1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Posted by heritage1955 @heritage1955, Apr 1, 2016

Hi. I'm new to the site and am interested in treating osteoperosis. I'm 39 yo and recently had a bone density that showed I'm at -2.4. So, going through the intial "I can't believe it" stuff. 🙂

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windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 4, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "Thanks, @windyshores it will be interesting to see what my bone density is after Tymlos. I..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Thanks, @windyshores it will be interesting to see what my bone density is after Tymlos. I hope I can get a DEXA after a year on it but I don’t know what Medicare says about that.

If I found that it wasn’t helping I would stop using it but if it made great improvement I wonder if Medicare would pay for a second year. The only side effect I am having is what I’ve heard referred to as “puffy belly”, basically fluid retention in the belly area. I don’t like that but I can live with it.
JK

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I think insurance covers 18 months but that may change. Most of us can have a DEXA in one year if we are on these meds. (Forteo's black box warning to use only for two years has been removed and Tymlos' may follow.)

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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 4, 2021
In reply to @windyshores "I think insurance covers 18 months but that may change. Most of us can have a..." + (show)
@windyshores

I think insurance covers 18 months but that may change. Most of us can have a DEXA in one year if we are on these meds. (Forteo's black box warning to use only for two years has been removed and Tymlos' may follow.)

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I knew about the black box warnings, @windyshores. It is comforting that they have been removed on Forteo and probably will be on Tymlos.

I know my endocrinologist plans on two years for me so perhaps Medicare pays for two years. I do wonder if the DEXA shows a lot of improvement they might not approve it for another year though.
JK

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windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 5, 2021

Even if bone density doesn't improve, I have read that bone quality does, on Tymlos and Forteo.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @windyshores "Even if bone density doesn't improve, I have read that bone quality does, on Tymlos and..." + (show)
@windyshores

Even if bone density doesn't improve, I have read that bone quality does, on Tymlos and Forteo.

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Thanks @windyshores for this post. I have seen images of the quality differences. Have you? Wish I could remember where I stored them. I will look tomorrow.
Good evening.
Chris

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windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 6, 2021

I have seen images of increased density but not quality so thanks!

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dagmarswift | @dagmarswift | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "@hello1234, I have metal boxes in my cervical spine to hold my neck together and cannot..." + (show)
@artscaping

@hello1234, I have metal boxes in my cervical spine to hold my neck together and cannot have a scan of the spine. It may be possible to interpret a reasonable T score especially if you have had vertebrae fractures. Another imagining system was used to determine if I had any fractures in my spine. I have none.

May you be free, protected and safe from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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Wow. Please take care 💗

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dagmarswift | @dagmarswift | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Thanks @windyshores for this post. I have seen images of the quality differences. Have you? Wish..." + (show)
@artscaping

Thanks @windyshores for this post. I have seen images of the quality differences. Have you? Wish I could remember where I stored them. I will look tomorrow.
Good evening.
Chris

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I’ve seen them in some articles that I’ve xeroxed. … like you, I’ve got them somewhere ! 🙄Once I started researching I’ve built quit a collection ( too much!) info. Yet I do know from medics that the ‘ bone’ Prolia builds tho it shows ‘density’ has no strength and breaks down rapidly .

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dagmarswift | @dagmarswift | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "I knew about the black box warnings, @windyshores. It is comforting that they have been removed..." + (show)
@contentandwell

I knew about the black box warnings, @windyshores. It is comforting that they have been removed on Forteo and probably will be on Tymlos.

I know my endocrinologist plans on two years for me so perhaps Medicare pays for two years. I do wonder if the DEXA shows a lot of improvement they might not approve it for another year though.
JK

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I think more important than DEXA scan , is having bone turnover monitored .

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 6, 2021
In reply to @dagmarswift "I think more important than DEXA scan , is having bone turnover monitored ." + (show)
@dagmarswift

I think more important than DEXA scan , is having bone turnover monitored .

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@dagmarswift Well, that is certainly something I have never heard about. Would you please explain bone turnover for me. Thanks.
Chris

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kilh | @kilh | Oct 12, 2021
In reply to @windyshores "The tortoise beat the hare! I started well before you and this is my second attempt...." + (show)
@windyshores

The tortoise beat the hare! I started well before you and this is my second attempt. I got past two clicks more quickly but am really staying at the same number of clicks for longer now. Glad you are taking bp! You are wise to go slowly.

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Hi, @windyshores just want to drop a note to hear about your progress. The tortoise is plugging along. I finished three weeks at 2 clicks and Sunday night I went to 3 clicks with no problem. I think I will stay at that for two weeks and move up another click. Still waiting on my scores, so sent another message, also to see if I should be at the hare's speed. How are you doing? Have you gone to 7 clicks and if so how long? I have been thinking about you and hoping the hare is running at full sped and has no side effects. And for once I hope the hare wins and the tortoise comes along behind in second. That would really make me happy. Stay well so both the tortoise and the hare can reach the two-year finish line. Take care and keep me informed. KLH PS bone density before Nov. 15.

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