Has anyone improved bone density without meds?

Thank you so much, @teb, for all these specifics. I wish I could take HRT. To me that would be the perfect solution, but had breast cancer almost 25 years ago, and from what I understand it is still contraindicated for me. I'm going to dive into the research a little more to see if anything's changed. Your work-out routine is really wonderful. I know I need to up the amount of weights i'm using. I guess it has to be a full-out effort, leaving no stone unturned.

What weekly tablet did you take Monday morning that has no side effects for you?

I understand your fear of both taking meds that may cause side effects or facing the risk of possibly fracturing. Once receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis, we all struggle with making these important decisions. Your story sounds somewhat similar to mine in that I did all the "right things"; exercised daily, lifted weights, stellar diet and I still lost bone. My density rapidly declined during menopause yet I was still determined to do it naturally and felt that if I just did more, I could gain it back. It was a big mistake as after diligently trying for 2 years to build back bone, my spine density decreased even further. I then knew I had to graciously accept that I needed medication and felt that the best option for me was Forteo as that could directly build back my spine. I too have some autoimmune issues and was afraid of the side effects of all of the medications but I handled Forteo just fine without any problems at all. I did gain back some of my spine but not enough to pull me out of osteoporosis. Had I gone on it immediately, my situation would be completely different. Once your bone is gone, it is very hard to gain it back. Even the meds can do just so much. Having gone through this experience, I would encourage you to try a medication and see how your body handles it. If you do have side effects, you can always try something else. Best to do it all, meds, diet and exercise, for the greatest possibility of building or at least, stabilizing your bones. Wishing you best of luck and health.

Thank you so much, Chris. I so appreciate what you've shared. I hope you're free from suffering too. These decisions are so hard. I'm glad it worked out for you to take the oral meds. I can't take them at all due to serious GERD. I wish there was something available without all of the horrible side effects. And I wish there were more researchers working on better ways to treat this disease.

Teb, could you share your t scores before and after Forteo? How long did you take Forteo? Are you working an endocrinologist?

@naomid I sympathize with your situation. I also have other health conditions, including lupus, afib and a previous breast cancer (meds for the cancer affected bones and I already had osteoporosis).

I tried for years to get on various meds. My doc did not want to give me Reclast due to the afib (he has since changed on this), I have bad GERD, doc does not use Prolia, and I tried Forteo and even went to an immunologist to try to get on it. I also applied for a trial of the Tymlos patch, thinking the sensitivity to Forteo shots might extend to Tymlos.

I had 3 traumatic fractures in my spine from a traumatic fall but in spring 2021 I made one unwise movement and fractured three lumbar vertebrae. (I also found out about one further thoracic fracture, for a total of 7). I was in acute pain and disabled for a few months, and can tell you that full recovery does not happen. I live positively, and walk every day, but I wish I had been able to do meds earlier.

Anyway, I tried Tymlos at full dose and ended up in the ER with afib, and had other side effects that were not tolerable. I stopped, talked to endos and cardiologists, and made the decision to try again at a low dose, and let my body get used to it over time. The Tymlos pen has 8 clicks: I started at 2 and moved up to 4,6, finally 7 and lately I have been doing the full 8. This really helped with side effects and my doc was happy with even 6.

I am almost done my 18 months. Where there is a will there is a way. I think the problem is that osteoporosis does not have symptoms. At the time of my lumbar fractures I was feeling great, even doing martial arts (carefully). It is hard to have this kind of determination before fracturing but I wish I had tried this method of ramping up Tymlos in 2020!

I am going to insist that my primary doctor order another Dexa for me when I see him at the end of April for my yearly physical. My last one was back in August, and since I am newly into menopause and took a drop down from osteopenia to osteoporosis in the two years leading up to menopause, I want to make sure it is not getting worse. If nothing has changed, then I will still go ahead and send all my records to Dr. McCormick to get his opinion. My feeling is that if I went on anything, I would want to start with Tymlos very slowly and ramp up as you did, since I tend to react so strongly to medications. From what you had said though, insurance might not be willing to pay for it. I really question going on a bisphosphonate first, and that seems to be what they want to push you into. Any advice if I have to argue for a bone builder right away?