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Newly diagnosed osteoporosis and have cried every day this week
I’m 60 years old and 2 years ago, was diagnosed with osteopenia. My Dr (Gynecologist) put me on Fosamax. I lasted 3 weeks, I had severe pain in my lower right back. At first I thought it was my sciatic nerve, but when I couldn’t roll over in bed, I realized that wasn’t the issue. Dr told me to stop taking the medication, to increase my calcium to 1200 to 1400 mg a day and get some exercise. I started taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D, increased my calcium, but didn’t increase my exercise enough, obviously.
When he called with my results I told him I had already read them and I have been crying all weekend. He asked why I was crying. I said because I feel like my fate has been handed to me, that I’m going to break a bone not heal, and I’m going to die. His response was oh. My mother died at the age of 84 from a broken hip and when I read those results, I had a flashback to her dying alone at night in a nursing home and that would be soon be me. He proceeded to talk to me about two different medications; Evista and Prolia. I had already joined the support group and have been reading many discussions on types of medication‘s. He never once mentioned that Prolia would be a lifelong commitment. He just gave me a brief overview of both of them, and asked me which one I wanted to start taking I told him I wanted to see an endocrinologist. He seem to be kind of offended. I don’t care. I was kind of offended at his lack of empathy and lack of knowledge on those 2 meds. I would love to be able to get my numbers back to at least osteopenia range without medication but I don’t think that’s realistic. The side effects of the meds also scare the heck out of me. I have called two different endocrinologist to make appointments, but waiting for doctor office to send the referrals. I want to have options.
A month ago I started taking a yoga class two times a week and also a Kettlebell class one day a week. I also received a weighted vest at Christmas and just started wearing it this week and use it during my breaks at work. Too bad I didn’t do this two years ago.
I don’t understand my results other than they’re bad. My T score of L1: -2.7, L2: -3.3, L3: -2.9, L4: -2.3, L1-L4: -2.7 I don’t understand the total number and it says look at the lowest score which is -3.3 so I guess I have severe osteoporosis it’s all so confusing. I just can’t get out of my head that life as I know is over. Sorry this was so long, have no one to talk to about this.
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@broken13
I took Reclast after Forteo, then tried to do just exercise/diet for a few years, and was holding steady on DEXA. This year my DEXA scores dropped (to -3.6 spine), and I suffered a traumatic spinal fracture. So now my endo is giving me a choice of anabolic med- retrial Forteo (generic, she says it’s the same) or Tymlos or Evenity. Given that Evenity scares me a little and I had no side effects to Forteo, I’m leaning toward that. One concern I have is that the first year on Forteo I had no change int he first year so I would probably have to take it for 2 years to see gains and my endo is recommending two more years.
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2 ReactionsYou ladies are priceless. Our support group is why women live longer, we hold one another up, share our hope and love. Thank you all.
I feel the hardest thing is not being able to do the things I want to do, like gardening. I forget and move a piece of furniture and hurt myself. A lot of us are alone. Which makes coping worse, it’s why I cherish each and everyone of you.
Get good vitamin D3 (from America) with K2
I drink Algae cal ( yuck, but add honey)
Keep moving. Take comfort in our support of each other. I know I do.
Warm wishes, E
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8 Reactions@hipsalve Tymlos has the highest results in growing bone mass for the spine. I did like the nightly injections but it’s a means to an end. Hope you get better results soon. It is a commitment but we deserve it.
Warm wishes, E
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1 ReactionI am not a doctor but I have done a lot of research and my doctors agree that weight lifting to fatigue is the best way to make a difference in your bones. My dexa was -2.7 in my spine after years of osteopenia. None of my doctors have suffered drugs are necessary right now. Instead I am eating a rich diet of protein and calcium and taking algie cal plus and lots of D and C and K is in my calcium. I am also taking Collegen. I will retest in two years but everyone agrees with me that this is an issue that can be treated naturally before resorting to drugs.
Here is an interesting article about fosamax. Also I agree you should see a rheumatologist or endocrinologist but know that no one medical provider owns osteoporosis.
https://www.npr.org/2009/12/21/121609815/how-a-bone-disease-grew-to-fit-the-prescription
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3 Reactions@wews I forgot to mention. List weights three times a week. Also if you google weights and osteoporoes there are tons of good resources out there to guide you. Good luck. It is a journey for all of us. Stay strong!
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3 Reactions@wews
Who is "everyone"?
@gravity3 sorry my doctors are everyone. My family doctor, my rheumatologist and my breast surgeon all agree with lifting weights, a focused diet and taking supplements correctly to see if improvements can be made.
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2 Reactions@hipsalve I feel like Forteo is the best bone building medication and if you had it before, it seems the safe recommendation. You may not get the same boost as the first time, as apparently our age makes a difference as well as the use of Reclast. I did not have as significant gains, but happy to have that option. I was hesitant about Evenity, but my insurance would not cover it anyways, so that helped make the decision for me. From comments on site here, it seems Evenity gains are not held as well as Forteo without some heavy duty drug follow up and I do not tolerate bisphosphonates.
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2 ReactionsPlease see an endocrinologist/osteoporosis specialist. Internists do not have the depth of the complexity of bone density, meds, etc. if you live in NYC go to HSS.
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6 Reactions@eileenvan Thanks for your response. Yes I did see that about Tymlos.