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Confused by doctor options to choose, including Keith McCormick
I’m still learning and navigating my Osteoporosis diagnosis and trying to get my healthcare providers lined up. I’m 51.
I have a PCP who I will only be using as a “sick doctor” going forward. She is aware of my diagnosis and is not up to date on care or treatment.
I have a neuro-kinetic therapist who I work with (recovering from a back injury) who is extremely knowledgeable in osteoporosis exercise. So I will continue to work with her for strength building.
I have a gyn who is not knowledgeable about osteoporosis and referred me to a local endocrinologist.
Those are all of my current health care providers.
Here’s where I’m getting confused….
I really am drawn to Keith McCormick. I prefer functional medicine but like that he also is incredibly knowledgeable about meds and doesn’t hesitate to use them when needed. I have no problems with video appointments.
I have a consultation with the Mayo Clinic in July - the endocrinology team.
They will review my case and decide if they will provide a treatment plan for my local docs or if they will accept me as a patient. So that’s up in the air.
There is a local functional doctor, who specializes in healthy aging and osteoporosis that I am considering.
The endocrinologist that my gyn referred me to doesn’t have an opening until August.
My questions….
Do people use Keith McCormick to completely manage osteo? Or do you also have a local endocrinologist and they work together? Furthermore, when McCormick orders labs, is that done at a local lab or through my regular doc? Thinking costs…..and insurance (I have Cigna - too young for Medicare) for all of those lab tests.
Does anyone have a functional doctor that manages osteoporosis in collaboration with Keith McCormick?
Does anyone see a dietician? I eat a whole foods plant based diet, so am realizing that I am deficient in quite a bit of protein and calcium according to “Strong Bones” teachings. Both of the functional med doctors have nutritionists on board that could help with that.
I’m so overwhelmed just choosing providers! What do you suggest?
Cost does matter - it isn’t the driving factor at this point (understanding and knowledge is the highest priority now).
As of now - I’m flying solo until the end of July, when I meet with Mayo. Wish I had some solid medical guidance before then, but so far have not been able to get earlier new patient appts.
What are most people doing - especially those who have seen or talked to Keith McCormick for a consult or care?
The more I read, the more confused I get. I have time to make decisions, but half a year will have passed before I actually see someone, let alone make any decisions about care. Need to get my ducks in a row.
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brebre321,
we hear from the endocrinologists who do research that it is best to begin treatment for osteoporosis with an anabolic medication. Tymlos comes to mind in your situation because it works quite well in the femoral neck.
Fosamax and Tymlos work through different mechanisms.
When we build bone naturally there are cells (osteoclasts) that are drawn to damaged bone. These cells clear out the weakened bone and call up another type of cell (osteoblasts) that build bone on the cleaned surface.
Fosamax stops the cells that break bone down. It helps prevent fracture by collecting older damaged bone. This bone is more brittle, less vascular, but it is thicker bone than you'd have if you didn't take anything, and so, can prevent fracture.
Tymlos increases the number of cells that build bone dramatically. Those cells form a unit with the cells that break bone down. This bone is vascular, a little more flexible to resist fracture and thicker than Fosamax-bone.
Your physician knows things about your health that aren't evident to us, but you might ask them about a prescription for Tymlos.
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5 ReactionsThanks for your reply. I will try and discuss all of this with him.
Just last week I had a discussion with my rheumatologist, he orders my DEXA scans. He explained some medical options. I must have been overwhelmed...I find more clarity here by what women experience with these drugs. So, I am in the same place as you! I already take 12 medications for 30 years of multi-autoimmune diagnoses. It's really hard to consider putting one more Rx in my body. It's not surprising that I have osteoporosis since I have RA. Also, I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and have taken synthroid for all these years. It all adds up. You'd think I would get used to it! No, I feel like osteoporosis is going to take a lot of getting used to. I'm also a cancer survivor and had head and neck radiation. My jawbone is already thinning.
Your post is great because you shared the lab values from your DEXA Scan, and something that I also experienced: My doctor is talking about what insurance might pay, and not what would be best for my health!
Thanks and I hope we can find some helpful info here.
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7 ReactionsCurious as to how old you are when starting BHRT. I am 73, took Estradiol .05 patch and 200 mg Progesterone for six months, and my current medical professional talked me into quitting after repeated spotting and various procedures which found nothing. I have a sister and as cousin who had breast cancer, and she thinks I am high risk for cancer. I still have not give up on BHRT.
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1 ReactionI am drawn to Kieth McCormick as well. I have both of his books and I have ordered supplements from his company. I have not consulted with him yet. He will review all of your blood work and tests etc. and will advise you on what he thinks you should do. And then you go back to your doctor, a doctor who will work with you and Dr. McCormick. Dr. McCormick can order tests but he does not write prescriptions.
Hope this helps, until more people chime in!
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2 Reactions@mcallister1002 i started with some of Dr McCormicks supplements. Which did you take? Do you still take them? I use his fortibone and osteo sustain. I have some concerns though, as the amount of vitamin k seems high. I am considering trying osteo stim, but would first like to hear about others experience with that, there’s a lot in that supplement. Have you tried that?
Yes I took both the Osteo Sustain and Osteo Stim for a few years. I also used Osteopep Collagen and OsteoWhey. At the time I was trying to find a cheaper way to go as my supplements were getting too expensive. And I may go back his products again. Do you have his book Great Bones? If so, he talks about vitamin K on pages 470 and 471 and his reationale for the amount of vitamin K he recommends.
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2 Reactions@mcallister1002 thanks for responding so quickly. Can you tell me if you experienced any side effects from his supplements, especially osteostim? Also, do you think his supplement formula made a difference?I have been taking his collagen pep for about 1 year and the osteoporosis sustain for only about a month so far. I think reduced inflammation would help me, so considering osteo stim, but concerned about side effects. Unfortunately, I have not yet read his book, sounds like it would be helpful.
I didn't have any side effects. My problem with the products was remembering to take them all. Not being consistent. I can't say it made a difference because the next time I had a DEXA I was still losing density. But I belive that was due to my not being consisstent with taking them, not eating enough of the right foods, exercising enough with weights and walking. Osteoporosis is so complicated and confusing. He would be the guy to walk a person through it all. In the book he lists many of his case studies and he describes and how he solved their problem. What kind of side effects are you worried about?
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1 Reaction@mcallister1002 I am not familiar with most of what is in osteostim, so that makes me a bit leery. Most of the ingredients list nausea, diarrhea and other potential digestive issues. N-acetyl-cistene is an fda approved drug-maybe that’s a good thing, not sure. Anyhow, not sure it’s safe to take all of those daily. Also, it has more K…in addition to osteo-sustain and raises total of D3 to 2000 IUs daily. I think I am just generally concerned about taking so many new vitamins and whether or not they would be safe. Being a worry wart basically. That’s why I was asking about your experience with it.
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