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I reversed osteoporosis without drugs
I had my bone quality test yesterday along with another bone density test. This was my third bone density test in 14 months.
My first bone density test was Nov 2021.
I started consulting with different doctors. If I must take meds I would. But I had to get to the truth.
The physician who appeared to know the most is Keith McCormick DC the chiropractor who got osteoporosis at a very young age and really understands it.
That first DEXA scan showed I had mild osteoperosis of the spine, within the margin of error.
So no McCormick said to take the CTX (blood) test and a few others.
CTX was good.
My CTX shows that the osteoclasts are not breaking down too much bone. therefore, my next bone density test shouldn’t show that that I am much worse.
I decided not to wait until 2 years for another scan and took
I took another bone density (aka DEXA) scan 10/2022 to see if that was true about the CTX.
My spine was actually better in that scan and it was now osteopenia.
My hip was a little worse bringing it outside the margin of error. McCormick said this was a tough call so I said to him why don’t I get a bone quality test (that he told me about) and I figured that will buy me a little time anyway lol.
Unfortunately, the bone quality test only measures the spine.
Since it’s unusual for your spine to get better and your hip to get worse, it made me think - what have I done differently since the last test? Why would my spine improve but not my hip? What is my spine doing that my hip is not?
I decided it had to be the Supernatural virtual reality exercise app that I exercise to (on the oculus quest VR helmet). Even though I am striking the air, there actually is resistance, and I push hard to hit it as powerfully as I can.
I decided to put weights on my ankles. Everything I read says weight training should be once or twice a week, and I certainly only did it once.
Back to yesterday and the bone quality (TBS) test and yet another bone density (DEXA) test.
My hip was back to where it was on the first test. This put me back inside the margin of error where I would not have to take medication
This demonstrated to me that the CTX score did in fact mean I'm not losing density quickly.
Yesterday's test shows that my spine continued to improve and my bone density score was no longerosteopenia. It was normal. My bone quality test was great. The tech really loved it and called me over to show me how I was completely in the green meaning It was normal which is a little unusual at my age, 74, altogether.
I may be wrong about supernatural helping.
I’ll probably take the DEXA again in six months because I am anxious to see how the hip does, and if it improves even more.
And if so, I’ll turn myself into a study. 😂
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Do you wear the weights on your ankles?
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1 ReactionMy bone loss sped up after menopause. 🙁
Multi vitamin and C and D and Magnesium mainly
I like a current M.D. who educated me on Reclast, once-a-year injection. I have a copy of the New England Journal of Medicine article. So, I am satisfied enough to comply with the doctor's recommendations. I already had a compression fracture in the spine. But, because, I am physically active, particularly in my 70's, I never felt any pain. I did break a wrist back in 2009, when, I was simply sitting on the bicycle a fell over when anxious about entering a crosswalk.
Never again have I broken a bone. Lots of strengthening exercises supervised by a trainer and using a training manual/workbook for weight lifting exercises.
Now, I have an athletic physique after years of going to the gym and participating in classes and training. At least that counteracts looking weak and being at risk for a fall.
Because the private M.D. had taken me off Fosamax and did not follow up with DexiScans, I did have a decline in bone density in the spine. So, I learned my lesson to have a knowledgeable and caring M.D. who knows about women's health and bone strengthening particularly for later life. I recommend prevention. I like supplements and modern medicine.
That is working for me at this time.
Yes. No more than 1 lb
i have dr that all he says is prolia shots thats it . he is a gbyn ,i say no. no talk about diet or exercise . i like natural for me . so i take vit and some yogurt. fruit ,veg , protein . when i go to my reg dr i will ask for the blood test CTX and see what he says . and hormone test too.
@janpg with rounding back and loss of height, have you had a DEXA scan? Or x-rays? It seems possible you have had some silent fractures. What do you think?
I’ll make a comment here…. To explain a little bit - Bone Strength =Bone Density + Bone Quality
From what I’ve read and studied, and it’s been a lot, and from McCormick’s book over this past 9 months 🥴 The DEXA measures cortical bone. The outer hard layer of bone. The TBS Trabecular Bone Score refers to the bone quality.( Having both tests gives you a clearer picture of what’s going on -And mind you to get a TBS test is no easy task as many endo’s feel it’s of no use.) The TBS measures the quality of softer spongy parts of the vertebrae, and a little of what’s in one of the hip measurements ..ie in the femoral neck. You can understand how your spine needs to be hard but yet flexible so we can move the way we do. That’s different than what your long bones like in your legs or arms are made of - hard, cortical bone. ( That is probably why the hard fall that one took in her arm only resulted in a sprain - that was hard cortical bone) So to explain why that person who changed her bathing suit in the car and fractured, is why and how I fractured last summer. She probably really flexed her spine in a forward motion in a way that for her was excessive of what her vertebrae could handle and she ended up with a compression fracture. The spine , and particular in my opinion, the lumbar area is at risk with that movement.
I hope that explains some of it in more layman’s terms. Good luck to you!! It is a lot to take in, but because I want to feel good about what I end up doing in my own situation, I really wanted to understand things for myself, and recently I did have an appt with McCormick, but as I drew nearer to that I wanted to have intelligent questions to ask him so I got the most out of my appt. It was great to meet with him!!!
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2 Reactions3 x a week right ?
Quite impressive explanation of what you have learned and I thank you. Is the TBS test the only way to determine/assess bone quality?
So curious about your consult with McCormick. Was he able to provide you with anything that you did not already know/understand from your own efforts?