Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Just a reminder that the Radius Assist program provides Tymlos for free for18 months for those with incomes under a certain amount (high $30k's?). Also those of us who started low dose, initially tried full dose and had problems. An alternative to quitting entirely for me was to restart at two out of 8 clicks of the pen and work up. I called the company and told them they may be losing customers who balk at the side effects of a full dose, and maybe the company would like to advise doctors to suggest restarting at a low dose to patients.

I’m grateful for everyone who has shared their thoughts so far! I will look into Vitamin K and will try to remain open minded about the drugs. Yesterday I had spinal X-rays to see if there has been any damage thus far - thankfully there hasn’t been. I guess stress has been causing my back pain. I think my doc agreed to order the tests because she dropped the ball by never counseling about osteopenia or having a DEXA redone even though I had advanced osteopenia back in 2012. I’m awaiting an appointment with endocrinologist but it seems there is a long wait. Meanwhile, while researching the anabolic drugs it seems they are intended for people who have had fractures or haven’t had success with bisphosphonates. Has anyone had a doc prescribe them as an initial therapy? Does it involve a battle with insurance? I start Medicare in Jan. and will be looking for an osteoporosis friendly plan!!

Also, does anyone have good links to exercises for osteoporosis in spine?

Thank-you and best wishes for all!

Medicare covers Evenity 100% because it is administered in the doctors office. My endocrinologist suggested a course of bone building meds first - Forteo, Tymlos, Evenity. Then 2-3 years with reclast treatment to stabilize the bone. If your doctor will authorize Physical therapy for spine they will design an exercise program. Ideas on YouTube abound. No exercises that curve your spine such as toe touches or sit ups.

Hi @barbiep I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis after 10 years without a dexa scan. I am slso on prednisone, just started in May, for Giant Cell Arteritis. I take Calcium Citrate with Magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, Boron and Silica. There are some supplements that combine all those elements, but I can't find the references right now. Prunes are also supposed to be good - 6 a day.. My doctor prescribed alendronate, which I am taking reluctantly. I also found Carol Michaels and Sara Meeks to be excellent resources for specific targeted exercises for osteoporosis. Just google their names and you'll find information. Sara Meeks has a spinal decompression exercise, in which you lie on a hard surface for 15 minutes, breathing, knees bent, relaxing. I find it gives me relief and do it every night.I also bought a whole body vibration exercise plate, which has programs to increase bone density, after reading a paper about studies of this (it can take a year to increase bone density).. Amazon has a large selection of these.I chose the Eilison Bolt and so far, I am happy with it, doing two 15 minute programs a day. If you chose Pilates or Yoga for exercise, be careful, as many of the exercises involve forward flexion of the spine, deep bending and twisting which can cause spinal and hip fractures. @csday warned about exercises that curve the spine. In all the years I took Pilates, with a number of different instructors, in classes with women who were older than I am (70), I never heard an instructor warn anyone with osteoporosis not to do certain exercises. Well, I hope this helps and I wish you the best.

I too have been diagnosed with osteoporosis at 61 recently. I do not have any pain yet but am worried about the shot the Doctor prescribed for me to get so I am having a second opinion. I normally run on the anemic side but the Doctor would not run a full blood panel so going back to my hometown Doctor who knows my medical history better. It is very scary to read about all the side effects the drugs have. I know how you are feeling and wished there was a more natural way to replenish our bones other then drugs. <br />
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Hello All, I discovered this group after joining another Mayo Clinic group for polymalgia rheumatica. I have been following some of the posts for several weeks and have found them helpful, since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a year ago at age 74. In the past, I have taken fosamax and boniva, but had to discontinue those drugs because of Barretts esophagus. My rheumatologist recommended Prolia and in May of 2021 I received the first injection. Two months later, three dental implants in my jaw failed suddenly and were surgically removed. The surgical site did not heal well and there was exposed bone, which resulted in infection and constant pain in the jaw and even into my ear. I remained on antibiotics and used the prescription rinse chlorhexadine for two months, at which point the exposed bone loosened and was removed by the surgeon. Following that procedure, the site became less painful and I was able to discontinue the antibiotics although I am still using the chlorhexadine. The oral surgeon advised me not to take any more prolia treatments until he decides the jaw is healed. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or has any thoughts or ideas about it. Any comments or advice will be appreciated.

So sorry to hear about these awful dental issues. This is a serious drawback re Prolia. My oral surgeon has me waiting until the six months are up to do an extraction (& endocrinologist as well) in order to ensure proper healing. I will need an implant later. Hard to juggle the dental work while on this medication.
Hope everything settles down for you soon. (Also hope this is not what I have to look forward to!)
I do find all of the osteoporosis drugs a bit scary.

Thanks for your kind reply. Due, I think, to the six month period of the prolia shot being up, my dental issues are slowly resolving. I had expected to replace the original implants, which had been in place for twenty years, with new ones, but I am having serious second thoughts now.