1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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What decision to make regarding osteoporosis

Posted by bettersleep68 @bettersleep68, Mar 6, 2023

I am going for my dexa in a few weeks..I am concerned it will show more bone loss..I am scared to start any of those medications and side effects..anyone else feel like this ...maybe just whatever will be ..

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freckle1 | @freckle1 | Apr 6, 2024
In reply to @windyshores "Ten years is too long on Fosamax! So sorry for your mother's experience. Did she have..." + (show)
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Ten years is too long on Fosamax! So sorry for your mother's experience. Did she have any med breaks/holidays?

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Nope. But although she had many falls, she didn't have a fracture. Died of the flu at 93.

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vgen | @vgen | Apr 7, 2024
In reply to @nhubbard1 "Diane Stanley I had no idea I had osteoporosis..I am 75 always very active bike riding..." + (show)
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Diane Stanley I had no idea I had osteoporosis..I am 75 always very active bike riding pickleball softball yet my back for years would get so tired especially lower back area . Finally got an MRI my ortho MD very dismissive yet said I need surgery ASAP due to arthritis spinal chips … I believed her …long story short osteoporosis she had a mishap in my surgery …on 12/12\23 recovery was awful it was an internist that brought up osteoporosis….inwas given IV Reclast 5
Mg while recovering from back surgery …going thru PT Reclast made me very sick my bones hurt my body is so painful I talked to the nurse twice …her suggestion was pain pills and basic IV. I was a total idiot I thought this medication. Was safe to help my back …yep idiot ! For days I felt I was dying and so much pain !! Then I got on this website thank you as I am alive slow scared what is next …PT had to quit coming as my joint pain was a 10 out of 10 with horrible headaches ….i am college educated what the hell happened ? To trusting ? Using a walker full time Norco 7.5mg every 4-6 hours decided I needed to drink more water not scheduled t ok see. My doctor for 3 months …what do I do n?? Am I dying ‘? Called the ER called pharmacy I cannot eat this has been a nightmare any suggestions would be so appreciated! Normajean. please help me !!

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I am so sorry for your pain. Going from active to your condition is very sad. Bone building drugs scare me. All us old ladies seem to have osteoporosis and the drugs seem to be very painful. Hope you recover fast

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windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 7, 2024
In reply to @vgen "I am so sorry for your pain. Going from active to your condition is very sad...." + (show)
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I am so sorry for your pain. Going from active to your condition is very sad. Bone building drugs scare me. All us old ladies seem to have osteoporosis and the drugs seem to be very painful. Hope you recover fast

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@vgen I can say from personal experience that fractures are more painful! And the effects never go away. My spinal fractures affect digestion, breathing and heart rhythm. Still painful and I can't life anything. A bottle of seltzer is heavy for me.

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gailabee | @gailabee | Jun 7, 2024
In reply to @glitzy50 "Anyone have improved bone density after using algaecal?" + (show)
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Anyone have improved bone density after using algaecal?

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I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!

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windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 7, 2024
In reply to @gailabee "I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!" + (show)
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I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!

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@gailabee the strontium will make your bone density look better on DEXA that it really is. Strontium replaces calcium in bone and is denser, to the scan looks denser than if you didn't take strontium. This does not mean you have no improvement. But the DEXA results should be adjusted by a radiologist who knows how to adjust for strontium.

Also, I have kept a chart on my DEXA results since 2006 and the scores jump around a bit so unfortunately we have to look at trends, and we only usually have the scans every two years, so trend watching is difficult!

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patjack2 | @patjack2 | Jun 8, 2024

I think there’s lots you can do in lieu of drugs. You can lift weights, walk and walk and walk. Join an exercise program. I go to Osteostrong and it’s been very successful for me. Good luck to you.
I’ve been told by a physician friend that it’s important to have your Dexa done on the same machine every time. I’ve been looking into Echolight, a new and supposedly more accurate reading of bone density.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 8, 2024
In reply to @patjack2 "I think there’s lots you can do in lieu of drugs. You can lift weights, walk..." + (show)
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I think there’s lots you can do in lieu of drugs. You can lift weights, walk and walk and walk. Join an exercise program. I go to Osteostrong and it’s been very successful for me. Good luck to you.
I’ve been told by a physician friend that it’s important to have your Dexa done on the same machine every time. I’ve been looking into Echolight, a new and supposedly more accurate reading of bone density.

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I think that everyone can make a decision based on individual situations, about medications, but I personally would not say there is "lots you can do in lieu of drugs" for those with severe osteoporosis. As the sufferer of many spinal fractures, I just feel compelled to add that caution to this discussion. Fractures are very painful and disabling, affect GI and breathing, and reduce independence. I urge anyone with serious DEXA scores (or previous fractures) to look at drug options. The medications work. More holistic approaches can be used alongside meds and even follow meds for maintenance in some cases.

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yogagirl57 | @yogagirl57 | May 2 11:02am
In reply to @windyshores "One out of 8 women get breast cancer and I read that 70% of those cancers..." + (show)
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One out of 8 women get breast cancer and I read that 70% of those cancers are fed by estrogen. I am 8 years out from a breast cancer diagnosis and did 5 years of a med that eliminates all estrogen (adrenals still produce estrogen after menopause). I did not have a genetic link to breast cancer. It is hard to predict who is safe taking hormones, honestly, in my view, but I can understand why people take them.

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@windyshores Read Marty Makary’s book “Blind Spots”. It addresses HRT and how the original testing of HRT causing breast cancer was proven to be incorrect. Actually using HRT is good for bone building and osteoporosis but you have to start treatment in peri menopause. Black box warning has been lifted for ghose women

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dianestanley | @dianestanley | May 3 5:10pm
In reply to @dianestanley "I can only speak from my own experience. I am not a medical person. I had..." + (show)
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I can only speak from my own experience. I am not a medical person. I had no idea that I had Osteoporosis until I had slipped on my ceramic tile in my bathroom. After I had cleaned up, I had sprayed air freshener but it all didn't evaporate and fell to the floor. I fell on my knees and broke my back/Burst Compression Lumbar I Fracture. For six weeks, the pain was so great I truly had wanted to die. The pain was so bad that I could not sleep, cry or move for about three weeks. When I went for my dexa scan there were things that the Spine Surgeon could fix but I could not have surgery until my bones got stronger. I didn't want to take meds either but I dont ever want to break a bone ever again. Taking meds are a risk but breaking a bone that you can't fix due to Osteoporosis is a horrible experience. The meds work differently on every person. I am on Evenity getting ready for the 8th shot. So far, it's been good. Please disuss with your doctor and other medical personel as this condition only gets worse with age.

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@dianestanley

The above happened in 2021. I was on Evenity for 12 months and was taking calcium and magnesium tablets daily. My back surgery was in 2023. My surgery went great and my surgeon said that my bones had looked pretty good. Recovery was hard but I made it. Now I only have a backache when I get tired. Inow get a prolia shot every six months. When I had a Dexa Scan in 2025, it was the same as when I had one in 2023. At least, my osteoporosis didn't get worse. In 2025, I had my second hip replacement. The ball was gone. After surgery and PT, I am doing great. I did lose about 1 and 1/2 inches of height though.

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lindamaegirl | @lindamaegirl | May 4 6:55am
In reply to @gailabee "I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!" + (show)
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I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!

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@gailabee Bone Mineralization Issues: Because strontium is denser than calcium, it accumulates in bones, which can cause them to appear denser on DEXA scans, masking the actual bone health. Long-term, high-dose usage may interfere with normal bone development and strength.

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