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Osteoporosis DX and Overwhelmed
My recent dexascan showed that osteopenia has progressed to osteoporosis in the lumbar spine and wrist. I am 73 and taking Anastrazole following a breast cancer dx and lumpectomy 2 years ago. The Anastrazole further blocks estrogen so that is likely a big part of the progression.
I do not want to take any of the meds but confused as to what else to do since there is so much conflicting information. I stopped taking a calcium supplement and now just take a multivitamin and D3+k2.
I walk every day and do some core exercises. I have cervical stenosis so I avoid lifting anything heavy.
I have been trying to get calcium in my diet- almonds, prunes, almond milk, etc but now i read that some foods contain oxalates that block calcium absorption.
My doctors say I am not doing enough but at this point I don't know what is best. My Gyno recommended Akgae Cal but i have read conflicting information about that.
I have read horror stories regarding the bone meds and refuse to go that route. Many people say they have not had success with diet and exercise.
I am at the point where I am ready to just take my chances and hope for the best as foolish as that may sound.
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beachbabe, take a quick look at Forteo. It's part of the parathyroid hormone that stays in your body less than 24 hours. If you have side effects you can quit the drug without penalty to any part of your body. This drug build the best most integrated, flexible against fracture bone.
The risk of not doing enough is fracture. Fractures most often happen for women in the thoracic spine. They can be unutterably painful, aside from putting us in an uncomfortable, bent-forward position.
Look at it without pressure. You don't have to answer anyone except yourself.
Some people never take the medications and never fracture. I hope you'll be one of those.
I'm halfway through my fourth year on Forteo without any side effects.
Bless your bones.
@beachbabe
"You can't have PHARMA without HARM."
This is an absurd blanket statement. You said in your initial post "I am 73 and taking Anastrazole following a breast cancer dx and lumpectomy 2 years ago."
Why are taking Anastrazole (a PHARMA) for breast cancer? Did u get a "lumpectomy" without any help from PHARMA too?
You also said "I will do what I feel is right for me and it doesn't involve taking dangerous drugs." What dangerous drugs are u referring to???? The majority of patients on OP drugs have reduced their fracture risk with no side effects. Do some research on large scale clinical studies on the most popular osteoporosis drugs. You are entitled to do whatever u like. But you are not entitled to put out incorrect misleading alarmist statements.
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1 ReactionI totally understand the concerns with the osteo medications. I'm not anti-medication and take medications for other issue. But the potential side effects for the osteo medications, was just an issue for me. And even with the potential being low that the side effects would an issue for me, I didn't want to take the chance.
I deal with episodic migraines, and its doesn't take much to trigger one. So I'm very careful about any medication.
One thing you could consider is getting a DEXA scan with TBS. The TBS (TRABECULAR BONE SCORE) can measue the quality of your spinal bone.
I had this done and even though I had TScore of -3.5 in my spine my TBS was still in good quality range. That helped me with my decision on what to do next as I felt i had more time to try other options.
Figuring out what to do is not a simple thing .