How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?

Posted by deblb @deblb, Nov 28, 2024

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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karenjaninaz | @karenjaninaz | Jan 22 8:35pm

In reply to @njx58 "That's great, but given that you went vegan, maybe you would have achieved the same result..." + (show)

My cousin is total vegan and has osteoporosis. All her food is organic,she gets plenty of sun. She bike rides.

leeleevb | @leeleevb | Jan 23 7:36am

@deblb, I am interested in the same thing. Has anyone ever increased bone density without the drugs like Prolia. I had to come off of it and my bone density dropped. I really don't want to go back on it after my oral surgery and implants, but I am afraid I am seeing no other choice.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 23 8:34am

In reply to @leeleevb "@deblb, I am interested in the same thing. Has anyone ever increased bone density without the..." + (show)

@leeleeb discontinuation of Prolia causes rebound loss of bone density and increase in fracture risk. Did you stop due to the need for oral surgery and implants? Most do bisphosphonates after Prolia (Reclast or sometimes Fosamax) to avoid rebound, but those are not good for your dental situation either. So ask your doctor and dentist whether the bone loss or the dental issues are the priority. Maybe you can ask your doctor to do CTX tests to see whether you are having rebound and if it is resolving.

Did Prolia contribute to your dental issues/

Normally Tymlos would be a good medication for healing and rebuilding (new) bone. Or Forteo. But these tend not to be effective after Prolia (see McCormick's "Great Bones" and Ben Leder MD on YouTube). Someone posted that Evenity might help manage rebound and after Prolia would have reduced but possibly modest effect on bone density. Then again, Evenity is partly anti-resorptive with the same dental issues, though reputedly milder than Prolia and bisphosphonates.

Or you could go back on Prolia. How many did you have? Did you have side effects apart from dental ones? How long have you been off? I hope you have a good endocrinologist to discuss all this with! It is complicated and there are no good answers.

leeleevb | @leeleevb | Jan 23 9:36am

In reply to @windyshores "@leeleeb discontinuation of Prolia causes rebound loss of bone density and increase in fracture risk. Did..." + (show)

I do not have an endocrinologist as our town is not getting one with Mercy until August 2025. I was not having problems with Prolia, but my oral surgeon wanted me to stay off until implants were complete, which will not be until summer or fall. Then, my general practitioner wanted me to go back on Prolia as my dexa scan showed a 7% decrease in hips and a 4% decrease in spine from 2023. December 2023 was the last prolia shot I had.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 23 10:40am

In reply to @leeleevb "I do not have an endocrinologist as our town is not getting one with Mercy until..." + (show)

So you have already been through the rebound and have not had any meds since 12/23? I wonder if Tymlos would now be an option, since you have been off Prolia for so long. Can you travel to an endocrinologist? Or do a consultation with Keith McCormick (he has a website, Osteonaturals), thought it costs $350.

Did Prolia cause any problems for you? It is unclear if your dental issues were in any way related. Glad you have been safe off Prolia!

leeleevb | @leeleevb | Jan 23 11:36am

I truthfully don't want to have to take anything like prolia, but I know I am destined to. I keep praying they will come up with an osteoporosis drug that doesn't have all of these side effects like a rebound effect. Because, you never know what will happen and you can't take it for awhile.