@mybones1 Sure!

I've used an approach that includes diet, exercise, medication, and supplements. I've been on this journey since I was diagnosed in 2014 at age 53 with osteopenia. At that time, my lumbar spine was -1.3 and my left hip was -2.

I had already been on bHRT (estrogen + progesterone) for two years so I continued that. I had also been lifting weights and exercising regularly so also continued with that. My diet was already good (plants, high quality protein, moderate carbs) so I continued with that. I started taking a Cal-Mag 1:1 ratio supplement and K2.

After four years of watching, my left hip was measured at -2.8 so I was started on Fosamax. I took the drug for just over five years. It improved my bone mineral density in my spine but didn't change my hip, which did stay stable and did not deteriorate further.

Unfortunately, just after the five year mark, I had a compression fracture at T8 while bending over a bathtub and pressing down very hard on my ribcage. I had no idea what had happened - thought I had pulled a muscle. The fracture was discovered on xray four months later when the pain had not subsided. I had already stopped the Fosamax for a drug "holiday".

After that, I was started on Tymlos then moved to generic Forteo after Cigna revoked my pre-auth for Tymlos. I had side effects on the Forteo so I stopped taking it. At this point, I finally requested a referral to an osteoporosis specialist, who performed a thorough investigation of all possible sources of osteoporosis.

I've been on Evenity for 10 months and will have a follow up DEXA scan in July. I haven't fractured again and my health has been good. I do have some joint pain from the Evenity but am still able to exercise. I take Tylenol or Advil to help.

I judge my success on avoiding fracture. My BMD has been pretty stable over the years, yet I still fractured. It's been 2.5 years since my fracture and I hope to continue to avoid another one.

Interestingly, I recently learned that it appears that I have idiopathic hypercalciuria which means I lose too much calcium in my urine. I found this out after seeing the endocrinologist and doing two 24-hour urine calcium tests. This could be the reason my osteoporosis progressed over the years even though I was addressing all the recommended lifestyle changes.