Osteoporosis medication continuity?

Your spinal T-score indicates severe bone loss that merits medication. I don't think the scan is wrong. I felt healthy, too - I was running 5K races! - until one day I bent over the wrong way and got a compression fracture. There are no symptoms until that first fracture comes along.

Lifestyle and supplements are most likely not going to to make a big enough dent in that -3.6 score. I would take the Tymlos. I've been on it for ten months and have made very good progress.

I am 62 and wondered the same! I am starting Evenity next week. I just wonder how they are going to keep our numbers up until the end of our life.

I am glad to hear that your doctor is starting you out on an anabolic drug that will help you build bone. Most will start you on an anti-resorptive bisphosphonate like Fosamax that slows down bone resorption but also stops new bone formation. This works for a short period of time but eventually your bone becomes more brittle.

Having suffered a compression fracture in my spine last year, I would do pretty much anything to avoid another. I was started on Tymlos in June and am switching now to Teriparatide. After being on Fosamax for over five years, my bones sorely need to be rebuilt and hopefully this will help.

Note that if you are on a bisphosphonate first, the ability to build new bone on an anabolic drug is diminished because of the ongoing effect of the bisphosphonate. This is because the bisphosphonate is released from your bones as remodeling resumes and restarts the anti-remodeling effect all over again.

This is why it’s great news that your doctor’s first choice for your treatment is a bone building drug.

That was my number one concern. What will happen after 2 years? My doctor said said we will possibly extend if no other side effects.

Thank you so much for boosting my confidence in the doctor she is simply amazing. I sincerely hope and pray that this medication will work it's magic.
Although I am curious on the diet and life style changes I would further need .
I run half marathons, do Vinyasa yoga is that enough for strength training or need weights etc.

Please keep us informed of your progress. I too am only 63 and one month in on Tymlos but worried about post Tymlos. I’m hoping for big advancements and/or knowledge in the next 2 years! Plz keep posting any natural or med treatments that actually work!

I've been using lifestyle interventions since 2018. I've exercised throughout my life but started weight training in 2012 and have continued every since. I try to lift as heavy as I can three days a week without needing to go to a gym and use a weight rack (helps with very heavy weights).

I did a lot of swimming for awhile and while it's great exercise, it doesn't increase the load on your bones which is needed to trigger bone building. Of course, I sometimes wonder if doing this was ideal while I was on Fosamax because that drug wasn't helping me build bones.

Here is my routine these days:
M-W-F 30 min of cardio on a stair stepper followed by 45-60 minutes of weight training (squats, deadlifts, chest and arm presses, bicep curls, kettlebell swings, etc.) and 25 jumps.

Tu-Th 30 min of back strengthening exercises (mostly body weight except for a few weights using 5 lb weights and resistance bands). Later in the day, I walk for 30 to 45 minutes and include a 10 minute run during that.

Other activities include working in the yard, riding my bicycle, occasional hike.

I've never regularly done yoga but have tried it and I know how hard it ism especially Vinyasa. I would think it would be great for strengthening your core and back muscles. Someone else should be able to comment on its value for osteoporosis.

As for diet, I try to avoid processed foods, eat primarily plant foods but also eat a lot of fish, some chicken, and occasional beef (maybe once a week). I watch my protein intake to make sure I get enough (80 to 100 grams per day based on my body weight). I eat some dairy (milk/yogurt a few times a week). I take calcium if I don't meet my 1200 mg per day and also take vitamin K2 (MK4 + MK7), NAC, ALA, and collagen peptides. The last three are new in the past couple of months.

@oopsiedaisy thank you and appreciate your detailed response on your diet and exercise regimen including the weight regimen. I do plan to include weights in my routine but, might start going to the gym or a class first to get initiated. I am not as self-motivated in that area .
I already take 1200 units of Calcium and 1000 units Vitamin D daily for last 8-10 months .
My doctor had an interesting observation and she said some women develop Osteo in the first couple years of menopause and you are in that classic period.

Good idea to start with a class or gym. That was how I started. I had never lifted weights in my life and did mostly cardio and some machines which I found caused repetitive use injuries in my hand and wrist because they were simply too large for me. I started going to a "boot camp" which included body weight and weight exercises. I also did a "Body Pump" class for several years that I really liked.

I think my osteoporosis was very much related to menopause. I was started on HRT at age 51 because of an enlightened OB/GYN, for which I am thankful. I remain on it today at age 63.