Has anyone improved bone density without meds?

Posted by naomid @naomid, Mar 21, 2023

I have a very problematic dental history and will continue to need additional root canals and implants. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome and want to avoid any drugs that cause rheumatic symptoms. Other issues in my health history make all of the meds risky for me. That said, I work out almost daily, lift weights, maintain a healthy diet, take all the recommended supplements, and get most of my calcium nutritionally. My endocrinologist wants me to take an infusion/injectable drug. I dread the side-effects, yet I'm afraid of fracturing, which hasn't happened over the many years I have had osteoporosis. That said, my numbers are getting worse (-3.2 spine, -3.1 hip). I need to do something more than I've been doing, and am at a loss. I need hope and solutions I can be at peace with. Thanks for any comments or suggestions!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Have you had BTM (bone turnover marker) testing? Are you on or are you a candidate for HRT (hormone replacement therapy)? Have you considered investing in a Marodyne LIV platform?

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@gigi4

Algaecal has a calcium without Strontium included. The calcium is made from algae. And my doctor recommends calcium from plant sources as they are absorbed better.
The other thing to be aware of is spacing out calcium tablets. The body can only absorb so much at one time. Also be aware of foods that also reduce calcium absorption- nuts, spinach and any food with oxalates. If you like nuts and spinach, eat those at a time when you are not taking your calcium supplements.

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Could you provide more information about nuts reduce calcium absorption? I am only aware of spinach. Thanks a lot!

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@fearfracture

Have you had BTM (bone turnover marker) testing? Are you on or are you a candidate for HRT (hormone replacement therapy)? Have you considered investing in a Marodyne LIV platform?

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Need to redo BTM. In the past it has shown that I'm turning over bone too fast. How does one stop this? HRT is out for me. I had breast cancer. And my Marodyne LIV is being delivered tomorrow. Plus I've started taking collagen with Fortibone peptides. Praying this will all work, in addition to daily exercise.

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@naomid

Need to redo BTM. In the past it has shown that I'm turning over bone too fast. How does one stop this? HRT is out for me. I had breast cancer. And my Marodyne LIV is being delivered tomorrow. Plus I've started taking collagen with Fortibone peptides. Praying this will all work, in addition to daily exercise.

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@naomid I cannot keep track of threads sometimes. Is there any med you would be willing to try? I am sensitive to meds but have done well on Tymlos because the dose is adjustable. I ramped up slowly and found a dose that I could tolerate that was very effective. I have lupus and probable scleroderma being investigated now. Tymlos did not affect my immune system.

ps this is a long thread and I am repeating myself here, though in a shorter version 🙂

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@windyshores

@naomid I cannot keep track of threads sometimes. Is there any med you would be willing to try? I am sensitive to meds but have done well on Tymlos because the dose is adjustable. I ramped up slowly and found a dose that I could tolerate that was very effective. I have lupus and probable scleroderma being investigated now. Tymlos did not affect my immune system.

ps this is a long thread and I am repeating myself here, though in a shorter version 🙂

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My endocrinologist says no to Tymlos and Forteo because I've had radiation that reached the spine. She said the risk of bone cancer is too high. There seems to be no safe drug option for me. I've explored all of them.

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@naomid

Need to redo BTM. In the past it has shown that I'm turning over bone too fast. How does one stop this? HRT is out for me. I had breast cancer. And my Marodyne LIV is being delivered tomorrow. Plus I've started taking collagen with Fortibone peptides. Praying this will all work, in addition to daily exercise.

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Like you, I have had breast cancer and now have osteoporosis. Took five Prolia injections over two and a half years, but elected to stop because I felt it contributed to significant hair loss.

Started Evista but read a person should not take if they’ve had breast cancer so I stopped that. GI issues so many oral medications are out. I decided to use supplements, an inexpensive vibration platform, diet and exercise. I’ve included collagen powder in this regimen for bones, hair, skin, nails but now have read that collagen is not recommended for breast cancer survivors/patients! Not sure what to believe. I have ceased the collagen but was reluctant to do so as I believed in the benefit.

All so confusing.

Best wishes, Cindy

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@cmdw2600

Like you, I have had breast cancer and now have osteoporosis. Took five Prolia injections over two and a half years, but elected to stop because I felt it contributed to significant hair loss.

Started Evista but read a person should not take if they’ve had breast cancer so I stopped that. GI issues so many oral medications are out. I decided to use supplements, an inexpensive vibration platform, diet and exercise. I’ve included collagen powder in this regimen for bones, hair, skin, nails but now have read that collagen is not recommended for breast cancer survivors/patients! Not sure what to believe. I have ceased the collagen but was reluctant to do so as I believed in the benefit.

All so confusing.

Best wishes, Cindy

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@cmdw2600 I didn't know Evista was not recommended if we had breast cancer. I would have thought it was like Tamoxifen in some ways. What is the reasoning? Thanks!

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@cmdw2600

Like you, I have had breast cancer and now have osteoporosis. Took five Prolia injections over two and a half years, but elected to stop because I felt it contributed to significant hair loss.

Started Evista but read a person should not take if they’ve had breast cancer so I stopped that. GI issues so many oral medications are out. I decided to use supplements, an inexpensive vibration platform, diet and exercise. I’ve included collagen powder in this regimen for bones, hair, skin, nails but now have read that collagen is not recommended for breast cancer survivors/patients! Not sure what to believe. I have ceased the collagen but was reluctant to do so as I believed in the benefit.

All so confusing.

Best wishes, Cindy

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Cindy, I double checked with a doctor who specializes in these issues and is a breast cancer survivor herself. She said go ahead and take the collagen. It's all so confusing, and we all have to hope and pray that the choices were making are the right ones for us. I go on instinct as well as research. Good luck to you. Good luck to all of us!

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@naomid

My endocrinologist says no to Tymlos and Forteo because I've had radiation that reached the spine. She said the risk of bone cancer is too high. There seems to be no safe drug option for me. I've explored all of them.

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@naomid I did not know that about radiation. I am very curious about this. Do you think it would be good to get a second opinion or even call Radius, the manufacturer of Tymlos?

The black box warning on osteosarcoma was lifted in 2021.
https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/12/23/2357391/31149/en/Radius-Announces-Update-on-TYMLOS-abaloparatide-Label.html

But it still says this: Tymlos should be avoided if patient has had " prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton;" Ugh that must apply to you! What a dilemma!

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@windyshores

@cmdw2600 I didn't know Evista was not recommended if we had breast cancer. I would have thought it was like Tamoxifen in some ways. What is the reasoning? Thanks!

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I called the manufacturer and the representative could not answer the question. She just read what I had already found online.

I have attached a photo of what I read. But like someone mentioned, WebMD may not be the best source. My endocrinologist had not heard this before and deferred to my oncologist. My oncologist had advised me to do what the endocrinologist recommended but now he has moved to research and is no longer available to me. I will be seeing someone else in the oncology practice next month.

Cindy

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