and want to regain bone density; ideally through nutrition and exercise and no medication. Do you think that’s possible?

Also, specifically what diet did you follow and did you take supplements (which)? I am vegetarian and probably was low on protein for some time (as well as magnesium). I am now drinking a protein shake (whey) and collagen peptide shake every day, upped my magnesium intake, added K2, and am continuing with vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C.