Hesitant to begin drug treatment for my osteoporosis

I was taking two (750 mg) capsules of "Doctor's Best" Glucosamine each day and every day for many, many months. At least for me, Glucosamine seemed to help fight inflammation. It seemed I needed to take two Tylenol about half as much when I took two glucosamine. (And I don't sell or get commissions on any such products.) I will be back to taking it again because I try to cut back on Tylenol as much as I can because of liver effects.

I wish I could take Bone Builders but I seem to be sensitive to it. I might try the cherry idea though. Thanks! The Tymlos doesn't sound like much fun! Too bad.

@chomama , My DEXA scan showed severe osteoporosis with spine T score of -3.5 in November of 2023. I have so far not fractured and not taken any drugs. My REMS Echolight done in April of 2024 showed my fracture risk right on the border between low risk and moderate, so not high risk. My Echolight spine T score at that time was -3, a little better than my DEXA score which REMS scores often seem to be from others' posts I read. I began taking extensive supplements recommended by Keith McCormick in "Great Bones" in December of 2023 and BHRT in July of 2024. I am 68 years old.

I believe that while taking the bone drugs your density improves but when you stop it makes your bones worse. You cannot be on one drug forever, so they try all different ones. I took oral Boniva for 2 years, -2.5 spine. Five years later my dexa says my spine has not changed and my hip improved from -2.3 to -1.9. However, my REMS test a few months before the dexa of 2025, said my spine is -2.9 and hip -2.7. The good news my quality of bone is excellent and it puts me at a 5 years risk of only 3% fracture. Which one to believe? I see an internist and a functional medical doctors. Both said not to go on any drugs. I have gone to OsteoStrong for 5 years, lift weights 3-4 times a week (heavy) and walk 5 mi a day. On HRT, of course eat correctly and right supplementation. I also have a lymphatic plate at home. I am believing in faith to apply a whole body approach without drugs. No judgement on anyone else because are bodies are so different. Boniva gave me mild esophagus problems. The best advise is weight train.

I've never understood the science of all this, not my strong suit, but my orthopod's plan is to start me on Prolia when the course of Tymlos is done, and to continue that for the rest of my days. I know a couple people on only Prolia who have had improved DEXA scores on it, including one who's fallen a couple times and done no damage. So I'm feeling fairly positive about Prolia. I guess it's like any med: some folks will improve, some won't, some will get worse, and you can't know until you try it. A sobering reality.

May I ask how old you are? I ask because I am 77 and am one month int my second prolia injection. I am trying to figure out if I want to continue prolia for the rest of my ever shortening life or whether I want to discontinue, do a short course of a bisphosphonate then a bone builder again. I have already done 3 years on alendronate, 2 years of forteo, 2 years of alendronate, one year of Evenity and now Prolia.

I haven’t heard of the REMS Echolight. Is this new? Who does it.

https://www.echolightmedical.com/en/
Not many places do it. There have been a number of threads on the site about it, if you want to search for some first-hand experiences.

The technology is similar to getting an abdominal ultrasound: a wand with gel.

What supplements and dosages does Kieth McCormick recommend?
Meridith

The list is quite extensive and depends on individual needs/ symptoms. Keith McCormick doesn't suggest everyone take every supplement he lists. He also goes into the extensive research/studies and why they can help. You can find him online as well. I take Omega 3s, vitamin D, boron, ALA, ALC, NAC, vitamin K2 MK4 and MK7, magnesium, calcium, curcumin, resveratrol, CoQ10, berberine, collagen, and protein powder. Sorry for the long list. I'm not suggesting all these are for everyone.