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How do you ever choose which med?
I already have anxiety and trying to decided which med to choose is giving me even more anxiety. Ugh To summarize my previous posts I’m 61 and was diagnosed in February with OP. My spine is -2.7 and hips -2.0.
My Gyno diagnosed me and gave me the news over the phone while I was driving in my car. He gave me choice of Prolia or Evista. Gave me a very brief description and asked which one I wanted to do. I said I wanted to see an Endocrinologist.
Made appointments with 2 different Endo’s. First one suggested Reclast, Alendronate or Evista. I did tell him when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia I tried Fosomax. Had severe pain in lower back after a couple of pills. Told him I was told to stop meds and increase calcium. When he gave me choice of the 3 meds he also skated over the side effects told me to look them up on bone health website and choose. Had God complex so I moved on. Next Dr I really liked but she came at me with Evenity and I inquired about Evista. She said I could do that too. Ordered bloodwork and 24 hour urine test. Office called me after getting results and said she wanted to set up me up with Evenity shot. I started to panic. Mainly because after that is Reclast or Prolia. I asked if she ever prescribed HRT. They said no. I feel like starting out with Evenity is basically hard core. Like I said in 61, and after Evenity is then Prolia or Reclast, which I can’t handle biophosonates and I read that odds are I will have reaction to Reclast as well.
I know I have to do something I don’t want to fracture. Maybe Evenity would really increase my scores since I’m not that far over the line, but I keep hitting the wall with Prolia or Reclast. I’d like to try Evista first or HRT, but the whole blood clot thing with Evista worries me. I read that if you’re going to be sedentary for a long period of time for instance surgery or travel you should stop it at least 3 days in advance. She doesn’t prescribe HRT so I’m guessing I’d have to find another Endo who would prescribe it. Or if Endo doesn’t prescribe that what Dr does? PCP? Gynecologist?
I have a telehealth appointment tomorrow with the Dr about Evenity, to basically talk me off the ledge.
So how do you choose? I just feel like once I make the decision my life will never be the same. It just all seems like a roll of the dice.
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@sassysaveur I’ve been lifting since 2012 and doing all the lifts you list. I was diagnosed in 2014 with osteopenia and in 2018 with osteoporosis. As it turns out, lifting heavy weights is good for your bones, along with jumping and impact sports. Who would have thought?
Google the LIFTMOR studies run by Belinda Beck out of Australia to learn more.
I did end up fracturing but it had nothing to do with my lifting. The issue is placing a heavy load on a bent spine which is the movement I made that caused a fracture. I was bending over the edge of a bathtub in an attempt to get my head under the faucet and pressing down very hard on my ribcage.
When you weight train using proper technique, your spine is aligned properly for the weight you’re lifing. The participants in the LIFTMOR study were all trained to lift with the correct technique.
The other risk is falling and strengthening your muscles and doing balance exercises helps with this.
I continue to lift at age 65 and after my fracture. I believe it has helped, along with a year of Evenity. I had over a 30% gain in lumbar BMD and have not had another fracture since my first in 2023.
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1 Reaction@oopsiedaisy your message is very encouraging. I was sprinting, jumping and lifting prior to being treated with high dose steroids. The steroids have caused of acceleration of bone loss and put me in moderate risk for fractures. This intimidates me in terms of worrying about my technique and possibly fracturing something.
Even something as simple as sprinting or jogging or jumping, I worry about balance and possibly irregular terrain, just enough to cause a tumble.
Intellectually I know that these exercises will help me maintain bone and strength. Emotionally I feel struggle with what if doing these exercise exercises ends up causing more of a problem.
Your message encourages me to at least get started with some light weights and walking to gain back some of the muscle that I lost when I was on the steroids which by the way, I’m not completely off them so I don’t know if it’s safe to be exercising while on steroids.
It’s a big adjustment going from strong, powerful and healthy to a new diagnosis that has a treatment that take away so much. In 4 months time I’ve lost so much muscle mass and been housebound and frail.
Any other thoughts you might have in terms of how to get started and work my way back is appreciated
@sassysaveur This would be a difficult path to navigate, for sure. I think that getting back to regular exercise of some kind would help your frame of mind. Someone below recommended Margaret Martin's Melioguide and that might be a good place to start.
I purchased her book a couple of years ago when I was frightened to exercise after my fracture and she has really good advice for exercising based on your current level of fitness and risk concern. You can start slowly on a plan.
Some things that I did in my post-fracture recovery were resistance band exercises and light weights, supervised by a physical therapist.
Perhaps your doctor could give you a referral for physiotherapy to help you get started?
Here is the link to Margaret Martin's site: https://melioguide.com/
Wishing you the best!
@oopsiedaisy I placed an order for the book. Someone else mentioned resistant bands and I think that’s probably a good place to start. I really not use them before although I know what they are and I have a few around so maybe I’ll start with that. thanks for the good advice. cheers!
@sassysaveur sorry, I'm not sure that I understand what you're asking me. I have -3.2 in spine and I've been told that it's okay/safe to lift up to 20lbs if you keep good form.
I chose by focusing on my fracture risk, medical history, and which side effects I was most comfortable accepting, rather than trying to find the "perfect" medication. No option is risk-free, but discussing my concerns openly with my doctor and understanding that treatment plans can often be adjusted later helped reduce my anxiety and made the decision feel less overwhelming.
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2 Reactions@gravity3
And ONERO