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Has anyone improved bone density without meds?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Nov 25, 2023 | Replies (487)Comment receiving replies
I just got my latest DEXA to see if things were getting worse. My last one before this was last September. This one, on the same machine showed my lumbar spine to be -2.9, my left hip to be -2.1 and my right hip to be -1.9. Each of these is exactly one point lower than the last time and it says this is not statistically significant, which immediately made me wonder what is considered to be statistically significant. We're getting ready to move to Asheville, NC from Baltimore, so by definition, a year from now, it will be a different DEXA machine. I am due for a phone consultation with Dr. McCormick on July 19th. Hopefully after that and another consultation with a different endocrinologist, I'll be ready to make a decision about medication. I've heard really good things about AlgaeCal, so I'll be interested in his opinion about that. In the meantime, my almost constant ache in my lower back and left hip reminds me everyday that I have both erosive osteoarthritis and osteopenia/osteoporosis. It makes me more fearful of lifting heavy things or doing simply moving than I have ever been. And here we are in the midst of packing. Ugh!!
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kirstenlheld, I'd be interested in Dr McCormick's take on AlgaeCal. Could you share his response with this group after your discussion with him? Personally, I'm a little hesitant using Algae related supplementals. There's no oversight over the ocean and who knows what's been dumped into the ocean or other water sources.
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@kirstenlheld I wish the whole medical/insurance system were different. McCormick and my doc both said Tymlos is most effective for the first 6 months and it is really good for spine in particular. Wouldn't it be great if you could do that for 6 months and have insurance cover it? (They do have a patient assistance program). Otherwise your hips are pretty good, though osteoarthritis can bump those scores up, I have been told.
If you don't have fractures your bone situation is not likely to be causing any of that pain but I get that it reminds you that you are fragile. I took care of my 95 year old mother, who had dementia. When I took her to the doctor I had to ask her to lift her walker into the car!
The fact remains that at some point we are going to have to lock in gains with something. That is my current dilemma. McCormick agrees on bisphosphonates but I am afraid orals are intolerable with GERD and Reclast with kidney issues.
Bone on bone is no fun. Is your hip considered strong enough for a replacement? I am curious if that is being discussed.