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Is it possible to stay off bone drugs altogether

Posted by mcallister1002 @mcallister1002, Aug 3 9:00pm

Wondering if it is possible to stay off bone drugs altogether by taking bone supplements, working out with weights, walking and a bone healthy diet?

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sandrajhunt | @sandrajhunt | Aug 25 6:57am
In reply to @shelldct1 "I think living to 85 is a great accomplishment, especially if you have had multiple fractures...." + (show)
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I think living to 85 is a great accomplishment, especially if you have had multiple fractures. I really like some of the answers here, especially about educating yourself and making a decision based ON YOUR OWN experiences and weighing risks versus reward when it comes to medication. Since you asked, IF I WAS 85, like yourself, i would NOT go on any osteoporosis medications. I would concentrate on exercise (weight bearing, walking, resistance), proper diet, fall prevention, and supplements.

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I am 78 and have reached that same conclusion. At this point quality of life is extremely important and dealing with horrendous side effects would hamper that greatly. But I realize everyone is different and I might even feel differently if I had experienced a fracture. ….one day at a time…

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shelldct1 | @shelldct1 | Aug 25 7:28pm
In reply to @ga73ds "I'm following and very interested in this question. I'm in treatment for prostate cancer including 2..." + (show)
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I'm following and very interested in this question. I'm in treatment for prostate cancer including 2 1/2 years on ADT (androgen deprivation therapy). Just came off this last month and just had my first Dexa scan. The results are -1.0 and -1.3 in the femur/hip and -2.2 in the lumbar spine. I'm interested in how to improve/slow osteopenia without medications. The side effects of drugs like Prolia scare me. What can I do with supplements and exercise? What's worked for you? I'm also interested if anyone is using some sort of back support/brace to improve posture/height.

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Compared to most people on this thread, your Tscore numbers are excellent! Since you are in the osteopenia range (and I assume you haven’t fractured) doctors will not push medications on you. I would start with dietary changes. Are you getting enough calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and protein? Our bodies need those (and several others but those are the main ones) in order to build bone. Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake. Do weight bearing exercises like walking briskly, dancing, jogging. Add resistance training (weights, squats, overhead press). Do fall prevention training like tai chi and yoga. There is so much literature out there. The podcasters I like to listen to are Dr Doug Lucas, Margie Bissinger, Margaret Martin, Sarah Mapes and Kevin Ellis. I hope this helps!!

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mmariejonez | @mmariejonez | Aug 26 12:06pm
In reply to @sandrajhunt "I am 78 and have reached that same conclusion. At this point quality of life is..." + (show)
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I am 78 and have reached that same conclusion. At this point quality of life is extremely important and dealing with horrendous side effects would hamper that greatly. But I realize everyone is different and I might even feel differently if I had experienced a fracture. ….one day at a time…

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I read about how astronauts lose bone density in space and had to work the muscles around those bones to increase bone density. I have osteoporosis. So I worked the muscles around my spine. After 2 years there was no bone loss there.

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mmariejonez | @mmariejonez | Aug 26 12:09pm
In reply to @mmariejonez "I read about how astronauts lose bone density in space and had to work the muscles..." + (show)
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I read about how astronauts lose bone density in space and had to work the muscles around those bones to increase bone density. I have osteoporosis. So I worked the muscles around my spine. After 2 years there was no bone loss there.

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My comment continued.
I believe that my next dexascan in 2 years will show improvement. I have tried nearly all osteoporosis medications and hope to never take any again. I am 76 and have osteoporosis for 10 years.

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mcallister1002 | @mcallister1002 | Aug 26 4:36pm
In reply to @mmariejonez "My comment continued. I believe that my next dexascan in 2 years will show improvement. I..." + (show)
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My comment continued.
I believe that my next dexascan in 2 years will show improvement. I have tried nearly all osteoporosis medications and hope to never take any again. I am 76 and have osteoporosis for 10 years.

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Did you gain bone on the bone medications? Did have side effects from any of them?

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BrokenBones | @brokenbones | Aug 26 7:53pm

I have chosen not to take medicine . My grandmother had osteoporosis . She broke one hip twice and the other one once. Broke her arm too many times to remember . Never broke any other bone. The doctor said she had Swiss cheese like bones. She lived to be 93 and passed in her sleep. She never took any medication either. She did walk with a walker.

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sandrajhunt | @sandrajhunt | Aug 27 5:32am
In reply to @brokenbones "I have chosen not to take medicine . My grandmother had osteoporosis . She broke one..." + (show)
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I have chosen not to take medicine . My grandmother had osteoporosis . She broke one hip twice and the other one once. Broke her arm too many times to remember . Never broke any other bone. The doctor said she had Swiss cheese like bones. She lived to be 93 and passed in her sleep. She never took any medication either. She did walk with a walker.

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Same here. My mother had six sisters. All seven of them had osteoporosis. None of them took drugs because they did not exist then. All seven lived past 90, two of them past 100.

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busylady | @busylady | Aug 27 6:30am
In reply to @mmariejonez "I read about how astronauts lose bone density in space and had to work the muscles..." + (show)
Profile picture for mmariejonez @mmariejonez

I read about how astronauts lose bone density in space and had to work the muscles around those bones to increase bone density. I have osteoporosis. So I worked the muscles around my spine. After 2 years there was no bone loss there.

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Mmariejonez, How did you work the muscles around your spine?

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