1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

I reversed osteoporosis without drugs

Posted by sheilad1 @sheilad1, Dec 28, 2022

I had my bone quality test yesterday along with another bone density test. This was my third bone density test in 14 months.

My first bone density test was Nov 2021.
I started consulting with different doctors. If I must take meds I would. But I had to get to the truth.
The physician who appeared to know the most is Keith McCormick DC the chiropractor who got osteoporosis at a very young age and really understands it.

That first DEXA scan showed I had mild osteoperosis of the spine, within the margin of error.
So no McCormick said to take the CTX (blood) test and a few others.
CTX was good.
My CTX shows that the osteoclasts are not breaking down too much bone. therefore, my next bone density test shouldn’t show that that I am much worse.

I decided not to wait until 2 years for another scan and took
I took another bone density (aka DEXA) scan 10/2022 to see if that was true about the CTX.
My spine was actually better in that scan and it was now osteopenia.
My hip was a little worse bringing it outside the margin of error. McCormick said this was a tough call so I said to him why don’t I get a bone quality test (that he told me about) and I figured that will buy me a little time anyway lol.

Unfortunately, the bone quality test only measures the spine.
Since it’s unusual for your spine to get better and your hip to get worse, it made me think - what have I done differently since the last test? Why would my spine improve but not my hip? What is my spine doing that my hip is not?

I decided it had to be the Supernatural virtual reality exercise app that I exercise to (on the oculus quest VR helmet). Even though I am striking the air, there actually is resistance, and I push hard to hit it as powerfully as I can.

I decided to put weights on my ankles. Everything I read says weight training should be once or twice a week, and I certainly only did it once.

Back to yesterday and the bone quality (TBS) test and yet another bone density (DEXA) test.
My hip was back to where it was on the first test. This put me back inside the margin of error where I would not have to take medication
This demonstrated to me that the CTX score did in fact mean I'm not losing density quickly.
Yesterday's test shows that my spine continued to improve and my bone density score was no longerosteopenia. It was normal. My bone quality test was great. The tech really loved it and called me over to show me how I was completely in the green meaning It was normal which is a little unusual at my age, 74, altogether.

I may be wrong about supernatural helping.
I’ll probably take the DEXA again in six months because I am anxious to see how the hip does, and if it improves even more.
And if so, I’ll turn myself into a study. 😂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

gently | @gently | Aug 25 11:29am
In reply to @isabelle7 "@windyshores Thanks. I don't know if we have tai chi around here. Walking is something we..." + (show)
@isabelle7

@windyshores

Thanks. I don't know if we have tai chi around here. Walking is something we can all do and is so healthy.

I'm worried about the bands and that the physical therapist will say they're OK. The last time he started using bands he ended up with a fracture. Not sure it was from the bands but always worry about that.

We've been down with COVID and got it the day after he had prostate surgery. Fortunately he recovered quickly from surgery and he was given Paxlovid and had a very mild case of COVID. I cannot take Paxlovid and was given a different antiviral that I reacted to but kept taking for the benefits. I had way too many of the symptoms that come with COVID and was very miserable for over a week. I'm finally starting to feel human again. I hope you've been well.

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There are some great free tai chi videos on youtube.

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1 reply
isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Aug 25 11:50am
In reply to @gently "There are some great free tai chi videos on youtube." + (show)
@gently

There are some great free tai chi videos on youtube.

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@gently

Thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of that! Great idea since they don't offer classes in our area.

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Aug 25 12:11pm
In reply to @isabelle7 "@gently Thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of that! Great idea since they don't..." + (show)
@isabelle7

@gently

Thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of that! Great idea since they don't offer classes in our area.

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@isabelle7 check a senior center maybe. The community aspect of a class can be important. Tai chi isn't just exercise. It deals with "chi" or life energy and there is community energy as well.

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doreenc | @doreenc | Aug 25 3:45pm
In reply to @isabelle7 "My husband has 3 compression fractures on his spine that are now stabilizing. He was restricted..." + (show)
@isabelle7

My husband has 3 compression fractures on his spine that are now stabilizing. He was restricted to lifting no more than 5 pounds and no bending for about 6-8 weeks. The doctor says because they're stabilizing he can lift a bit more and can do some very careful bending. Still cautious about bending at the waist to pick things up.

He'd like to exercise again and talks about wanting to use resistance bands. I'm not sure that's the best form of exercise when someone has had three recent fractures and am afraid once he gets started doing them again he might slip and overdo it. Any suggestions on the best forms of exercise for someone in his situation?

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I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves, thighs) after I developed sciatica in my hip using them. Last year, I was in PT for a frozen left hip and after working with the bands with my therapist, I developed sciatica on my right hip. Let's just say I'm not a fan of PT and especially after what happened to me this year. This year (in early January) I fractured my L3. I began PT in late March. Everything was going reasonably well until my therapist had me do balancing exercises. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately during one of the exercises I damaged the ligament on my left ankle causing significant swelling and pain. I went to PT to strengthen my back muscles after I fractured and I ended up with a damaged ankle. Go figure. To say I was NOT happy would be a gross understatement. It took two months to heal completely where I had no pain. I was especially upset because it curtailed the only exercise that I enjoy which is walking. I know for some people physical therapy works wonders. But for me, I've gotten hurt twice now so I'm extremely wary of PT in general. I believe that the vast majority of physical therapists don't understand the limitations of frail people with osteoporosis, even when they say they do.

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3 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Aug 25 4:03pm
In reply to @doreenc "I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves,..." + (show)
@doreenc

I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves, thighs) after I developed sciatica in my hip using them. Last year, I was in PT for a frozen left hip and after working with the bands with my therapist, I developed sciatica on my right hip. Let's just say I'm not a fan of PT and especially after what happened to me this year. This year (in early January) I fractured my L3. I began PT in late March. Everything was going reasonably well until my therapist had me do balancing exercises. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately during one of the exercises I damaged the ligament on my left ankle causing significant swelling and pain. I went to PT to strengthen my back muscles after I fractured and I ended up with a damaged ankle. Go figure. To say I was NOT happy would be a gross understatement. It took two months to heal completely where I had no pain. I was especially upset because it curtailed the only exercise that I enjoy which is walking. I know for some people physical therapy works wonders. But for me, I've gotten hurt twice now so I'm extremely wary of PT in general. I believe that the vast majority of physical therapists don't understand the limitations of frail people with osteoporosis, even when they say they do.

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@doreenc my PT does massage only! I am grateful she is too nervous to do anything else.

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isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Aug 25 10:08pm
In reply to @doreenc "I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves,..." + (show)
@doreenc

I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves, thighs) after I developed sciatica in my hip using them. Last year, I was in PT for a frozen left hip and after working with the bands with my therapist, I developed sciatica on my right hip. Let's just say I'm not a fan of PT and especially after what happened to me this year. This year (in early January) I fractured my L3. I began PT in late March. Everything was going reasonably well until my therapist had me do balancing exercises. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately during one of the exercises I damaged the ligament on my left ankle causing significant swelling and pain. I went to PT to strengthen my back muscles after I fractured and I ended up with a damaged ankle. Go figure. To say I was NOT happy would be a gross understatement. It took two months to heal completely where I had no pain. I was especially upset because it curtailed the only exercise that I enjoy which is walking. I know for some people physical therapy works wonders. But for me, I've gotten hurt twice now so I'm extremely wary of PT in general. I believe that the vast majority of physical therapists don't understand the limitations of frail people with osteoporosis, even when they say they do.

Jump to this post

@doreenc

I'm with you 100% on PT!! The only two times I went I felt far worse coming out than going in. One time, I told the PT how bad my back was. I don't think he actually believed me. I could hardly get up on the table and after he did a few things to me, I was hardly able to walk out on my own. I was in pain for months after that, far worse than the pain I went in with. This happened to me many years ago too. My husband also had a bad experience where he felt far worse after than going in. And these were in the days before he had osteoporosis and just had some lower back issue. So I am very leery. I have one I consult with online but have never gone in to see him. He's absolutely great for reviewing and going over x-rays etc so I better understand what's going on. Two exercises he gave me hurt me so I stopped. You're right that for some people, they are fantastic. I don't know why my husband and I have both had awful experiences with them physically working with us. I've been to chiropractors and acupuncture. I've never had issues with them.

I'm sorry for what you went through with your ankle. I know what you mean about not being able to walk. I fell on my knee about a year ago and did a number on it and couldn't go on walks for a couple months which was just awful! It's my favorite form of exercise. I'm going to try swimming soon. I'm encouraging my husband to join me. Not swimming. Just doing movements in the pool. Gentle movements for him.

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06111945cc | @06111945cc | Aug 26 8:42am
In reply to @doreenc "I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves,..." + (show)
@doreenc

I absolutely refuse to use resistance bands on the lower half of my body (ankles, calves, thighs) after I developed sciatica in my hip using them. Last year, I was in PT for a frozen left hip and after working with the bands with my therapist, I developed sciatica on my right hip. Let's just say I'm not a fan of PT and especially after what happened to me this year. This year (in early January) I fractured my L3. I began PT in late March. Everything was going reasonably well until my therapist had me do balancing exercises. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately during one of the exercises I damaged the ligament on my left ankle causing significant swelling and pain. I went to PT to strengthen my back muscles after I fractured and I ended up with a damaged ankle. Go figure. To say I was NOT happy would be a gross understatement. It took two months to heal completely where I had no pain. I was especially upset because it curtailed the only exercise that I enjoy which is walking. I know for some people physical therapy works wonders. But for me, I've gotten hurt twice now so I'm extremely wary of PT in general. I believe that the vast majority of physical therapists don't understand the limitations of frail people with osteoporosis, even when they say they do.

Jump to this post

I to fractured twice using PT on land.

Now, I have physical therapy in the swimming pool.

It’s wonderful. The water holds you up and protects you.

It’s making a difference in the world for me.

I recommend it for you.

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