osteoporosis of spine and osteopenia in hip

@lesleighjarrett I have never heard of that before. It sounds very painful, though. I currently have a DX of osteopenia in the left hip and degenerative disc disease is so bad in my lumbar spine that the radiologist has suggested that the lumbar spine not be used for future bone density tests since it does not provide a good bone density evaluation. How are you dealing with the pain? I have taken Evista for a number of years, however, the bone density is still low. I hope the Boniva works well for you. One question, if I may, what is your doctor's suggestion on calcium and Vitamin D intake? Keep us posted on how you are doing. Teresa

@lesleighjarrett I don't know of any Connect members who have posted about that exact combo, but i'm tagging a few who have related experiences and may be able to share some insights. @emcote63, @arthritichands, @leemiller, @gatorjaws, @ladyjane85, @smcguire and @heritage1955 hoping you all can jump in and provide some thoughts and support!

Also, I noticed you've already seen the Treating Osteoporosis thread. You may also want to look at these two:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-went-through-early-menopause-at-35-along-with-my-birth-mother/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-endocrinologist-has-recently-recommended-reclast-for-my-osteoporosis-i-have-tmjd/

Hope this helps. Happy to have you here!

Hello, I'm new on this site. I have been diagnosed exactly with this, osteopernia of hips and osteoporosis of lower back. Besides, I have arthritis in lower back. My doctor is recommending Prolia, but I am not sure about this drug because of side effects. I am in the process of investigating, it might be the only resource to prevent further damage with bone loss and future fractures.

Hi @emiliaolga, and welcome! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. In addition to posting here, I'd also encourage you to check out (and potentially post in) 2 other threads where Prolia is being discussed:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/calcitoinin-salmon-nasal-spray-for-osteoporosis/
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-im-new-to-the-site-and-am-interested-in-treating-osteoperosis/

What information have you found so far on Prolia that you could share with the group?

Hi @emiliaolga. I worked my way through lower back pain with doctors, radiologists, and physical therapists all focusing on bone degeneration, which wasn't the cause in the end. It was inflammation in one sacroiliac joint, where the spine connects to the pelvis.

This came a year after my wife's bone density tests led to a diagnosis of osteoporosis, later downgraded to osteopenia. Her experience raises the following questions for your doctor: Have your parathyroid hormones -- which control calcium balance between blood and bones -- been checked? How about vitamin C? Vitamin D? Is inflammation in your sacroiliac joints possibly the main problem? Can you perform daily low-impact exercise for an hour?

Best wishes for great care from your medical team and for gaining confidence in the improvement of your prospects.
Martin

Thank you @predictable. Yes my doctor being an endocrinologist has tested for Vigtamind D, Calcium, etc. He is the one advising to take Prolia. I am researching the side effects of this drug question in

May I ask what your wife took to downgrade from osteoporosis to osteopenia? I’ve just begun taking a supplement that has calcium hydroxyapatite with K2, D3 and cissus quadrangularis which I understand are the four things needed to grow Bone.

Good morning, @pawl. It's been a number of years since my wife's diagnosis of osteoporosis and later osteopenia, so my records and memory are probably suspect. As I recall (based on what she still takes today for osteopenia) her medical team urged her to continue taking a moderate calcium supplement and Vitamin D3 daily. Martin