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.

@artscaping

Good afternoon @windyshores. Wow....perhaps I don't understand what "lock-in" means. Is that your terminology or can you find it in my new "Bible"......Great Bones. According to the author, Dr. McCormick, Evenity should be followed by at least 12 months of a biphosphonate to prevent rebound and increased bone resorption.

I so appreciate your help and want to make sure that you and I are on the same page and hopefully using the same language. Just in case you want to check, I am on page 557.

May you have peace and contentment.
Chris

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My doc and McCormick used the term "lock in." A year of Reclast is one infusion 🙂 I love that "Great Bones" is so helpful.

On page 559 he writes that Reclast or Prolia should be taken immediately after Evenity (after the year) to prevent rebound resorption. Two pages ahead of you!

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@gigi4

I take Ultra K2, 1 capsule per day, from the company Klaire Labs, recommended by my doctor.

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I just bought and took one capsule of K2--they didn't have the ultra K you mentioned. Is that the same thing, only less?

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@windyshores

@artscaping I have been told that Evenity also has to be followed by another drug to "lock in" gains. The manufacturer suggests Prolia, which is also made by Amgen, but Reclast or alendronate can also be used. According to my docs.

Dr. McCormick's book "Great Bones" explains that Evenity is mainly bone-building for the first 6 months or so and then has an anti-resorptive effect more in the last 6 months, affecting turnover, but less so than Prolia or bisphosphonates.

You wrote: "The difference with Evenity is that after building the bone, this medication protects the bone from reabsorption." My impression from docs is that Evenity does suppress turnover, which is how Prolia and bisphosphonates work (but to a lesser extent) but this is not the same thing as "locking gains in."

Are you hearing that Evenity doesn't require follow-up? I am just trying to clarify your comment. I am doing Tymlos and then Reclast and actually like that Tymlos has no anti-resorptive effect since that means building quality bone, no dental issues and no risk of atypical fracture.

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Thanx for responding to me re Evenity and injections following treatment. I just started estrogen replacement therapy again. I know that doesn’t build bones, but can help to maintain them. Go to Google and type in ERT in England or United Kingdom. They have a whole different and positive outlook on hormone therapy for osteoporosis. I am only taking the lowest estrogen patch. I do not take progestin as that one has a higher risk for cancer. Many of my friends have taken ERT for 30 to 40 years and not had any side effects. I had a hysterectomy at 40 and was on the patch for thirty yrs. with no side effects or osteoporosis. However, I went off it 10 yrs ago due to doctor’s orders re clotting. So I just went back on, and hopefully there will be some benefits. I live in Mpls. Are you in MN?

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@judy58

Thanx for responding to me re Evenity and injections following treatment. I just started estrogen replacement therapy again. I know that doesn’t build bones, but can help to maintain them. Go to Google and type in ERT in England or United Kingdom. They have a whole different and positive outlook on hormone therapy for osteoporosis. I am only taking the lowest estrogen patch. I do not take progestin as that one has a higher risk for cancer. Many of my friends have taken ERT for 30 to 40 years and not had any side effects. I had a hysterectomy at 40 and was on the patch for thirty yrs. with no side effects or osteoporosis. However, I went off it 10 yrs ago due to doctor’s orders re clotting. So I just went back on, and hopefully there will be some benefits. I live in Mpls. Are you in MN?

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I have had hormone-driven breast cancer so HRT is not an option for me! If you had a hysterectomy at 40 that is a whole different situation. It sounds like you might be close to my age 🙂 I am in MA.

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@lashu

I have a -3.8 in my spinal disc. And osteopenia elsewhere. Am 82, have only taken vitamins up until now, and my doctor wants me on Evenity. But he sees it as my only option, due to my health conditions/limitations. So what happens when I complete that treatment, if follow up treatment with other meds that I cannot take is necessary? Tsk

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Hi lashu:
I have just gotten a treadmill with arms on the sides. I can set the walking speed or no speed and have something to grip on if needed.

There must be some weight-bearing exercises that you can do...Ask for a PT referral for this.
Even holding onto the door frame with both hands and raising your leg to a march in place is weight-bearing.

Check out osteoporosis yoga and do the ones you can do...

Please check out all the med options before you commit to any..

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@timely

Hi lashu:
I have just gotten a treadmill with arms on the sides. I can set the walking speed or no speed and have something to grip on if needed.

There must be some weight-bearing exercises that you can do...Ask for a PT referral for this.
Even holding onto the door frame with both hands and raising your leg to a march in place is weight-bearing.

Check out osteoporosis yoga and do the ones you can do...

Please check out all the med options before you commit to any..

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Thank you, timely: I have signed up with, and have met once with, a physical therapist. I requested PT after my endocrinologist described my conditions with bones weaknesses, and was referred to one. The exercises assigned so far emphasize strengthening of the back muscles and are most interesting. They focus on the abdomen area and the thigh area. I will mention the treadmill possibility to her Friday when I am to see her again.
I am the sole caregiver for my husband who was paralyzed on his right side from a stroke fifteen years ago. This care and the relatively large house we live in does provide some built in weight bearing exercises. Judging from what the endocrinologist warned, these domestic demands must be done with caution as I am told one wrong move, just a stretch in the wrong direction, may result in permanent back pain.
Thank you again, I am taking your example seriously and shall proceed with caution.

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@lashu

Thank you, timely: I have signed up with, and have met once with, a physical therapist. I requested PT after my endocrinologist described my conditions with bones weaknesses, and was referred to one. The exercises assigned so far emphasize strengthening of the back muscles and are most interesting. They focus on the abdomen area and the thigh area. I will mention the treadmill possibility to her Friday when I am to see her again.
I am the sole caregiver for my husband who was paralyzed on his right side from a stroke fifteen years ago. This care and the relatively large house we live in does provide some built in weight bearing exercises. Judging from what the endocrinologist warned, these domestic demands must be done with caution as I am told one wrong move, just a stretch in the wrong direction, may result in permanent back pain.
Thank you again, I am taking your example seriously and shall proceed with caution.

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Make sure that they are not having you do any exercises for the abdomen that lift your back in a curve in either direction. That would not be good.

Please fill us in on what abdomen exercises you are doing.

I think that most of us are not aware before being told about the possibility of a fracture with an odd movement.
But we need to just practice proper posture and go with the flow and live life as best as possible.

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I was just talking with someone who is a recent convert to plant based diet. What bothered is that she proclaimed that milk does nothing to prevent/,treat osteoporosis. Thoughts on her statement?

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@naomid

This is why so many of us are searching. Somebody needs to come up with a better drug if that's all the medical profession is pushing. And doctors need to be trained in other ways of treating us so that drugs are not their only line of defense.

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Agree. I watched this webcast done a few years ago at Hopkins, and some one asked the doctor if they were working on new drugs and she just smiles and says how it’s very expensive, you need 5000 patients and they need to be ‘virgin’ ( never treated) patients so, no, they’re not really working on new things, she wishes they were but this is what we’ve got. Earlier she said how ‘ every medicine has side effects.” She reminded me of the doctor I see who pushes Evenity, these women are like 35 and they talk to us like we’re toddlers who won’t take our medicine.

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@timely

Hi lashu:
I have just gotten a treadmill with arms on the sides. I can set the walking speed or no speed and have something to grip on if needed.

There must be some weight-bearing exercises that you can do...Ask for a PT referral for this.
Even holding onto the door frame with both hands and raising your leg to a march in place is weight-bearing.

Check out osteoporosis yoga and do the ones you can do...

Please check out all the med options before you commit to any..

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Wow, great advice. I do a lot of water PT, especially because my hip replacement is 16 years old and I'd like to avoid a revision. I also wonder about the pharms for bones in reference to my hip bone and its relationship to the ceramic/titanium part. If the jaw can be tricky with infection etc. I know a hip replacement can also be tricky with infection.
I have had a history of a torn miniscus and addressing the problem involves exercises where I do lift my back in lying position with bent knees. For muscles and bone strengthening now the PT gave me an exercise where I bend the back INTO the floor, meanwhile tensing the inner abdominal muscles. I know walking is very good as a weight bearing exercise. I do a lot of it around the house, up and down the stairs around twelve times a day at least. And shopping and browsing a good bit at the stores. Not so much walking on a treadmill or just 'taking a walk' in the neighborhood. But walking in place, I'll do that more. Have begun doing that. Do you add weights on your legs?

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