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.

@lashu

That is pretty much what my endocrinologist warned me. What did you do? The olderdiva in the discussion group lists a number of natural remedies that have worked for her. My doctor thought Evenity would be best. The necrotic jaw concerns me, as does the description of what happens when one stops taking Evenity: it sounds like erosion of bone sets in, So it demands taking one of the other meds (Forteo or Tymlos).
Nevertheless, I am inclined to risk these things if the threat is that great. Not sure what I will do. I have an appointment in late August with the Endocrinologist.

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Tymlos and Forteo do not pose risks of necrotic jaw and are bone builders. I chose Tymlos because the pen has "clicks" for dosing so I ramped up to get my body adjusted to it, and had excellent gains even at 7 out of 8 clicks (my doc was okay with 8). Some take Evenity after Tymlos but you cannot do the other way around.

@lashu I don't believe anyone follows Evenity up with Forteo or Tymlos, but to "lock in" gains for many medications, Reclast is given. My doc is giving me a 20% dose of Reclast, then a half dose and then I can take a break with monitoring.

I am curious why so many docs are starting with Evenity!

Imagine being in the car, putting pants or a bathing suit on. That fractured 2-3 vertebrae with life long pain and disability. As I wrote, I was feeling strong and doing martial arts at the time.

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@melia7

to cpd54
Hello, as I have mentioned I do not buy osteopor yet, but I have found the producer in Europe where we can hopefully order it. It is the lab/company Pierre Fabre in France. During my search I have not found the web site where it can be bought. Here is the informative link: https://www.pierre-fabre.com/es-es

As you see, it present also in the US. Good luck!

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Thank you. I will reseach this through the suggested link.

Judith

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@olderdiva12345

Good Sunday morning. I, as well, as very afraid of the side effects of the injections such as Prolia. I refuse to have these. I am taking calcium supplimensts and have seen improvement in my bone densidty. I am currently taking per day: Horbaach Absorbable Calcium softgels 2 with 1200mgs with 125 Mgs f Vitamin D (5,000 IU (don't know what that is. In addition I take 1 tablet per day of Tervisepuramid Calcium which also contains 50 mgs of Zinc. a small amount of Vitamin D3 and 4,000 mgs of calcium carbonate. All together I take 21 suppliments each morning, 3 or 4 Magnesium gummies, 4 Metamucil gummies per day and others for hair and nails, B12 for energy and other misc. Suppliments. I insist on a bone density test every year to see my progress when every two years in recommended. Don't know if this will help. All the Best to you.

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I appreciate your efforts to support your health journey with supplements but just wanted to mention that the upper limit for calcium supplement intake is 2000 mg. You might want to look at your food intake of calcium to see how that stacks up before adding in all of your supplements. More is not necessarily better and can sometimes be detrimental. Calcium carbonate is not as absorbable as other forms of calcium so consider supplement selections as well. In addition, 50 mg of zinc daily is really quite high. Too much zinc will cause an imbalance in your zinc to copper ratio. Vitamin D levels should be tested to see what your level is and then supplemented accordingly. There have been studies that indicate high levels of D are associated with an increased fall risk. The sweet spot of vitamin D seems to be somewhere in the 40-60 range (though this is in hot debate and there are many differing opinions on optimal levels). Depending upon your test results, if you need to increase your blood level, you can do this be factoring 1,000 IU of supplemental D for each level of 10 you want to increase. So if your level is, let's say, 20 and you want to get to 40, you would take 2000 IU of D a day. Best to test your levels in March which is when your blood level would be at its lowest after winter and that will give you a good gauge as to how you need to supplement. Levels generally increase post-summer with sun exposure.
Supplementing is tricky and can sometimes create unintended imbalances or negative effects if overdone.

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@windyshores

@melia7 my post on what happens to calcium was to express concern about the level of calcium another poster was taking. I take 800 mg and my levels are around 10.

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to windyshores:

Yes, indeed. I was also surprised, the lady in question takes 5200mg of calcium.

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@windyshores

Tymlos and Forteo do not pose risks of necrotic jaw and are bone builders. I chose Tymlos because the pen has "clicks" for dosing so I ramped up to get my body adjusted to it, and had excellent gains even at 7 out of 8 clicks (my doc was okay with 8). Some take Evenity after Tymlos but you cannot do the other way around.

@lashu I don't believe anyone follows Evenity up with Forteo or Tymlos, but to "lock in" gains for many medications, Reclast is given. My doc is giving me a 20% dose of Reclast, then a half dose and then I can take a break with monitoring.

I am curious why so many docs are starting with Evenity!

Imagine being in the car, putting pants or a bathing suit on. That fractured 2-3 vertebrae with life long pain and disability. As I wrote, I was feeling strong and doing martial arts at the time.

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My sympathy for your suffering: what you describe for life long consequence is what my doctor predicted for me if I do not act. I hope you will be able to find an exit door to leave the suffering, to cure the source of your pain. You have given me much to reflect upon.

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@teb

I appreciate your efforts to support your health journey with supplements but just wanted to mention that the upper limit for calcium supplement intake is 2000 mg. You might want to look at your food intake of calcium to see how that stacks up before adding in all of your supplements. More is not necessarily better and can sometimes be detrimental. Calcium carbonate is not as absorbable as other forms of calcium so consider supplement selections as well. In addition, 50 mg of zinc daily is really quite high. Too much zinc will cause an imbalance in your zinc to copper ratio. Vitamin D levels should be tested to see what your level is and then supplemented accordingly. There have been studies that indicate high levels of D are associated with an increased fall risk. The sweet spot of vitamin D seems to be somewhere in the 40-60 range (though this is in hot debate and there are many differing opinions on optimal levels). Depending upon your test results, if you need to increase your blood level, you can do this be factoring 1,000 IU of supplemental D for each level of 10 you want to increase. So if your level is, let's say, 20 and you want to get to 40, you would take 2000 IU of D a day. Best to test your levels in March which is when your blood level would be at its lowest after winter and that will give you a good gauge as to how you need to supplement. Levels generally increase post-summer with sun exposure.
Supplementing is tricky and can sometimes create unintended imbalances or negative effects if overdone.

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Thank you. I take 1200 mgs of Calcium and do not take Calcium Carbonate. The zinc is taken maybe once per week. The vitamin D intake is Zero. Vitamin C is in the form of pure, no pulp Orange juice once or twice per week. Four gummies of Magnesium per day and Metacumacil twice per day. A memory suppliment is taken once per day and Balance of Nature every day.

I feel fine and have had this regimine for over a year. Am I doing something wrong?

Many thanks,

Judith

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@melia7

to windyshores:

Yes, indeed. I was also surprised, the lady in question takes 5200mg of calcium.

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I hope the poster shares the list of all supplements with her doctor as I can not imagine any doctor would condone taking 5200 mg of calcium.
Personally I limit myself to four medications per day and that is four more than I was taking a year ago.

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@thisnthat

I would steer clear of Dr. Fishman and his yoga poses, having discussed this with my physical therapist. I too thought the poses might be part of The Answer! ☹️

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I respectfully disagree. I think it depends on the PT person AND your condition etc. everyone is different and I only speak of my impression. I love it and what it had done for my flexibility, balance and well being. Some PT are trained differently and adverse to anything they don’t do or know. I would NEVEE say anything is an answer for anyone.. but each should choose their tools!
I eat 10 prunes a day.. would that make someone else cringe? Maybe! You do you!
Do I lift weights and jump? Yes! Is that bad for your case? Maybe!
There are supplement profiles suggested..you pick!
I love the Fishman program and the research. I choose to try and not get deterred by one PT persons viewpoint unless he/she had throughly researched the program for ME. The twists are not a requirement. Maybe they are an answer? For me? Maybe!
Your body, your choice, your delivery method.
I wish you good health on your journey!

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@olderdiva12345

Thank you. I take 1200 mgs of Calcium and do not take Calcium Carbonate. The zinc is taken maybe once per week. The vitamin D intake is Zero. Vitamin C is in the form of pure, no pulp Orange juice once or twice per week. Four gummies of Magnesium per day and Metacumacil twice per day. A memory suppliment is taken once per day and Balance of Nature every day.

I feel fine and have had this regimine for over a year. Am I doing something wrong?

Many thanks,

Judith

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I now find that I own Calcium which included Magnesium-Zinc and Vitamin D3. I think this is too much. Anyone? I will probably dispose of this container.

Judith

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@olderdiva12345

I now find that I own Calcium which included Magnesium-Zinc and Vitamin D3. I think this is too much. Anyone? I will probably dispose of this container.

Judith

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@olderdiva12345: Personally, I think you are taking way too much calcium, which is 5200 mg daily based on one of your earlier posts.

The recommended daily amount of calcium is 1200 mg , and it's recommended a person should get as much of that through their diet (vs. supplements). It's not recommended to take more than 1200 mg daily, even if one has osteoporosis -- see the "Guidelines if you are taking calcium supplements for osteoporosis" link at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/,

I strongly urge you to review your supplements with your doctor or registered dietician. Taking too much of a vitamin and/or mineral may be dangerous, can cause health problems, and/or be a waste of money, In other words, more is not necessarily better.

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