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Has anyone not used medication after First Dexa scan spine -2.8?

Posted by rmasters @rmasters, 1 day ago

I am 57, 5'2" and 110 pounds and have just had my first DEXA scan spinal -2.8 osteoporosis, femoral neck and hips -1.3. I exercise and eat well. I did go through surgical menopuase at 50. I have a blocked LAD artery and use injections of repatha for this. I am giving all these details because I really don't want to start any of these medications and wondering if anyone has ignored pressure from doctors, all of mine are encouraging Reclast. I am scared and tired of looking at all the pros and cons of everything. thank you in advance

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erinz | @erinz | 4 hours ago

I just want to add something that may be helpful to others with osteoporosis as I do. I have been trying to get educated on what exercises to avoid and one thing I have learned is that jumping can be dangerous for the spine. I found a good video on how to exercise safely and get the same benefits of jumping without the risk of injury to the spine, although there are some here that may be hard for my ankles:

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summera1 | @summera1 | 4 hours ago

Google says: Raw shilajit naturally absorbs minerals and heavy metals from rocks, meaning unpurified or poorly processed products can contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium. Safe use requires commercial products that are explicitly purified and verified by third-party heavy metal testing

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summera1 | @summera1 | 3 hours ago
In reply to @samclembeau "I found this on the internet. just typed in shilajit for osteoporosis and this popped up...." + (show)
Profile picture for samclembeau @samclembeau

I found this on the internet. just typed in shilajit for osteoporosis and this popped up. I just pulled out the highlights, but there is more information there.

shilajit shows significant scientific promise for protecting against osteoporosis and slowing bone loss. A landmark 48-week human clinical trial published in Phytotherapy Research demonstrated that daily shilajit supplementation successfully preserved bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis). While the placebo group experienced progressive bone loss, women taking shilajit saw a dose-dependent stabilization and improvement in their hip and spine density.

If you are already taking standard prescription osteoporosis medications—specifically bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax) or risedronate (Actonel)—you must exercise strict caution.

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@samclembeau Google says: Raw shilajit naturally absorbs minerals and heavy metals from rocks, meaning unpurified or poorly processed products can contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium. Safe use requires commercial products that are explicitly purified and verified by third-party heavy metal testing

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rose140 | @rose140 | 3 hours ago

Went to two different doctors for osteoporosis. Easy doctor recommended something different. I said no to both.
I’d rather deal with the consequences of my actions rather than hoping I don’t cause more health issues with their medications
Seems like it’s the luck of the draw who will have no reactions.

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samclembeau | @samclembeau | 2 hours ago
In reply to @summera1 "@samclembeau Google says: Raw shilajit naturally absorbs minerals and heavy metals from rocks, meaning unpurified or..." + (show)
Profile picture for summera1 @summera1

@samclembeau Google says: Raw shilajit naturally absorbs minerals and heavy metals from rocks, meaning unpurified or poorly processed products can contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium. Safe use requires commercial products that are explicitly purified and verified by third-party heavy metal testing

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@summera1 absolutely true. have to read all the warnings before taking it. would not self diagnose with it. also needs more study. this is just to show that there may be something we have never thought of that may be of help in the future. Hope still lives.

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ou14mejc | @ou14mejc | 2 hours ago
In reply to @callmekate "I had my first Dexa in 2014 at age 54 and it said my spine was..." + (show)
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I had my first Dexa in 2014 at age 54 and it said my spine was -3.8. My dr. said, "I can't believe this!" I think because I seemed, and thought, I was healthy and well. I did some reading, decided all those meds were terrible and started taking extra D3 and K2.
Next Dexa, in 2024, my spine was down to -4.8. While I fought with myself over whether to take chemical action, I fractured my T7 doing lat pulldowns at the gym. (Let me just add both my mom and my aunt, her sister, had bad reactions to bisphosonates. Mom developed bleeding ulcers in her throat on Fosamax and you will never convince me that didn't contribute to her death from internal bleeding. My
aunt lost some teeth and had other dental issues. Hence my hesitation.)
After I broke my T11 bumping into a sharp corner last summer, I bit the bullet and began Evenity, which is said to build bone rather than just disrupt our body's systems by hanging on to old bone. I had no serious side effects. I just finished my year and got a score my doctor is apparently happy with. My spine increased 15%, going from -4.8 to -4.3. Now, I must decide what to do next. Frankly, I'd like another year of Evenity, but that's not an option, I guess.
I have read of other women getting good results with diet, exercise, weighted vests and all that and wish I could be one if them.
Sadder but wiser, I think I'll end up doing lots of research on Prolia and Reclast, etc., then let my Magic 8-Ball make the choice! (Kidding.) I'm 67 and my mom died at just 72. Newly retired now, I don't ever want to lose months and months to the excruciating pain of another compression fracture.
Writing this post has really helped me clarify my thoughts on this. For that, I thank you, and, oh, am I wishing you the best on your osteoporosis journey.

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@callmekate I rejected all these meds for 8 years, despite my doctors insisting that I needed it (early menopause). Both my hips and spine were bad on my DEXAs and my doctor kept telling me I would be in trouble if I ever broke a hip. I finally relented and just finished 2 years of Forteo injections in May. My spine improved from severe osteoporosis to osteopenia (-1.3) but my hips made a minimal improvement and are still in the osteoporosis range. In July, I started Evenity. I will have to decide in nine months what maintenance drug to start. Prolia and Reclast are the two my doctors are recommending. I cannot take Reclast because my kidneys aren't very good, so I suppose it will be Prolia. I rejected hormone replacement because my sister had breast cancer. I'm not sure it was the right decision since doctors are now saying hormone replacement does not cause breast cancer. These drugs are scary to all of us. I just tried to find the best rheumatologist and endocrinologist I could find and trust their judgment as to which drugs are the safest for me with my health condition. Good luck!

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jar124 | @jar124 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @rmasters "@callmekate thank you so much for sharing you and your families journey. I can't use evenity..." + (show)
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@callmekate
thank you so much for sharing you and your families journey. I can't use evenity because of my cardio issues. Reclast is the one my doctors are pushing. I am still exploring and need time to digest all of this.

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@rmasters

I had my first Reclast infusion last year 2025. I was hesitant to take any of these drugs due to the side effects. Two of my friends have had the infusions for a few years and have had no side effects and great results in their bones. So, I did my first last year without any incident or side effects. I just had my 2nd on July 20th, 2026. The next day my lower back was sore but not unbearably. I actually took an easy exercise class the following day. It's almost a month now and my left hip and lower back still stiff and sore, especially when getting in and out of a car or from a seated position. My right jaw muscle as been sore off and on. Not sure I'll continue with this next year unless these side effects subside and soon!! Anyone else?

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gracie7 | @gracie7 | 54 minutes ago

Yes, I had my DEXA scan and chose not to go on any pharmaceutical medications; I have had no fractures (fingers crossed). I am on BHRT, changed up my diet to push the protein, take supplements suggested in Keith McCormicks book "Great Bones" and exercising as best I can with bothersome knees. I also sit on a power plate daily. My bone markers calculated out to be 124 so I am hoping what I am doing with bring that up. I am 75 y.o., 5'4" and weigh 120 so my BMI is on the low end of normal, but healthy. My DEXA showed -2.8 on both the femoral necks, the spine is still osteopenia and it says I do have strong bones. My doctor is doing this same program so that gives me confidence. Hope that helps. Best - Gracie

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