Has anyone improved bone density without meds?

@daisy17 I'm skeptical about that article, simply because they are trying to sell their product. I'm not taking strontium because I think it may burden my kidneys, which are ok, but I've read several times that it makes the kidneys work harder to filter or process it. Same with whey protein powder, makes the kidneys work harder.

@vmcgrantham I haven't heard of goat milk powder, but I drink goat milk kefir. 320 mg of calcium per cup. How much calcium do you all take daily? I was at 750 or 800, but I'm going to increase to 1000. I split that into 2 doses, midday and after dinner. I may take only 750 if I've had calcium from yoghurt that day.
My endocrinologist says I should take 1000 or 1200. I tried to get all my calcium from diet for a few months, but I found that very difficult. If you really do the research on a foods with calcium and exactly how much you need to eat of specific foods, I think you'll find it's rather hard to get up to 1000. I ended up overeating.

@shmbrd Lots of research shows that doing an anabolic (building) drug like teriparatide (brand name Forteo) before an anti-resorptive like Reclast (zoledronic acid) gives better outcome.

If you can find any way to afford the Forteo first that is the best initial step that I could find in my reading etc. Following that after 2 years with Romosozumab aka Romo aka brand name Evenity is even better, and I have posted elsewhere on this forum with a link to research on that.

Here is a wonderful, albeit technical, presentation from an Osteoporosis leading researcher/doctor:

@gargoy Me too! When I add trying to get calcium from food to trying to get the higher levels of protein recommended for seniors, spread out over the day, and I feel like I'm stuffing myself all the time.

Unfortunately, most doctors pull from their limited toolkit and prescribe bisphosphonates first as that is what insurance pays for. Since you've already been on an oral bisphosphonate and your loss is predominantly in your spine, you can push for Forteo (or similar) if that is your preference. Forteo is never offered as a first option though it should be for many of us. Some insurance companies won't pay for it and it can be expensive. The pharmaceutical manufacturer has a reduced cost program that you might be able to get. I don't remember exactly what I paid but it was inexpensive. Tymlos is another drug that works similarly to Forteo. It is newer than Forteo and has a higher dose (though adjustable, I hear from posts on this forum). I believe you can achieve slightly higher gains with Tymlos but my preference is the lower dose Forteo along with the comfort that it's been in use for decades. Good to explore all of the options before making the decision on what works best for you.

If you decide to go on Prolia, just know that you must be on a rigid schedule every 6 months. If you are late a month or go off it with no substitute medication, you are at very high risk of fracture almost immediately. Best to go on an anabolic (bone builder) drug first like Forteo, Tymlos or Evenity (anabolic and antiresorptive) and then go on Prolia or Reclast (if that is your preference) to maintain the gains. Or HRT . "They" do prescribe HRT over 60 and even with former calcifications (i'm loaded with them), you just have to get the right "they"! 🙂 It has to be someone trained as a menopause specialist and well versed in the use of HRT like the physicians I mentioned above. Otherwise, they often just go by the WHI risk data which is misleading at best.

I would highly recommend getting Dr Keith McCormick's book, Great Bones. It's research driven with great information that you can use as a reference. It doesn't, however, address HRT very thoroughly as an option. McCormick seems to be more open to that option as of late and I'll bet his next revision will include much more on HRT.

Happy to share my dexa numbers (and anything else that might be helpful). My spine went from -3.2 to -2.9 on Forteo and has maintained on HRT for 5 years since.

Welcome to Connect @naomid. I enjoyed your introduction. This forum is all about sharing and you have a great start. Knowledge is power. Connect will help you become a powerful patient who can advocate for themselves based upon knowledge gained from other members and from their own experience.

I understand your dislike of drugs, injections, and other types of medications that don't sit well with your medical history. I too dislike taking medications of any kind. I prefer being active and busy.

This is your first post so I will make my response brief. To fight off the effects of osteoporosis, at some point we have to face reality. My mother actually never recovered from a fractured hip, created when she opened the door to her apartment to welcome my visit. She never walked again.

I didn't pay attention to reality until I was 75+ years old and realized that I was approaching the time to wise up about bone health. My journey has been difficult with a couple of near disasters. Here is what I learned. Some of us cannot handle injections whether they are once a month or twice a year. They place too much medication in our bodies and we cannot handle it. So..to cut to the chase I had reactions to monthly and semi-annually injections. What I chose to do was begin with a product called Tymlos which is injected daily and builds healthy bone. After two years, my span scores had improved and I was ready to protect the new bone as well as the existing bone.

Then I did succumb to the every six-month injections for bone protection. That was quite the disaster. A sensitive endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic listened, applied his medical knowledge, and changed my medication to a weekly Monday morning tablet which does not overload my body and has no side effects.

So....stay true to yourself and be part of what I call a "shared decision" process in which you work together with your medical professional to meet your special needs. This support group will be very helpful. I am hoping that @windyshores can respond to your greeting. She has encountered fractures, found the appropriate medication, and will be moving on to the protection arena very soon.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@artscaping Hi there. I am a 67 yr old woman with severe osteoporosis in my hips. I have bilateral hip replacements and my ortho surgeon said I need to take something for my osteoporosis or my hips will fail and I will be in a wheelchair. Can I ask u what weekly tablet u took that helped ur bones? I am so afraid of the awful side effects of these drugs but I must do something. Thank u for reading this and for any suggestions or help that u may have.

@artscaping Hi there. I am a 67 yr old woman with severe osteoporosis in my hips. I have bilateral hip replacements and my ortho surgeon said I need to take something for my osteoporosis or my hips will fail and I will be in a wheelchair. Can I ask u what weekly tablet u took that helped ur bones? I am so afraid of the awful side effects of these drugs but I must do something. Thank u for reading this and for any suggestions or help that u may have.