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Why me? (sorry for the childish question)
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jul 18 11:04am | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
I can commiserate...68 y.o male. In my opinion, running does NOT cause osteoporosis. The only answers I've received are "genetics", "no secondary cause" and you need to be on medication to reduce your "fracture risk". I fractured my T10 in 2021 after flying through the air on a sled with my granddaughter. I fractured my L3 in 2024 after tripping over my granddaughter's little chair and landing on my butt on our hardwood floor. Had the DEXA scan..."serious osteoporosis". I didn't want to go on daily shots so went the "natural" route for about a year with diet, exercise and supplements. I felt stronger and more steady on my feet. I wasn't very good at being consistent though...mainly because of depression, anxiety and life. DEXA redo after a year had lost another 3% in BMD in lumbar spine, stable elsewhere.
I've thought a lot about the "why". I was diagnosed with low serum Vitamin D at least 15 years ago and took 5000 iu everyday for 12 years. No one told me about the importance of Ca with D but my serum Ca has always been normal. My thinking has been that I must have a malabsorption condition. Is that a why? I also have very high thyroglobulin antibodies and many symptoms of hypothyroidism but TSH is normal so only Hashimoto's. Is that a why? The cause of osteoporosis from a physiology standpoint is apparently an imbalance in the way osteoclasts build and break down bone in response to the parathyroid hormone. So I ask, is there something wrong with my parathyroid? Is that a why? Lastly, I was on statins for several years, at some times above the therapeutic dose...is that a why?
With all that said, is taking Tymlos, for example, really going to strengthen my bones enough so that if I fall I won't fracture anything? 86% spine and 46% non-spine improvement in women but no studies on men. I've been on Tymlos about 3 months...terrible side effects...still not at maximum dose. I'm thinking....maybe I should just not go sledding and watch where I'm going so I don't trip...that should reduce my fracture risk!!!
Replies to "I can commiserate...68 y.o male. In my opinion, running does NOT cause osteoporosis. The only answers..."
@jbcat26 I can’t help but to add my opinion as well. I would feel exactly as you do about continuing medication. I am a 73 yo that stopped meds due to reactions for 2 years. Now I am just being as careful as I can and enjoying moments at least without feeling lousy with these meds. What will be will be. Good luck to you as you have been through a lot.
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@jbcat26 I was 64 (male) when diagnosed with osteoporosis. I suffered a compression fracture and I didn't even fall. Don't think you can just handle it with better eating and some vitamins. That won't work. I took Tymlos for nearly two years, and my spine is now -1.7. It was -3.4 when I started. That's a huge, huge difference. Taking Tymlos was the smartest thing I could have done. If the full dose is too much for you, dial it down a couple of clicks and see if that helps.
By the way, blood calcium levels don't tell the story. You can have normal levels in the blood, but if your body isn't absorbing it properly and directing it to the bones, then you can lose bone density. A 24-hour urine calcium test tells the doctor if you are urinating out a lot of calcium.
As for the cause, the doctors have been unable to give me one. My vitamin D was low, but not crazy low; it was easily fixed with supplements. My hormone levels were acceptable. Thyroid was fine. Statins have nothing to do with it; I've been on rosuvastatin for nearly two years. I suspect it was a combination of a sedentary job, low vitamin D, and not getting nearly enough calcium. Now, I run (been doing that for years), and I go to the gym to do the proper weight-bearing exercises. I also take vitamin D3 and K2, and I make sure I get enough calcium (mostly via milk and food, not pills.)