Hi, @inspiration. Glad to interact with you today, because you undoubtedly have a lot to share with us, given how well you are managing your osteoporosis. Taking Actonel once a week and backing that up with endurance/weight exercises looks like an excellent regimen for you. Do you know others with similar therapy and exercise? Do you focus on calcium levels in your blood? How about vitamin D intake?

Could you share with us some of the other medications "they want to give" you? Who are "they?" Are these meds mainly for your bones or for your pulmonary fibrosis?

Does your lung disease limit your physical activity somewhat? How do you know when to slow down or ease up? Have you found any encouraging information on the cause of your IPF, or is its origin still a mystery (idiopathic)?

I'm a little older than you and have no current bone problems I know of. Three years ago, I thought I had lower spine degeneration, but that turned out to be inflammation of my sacroiliac joints with no internal bone damage. However, calcium deficiency may have interfered with my kidney functions and related hypertension.

My interest in osteoporosis comes from my wife's experiences. Since her 70th birthday in 2008, she has been osteopenic (on the road to osteoporosis), but seems to have stalled it with a calcium supplement enriched with vitamin D. Her 6-year affair with daily dosages of Fosamax (similar to your Actonel) was halted two years ago on advice of the FDA. She replaced it with daily one-hour workouts every morning but Sunday in our home gym. Do you think I ought to join her at least once in a while?

I take 1000 mg of Vitamin D and no extra calcium but I drink a lot of milk. My respirologist wants to give me medication for my IPF (Esbriet). Apparently that is the latest on the market. My physical activity is limited when walking or going up stairs. I would have to take 270 pills/month and have my blood tested each month as it can affect your liver. This scares me. It is covered by OHIP - I would pay $3,000 and OHIP would pay $57,000 but I am still reluctant. Everybody should exercise with limitations of course. Yes, join her.

Joan @inspiration, we appreciate your sharing this added information, as well as your steady confidence in managing your circumstances. It's easy to understand your apprehensions about taking on a heavy new medication regimen -- not just a new drug, but its large dosage, required laboratory tracking, and possible affects on your liver. That's a lot to ask of you. Do you think this calls for a second opinion -- and maybe a third -- from the best medical specialists you can find and afford? I get the impression that you are on top of your osteoporosis problem and don't feel a great urgency to confront your pulmonary limitation, but want to make steady progress in both. Am I on the right track?

Yes you are on the right track. I am petrified about taking such strong medication. I might mention to my doctor about a 2nd opinion. I am very intimidated by him. As you know, in Canada we don't pay for a doctor - it's just the wait period that is very long. Thanks for your interest.