1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?

Posted by deblb @deblb, Nov 28 8:13pm

I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis and had my first Prolia injection about a month ago. I have never had any health issues, I am 65 and have never been on medication. I was blind sided and of course didn't ask questions of my doctor and had no tests done other than the bone density scan only because it was recommended at my age. I am getting the Bone density report from my doctor, a GP, next week and I want to know what I should be asking her, should I request a referral to an endocrinologist?
I also want to know if anyone has stopped Prolia after 1 injection and is there a risk of rebound fractures? How many of you improved bone density with natural approaches. I am reading that bone density increases with Prolia because the 'dead' bone is not removed and new bone is deposited onto the old bone, not really improving bone quality. There is just so much information out there and hard to know what is fake and what is real.
Thanks for your help

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windyshores | @windyshores | 5 days ago
In reply to @lilacs777 "@windyshores I was told by a gyne onco that vag estrogen is 'safe' even for BC..." + (show)
@lilacs777

@windyshores I was told by a gyne onco that vag estrogen is 'safe' even for BC survivors but I just read a medical article last week talking about how they found lower survival rates for BC survivors who were using vag estrogen when they were on AIs. They theorized that the vag estrogen absorption, even tho its super super low, still counteracted the effectiveness of the AI trying to remove all estrogen. Interestingly vag estrogen didn't affect survival for the BC survivors on tamoxifen, maybe because tamoxifen works differently in still allowing your body to have estrogen but only in healthy tissues. Overall my understanding is that vag estrogen is solely for improving vag health since there isn't enough systematically to impact the rest of the body.

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AI's work by eliminating estrogen produced by the adrenals. I would imagine very small amounts of estrogen via vaginal application would counteract an AI to some extent since the goal is "below detectable levels."

Tamoxifen, like raloxifene, shuts down certain estrogen receptors so I guess it would work regardless of the level of estrogen. Good to ask doc!

With my history, I am not going to risk it but wish I could!

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1 reply
teb | @teb | 5 days ago
In reply to @windyshores "AI's work by eliminating estrogen produced by the adrenals. I would imagine very small amounts of..." + (show)
@windyshores

AI's work by eliminating estrogen produced by the adrenals. I would imagine very small amounts of estrogen via vaginal application would counteract an AI to some extent since the goal is "below detectable levels."

Tamoxifen, like raloxifene, shuts down certain estrogen receptors so I guess it would work regardless of the level of estrogen. Good to ask doc!

With my history, I am not going to risk it but wish I could!

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I can certainly understand your risk avoidance!

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katie650 | @katie650 | 5 days ago
In reply to @tilou "Is anyone using Algeacal and having good result?" + (show)
@tilou

Is anyone using Algeacal and having good result?

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My Dr just mentioned this - also interested if anyone has tried this?

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1 reply
cbphoenix71 | @cbphoenix71 | 5 days ago
In reply to @kss7 "I’m 57, diagnosed with osteoporosis in May, and do not want to start biphosphonates as first..." + (show)
@kss7

I’m 57, diagnosed with osteoporosis in May, and do not want to start biphosphonates as first treatment, as recommended by my primary dr.
Having been told nothing about the extent of the effects of estrogen loss our bodily systems, I’m now diving deep to educate myself, and am hoping to see improvement through exercise,
nutrition, supplementation, and hopefully HRT. What I understand is that transdermal (patch,
spray) HRT does not carry the risks of oral HRT. That said, I also understand it’s important to be aware that every person’s case/candidacy for HRT is individual, given their health history.
If you haven’t already, take a look at the Menopause Society’s updated (2022) statement on HRT. Drs certified by the Society will be aware of this updated information, but others will not. HRT is not currently FDA approved for “treatment of, just “prevention of” osteoporosis (gee, too late), but given the other benefits, seems like a good thing for me to explore.
Good luck!

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You are very young. Focus on the natural route for now. Don’t panic , you have time to improve your bone health. This is the route I took with my osteoporosis diagnosis at 62. Did not want to take fosmax(spelling?). Now at 72 years old, I have still maintained my height and posture. Retested 2 years ago, fell within the osteopenia range. I am still focus on diet, exercise , Vitamin D and getting sunlight. My doctor says to continue with my lifestyle.
Best wishes.

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1 reply
kaykerz | @kaykerz | 4 days ago

I had osteopenia for years but now I don’t. I did not take any drugs but improved my diet and went to weight training exercise class 2x/week. My bone density scores went from -1.7 to +1.1 in my back. So it worked in my case. I’m 74.

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1 reply
kss7 | @kss7 | 4 days ago
In reply to @cbphoenix71 "You are very young. Focus on the natural route for now. Don’t panic , you have..." + (show)
@cbphoenix71

You are very young. Focus on the natural route for now. Don’t panic , you have time to improve your bone health. This is the route I took with my osteoporosis diagnosis at 62. Did not want to take fosmax(spelling?). Now at 72 years old, I have still maintained my height and posture. Retested 2 years ago, fell within the osteopenia range. I am still focus on diet, exercise , Vitamin D and getting sunlight. My doctor says to continue with my lifestyle.
Best wishes.

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Thanks so much for your input. It sounds like you are doing very well. You give me hope! Best wishes to you!

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osteoresearch | @osteoresearch | 4 days ago
In reply to @kaykerz "I had osteopenia for years but now I don’t. I did not take any drugs but..." + (show)
@kaykerz

I had osteopenia for years but now I don’t. I did not take any drugs but improved my diet and went to weight training exercise class 2x/week. My bone density scores went from -1.7 to +1.1 in my back. So it worked in my case. I’m 74.

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Congrats! It is always so good to hear these stories. It gives me hope! I want to go all natural but my spine at one spot is -3.9 (avg -3.3) and hip -2.7 so I recently added Tymlos. I am 63. If I could be assured all natural without getting more fractures I certainly wd opt for that! Sigh….

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tilou | @tilou | 3 days ago
In reply to @katie650 "My Dr just mentioned this - also interested if anyone has tried this?" + (show)
@katie650

My Dr just mentioned this - also interested if anyone has tried this?

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OH YES, I would be interested too because they have good publicity by people who seem real on their website but apart fron that...! I need more proof too given by people who are not paid to give it!

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loriesco | @loriesco | 1 day ago

there is some misinformation here. It is because context is missing:
your bone density scan may not be a accurate reflection because one's bones vary. It was my case. They opened my spine at my neck and my C5 crumbled in their hands! I didn't even have osteopenia on the DEXA!
Second: I went on Tymlos and had horrible reactions for 2 - 3 months. I KNOW it means the medicine is working! I always get a reaction and it means my immune system is amping up for healing! The first Reclast was the worst in my life BUT it worked! My bones are getting denser now!
Third: I also started BioIdentical HRT again. I am 67. Going into menopause early wrecked me. I was on BHRT for 10 years and stopped. because that was the research at the time. I found through this forum, other women who were taking the HRT so I researched and began again! I am very very happy I did. I believe, in my case, the stopping of the hormones contributed to the weakening of my bones.
Fourth, I have women's cancer in my family. I take progesterone with estrogen (the testosterone is sort of supplemental to the balance needed) but each type of cancer will influence the "combo" of your BHRT.
Fifth: Exercise for bones is a natural method of pounding the necessary nutrients into your bones but according to my research there isn't much that will occur unless there are available hormones. That is WHY our bones "go south" after menopause.
Sixth: If you have any doubts, it would be best if you devote time to reading through the sections in this forum regarding all the bone medications. When I started last year I did. There is SO MUCH to LEARN if you want to make the right decision for yourself. Too much for the doctors alone to provide you with.
Seventh - read up on the rebound fractures. It may or may not have anything to do with your circumstances. Ask your doctor if you need to be concerned.
We are very lucky that insurance pays for these things to improve our bodies.
Good luck, and be patient and gather information! It's overwhelming!
(personally, I don't see how "natural" stuff can do the heavy lifting needed for bone strengthening. (ha! "heavy lifting" pun! 😉

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