How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?

Hi Mary, Sadly I have not gained bone density. However, from what I am seeing online, it is possible and I would, like you, be interested to hear anyone’s experience. I just joined this chat group so forgive me if I’m overstepping. Like many folks, I am conflicted about whether to take drugs. My T-score is -3.6 and the bone specialist I saw told me to start taking Evenity. All of these drugs can do damage and all of them must be stopped after a certain period, which typically erases any gains made. So I am intensely interested in finding alternatives. Thank you for bringing this up, Mary!

Hola
Acabo de descubrir el foro. Mi puntaje es T -3,7.
Tengo 58 años y el día 27 tengo cita con endocrino para establecer las pautas a seguir. A ver qué me recomienda, según lasa analíticas.
Hace tan solo un mes que sé que tengo osteoporosis. Mi idea es trabajar con ejercicio (Liftmor) y suplementos.
De momento, la ginecóloga me dió calcio+D y ácido ibandrónico 1 al mes, aunque deficiencia de calcio no tengo...
Os contaré como ha ido
Saludos y felices fiestas

Thank you for sharing. I, too, have just received a bad report. I don't know what my T- score is but I will find out. Will check back here to see your comments and disclose more info about my case. Thank you again for sharing.

hi Mary

It has been my experience that there are no general practitioners, rheumatologists or endocrinologists who will recommend anything other than lifelong drugs for osteoporosis. I have had osteoporosis for 25 years and I have done much research on osteoporosis, bone drugs, and their side effects. I will never ever take a bone drug. For me, the benefits do not outweigh the risks. I have read several books on this topic, watch many videos, read several clinical trials to help me make this decision. I believe one of the best sources for information are support groups, such as this one. Another great support group is called HealthUnLimited. I just finished a book, which you can download, called Osteoporosis Reversal Secrets by Igor Klibanov. I found it a very good resource.

@mary1007 I was referred to endocrinology after a fracture in my lower back (sacrum) occurred. The endocrinologist ordered a bone density scan and I was in the osteoporosis range. He said that I was doing everything possible for bone density with my exercise (weight lifting, walking) and diet. I was already taking Vitamin D3 2000IU/day and had calcium citrate when needed. He said that it was the sacral fracture that was now the major risk factor as I was now at risk for more fractures. His recommendation was to start meds (12 mos of Evenity to build bone density and then Reclast to lock in gains). In fact, I made significant gains in bone density in both hip and lower spine with 12 mos of Evenity and have had the Reclast infusion with no acute side effects. I take calcium citrate with meals and no more than 400mg at a time if I don't get enough calcium that day.

So I would say it all depends on your bone density loss and if you've had any fractures. My endocrinologist would not have prescibed meds had I not had the sacral fracture.

Have you had a bone density scan indicating osteoporosis? What would you like to do next?

Hi @mary1007, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:

"How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-many-of-you-improved-your-osteoporosis-without-drug-intervention/

I did this so you could meet the many members talking about trying to manage osteoporosis with both medications and additional techniques.

Thanks for the reply! I have no fractures, but do have osteoporosis based on the bone density scan. At this point I am continuing life as usual, (I'm active, exercise and have a good diet) while I gather info about the various drug/supplement options. There is a wealth of information available, some I assume to be trustworthy and some not.

@mary1007 Since you do have osteoporosis it maybe worthwhile to get a referral to endocrinology or rheumatology to get an opinion and recommendations. My endocrinologist made his recommendations but it was evident from the conversation that it was my decision on what I wanted to do.

I agree that is plenty of information "out there". Figuring out which information is reliable and valid is a challenge. I stay away from .com websites for the most part since they are trying to sell you something. I go to .edu, .gov or sometimes .org (non-profits) where I can at least approach with the sense that there will be scientific evidence-based information.

What websites have you found that you figured have reliable and valid information?

PS: Sorry, Mary, the other support group is healthunlocked, not unlimited.

And, if it gives you any encouragement, I’m 78 years old and I’m still very, very active. I play pickleball several times a week, go to the gym, walk my dog, do yoga, snowshoe, and cross country ski. I do believe you can improve your bone strength through diet and exercise. And maybe supplements, but make sure you have blood tests to see if you are deficient in any particular area. Supplements can be very dangerous. Calcium especially! Bond strength is much more important when you consider fracture risk, than bone density —in my opinion. Bottom line is: just don’t fall!

Thanks, Helen. I will be making an appointment with an endocrinologist, currently reaching out to local friends for a recommendation for someone good. As you, I try to stay away from .com sites unless someone I know has recommended it. I'm still early enough in my research, that other than this site, I don't have any "go tos" yet.