Thank you for your thought provoking reply. As to have I ever had osteoporosis, the answer is unclear. In 2005 the density in my arm was measured at -3.5 which should have sent up a red flag to at least my doctor, since back then I was clueless. New endocrinologist was wondering if the arm had ever been measured after seeing that while my L1 to L4 wasn't quite in the osteoporosis area, L2 definitely was, at -3.6. So I think the scoliosis might be interfering with accurate measurement. I hope the November scan which will include my arm provides some answers. Couldn't find any papers addressing whether a very long drug holiday allowed your bones to "reset" although one (several years ago) suggested this was an area to study.
Maybe the answer is to go without drugs for a couple of years if I'm still in the osteopenia range. I'm not sure lifestyle changes would help as I already clock in 3 miles a day (2 in the heat of the Texas summer), lift weights and drink a gallon of milk every 2 days. Having been a milk drinker all my life, I hoped that all that calcium ended up in my bones but it was not to be.
I'll bring up the issues of bone quality and scoliosis issue when I meet with the doctor after the scan. I've brought up the scoliosis before only to be told it's accounted for. Unfortunately I found a paper that says otherwise. I'll keep you all posted on my discoveries.
Thanks again.