I am a person trying really hard to beat low bone density without taking bone meds. I have similar profile as yours in that I take only one low dosage prescription for cholesterol and that is it. I am 77. I was encouraged by GYN to take Fosomax in my mid 50’s for osteopenia. I took it for five years with a two year vacation and back on it for three years. I then started reading the side effects of long term use, even though I was not experiencing any bad effects, and decided I did not want to take such potent drugs for the rest of my life. I especially made this decision after a friend who was taking Fosomax had her femur snap when she was taking a shower and had to be rushed to the hospital and now has a rod in her leg and is in some pain every day in her leg! I read a lot, ask questions of those both on and off bone meds to help me decide what is best for me. I do not drink, smoke, keep my weight down, talked to a nutritionist, exercise everyday for 30 minutes with weights every other day and cardio. I wear a 10-pound weighted vest when exercising for extra resistance. I work out on an osteogenetic machine once a week to increase bone density in hip and spine. I use a vibrating chair pad also for 30 minutes every day to stimulate my spinal column. I have done a lot of reading on the Wolff method for this osteogenetic method. Google it and read up on it. I’ve done this for three years. First DEXA scan after a couple of years showed minimal improvement which meant everything to me. I will go for another DEXA (which my reading reported can have up to a 5% error in reporting). Vitamin K helps distribute calcium through blood. I take Vit D and two good calcium supplements after talking to nutritionist.
I personally cannot psychologically take the bone meds as I feel it modifies the natural resorption of one’s bones but I find no fault for those who support bone meds for them. I have also had four dental implants and do not in any way want to jeopardize this very expensive work or have jaw issues. This is a hard nut to crack!!