Has anyone had a large decrease in bone density after one year

I’d be very interested in reading that. I hope you share on the Osteostrong thread or create a new thread when you learn more!

This is an abstract that I found

Would appreciate feedback since I am not fluent on interpreting research

This Greek study is interesting even though it only had 140 participants. I’m not a statistician but it looks like the 70 women who used the Osteostrong machines had a bigger increase in bone mass (lower T-score after 9 months of using the equipment) than the control group of 70 women who did not use the Osteostrong machines. Of particular note, was the improvement to the T-score of the trabecular bone, which I did not even know they could measure! Anyway, from what I can see from the results, the gains weren’t huge but they do say they are statistically relevant. It will be interesting to see the final results after 12 months of use.

The part that bothers me about Osteostrong, is that it runs as a franchise and it’s not that expensive to buy one. So who watches over the people who use the machines? What are their qualifications and are they as careful as they need to be when adjusting the machines for each individual and ensuring they are in the right position before loading their muscles/bones. I think if someone is already fit and understands correct body position, this can be a good tool. I’m a little reticent as my spine is weak and extreme loading in the wrong position can’t be good! But I’d love to hear other people’s position on this, as I’m trying to keep an open mind. I’ve done a demo and I’m a little petite for one of the machines, but all the women who I saw there swear by it, saying their T-scores have stabilized or improved since participating.

Interesting that your doctor said Prolia wouldn't work for you. May I ask what your T-score is and why your doctor doesn't think it will work for you? I am asking because my numbers dropped 5% in my spine to an average T-score of -3.1 (my hips are are -2.5). My doctor is recommending Prolia, but after hearing other people's stories on this website I have decided to get a consultation with Dr. McCormick before starting Prolia.

I am very interested in HRT as a stop gap solution. May I ask your age and your number of years since menopause. I am 64 years old and been in menopause for about 15 years. I've been listening to a lot of podcasts on HRT, offered by Peter Attia on The Drive. It sounds like many doctors won't prescribe HRT for women my age/length of menopause.

Thanks!
I only had two Dexascans on the same machine (supposedly) one year apart. I want to get another one in November and hopefully that will help 🙂

@janflute I also see a doc at MGH and have seen Dr. McCormick over the years. He will recommend either Reclast or alendronate with a preference for Reclast, if he suggests for you what he suggests for me.

I have kidney issues so my endo is doing a 20% dose of Reclast as a test dose. I had to push for IV hydration. Nephrologist wants me to hydrate with salty fluids including Pedialyte, before during and after. I can't drink that much Pedialyte! Also ask for a slow infusion and take tylenol before and after.

I know many people who have done full dose with no problems, including my frail immune compromised friend who just did chemo. The only reason for caution with me is my kidney disease.

@teb what age group does the 1 in 26 statistic cover? If it covers all ages, and the statistic for 85+ is 1 in 8, then those of us in 60's and 70's must be closer to the 1 in 8 ( a stat I see everywhere).

I actually had a hormone-driven breast cancer. In some of my genomic tests, a risk above 4.7% of recurrence is considered "high." We all read stats differently and I think many of us feel that we are not the ones who will get cancer. I had no close relatives with breast cancer and no risk factors.

I am struggling with the need for Reclast after Tymlos so I understand the need for alternatives. But I also know that if any breast cancer cells lurk, hormones will often feed them. Eighty percent of breast cancers are fed by estrogen.

I hope you get the results you are looking for with that combination. Interesting about your doctor’s perspective on the effectiveness of HRT due to the length of time between menopause. I’m going to consult with a doctor that specializes in bioitentical hormones and see what she has to say about that. In a video on OsteoBoston with Dr. McCormick, he mentioned that the brain receptors may not accept the estrogen anymore due to a lack of use. Opinions seem to be changing though. Please let us all know how it goes with Osteostrong. I am working out several times a week, but still considering joining Osteostrong. I am trying to mimick the isometric loading in the gym in the meantime.

Like you, I am (so far) a cancer survivor....ovarian cancer, another estrogen fed cancer that is particularly deadly, due in part because there is no early screening and thus it is most often diagnosed at a much later stage when treatment options are still rather limited.

In no uncertain terms, my gynecological oncologist, whose skill I credit with saving my life, dismissed any discussion about possible HRT. I brought it up because I was seeing rapidly developing aging changes during post cancer treatment follow-up.

My understanding is that some estrogen is still produced post-menopause, especially (somehow) in fatty tissue. Between my cancer treatment and my physique, my oncologist believed I was making zero estrogen and that this was important to preventing cancer recurrence.

He has since moved to a different state so I do not see him anymore. Would love to hear his assessment of all the present discussion of using HRT for hot flashes and for osteo problems. Will ask a different oncologist at my next review but would be nice if an oncological specialist at Mayo might engage here and enlighten us on current thinking.

I do not doubt the substantial benefits of estrogen for all sorts of things. And the old HRT study may well be flawed. But are there other studies, completed or in the works, that show that HRT benefits might outweigh cancer risks?

Thank you! I have until next July, when I go off Forteo, to make this decision. How do you get in contact with Dr. McCormick?