Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Thanks so much. I do have other implants that remain firmly intact. Only the three in my jawbone were affected.

All the osteoporosis drugs scare me. "...only the three in my jawbone..." How can a dental implant be anywhere else? I have 5 and a 6th in process. I'm hoping to keep osteopenia from progressing with a Japanese approach: calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc and K2. I'm recovering from back surgery right now, but the surgeon says I've healed and can safely return to strength training with free weights. Why do we not talk about non-drug approaches?

There is a wide variety of severity on these boards. I took a natural approach through 14 years of osteoporosis, and you only have osteopoenia. That is why you are writing about supplements and some of us are writing about drugs.

My lowest score recently was -3.9 and one stupid movement eventually caused some vertebral compression fractures. In cases like mine, side effects become tolerable only because the only other choice is pain and disability.

I did tai chi for years. COVID interfered with that and I do think that was a factor in my fractures. But once our scores get that bad, fractures are inevitable. And I did cancer drugs that affected my bones as well.

I think COVID was also a factor in my fractures because I would have started Tymlos a year and a half ago-before my fractures-but was afraid of ending up in a hospital with infected folks.

Bottom line: with osteopoenia, it is very appropriate to use natural methods. Some docs are prescribing meds way too early. (Read Keith McCormick's book.) When fracture risk is high, many of us have no choice.

Everyone needs to keep an eye on changes in bone density and get on meds when fracture risk is high. Then again, would I have gone on Tymlos and braved the side effects without the fractures? Probably not. I just wish I had one fracture, not 7 (3 traumatic, 4 osteoporotic).

One other thing: the bone growing meds like Forteo, Tymlos and Evenity are possibly not as effective after Fosamax/Reclast type drugs or Prolia. Yet insurance won't cover the bone-growing drugs until the others are tried. This needs to change.

I ran across this article when looking into vitamin K as a “partner” to vitamin D. She warns about adding vitamin K unless you consider other factors and suggests which foods provide either K1 or K2. Worth a read.
https://suzycohen.com/articles/vitamin-k-with-d3/

I have lost so much bone, no longer feasible to see if non pharma treatments would do anything. As a walking fracture waiting to happen, not willing to go au naturel. Calcium and VitD were not doing the trick. Also, I have celiac disease misdiagnosed until my early 20's so never reached optimal bone density. Osteoporosis is a disease and needs to be treated.

I am new here also. 88 yr old. Just had bone test and I am barely on the bad side. Dr ordered Prolia but I on my own decided to go with correct vitamins and foods and more sun. I feel that I am making the best decision. What do you folks think.

Hi, Definitely stay away from Prolia. It has ruined my life! It made me lose hair and my legs were in constant pain and my finger joints developed large bone spurs. I felt awful most of the time. All of the osteoporosis drugs have side effects and I am now on calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. I keep active but do no formal exercising other than walking - about 2-3 miles a day in the course of my day. Good luck, Kaye -80 yrs. old

I don't know your scores but if you are just over the line of -2.5, I think you are doing the right thing. Along with calcium, D, K2 I would add making sure your balance is good. I did Tai Chi for that. Once on Prolia, you have to stay on meds. I do believe docs start meds prematurely in many cases. Keith McCormick's book The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis may be helpful. I am on meds now but stayed off for 14 years after my diagnosis.

@windyshores This is helpful as my primary was suggesting Prolia since there had been more bone loss. Fosamax rendered me nonfunctional. My numbers aren't over that mark. There are times when that ounce of prevention can destroy completely quality of life.
I have started to do more wholistic things to this osteoporosis issue. Cardiovascular provided me with some "wholesome" input on different things. i do appreciate a well rounded NP. Things in the cardio arena showing no change. Thanks again as I am still learnimg.

@cheriums Possibly will miss out on perks from parmaceutical companies and doctors are trained in how to prescibe and this is what they do. I being a former smoker did not help the body either. There are those choices that can catch up.