How do you halt the progress of osteoporosis?

I did not want to take Alendronate (Fosamax), but after seeing 3 different doctors--all well respectbed--including an endocrinologist, I decided to take their advice. They all strongly recommended taking Alendronate. The information I found on the Internet that was warning against taking Alendronate came from sources that I couldn't feel confident about, although I didn't do a lot of digging into it. So, I'm confused. I have severe osteoporosis in the lower spine, and the thought of getting a fracture is very worrisome. Is there anyone out there with a positive story about Alendronate/Fosamax?

I did not want to take Alendronate (Fosamax), but after seeing 3 different doctors--all well respectbed--including an endocrinologist, I decided to take their advice. They all strongly recommended taking Alendronate. The information I found on the Internet that was warning against taking Alendronate came from sources that I couldn't feel confident about, although I didn't do a lot of digging into it. So, I'm confused. I have severe osteoporosis in the lower spine, and the thought of getting a fracture is very worrisome. Is there anyone out there with a positive story about Alendronate/Fosamax?

Chris, thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and tell your story. I'm glad to hear you have had no untoward effects from Alendronate. I feel more encouraged about taking it, based on your experience.

There is definitely a lot of information "out there" to make someone think twice about taking Alendronate, which really makes one feel between a rock and a hard place.

Thanks again for your input and kind words. I'm happy for you that Alendronate is going well, and I hope your next Dexa will be happy news.

@hillclan I would echo what windy shores is telling you!!! Good luck to you

@hillclan I assume you have not yet done any meds? Primary care docs tend to prescribe anti-resorptives like Fosamax or Prolia first. The problem is, my docs, my reading and various studies show that the bone building drugs Forteo, Tymlos or Evenity should be done first, before Fosamax/alendronate. In fact, bone builders have been shown to be less effective if done after Fosamax or Prolia. The problem is that insurance companies require that we fail the antiresorptives first before approving bone builders. If your DEXA results are severe perhaps your doc can advocate for you.

See Ben Leder MD's video online about Sequencing and Combinations and Dr. Keith MCCormick's book Great Bones for more info!

Who did you see at Mayo in MN or AZ?

This is a long post regarding insurance and osteoporosis drugs:
I’m a social worker and my side hustle for 30 years was home health/hospice. The problem that came up the most with patients was drugs and paying for them. I learned the best way to help patients choose a Part D plan - call Medicare with patient and go over all of patients meds over the phone. The Medicare person on phone was generally polite and well trained. I even designed a form that we would use to enter all the information about each Part D plan. The patient could see which plan was best for them and sign up for it right then. This all is possible during open enrollment- October 15 through December 7. Now.
I no longer do this for patients as I retired from side gig (not from main job), but do this every year for my husband as he is on a zillion drugs.
Before i went on Medicare, I could not get my osteoporosis drugs covered. Now, I’m on traditional Medicare and it covered the astronomical cost of the Evenity that I am getting.
I have learned that traditional Medicare is always best for people with medical problems.
Meaning, not Medicare Advantage plans. You do save the cost of paying for a supplement if you go on an Advantage plan.
My and my husband’s supplement (combined) costs $290 monthly. Anyone who can afford this cost would benefit from choosing traditional Medicare.
As I used to tell my patients, with traditional Medicare you are using a plan that you’ve been paying into your entire life. Which is run by the federal government. With Medicare Advantage plans, you are dealing with an insurance company.
Advantage plans can change at any time.
Our supplements are through AARP. They publish a newsletter and a magazine which we receive. These contain a lot of useful information about drugs, insurance, research on drugs, how government is helping or not helping with cost of drugs, etc. I recommend these publications to anyone whether they choose AARP or another plan.
Best to everyone who is struggling to get osteo drugs covered. It’s ridiculously complex.

Susan,
I have the advantage plan and I am in the donut hole . I am paying $560. A month out of pocket for Evenity then when the new year starts it will go down until I reach the maximum again. It will only take a few months for that to happen due to the high cost of Evenity.
When you are on the traditional plan don’t you also reach the donut hole ?