Connect
← Return to Treatments for Osteoporosis
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
My experience also with endo; very little information was given. At first appointment after poor DEXA numbers talked about Fosamax and Reclast (scared me at the time; once a year and no going back if you don't tolerate it). He did say he did not like Prolia because "you are on it for life". Never heard the term anabolic, or Tymlos or Forteo or anything else. Anabolics are becoming first line treatment; but I guess bisphosphonates for me. Probably with good reason for me specifically (I am not a doctor!). He wanted Reclast as first med; too scared so Fosamax was prescribed. Ended up with Reclast about a year ago since Fosamax wasn't giving me much improvement (Reclast basically well tolerated; only a few side effects). Entire appointment was about 15 minutes. I personally don't think there is an endo who is "expert" at osteoporosis; endos cover a lot of conditions not just osteo.
Replies to "My experience also with endo; very little information was given. At first appointment after poor DEXA..."
@jozer Endocrinologists who specialize in bone health are hard to find, but they do exist. I know of 3 of them and all 3 are associated with universities. My guess is that there are more. I am currently on a path with one where the university clinic takes 10 to 12 weeks to evaluate a referral before they decide IF they will allow you to make an appointment 6+ months out from then.
There are other types of doctors who specialize in OP. If I have to start looking further, I would ask the expert who declined my case to suggest someone else, I would try to see if I could see who attended OP conventions such as the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis. There is a limited search tool for OP oriented medical people here, but I know that it does not include many, although Lisa Moore of Brick House Bones did come up:
https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/find-a-professional/
My doctor agrees with jozer that a random endo, not selected in advance for osteoporosis, is a long shot for significant OP expertise, far likely to know lots more about diabetes than OP.
For a specific example, here is an interview by OsteoBoston with Dr. Benjamin Leder who is an endocrinologist, researcher, and clinical practitioner in the Boston area. He mentions near the end that his office accepts appointments, but they are booked many months out.
Connect
@jozer No, there are definitely endocrinologists who are expert at osteoporosis. It's just not easy to find them! If the doctor never heard of Tymlos or Forteo, he/she is ignorant and should not be your doctor.