Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

My endocrinologist wants me on Fosamax since I am taking Letrozole for another year (5 in all) for breast cancer. My general practitioner agrees. I was on Fosamax previously & had jaw pain. Endocrinologist says Fosamax does not affect jaw. Anyone else have this problem?

@hlp123 I have suggested the Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis by McCormick here and to friends. I think it is helpful. You can get it from a library before purchasing!

@callalloo that is a low level of D3. Did you mean 1,000? I take 3,000 units daily, 45mcg K2, 800mg calcium split in two, and 300-600mg magnesium two hours away from any calcium.

What is best course to treat Osteoporosis if I do not want a prescription, prefer to treat naturally.

Welcome @sprout, I think your question is something a lot of us think and talk about. @windyshores and others have mentioned helpful suggestions. Hopefully others will share their thought and experience they've researched. Here is some information on the topic for a start --- The natural approach to osteoporosis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4625766/

Have you had any suggestions from your doctor?

@sprout I would not comment on your situation without knowing your DEXA scores and whether you have fractured. If your score is lower than -3.0 for instance I would discuss with you the benefits of medications and risk of pain and disability from fractures. If your DEXA is, say, -2.6, that would be a different story. I have recommended The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis by McCormick, Lani Simpson MD's Facebook and website, and Margaret Martin's melioguide site for exercises. For some of us, medications are unavoidable to avoid disability and they can be life changing but some do have significant side effects. I addressed side effects of Tymlos by starting with a low dose and moving up slowly. Good luck!

Just adding the need for Vitamin D3, calcium (through diet is best if possible) and K2. Others on here take other supplements and those sources I cited can help you with that.

Oops, this supplement has 100 mcg (500% of DV) of vitamin D3. And 150 mcg of vitamin K2. Auto-correct changed mcg to mg. It also contains 274 mg of magnesium buy I take a separate magnesium & potassium for leg cramps that statins caused and are slowly occurring with less frequency and intensity.

It was a typo. The Alive! Bone Support daily dose of 4 tablets 1300 gm of calcium (100% of DV) from red algae, 100 mcg of vitamin D3 (500% of DV). And 150 mcg of vitamin K2. I'm fairly conservative about vitamins and am sure there are supplements that have larger amounts of these items but as long as my blood work shows decent levels of calcium and D, I try to rely on diet for the basics we need.

Thank you for responding !
The information that you all share is so very helpful !
I am so grateful for the information and support !
Stay well

So 25mcg is equal to 1,000 IU. I take 3,000 IU but only because Tymlos "eats up" D3. I raised my D levels years ago by taking 3,000 but then did maintenance with 2,000 IU, which would be 50mcg.

McCormick told me to take 45 mcg of K2 (MK-7). But here is Margaret Martin's take:

Vitamin K2 MK7 dosage recommendation is 150 to 180 µg per day. This is based on the dosage used in most recent research studies.
Recommended daily dosage for Vitamin K2 MK4 is 45 mg in Asia and Japan. Other jurisdictions do not provide guidance.

I am a little nervous about overdoing K2 but need to take MK4 as well.