Has anyone treated their osteoporosis without drugs?

Posted by hemigal04 @hemigal04, Sep 20 4:43pm

Hello all … I am a 68 y/o lady, 5’1 and 115lbs. I have always been petite and of small stature. I recently went to a new physician who ran a battery of tests on me, which all came back great, except for my Dexa scan which came back with a T score of -3.8. The physician immediately wanted to write me a script for Fosamax. After reading about it, I am freaked out. Here’s a bit of background on me. I have never smoked, don’t drink and am fairly active. I still work part-time and love being active. Have any of you tried to combat osteoporosis from a “natural” healing angle? I have NEVER taken any meds, gosh I never even have the need for aspirin, as I don’t experience headaches. Looking for some input from actual people. It’s way too easy for a physician to write a script as I truly believe they are in cahoots with the pharmaceutical industry. My apologies if I have upset anyone. Any information, experience or feedback you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading my post.

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Profile picture for debbie1956 @debbie1956

I thought my recent CTX results might provide some encouragement for those looking for non traditional pharmaceutical treatments. my REMS T score was -3 in April of 2024 at age 67 (-3.5 on dexa in November 2023). My CTX in May was 688 after taking many supplements recommended by Keith McCormick for 5 months. In July of 2024, I consulted a functional medicine physician, N.A Menopause Society certified, and was prescribed BHRT with a patch. In February of 2025 my CTX went down to 138, about an 80% drop since starting BHRT, and my REMS spine T score was -2.6 up from -3 . My CTX on September 22nd, 7 months later, was reduced again at 99 from 138. My physician said it's possible I may have some small gains on BHRT and if so would likely lose them if I stop the BHRT. I have no problem with this as I'm enjoying the benefits of better sleep and feeling of calm. I still take OP supplements recommended by Keith McCormick. The functional medicine physician says the supplements have likely played some role in bringing down my CTX as well. I am 68 now, have never taken osteoporosis medications and never fractured, however if my condition severely worsened or I fractured, I would not rule out medication.

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@debbie1956 this looks great! It will be really interesting to see your P1NP levels, though I understand it can be difficult to get this lab in Canada. There were published papers indicating % reduction in CTX after initiating HRT significantly correlated with % increase in spine bmd a few months later. Please keep us updated when your next DXA results come in - fingers crossed!

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Profile picture for geranium1 @geranium1

@singingbones All the calcium I have tried so far have given me stomach upset: New Chapter, Algaecal Plus, Citracal, Coral Calcium. Anyone have ideas?

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@I have taken AlgaeCal Plus for years and have no problem with the Calcium. I still have to take the osteoporosis meds as the algaecal was not enough for me (even with the stontium) but I do not get sick from the calcium and other calciums did make me sick.

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Profile picture for mayblin @mayblin

@debbie1956 this looks great! It will be really interesting to see your P1NP levels, though I understand it can be difficult to get this lab in Canada. There were published papers indicating % reduction in CTX after initiating HRT significantly correlated with % increase in spine bmd a few months later. Please keep us updated when your next DXA results come in - fingers crossed!

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@mayblin Thanks for your encouragement Mayblin. Your research and studies you provide are a great support. My CTX reduction in bone turnover from BHRT far exceeded my greatest hopes. I am blown away by these dramatic results. I had been losing bone at a staggering rate from spine -2.8 to -3.5 in 4 years so my top goal was to stop the progression, which seems to have happened, and to get my CTX to at least below 400, the upper limit Keith McCormick mentions. I mentioned previously that my REMS score went from -3 to -2.6, so possibly a slight gain as well. These results are as good or better than effects of Bisphophinates which I've never taken. My functional medicine physician said it is one of the greatest CTX reductions she has seen from BHRT (with supplements) and at age 68! I will post my next dexa and REMS results in the new year. I wish you continuing success in your journey as well.

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Hi I’m a 59 year old woman 5 ft 6 and 134 lb with a Femoral hip scan of -2,9.
I was so overwhelmed. I was first diagnosed in January of 2024.
I did do the research and it wasn’t easy. This group helped me as well as listening to a video Keith McCormick about osteoporosis medicine.
Initially I thought I would take anything except for the daily shots.
Upon learning more I realized I did not want ANY medicine that caused Osteocronosis.
I have had gum surgery twice in three years so that would not work.
Based on the video from Dr Keith McCormick I realized what medicine you initially start with is extremely important- thus I was not going to start with Fossimax.
Next I compared the side effects of the rest of the medicine and settled in Forteo or Tymlos.
Meanwhile I had agreed to Reclast but after learning about the small potential for side effects that could last years- I did not want Reclast.
After settling in Forteo first I learned my insurance wouldn’t approve it because my femoral hip was -2.9 and insurance wouldn’t approve only approve if it was 3.0 or higher.
Sorry this is so long! Anyway I would first check with your insurance if possible and THEN
Research what your insurance approves.
I am still not on a medicine and I will receive my next scan in January.
Good luck!

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Profile picture for debbie1956 @debbie1956

@geranium1 My functional medicine physician, N.A. menopause Society certified, told me yesterday her patients report that AOR Bone Basics is easier on their stomach than Now hydroxyapatite calcium as the AOR contains other ingredients that buffer the calcium. But I think everyone is different and reacts differently to different supplements and medications. There is no one size fits all.

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@debbie1956 That is so helpful! Thank you!

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Profile picture for debbie1956 @debbie1956

I thought my recent CTX results might provide some encouragement for those looking for non traditional pharmaceutical treatments. my REMS T score was -3 in April of 2024 at age 67 (-3.5 on dexa in November 2023). My CTX in May was 688 after taking many supplements recommended by Keith McCormick for 5 months. In July of 2024, I consulted a functional medicine physician, N.A Menopause Society certified, and was prescribed BHRT with a patch. In February of 2025 my CTX went down to 138, about an 80% drop since starting BHRT, and my REMS spine T score was -2.6 up from -3 . My CTX on September 22nd, 7 months later, was reduced again at 99 from 138. My physician said it's possible I may have some small gains on BHRT and if so would likely lose them if I stop the BHRT. I have no problem with this as I'm enjoying the benefits of better sleep and feeling of calm. I still take OP supplements recommended by Keith McCormick. The functional medicine physician says the supplements have likely played some role in bringing down my CTX as well. I am 68 now, have never taken osteoporosis medications and never fractured, however if my condition severely worsened or I fractured, I would not rule out medication.

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@debbie1956 Are you past 10 years post menopause? Have you used BHRT before? I’m 15 years post menopause and consulting with a menopause certified Gyno and considering BHRT especially for osteoporosis treatment.

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Profile picture for geranium1 @geranium1

@debbie1956 Are you past 10 years post menopause? Have you used BHRT before? I’m 15 years post menopause and consulting with a menopause certified Gyno and considering BHRT especially for osteoporosis treatment.

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@geranium1

Check under women's health also.
There is....finally...a change in thinking on cutoff dates for beginning bhrt after menopause. I started last year 38 years after menopause.
Bhrt can be a support to bones after menopause but it won't reverse it.

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Profile picture for geranium1 @geranium1

@debbie1956 Are you past 10 years post menopause? Have you used BHRT before? I’m 15 years post menopause and consulting with a menopause certified Gyno and considering BHRT especially for osteoporosis treatment.

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@geranium1 Yes I was 13 or 14 years post menopause when I started BHRT at 67 with no previous history of taking it. A younger woman I corresponded with on Mayo connect who had started it told me she had seen posts on Facebook osteoporosis of women my age taking it, so I posted on that site. At that time there were no discussions yet on Mayo Connect about this topic as there are now, but I found studies supporting initiating it post menopause 10 years plus then found a N.A. Menopause certified physician.

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Profile picture for meri8181 @meri8181

@nycmusic
If New Chapter tiny tabs includes strontium -
I thought its supposed to be taken two hours after the multi vitamin pill like AlgaeCal plus. They separate the two with specific instructions on when to take.

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I looked up New chapter and it contains only 5.5 mg of strontium citrate.
Whereas AlgaeCal Boost with strontium contains 680 mg.
I will take the strontium separately along with a vitamin mineral pill. .

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Profile picture for script72 @script72

I ordered from Amazon. I wish I could forward a photo for you but here are details for you to look up.

COMFIER Back Massager Seat Cushion w/heat, 10 vibration motors. $53.99.

I turn on power, select upper back, lower back, seat and select high intensity. I do 30-minutes in chair while watching TV! I’m giving it a good try!!

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@script72 Thank you!

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