I reversed osteoporosis without drugs

I appreciate this issue. I am newly diagnosed but I have read Lani Simpson, Keith McCormick, Margie Bessinger (podcast), etc. My lumbar spine average is 3.6 while other areas are not as bad. I have been a pescetarian for 25 years and it's hard to imagine eating meat but perhaps it is necessary. Vegans seems to have a high incidence of Osteoporosis; and it seems that dairy sources of calcium are questioned by many of these folks. I did hear about the "Keto Green" diet ("MenuPause" book) which has vegetarian options; but I haven't read the details yet and I am not sure as that info contradicts others such as Dr. Doug Lucas. So much info! Trying to avoid medications at this point but that seems difficult to achieve.

@moxiegirl Keith McCormick used Forteo and Fosamax, himself, and Lani Simpson, in the master class I took with her in 2021, was about to start Tymlos (her book is a bit dated).

With a spinal score or -3.7 I fractured 3 lumbar vertebrae in one moment, with an unwise movement. Unfortunately osteoporosis has no symptoms so this happened without warning. For me, these fractures were painful but also life-altering. Both offer a lot of information on holistic approaches that help many of us, whether on meds or not.

I tried to get on meds for years, then gave up, then tried again, and finally succeeded in doing Tymlos by starting at a low dose (the pen for injections is adjustable). My -3.7 went up to -2.5. If you are nervous about medications, maybe the adjustable dosing would appeal to you. Your score in the spine seems serious but maybe you have FRAX scorer and a good doctor to guide you.

ps I am curious why you have been told eating meat is necessary?!

Thank you for that information! I am only allowed bisphosphonates on my medical plan (Kaiser). Dr. Doug Lucas and other advise that eating a lot of protein is important, and that eating red meat is the best source; they seem to say that dairy (which I love) is problematic for many people although I have no known allergens. My urinary calcium came back high. I don't take calcium supplements, but I do eat a lot of yogurt, leafy greens, etc. I have also added vitamin K, D, probiotic, magnesium and omega 3 supplements; and I also lift weights 3-4x weekly, do Zumba with a fair amount of jumping 2x weekly, and do the stairmaster 3x weekly. However, I think you are right that I may need to reconcile myself to medication - unfortunately Tymlos isn't offered. I have never fractured and I am only 59, so it just seems "early" to me to start down that road; my understanding is that once you start medications you need to be on them for the rest of your life.

Here's the link to Dr. Doug:

I prefer Keith McCormick and the YouTube video by Dr. Ben Leder entitled "Combining and Sequencing Approaches to Osteoporosis."

In my experience, if your scores are severe, your doctor can advocate with insurance for Tymlos, Forteo or Evenity. Radius, the maker of Tymlos, has "Radius Assist," a program that provides free Tymlos (I did this). I believe it is available for those with incomes below three times the federal poverty line. Other companies have financial assistance as well. If you are under 65 there may be coupons as well. Others can tell you about that.

Once you do a bisphosphonate, I have read and been told, those other bone building drugs may not be as effective. It is commonly known that it is better to start with a bone builder and then "lock in gains" with a bisphosphonate.

Doctors like to limit bisphosphonates to 3-5 years. I am doing Reclast after Tymlos (2 years) and Evenity (4 months) and hope to have a drug holiday soon. We may be off and on meds for life but there is a chance we can use more holistic methods once in a healthy range- I don't know but others may have more experience with that.

I have several fractures and come on here to share that they are painful and disabling!

High urinary calcium is a concern raised previously on this forum What does your doctor say? Tymlos can temporarily raise calcium (for a few hours). Other meds may lower it. I hope you have a good endocrinologist to discuss this with!

What supplement do you take?

It is my understanding that”total hip” is the result most dependent on the skill of the technician as they place you on the scanner. Whenever my total hip score takes a dive it usually resolves with the next scan. Also my understanding that the spine has the most trabecular bone, so that is why tbs comes from that location.

Hi. So good to read your post and hear of your improvement. I’m 78 and in Argyle, TX. Finding a doctor to work with the bone program I’m doing and thst knows osteoporosis has been hard.
I have spent months trying to find the TBS and get the CTX and P1NP. My doc with Baylor Scott and White is not allowed to order them. How stupid is that. Still not giving up. I’m doing everything natural I can including 6 prunes a day and walking about ten miles a month on treadmill. I had three burst compression fractures last August. They completely healed by 2024. My biggest problem is the loss of three inches and stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders. Haven’t found anyone or anything to give relief from that. Love to know what you eat and how much protein you’re getting per day and what supplements and collagen you’re taking. I just switched to Kevin Ellis Stronger Bone Collagen two weeks ago. Very excited about that. Love to hear.

@whiloba in my experience spinal fractures stabilize but don't ever heal in terms of going back to baseline comfort and health. The fractures alter the spinal structure and height, and also leave less room for our innards. Have you explored medications at all?

What is a bone density test?

It’s called a DEXA scan and it’s a simple quick scan l add ting on table taking less than five minutes. You don’t even have to change your clothes. It measures the mineral density of the cortical bones (outer bone structure) of your spine and femur hip usually.
But now there is evidence that people need to also get a Trebecular Bone
Score done at the same time. The TBS measures the inside micro architecture or “scaffolding” thst basically holds together snd supports the outer cortical bone. The TBS is just getting known in the US the last couple years so not every imaging place has it but it’s critical to know this score. You can get DEXA and think you’re in good shape while your inner scaffolding could be very weak and prone to fracture. My burst compression fractures were the result of the inner scaffolding crumbling to pieces and falling causing the three inches height loss. A backward fall on concrete is what eventually caused my trauma in spine and fractured skull. I suggest people start asking for and demanding the TBS testing when they get the DEXA. It is about $50 but if ordered by doctor totally covered by Medicare.