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Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Sep 2 10:11am | Replies (1085)

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@jaleen

I am 85 with severe osteorposis. I was on Fosamax for 8 years, having regular bone scans every two years during that time. Every bone scan showed that I had lost more bone density. My doctor took me off Fosamax, after the 8 years, because of reports of broken femor bones on some women who had been on the drug for more than 5 years. He would have approved of my having an injection drug (Forteo or Prolia) but, after I spent hours investigating these drugs, decided that I would not take any drug for osteoporosis. I increased my calcium intake and started doing more weight-bearing exercising including walking. I had therapy - not for the bones, but to strengthen the muscles around the bones. I have had 2 bone scans in the 5 years since I stopped Fosamax and the scans have shown no new bone loss, i.e., my bones are stable.I feel great and feel that I have made the right decision to forego osteoporosis drugs. They might work for some people but I question whether the benefits are worth the risks for many women. PS - a friend of my daughter-in-law who was on Prolia had gum deterioration and lost many teeth, resulting a year off the job. Maybe these drugs work for some people, but in my opinion it's like Russian Roulette and I personally am not going to take a chance on any of them. My motto is: diet and exercise! It works and is good for a person 's whole body, including the bones. I just wish more doctors would be pushing this instead of prescription drugs.

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Replies to "I am 85 with severe osteorposis. I was on Fosamax for 8 years, having regular bone..."

Thanks @jaleen for this rational and encouraging message of encouragement to our osteoporosic members and friends. Your story could have been written by my wife who, now in her upper 70s, is physically "perfect" (she says) after leaving 6 years of Fosamax behind 3 years ago. She has taken up bowling, biking, and hiking -- including a 60-mile 3-day walk raising money to fight breast cancer, after three months of training during which she worked up to 18-mile near-nonstop hikes. Our walks together now are not social affairs, because she leaves me in her dust after about a half-mile. She works out in our home gym or neighborhood facility five days a week, takes modest calcium and Vitamin D supplements, and like me, looks forward to 20 more years of active life. Martin

Thank you for your reply...interesting..had heard about fosamax and problems with it. Did try on recomendation from doctor but did not agree with me..I'm 68y/o and lead quite an active life, working part time as job entails lifting/cleaning/general duties including deliveries. Came off my scooter last year, xrays showed severe bone loss..am trying to build up.

WOW... go you too... thank you for reply