1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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Osteoporosis DX and Overwhelmed

Posted by beachbabe @beachbabe, Aug 17 7:15am

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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Profile picture for gravity3
gravity3 | @gravity3 | 4 days ago
In reply to @memuno1stborn "I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79..." + (show)
Profile picture for memuno1stborn @memuno1stborn

I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79 yrs. old and in November 2025 was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. Some of you already know my story from other chats about spine health, spinal fusion. Long story short, it's now August 2026 and my severe osteoporosis reversed to osteopenia--thankfully due to Tymlos. We cannot expect to protect our health, quality of life--and life itself--without the assistance of medication for osteoporosis. Different degrees of osteoporosis require different medications. Some people experience side effects, others don't. I happen to fall in the first category. Side effects are unpleasant, but I'm willing to put up with them if the end result is improvement. Please get the help that you need because osteoporosis is a silent killer and that's a fact. Your doctor(s) are correct--you are not doing enough; and you are correct about leaving your health up to chance. Depending solely on diet, supplements, hormone replacement therapy, or exercise, will not bring about the desired health outcome. You have a complicated health history in addition to the osteoporosis. Find an endocrinologist who could give some guidance on how to move forward with protecting yourself from further osteoporosis damage without compromising your cancer care. My heart goes out to you, and I wish you well in this health journey.

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@memuno1stborn

So well said and with such care.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 4 days ago
In reply to @gravity3 "@beachbabe Try looking at melioguide.com. She is a physician therapist who specializes in Osteoporosis. There are..." + (show)
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@beachbabe

Try looking at melioguide.com.
She is a physician therapist who specializes in Osteoporosis. There are other sites also but she also has a wealth of info.

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@gravity3

Correction
She is a physical therapist

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bswpb | @bswpb | 4 days ago
In reply to @memuno1stborn "I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79..." + (show)
Profile picture for memuno1stborn @memuno1stborn

I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79 yrs. old and in November 2025 was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. Some of you already know my story from other chats about spine health, spinal fusion. Long story short, it's now August 2026 and my severe osteoporosis reversed to osteopenia--thankfully due to Tymlos. We cannot expect to protect our health, quality of life--and life itself--without the assistance of medication for osteoporosis. Different degrees of osteoporosis require different medications. Some people experience side effects, others don't. I happen to fall in the first category. Side effects are unpleasant, but I'm willing to put up with them if the end result is improvement. Please get the help that you need because osteoporosis is a silent killer and that's a fact. Your doctor(s) are correct--you are not doing enough; and you are correct about leaving your health up to chance. Depending solely on diet, supplements, hormone replacement therapy, or exercise, will not bring about the desired health outcome. You have a complicated health history in addition to the osteoporosis. Find an endocrinologist who could give some guidance on how to move forward with protecting yourself from further osteoporosis damage without compromising your cancer care. My heart goes out to you, and I wish you well in this health journey.

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@memuno1stborn so very well said! I agree with you completely! Diet and exercise sound like a great way to go and they are important but our food supply is pretty tainted these days and I wonder how many nutrients we actually get from it. As far as exercise…it is necessary and important but I know I don’t have the stamina to exercise with the force that is needed for big bone growth! It takes coming at it from all sides!

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slrausch | @slrausch | 3 days ago

My physician sent me to physical therapist and I was shown multiple safe weight bearing exercises to do at home and I follow Dr Lisa Moore! “Brick House Bones”, she has so much safe info, training. I did recently start Evenity so hoping if all helps. Had several fractures including a complete femoral neck fraction and broken foot at same time, took almost a year to recover. Good luck to you!

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rn40 | @rn40 | 3 days ago

I took Anastrazole for 7 years for breast cancer. I am 79, 17 years out from bc diagnosis, mastectomy and anastrazole. I am very petite, have a family hx of osteoporosis, and now have pretty significant osteoporosis. I refused treatments for 3 years, and finally agreed to Evenity, which I took for one year, with some improvement in my spine, but none in my hips. I did not want to be on Prolia for the rest of my life, and would never take reclast after researching it. At this point I am not taking meds, but work out, do some balance work, gave up bike riding and roller skating, as I was concerned about falling. I feel like taking meds is exchanging one problem for possibly many others. It is a very personal decision, and I leave the door open to taking meds, but am holding off at this point. I believe any woman who can, should be on HRT as estrogen is protective of bones. Having a history of bc makes it unlikely that anyone would prescribe it for me, although, I feel like HRT is the answer for any woman who could take it

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redlo | @redlo | 3 days ago

I too felt overwhelmed with my osteoporosis diagnosis. I took forteo for a year with side effects belly fat and was so discouraged. The end of my second year I had a 21% gain. I went from negative 3.2 to -1.7! I'm posting this for all those discouraged with side effects, belly fat and no results and at times worsening results from start to almost finish. Get it the full 2 years. I will post after I'm off my last dose if the belly fat goes away! Age 68 and happy!

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1 reply
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roseincalifornia | @roseincalifornia | 3 days ago
In reply to @redlo "I too felt overwhelmed with my osteoporosis diagnosis. I took forteo for a year with side..." + (show)
Profile picture for redlo @redlo

I too felt overwhelmed with my osteoporosis diagnosis. I took forteo for a year with side effects belly fat and was so discouraged. The end of my second year I had a 21% gain. I went from negative 3.2 to -1.7! I'm posting this for all those discouraged with side effects, belly fat and no results and at times worsening results from start to almost finish. Get it the full 2 years. I will post after I'm off my last dose if the belly fat goes away! Age 68 and happy!

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@redlo Congratulations! You were really smart to stick with it for the full 2 years. That is an amazing gain 21%! Wishing you strong bones forever!

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sistermac | @sistermac | 3 days ago
In reply to @memuno1stborn "I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79..." + (show)
Profile picture for memuno1stborn @memuno1stborn

I'm in agreement with beachbabe and arozer and I'll add my own 5 cents: I'm 79 yrs. old and in November 2025 was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. Some of you already know my story from other chats about spine health, spinal fusion. Long story short, it's now August 2026 and my severe osteoporosis reversed to osteopenia--thankfully due to Tymlos. We cannot expect to protect our health, quality of life--and life itself--without the assistance of medication for osteoporosis. Different degrees of osteoporosis require different medications. Some people experience side effects, others don't. I happen to fall in the first category. Side effects are unpleasant, but I'm willing to put up with them if the end result is improvement. Please get the help that you need because osteoporosis is a silent killer and that's a fact. Your doctor(s) are correct--you are not doing enough; and you are correct about leaving your health up to chance. Depending solely on diet, supplements, hormone replacement therapy, or exercise, will not bring about the desired health outcome. You have a complicated health history in addition to the osteoporosis. Find an endocrinologist who could give some guidance on how to move forward with protecting yourself from further osteoporosis damage without compromising your cancer care. My heart goes out to you, and I wish you well in this health journey.

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@what is tymlos vs reclast

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 3 days ago
In reply to @sistermac "@what is tymlos vs reclast" + (show)
Profile picture for sistermac @sistermac

@what is tymlos vs reclast

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@sistermac

Are you asking what the drugs are or....? I don't understand the question

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1 reply
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sistermac | @sistermac | 2 days ago
In reply to @gravity3 "@sistermac Are you asking what the drugs are or....? I don't understand the question" + (show)
Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

@sistermac

Are you asking what the drugs are or....? I don't understand the question

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@no I wanted to know the side effects one vs the other but u looked it up. gravity3

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