Let's discuss this

I wish there was a way to know ahead of time which side effects we might be most susceptible to. Every drug my doctors and I have considered have side effects that are simply a big 'NO' for me. I am too scared to even try the injections or infusions because once it is in your body and giving you problems you just have to tough it out and it could be having a negative effect on one of my already existing problems. I have discussed this with my other specialists. I have already tried Fosomax, twice, and my GI system just cannot tolerate it. Even some of the supplements are a problem for me. I am going to give the prunes a try so maybe my bone loss can at least be slowed down. I've already had 4 fractures, not caused by osteoporosis, but probably due to my small bone structure so I am naturally concerned. I hope we all find a suitable solution!

@llander1966 agree, wish there were ways to pre-test drugs, OP and others…there are tests used by oncologists , genetic and enzyme, that help them determine effectiveness and safety of some chemo therapies…maybe smart use of AI can guide medicine in this direction for more meds, and accurately !

I wish our medical pros could share more information with us. I guess they don’t know the exact best treatment either. And no speciality for bone health like cardiologist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, neurologist, etc. When I first had a dexa scan and saw an endo (recommendation from primary care) I didn’t even know what questions to ask. I got “hold handrails, watch where you walk, don’t own rugs, never shovel snow, don’t bend don’t twist” but get plenty of resistance exercise. And how? So I am ignoring all that and continuing with the active weight lifting aerobics, walking, hiking etc. I have been doing most of my life. I’d even like a printed handout or be directed to a website by my doc, anything for more info. I did get a reclast information 3 page handout but it was on my way out AFTER the infusion. Maybe custom drugs and supplements for us in the future? More testing? I expect some aches and pains but if the treatment turns out to be worse than the disease I’m out! Time will tell…

@gravity3 I would say that I suddenly see myself as old. I find myself thinking about the fact that all of the previous generation of my family died by the age of 76. Intellectually I know that there were lots of environmental factors involved--bad diets and overweight leading to heart issues that I don't have, and for the previous generation difficult lives with periods of malnutrition. I've also always had the strength of will to do whatever needs to be done in my life, and that's an important piece of my self image. Now I find that now I just don't seem to be able to make myself do the exercise that I know would make me stronger and healthier.

That all sounds quite negative, but these feelings aren't overwhelming! A change that I just need to work through and perhaps the development of some much-needed humility about my own inner resources.

@janism

Thanks for sharing more of your history and feelings about aging. Strangely it doesn't sound negative at all. I can relate and it is reassuring to hear how you and others are moving down the path.

@janism good post as usual… I think we need to get away from punishing ourselves for what we can’t do as we age…avoid comparisons with ultra-active seniors…and start very gently, step by easy step to incorporate some movement in our lives, as i had to do after major surgery….similar with dietary adjustments, start gently, incorporating changes very gradually…over time these small steps add up and help make life better/easier than it would otherwise have been… you may be surprised at how well you are doing.

@janism I am 61. I so vividly recall the day before I turned 60. I did some real introspection. I went to my favorite botanical garden, found a quiet bench with a little creek in front of me and a waterfall behind, and I counted every blessing that I felt wonderful both physically and mentally. I was in a fantastic place.

Two months after I turned 60, it went to pieces. A rheumatologist diagnosed me with two conditions - one of which I may not actually have - and put me on medications that actually did more harm.

Last year was one of the worst of my life. With a caring therapist and loving friends, I got through it, found my voice, started REALLY advocating for myself, and prioritizing the one condition I know I have.

But the feeling of getting and feeling “old?” Yeah, that’s real. That’s very real.

I tend to cuss a lot to myself in real life - no worries, I’ll never do it here 🤭 - and I’ve done my fair share of that to the first rheumatologist (at my home), the drugs, the conditions, all of it. I don’t know, it makes me feel better. Journaling helps so much too.

On a lark, I recently paid someone to have my birth chart done. She included healthy tips for me to incorporate throughout my day, and don’t you know, that really felt like another piece of the puzzle. I started really prioritizing sleep, having warm ginger water first thing in the morning, etc, and while I have my scared moments for sure, compared to this time last year, I feel much more in control.

And I do not feel “old” these days, so much as I feel empowered.

I think a lot of the ladies here who are wiser than me would counsel that aging and empowerment go hand in hand.

Do the fun things. Do things on a lark, a whim. I’m still working on it myself. And speaking of “wiser than me,” there is a wonderful podcast called “Wiser Than Me” hosted by none other than the hilarious Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She interviews women over the age of 70, I believe, and always ends her shows with the sweetest calls to her mom, and sometimes these two are downright hilarious. (The one with Glenn Close was great, in my opinion.)

Some days, it’s about distractions that take our troubled minds to a different place. That’s a good thing.

Wishing you much peace and joy today. 💐

@nycmusic So very true. Well said.

@jozer Here are some suggestions on continuing with your research of exercise to build bone.

The LIFTMOR study was pivotal in showing that one needs to (safely) lift heavy-for-you weights to build bones. Heavy in these trials were 80 to 85% of your 1 rep maximum, or about the maximum weight that you can handle 7 times in a row.

Other studies have suggested that only impact training greater than about 3x (some say 4.2x) of your body weight will build bone in the femoral neck. The LIFTMOR trial did include an impact exercise as one of their 4 components.

Below are a couple of links showing how to venture, starting gradually, into impact and LIFTMOR type exercise. You can search and find various research papers and reviews of the research by doctors.

Impact exercise starting with heel drops:
https://melioguide.com/weight-bearing/jump-training-osteoporosis/
LIFTMOR exercises starting easy.

Thanks for those suggestions, I have looked into melioguide and lift more, balancing, onero, and more but have not seen videos…will check it out! The aging thing…I feel that after people hear you are 65 you are treated as if you were either invisible or someone who is so old and decrepit they need many various docs and lots of meds to get through the day! I was shocked at having to “draw the clock” at a checkup; I was gonna be sassy and draw a realistic digital clock radio (I am a bit of an artist)! There is the aging process we all have to deal with as the body wears out (and sometimes in youth) some lose senses, some lose bone health, some have cancer, some have hearts wearing out, the list goes on and on. Then there are preventive measures; for example hubby is diabetic and is on statins only because he is diabetic. And if anyone has info on studies that show why the bone health goal is that of a 30 year old woman let us know! Nothing about me is ever going to be that of a 30 year old woman from my hair color to my wrinkles to my waistline!