@fdixon63 I'm sorry to hear that you had Covid and were hospitalized. I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for your update. Weight bearing exercise is supposed to be good for keeping bones strong.

Early intervention is best so it doesn't get to osteoporosis. Sometimes an endocrinologist would be a good resource for that. My mom has had fractures caused by osteoporosis and her bones lost mineral deposits because of a parathyroid problem.
Here is a new group about Osteoporosis with tips from patients that you may find helpful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-for-healthy-living-with-osteporosis-what-helps/

@fdixon63

I am just now joining this discussion group, so apologies for responding 3 years after your comment.

Just to say that in addition to medications, there is a non-pharmaceutical treatment: Marodyne low intensity vibration device. Plenty of research has been done on it. I believe it is safe and effective.

Using this device, between 2021-2024 I had NO decrease at all in bone density -- I don't take calcium, no dairy in my diet (I read that it correlates with recurrence of breast ca), walking and cycling are my exercise (and swimming in the summer, but that is not weight-bearing exercise).

I'm 65 with osteoporosis in the spine and osteopenia in the femur. Medical background: two rounds of treatment for ER+ Stage II Grade 3 breast cancer (2008, 2011). I have been on letrozole (Femara) -- which promotes bone loss -- for over ten years. I have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (and am on Eliquis blood thinner) so I cannot take nattokinase containing supplements. But I am looking into K2 supplements.

I really don't want to go on the osteoporosis drugs (Prolia, denosumab, etc) because of side effects. So I'm continuing with the Marodyne device, and am going to start exercise routines recommended by physiotherapist Margaret Martin (online).