Severe osteoporosis at 76: Is it too late for help?

Hello @stayingalive while I’m not a doctor, I don’t think that endocrinologist’s advice was wise. I have severe osteoporosis in my spine & 59, so obviously I’m going to disagree (insert smiley emoji), they could have at least said that they weren’t aware of a helpful approach and suggest you seek a second opinion and review your current diet & physical therapy approach, & potentially, see if any relevant clinical trials are open. My cancer surgeon once recommend that I seek a second opinion even though he was very hopeful in my outcome and gave me a detailed outline of the action plan. That made me realize competent and confident doctor isn’t afraid to recommend you seeking additional opinions. While my endocrinologist offered a bone building drug Rx to me, I’m reluctant due to some genetic variants that have resulted in horrible experiences with some different Rxs for other conditions (including ER visits for allergic reactions). I’m also unable to take hormone replacement. Therefore I’m pursuing additional opinions, doing Physical Therapy exercises 3x/week and studying how to make my diet supportive of absorbing the calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. I also am upping the amount of protein I take. Our bodies can be different in what they’ll absorb and use and my hypermobile Ehlers Danlos makes producing collagen and using calcium an issue.
I’m not willing to give up and hope you will continue your pursuit of additional research too and seek additional opinions. Note: I do red light therapy too, it’s mostly for pain, but I figure perhaps the reduced inflammation that’s red light is known to support could help my bones too (it’s a stretch, but …)

@andieg
I'm sorry he put it that way. Our lives change and keep changing with age and long illness. I have tried to look at things differently. Even when I had cancer and had to make treatment decisions, I was only 34 (half a lifetime ago) and I told myself that it wasn't a right or wrong choice. But it was just a new road to go down. I had a ten year career as an oncology nurse and hospice nurse. I can tell you that people have made inner decisions and found new pleasures even when their time seems limited.

I'm sharing this with you because it sounds traumatizing to find nothing more can be done for your bones. My hope for you is that whatever happens with your diagnosis of osteoporosis, that you will find an inner change/decision/pleasure/ something that brings you joy. That you will be resilient and hopeful even knowing there's a limit to what medicine can do for all of us.

AND, of course! get a second opinion! You deserve it. Hope you let us know how you are doing.

Am going to bet your endocrinologist isn't 76! What a defeatist attitude.

For sure a different doc and certainly get a second opinion. You go girl. Or guy...

Please tell us more. What are your dexa scores?
I see from your previous post that you are reluctant to take osteoporosis medication.

@jw9 & @stayingalive I appreciated @jw9 ‘s thoughtful response though inadvertently directed to me vs @stayingalive &
wanted to be sure you saw it .

There is always hope. For example, i'm hoping you misunderstood him.

Thank all of you for your supportive comments and suggestions. It appears I need a second opinion 🙂. Also, I need to be as proactive as all of you seem to be.

@stayingalive I don't understand his comment. It's *impossible* for you to gain bone density? That doesn't sound biologically possible. See if you can find a medical center that specializes in bone diseases. We have all learned, sometimes that hard way, that many doctors, and even many endocrinologists, are not experts in osteoporosis.

None are expert at osteoporosis as there is not an osteoporosis specialty in med school…yet. A disease treated by 4 different types of docs…primary, gyne, endo, and rheumatologist.

@jw9 I totally agree with second opinion. Especially if you have not taken previous bone medication, I think Forteo could help you. I had 13 consecutive compression fractures and Forteo worked. I am now 68 and just completing Terperatide booster of 18 months. Not the same gains, but I did still get improvement. At the very least, I think it would help your compression fractures heal.