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!

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@ymv

Is anyone taking vitamin k as part of your osteoporosis treatment? If so, is it k2 or k3? What dose?

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There are main types of K2, MK4 and MK7. The difference in them is how long they stay in your body, put simply. I take MK4 at a dosage of 45 mgs a day. It’s in my Osteo K calcium from NBI. This is the dosage prescribed in Japan. The MK7 is dosed at up to 120 mcg, I think. You’ll have to look that up.

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@cpd54

There are main types of K2, MK4 and MK7. The difference in them is how long they stay in your body, put simply. I take MK4 at a dosage of 45 mgs a day. It’s in my Osteo K calcium from NBI. This is the dosage prescribed in Japan. The MK7 is dosed at up to 120 mcg, I think. You’ll have to look that up.

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I take 45mcg of MK7.

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Walking 7.5 miles a day. No surgery, no meds, no shots, healthy/clean eating and sunshine.

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In reply to @marinara0 "Marodyne LiV" + (show)
@marinara0

Marodyne LiV

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did your bmd improve with Marodyne?

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@cloud60

I thought bisphosohonates prevent from getting worse but do not improve Numbers significantly.
These work best on people without extreme numbers

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Good morning…….You are correct. However, I had just finished two years of Tymlos and am now trying to save the improvement.

And I did not have extreme numbers. Actually, my new endocrinologist did not feel I needed any medication because my scan numbers were marginal.

Oh well……trying to keep everything strong and moving.
Be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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@kristie2

My endocrin md is fighting for me to start Evenity . My
spine T score is -4.6. I am healthy and take no prescription drugs at all except for migraines. This whole process is so stressful and then trying to fight the insurance companies. They are saying that I need to start with a bisphosphonates such as Fosamax.
Just doesn’t make sense!

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Please check @windyshores reply below. She explains the “insurance” situation extremely well. I agree.
Chris

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I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2021 so I started taking Calcium, D3, K2 as MK7, and Magnesium supplements. I recently had another DEXA scan and the bone density in my spine increased 2% and it increased 5.6% in my hip. It's not a huge increase but at least it is going in the right direction.

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@sgp55

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2021 so I started taking Calcium, D3, K2 as MK7, and Magnesium supplements. I recently had another DEXA scan and the bone density in my spine increased 2% and it increased 5.6% in my hip. It's not a huge increase but at least it is going in the right direction.

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@sgp55 are you in early osteoporosis? The increase in your hip is significant! The values do jump around. I have a chart of my DEXA's since 2001 and I look for trends. It definitely looks like your trend is up 🙂

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I changed machines time before last (didn't know I shouldn't) It was still Yale hospital but a satellite. That said, I went from -2.9 in spine according to new place to -2.1 back to main hospital a year later. Other parts were osteopenia but not bad. How much can error be?
What I did inbetween was lift heavier, 5-6 days a week, concentrating on back and hips. I upped protein when I could, took Thera Cal which had calcium, Vit K2, Magnesium and boron and I took the one with Vit D 2000 since my doc wanted that. I'm lactose intollerant but ate more greek yogurt, oranges, veggies etc but the biggest change was supplements and working out much harder. I also bought weighted vest but only used it walking once or twice a week once summer hit. I sometimes I use it for squats etc. It took me 5 months to work up to 10bs (hyperwear vest)
So the next Dexa will be interesting but I'm glad my doc is conservative and said "no meds" for now. This way changes are more holisitic and not medical. I'm 63.

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@windyshores

@sgp55 are you in early osteoporosis? The increase in your hip is significant! The values do jump around. I have a chart of my DEXA's since 2001 and I look for trends. It definitely looks like your trend is up 🙂

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I'm not sure what you mean by early osteoporosis. I am 68 years old and 20 years postmenopause.
The t-score in my lumbar spine went from -3.10 to -3.00. The t-score in my hip went from -3.00 to -2.70 and the t-score on the femoral neck went from -3.10 to -2.90.
Major osteoporotic fracture risk was 15.90% and is now 15%
Hip fracture risk went from 5.30% to 4.60%

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