Has anyone treated their osteoporosis without drugs?

@rockettgirl

As you read through all of the posts under heading Osteoporosis you will be amazed at the wealth of information presented as well as the experiences of others. It can be hugely overwhelming at times but worth the effort so that you can participate confidently in planning with your physician. As far as exercise try melioguide.com

@rockettgirl
There is a lot of information out there so do your research. I found info on saveinstitute.com and there a lot of podcasts regarding osteoporosis. Stronger bones, brick house bones, Dr axe, happy bones happy life. Don’t panic and do something without researching.

rockettgirl,
sure.
Prolia is the strongest of these medications. It can have terrible side effects, but some people have none. It is difficult to stop taking it because of how it works. It stops the cells that breakdown bone, but doesn't destroy them. It stops them just before their release and collects them. When you stop Prolia, this collection of cells come after your bones. You can't stop or even be late for your injections. When you stop you are usually prescribed Reclast.
Reclast stops the cells that breakdown down bone. It prevents them from attaching to the bone and these cells fall away and self destruct. It is usually a yearly injection. Some few people have terrible side effects, but most have achy joints and some people have no side effects. This drug is less strong than Prolia, but stronger than the third medication Fosamax.
Fosamax is the same class of drug as Reclast and works in the same way. They are both bisphosphonates.
Because it is an oral medication it isn't as strong as Reclast. And can cause reflux as it acidic. Many people have mild side effects with Fosamax. It is a daily or weekly oral dose it leaves your body more quickly than Prolia or Reclast, so the side effects are less intense when they occur and you don't suffer as long.
There are medications that you haven't been offered.
One is Evenity. Evenity is the same class drug as Prolia. It has a black box for cardiac issues. It has proven to add bone faster than the other medications. It is the latest and is proving very popular among endocrinologists because of the added bone. It is a double injection every month. Most have arm swelling and many have joint pain. But some don't. The use of Evenity is limited to one year. There are scattered accounts of successful two year administrations.
Finally there are my two favorites Tymlos and Forteo. They work the way our bodies naturally work to increase bone density and quality. They increase the cells that produce bone and they increase the cells that dissolve bone. Now the cells that dissolve bone are important because they are attracted to bone that is weak or fissured. And they remove that bone. They encourage the cells that produce new bone. They work as a unit
The process is slower than laying new bone over fissured bone. Both drugs are self administered as a daily injection. Some people have adverse reactions, but usually only briefly because the drug leaves your system within 24 hours.
Their use is generally for two years, but increasingly endocrinologist are expanding their use. I've been on Forteo without any side effects for over two years and plan on staying on it.
So, I'd recommend that you call the PA and ask for script for Forteo.
If that proves impossible, my choice of the three medications offered would be Reclast with a lower dose than the 5mg, a slower more dilute infusion than the standard 15 minute, and I'd hope that the medication would help for two years ( as it often does) instead of one year.
I would also ask for bone markers--CTX and P1NP to ascertain that the medication I chose was working for me.
I'm happy to field any questions and hope you get more and different opinions from other good people on this site.

@finelea Hi. I just saw your question on this thread. The best book I have read is “Great Bones; Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis” by Keith McCormick. Dr McCormick is a chiropractor, who also had Osteoporosis, who did a lot of research on the disease because he felt that many of the doctors treating him didn’t know much about it. It is like an encyclopedia. He discusses medications, causes, treatments, etc.
His citations is over 70 pages!! I found it on Amazon.

@rockettgirl I am sorry to hear this. I too, was diagnosed a few months ago. I am 64 and have lumbar and hip scores similar to yours. I still have not decided on any medication; at this time I am concentrating my efforts on supplements, proper diet and high intensity resistance impact training.

First, before starting any medications, find out if you have underlying issues. Your doctor should test you for various things like; vitamin D deficiency, PTH, celiac disease, etc. I will add a picture at the bottom for tests to rule underlying issues.

Second, find out what your FRAX score is.

Third, if you decide to start on meds, make sure your doctor tests your P1NP and CTX levels before starting treatment and 3-6 months after.

Don’t forget, your tscore which measures your bone QUANTITY is just ONE aspect concerning your bones. Bone QUALITY is just as important.

You can look for some of these people on YouTube. They have many educational videos on osteoporosis; Dr Doug Lucas, Margie Bissinger, Kevin Ellis, OsteoBoston, Sarah Mapes, Dr Keith McCormick

@rockettgirl
As other stated, you need to do some research. There's a lot of information on-line and on this site. Look under the Osteoporosis section, there are many posts about the various drugs available and information from others who have taken them. Don't panic. Bones change very slowly so you have time to investigate. Take the time you need to become informed.

@shelldct1 thank you for this resource

I ordered from Amazon. Here are details.
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!

Google Osteogenic Loading.
My T-scores range from -2.1 to -2.8 in the various regions.

All the best as we navigate this osteoporosis journey.

I was also prescribed Fosamax. I took only 2 pills out of the prescription because like you, I was too freaked out by the side effects that I had read about to continue the drug! I decided to take a different approach. I take collagen, multivitamin, D3, K2, magnesium and some calcium. But I get plenty of calcium in my diet from almond milk (Im somewhat lactose intolerant), Lactaid cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, almonds, prunes, unhulled black sesame seeds (90mg calcium/tablespoon) and cooked kale.
I have also joined my YMCA and work out with weights, which i have never done before in my life! Im 72. I walk and I have have a recumbant bike that I ride occasionally. I am hoping that all this activity along with strengthening my muscles with weights and my adjusted diet will be enough to reverse my osteopenia .

I'm in a similar situation. Following responses.