Hello All,
I am an otherwise fit 66 yr old woman and diagnosed Oct 2022 with Osteoporosis in Spine (-2.9) and Femoral neck (T-Score -2.8) and total hip (T-Score -2.1). My L3 is more advanced at -3.4. When I asked the PA at my PCP - Well just how porous are my bones, she could not tell me that. But she wanted to prescribe Fosamax without understanding the degree or cause of my OP. What????

I asked for a referral to an Endocrinologist which took 2 months. At that appointment, the discussion was more thorough and again meds were suggested. He also suggested weight bearing and resistance exercises. As I wanted to make certain of the exact exercises for me and the proper technique, I asked for a Physical therapy prescription for the exercises. He told me he could not do that. What????

The discussion with the Endocrinologist continued now with his superior in the exam room and they were encouraging me to take the meds. The superior stated well you have one vertebrae in your lower spine that is high. When asked which one, she told me that is not important. What???? Well it's important to me, I said so the other doctor looked up the image and told me L3.

I am deep into researching OP and how to move onwards without the meds, if possible. I have been fortunate to find an Osteoporosis Yoga class and a separate Bone Up on Bone Health class at the Steinberg Wellness Center which is affiliated with Emerson Hospital in Concord MA. Both of these classes have provided instructional guidance and support on movement dos and don'ts and the Bone up class delved into nutrition, supplementation, sleep positions etc. Both are excellent.

Early on in my quest for knowledge, I came across Margaret Martin - Melioguide and actually had a virtual consult with her over Zoom this past Friday (she is booked about 2 months out). I have to say that experience was enlightening and her knowledge sharing was immensely valuable to me. Over Zoom she analyzed my posture, balance, strength, lifestyle, goals and provided excellent immediate feedback. She explains things in great detail which I appreciated. She asked if my Dr had done Bone Marker blood work (nope). She said that is an important test so there is baseline data of bone resorption and bone formation, with or without med intervention. She then actually visually reviewed my current and prior DEXA scan images (from the report attachments I provided to her) and clearly indicated the concerns of my L3. She asked if my Dr had done this comparison review with me - no they had not. She stated the Dr really should be doing that.

The bottom line in writing this post is to provided feedback on my interaction with Margaret Martin and to let you know, my personal experience with her was not only informative but encouraging. She too suggested a med potentially but her emphasis was on a bone builder. I am still weighing things out and would prefer not to go the med route but as they say knowledge is power and I am feeling more powerful after my consult with her.

Kind regards to all in your bone health journal - Ellen