How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?

" If Prolia treatment is discontinued after a single injection, Dr. Gonzalez-Rodriguez states that all scientific evidence suggests that there is no risk for biological, densitometric or clinical (vertebral fractures risk) rebound."
Gonzalez-Rodriguez is quoted in https://melioguide.com/medications/how-long-can-you-take-prolia/#:~:text=If%20Prolia%20treatment%20is%20discontinued,(vertebral%20fractures%20risk)%20rebound though I have been unable to locate the scientific evidence. But Gonzales-Rodriguez MD Phd has the credentials. Anyway, the article is of interest though unlinked.
Dead bone: Prolia blocks the removal of older fissured bone. While the bone isn't exactly dead, preserved in Prolia-bone it loses its already dwindling blood supply and can become necrotic, creating the risk of atypical fracture in the femur or decay in the jaw.
The primary difficulty with Prolia is that since it works by delaying the final stage of development in the cells that remove (acid etch) fissured bone, those cells collect and wait. until you quit Prolia. Then so many of them are released upon your bones that really none of the drugs applied to them can keep up with the disintegration of bone. Even the strongest, Reclast, is inadequate to prevent bone loss if you have been on Prolia for an extended period of time.
You might consider Tymlos or Forteo. They build bone that is active encouraging the cells that break bone down and the cells that build new bone. And encourage the growth of cells that change the structure of the bone so that the bones are stronger in response to the type of activity you commonly engage in.

ok, thanks for the information.

I believe the best you might be able to do without meds is slow the rate of bone loss. If your diet and exercise has been extremely poor then improvements in both could go a long way to help improve your bone health and possibly slow down the bone loss.

I’ve read Dr. McCormick’s book and it offers good insight into bone metabolism and recommendations for a healthier lifestyle and some supplements that can help. I wish he went into more detail about what he did personally, though. He states that he stopped fracturing but he still has osteoporosis.

He does list a lot of possible causes for osteoporosis that you could pursue with a specialist to arrive at a personalized treatment plan that might not require meds.

I did not use meds for six years after being diagnosed with osteoporosis with diet improvement, exercise, calcium and Vitamin D supplements, and HRT. This was from 51 to 57. I progressed into osteoporosis in my hips, though, and started on alendronate (Fosamax) and did 5 years of that. I had a compression fracture last year and am now on Tymlos.

I haven’t changed much else since reading “Great Bones” other than to add Dr. McCormick’s collagen peptides supplement. I was already taking the supplements he recommended.

If the book had been available to me ten years ago the key takeaway for me would have been only to stay on alendronate for two years and also to pursue anabolic therapy sooner. Here in the US, my insurance company would only pay for anabolic therapy like Tymlos or Forteo if I had a fracture.

This is just my opinion. There may be some here who have improved without meds. I’d just be cautious about how long you try that approach as once the bone is lost, it’s hard to get it back.

Good luck and I hope things go well for you whatever you decide to do.

Hi - I am in Niagara and seeing a rheumatologist in Hamilton for osteoporosis. My GP has ordered most of my blood work including the vitamin D. Most issues I deal with my GP and if they have any questions they contact the rheumatologist for direction and advise. If you are wanting to see someone other than your GP just make sure you are referred to someone who specializes in osteoporosis. I have found that not all endocrinologists and rheumatologists do. I have only been dealing with this diagnosis less than a year now and it has sent me down the rabbit hole of misinformation and fear. I hope you can find someone you feel confident with to guide you through this journey.

I don’t know what to tell you. I just had my levels tested last month and my GP ordered the test. All covered under OHIP.

thank you for the advise. I am on Prolia, one shot and I am thinking of switching to an anabolic but not sure on OHIP coverage

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2021 so I started taking Calcium, D3, K2 as MK7, and Magnesium supplements. I had another DEXA scan in 2023 and the bone density in my spine increased 2% and increased 5.6% in my hip. It's not a huge increase but at least it is going in the right direction. I started taking collagen peptides last year because I have read that they can increase bone density but I won't know if it has helped until I have another scan. My doctor still tells me I need to take the osteoporosis meds but I am still refusing them.

I hear yea - I have had one dose of prolia too. My understanding is that anabolic is not OHIP covered and very expensive and difficult to get private insurance to pay according to my rheumatologist. Best to check beforehand about available insurance unless you want to pay out of pocket. I will be curious to hear how you make out. Good luck.

Did you decide on no medication?

The osnuvo manufacturer in Canada has a cost assistance program ttps://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/healthcare-professionals/teriparatide-patient-care/ttps://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/healthcare-professionals/teriparatide-patient-care/