Struggling with making an osteoporosis treatment decision

The YoutTube clips are much shorter than the DVDs, but one can purchase the same material as you have on the DVDs - and watch them from any location with an internet connection! - by purchasing the digital editions of the DVDs. They are great work-outs!

To everyone who is apprehensive about taking drugs for osteoporosis I want to say try Evenity especially if your osteoporosis is severe. Somehow I managed to ignore several years of Dexascan results telling me that I had osteoporosis so when I finally paid attention it was already severe. My endocrinologist recommended Evemity, one of several new drugs that can rebuild bone. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a new Dexa after only a few months that showed considerable improvement in my spine. However I lost more bone in my hip joint which I attribute to the fact that I was not exercising. I think that it really is important to exercise along with taking supplemental calcium and Vitamin D3, getting enough protein and eating a healthy diet overall. I have other health problems and pain meds I take for those makes it difficult to keep exercising, but I am trying harder now.

I want to urge those who are hesitant to take the new osteoporosis drugs to take it from me they are safe and nothing else will help you rebuild your bones like Evenity. I was cautious at first and instead of taking a drug I thought I could eat a lot of yogurt and drink more milk and eat veggies that have calcium in them. Using those foods to fight this disease is fine if you have osteopenia or earlier osteoporosis but if your condition is severe like mine you should be looking for something to give you a quick start. I usually have a negative reaction to drugs but I did not have any real problems with Evenity and it is only a once a month injection in the doctor's office. After 12 months you have to switch to something else. My doctor recommended Prolia. I finished Evenity in June and I've had 1 Prolia injection which was fine. Prolia is injected only twice a year and is said to help maintain the gains you make with Evenity and even build more bone.

You don't want to mess around with osteoporosis. This is not COVID and these new drugs have been around long enough to know what to expect. No one will give out rewards if you try to muscle through this without the benefit of drugs that are proven winners. You only get one life and for most of us by the time we get osteoporosis we are half way through our alloted years. Don't waste time. Be smart. The only consideration is cost if you don't have insurance. You may qualify for assistance from the manufacturer if you don't have insurance. Evenity is effective and my Dexa shows that. I believe it is safe or I would have found out by now ( I was a medical librarian before I retired and I researched medical literature and still do). I would trust a doctor who recommends Evenity before I would trust a doctor or anyone that promotes some supplement which has not undergone the testing and scrutiny of medicines in the U.S.

Your info is very timely to me since I’m scheduled for a infusion with Reclast in a few days. Was told 2 years ago I had osteopenia but didn’t do much about it. Have always been active but not good about calcium. Now that I’ve been on prednisone for PMR last month, rheumatologist says I must have but concerned. He just said options were to take pills that hurt esophagus every morning or these yearly injections. I’m going to look into the Evenity and see if that’s better choice. I’m little distrustful since he hasn’t even said have the DEXA scan before getting the infusion to see where I am before submitting me to infusion. Reclast can do issues with TMJ and have more dental problems which is something I don’t need. Thanks for info and anymore info you can pass on to me.

You really should have a Dexascan to set your baseline. Otherwise, how do you know where you are starting from in order to measure improvement?

Your info is very timely to me since I’m scheduled for a infusion with Reclast in a few days. Was told 2 years ago I had osteopenia but didn’t do much about it. Have always been active but not good about calcium. Now that I’ve been on prednisone for PMR last month, rheumatologist says I must have but concerned. He just said options were to take pills that hurt esophagus every morning or these yearly injections. I’m going to look into the Evenity and see if that’s better choice. I’m little distrustful since he hasn’t even said have the DEXA scan before getting the infusion to see where I am before submitting me to infusion. Reclast can do issues with TMJ and have more dental problems which is something I don’t need. Thanks for info and anymore info you can pass on to me.

@zaa Now is a good time to advocate for yourself. Just tell/explain to your doctor that you want/need the DEXA scan before you get treatment. You want to know what you’re dealing with! I’m taking the ‘pills that hurt your esophagus every morning’. For me they have never been a problem. I take the pill once a week with a whole glass of water and stay upright.
If you’re feeling distrustful, can you find a new doctor?

Your info is very timely to me since I’m scheduled for a infusion with Reclast in a few days. Was told 2 years ago I had osteopenia but didn’t do much about it. Have always been active but not good about calcium. Now that I’ve been on prednisone for PMR last month, rheumatologist says I must have but concerned. He just said options were to take pills that hurt esophagus every morning or these yearly injections. I’m going to look into the Evenity and see if that’s better choice. I’m little distrustful since he hasn’t even said have the DEXA scan before getting the infusion to see where I am before submitting me to infusion. Reclast can do issues with TMJ and have more dental problems which is something I don’t need. Thanks for info and anymore info you can pass on to me.

Hi @zaa, I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis after I got a DEXA scan because I'm on prednisone for GCA. My T-score was - 3.1. My doctor prescribed alendronate, 70 mg., once a week. I've taken three doses so far. No problems with my esophagus or any other side effects. I know several other women who took it for years with no problems. Hope that helps.

Yes, it is helpful to hear others comment on what they are using. Did your doctor say this alendronate will be as effective in building bones as any other drug? BTW, I thought I had GCA and had the temporal biopsies done? Did you? I think that was another push in wrong direction by my rheumatologist that was unnecessary although I seemed to be having the sore scalp issues that is seen in GCA. Thanks for your info…it helps to chat with others.

Been looking for new rheumatologist within my health system. Also I was thinking about getting a endocrinologist involved since some of them are experts on osteoporosis. I canceled the reclast for now for more time to study up on my options and read more. Have you seen much improvement on your DEXA scans using the pill? Good to know you only take the pill once a week for it sounded like I had to do this every day. I have dental issues that I’m worried about going forward that complicates this whole thing. Really thank you for your info.