Has anyone treated their osteoporosis without drugs?

@dbivins wondering if cancer treatments affect bone mass..

@nycmusic,
radiation causes bone marrow suppression. Very high doses can cause infection or necrosis in the bone forming cells of the bone marrow. It affects the quality of the bone even in low doses reducing rbc, wbc damaging the blood forming cells (hematopoietic), sometimes replacing them with fat cells.
I delayed anabolic osteoporosis treatment until after radiation because radiation is most effective in cell that is multiplying. Even so because one of the beam was through the hip I had a dramatic reduction in bone density in that hip, which has resolved either because the fat sometimes resorbs, or because of Forteo.
Bisphosphonates can be helpful during radiation treatments because they reduce bone turnover.

@gently thanks for the info….chemo and other treatments may also affect bones and joints…don’t yet know much about that-- there are so many types of meds, each with their own side effects and those can vary a lot, in different people… love this ‘Connect’- keep learning here every day.

@shelldct1 There's definitely too much emphasis placed on DEXA-scan results. The T-score categories were devised in an arbitrary manner; I don't think I can post a link here, but check out an older (2009, but still relevant) NPR transcript entitled "How a bone disease grew to fit the prescription." DEXA launched the current mania, among medical practitioners, for risky, often-ineffectual medications. Regarding bone quality, though almost certainly more consequential than T-scores I'm not aware of any way to test it, other than through real-life experience, i.e., falling without fracturing.

Yes. I have reversed my osteoporosis back to osteopenia and having my bone scan in two weeks and feel like I will have completely reversed it. I have been taking to supplements and no longer feel my bones hurt and have had no more fractures and the muscle spasms I was having have almost completely gone. Yeah. Was so afraid of the drugs and side affects. I will update the group after my next scan just to verify.

That’s fantastic! Please tell us what you’ve done to reverse your osteoporosis. I am working on it and doing well. I’ve been taking calcium supplements and increasing my protein intake. I’ve also been doing a “bone builders” exercise program which includes balance as well as resistance and strength training. My Dexa scores have improved slightly, but it takes time. Your post is very encouraging!

@pking1952 This is very encouraging to hear.
I did Evenity for a year and did not take the Jubbonte my Dr prescribed.
I too am taking supplements and doing weight bearing exercises .
I am going for a DEXA next week and will know then if what I’m doing is working .
I’ll update results next week.
Good luck to you.

In my breakfast protein shake I add 2000mg of Vitamin C, 1800 mg of Lysine, 2000 iu of Vitamin D, 200 mg of Magnesium Citrate, with banana, strawberries and blueberries and daily exercise and have been doing so for many years, plus over the last 8 years I have released 140 pounds to avoid knee and hip replacements, the major glitch was a bad reaction to the Covid vaccine 31/2 years ago where I developed reactive arthritis in my right knee joint and my left hand along with myacarditis for about 6 weeks, my left hand is still problematic along with my right knee but keep going and use it or lose it but I will never ever touch another drop of any mRNA vaccine again a lesson learned

@pking1952 thank you for your comments. May I ask, did you do this by yourself or with the help of a functional medicine provider? What was your 'worst' T-score and what supplements and dosing did you do? Thanks in advance!

I researched a lot. Much like I'm sure you are doing. I had endo who was insistent I take the drugs. I'm one of these people that react to most drugs I'm given. So didn't want to risk the reactions. We have a lady in our town that people come from all over the United States to visit with. I've seen her for other issues and she is always resolved the problem. I told her I had been diagnosed with osteoporis. She told me she could reverse my diagnosis. I had fractured 3 thoracic vertebra from a cough. So painful. I decided I would give it a try. Before taking the supplements I could feel my bones in my legs hurting and really couldn't move much without messing my back up. I took the supplements for about 8 months and noticed my bones in my legs weren't hurting. Then had my dexascan. It showed a 12% overall improvement. Been taking it for almost 2 years. Bones don't hurt anymore. Back is solid and all is healed.

Hopefully I'm pulling the info you are interested in. This is scan in June of 2023.
Hip fracture, or vertebral fracture (clinical or morphometric)
T-score = - 2.5 or less at the spine or hip
Ten-year probability by FRAX: Hip fracture= 3% or greater, or major
osteoporotic fracture= 20% or greater
Mean proximal femur 0.972 g/cm² 96%
-0.3
Mean femur neck 0.831 g/cm² 80%
-1.5

Here is my last scan in Jan. 2024
Results: BMD
% young adult T-score
Lumbar spine L1-L4 1.284 g/cm² 109 %
0.8
Mean proximal femur 1.019 g/cm² 101 %
0.1
Mean femur neck 0.863 g/cm² 83 %
-1.3

I was told by my doctor the last scan showed I have moved from Osteoporosis to osteopenia.

I'm basically taking a supplement called Professional Formulas Bone Stim Liquescence (teaspoon under tongue twice a day keeping it under you tongue for at least 5 minutes b4 swallowing) , Super Silica Plus (started 3 pills twice a day now just taking 2 a day) and D3 +K2. That's pretty much it. I had my thyroid removed about 4 years ago because of cancer so am on tirosint for replacement of thyroid. I personally feel like taking the thyroid out is what caused the osteoporosis since no one in my family has ever had it and I was fine until it was taken out.

Good luck on your journey.