1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Osteoporosis

Posted by tilou @tilou, Nov 11, 2023

Is or are there any helf or treatments for osteoporosis other than drugs? I am 83 years old and have a compression fracture of the spine because I lifted a heavy garden pot (I was thinking I was 20 years old and love gardening!!!). My DA makes me wear a heavy belt to avoid bending. Nothing else.

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meganstpaulmn | @meganstpaulmn | Nov 25, 2023

Sounds reasonable to me. I had a major vertebrae fracture in July and was given a back brace to wear while it healed naturally. I'm actually doing pretty good now.

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2 replies
meganstpaulmn | @meganstpaulmn | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @jessicamc "I visited an orthopedic dr who has an osteoporosis clinic. Wanted his opinion about trying Prolia..." + (show)
@jessicamc

I visited an orthopedic dr who has an osteoporosis clinic. Wanted his opinion about trying Prolia per my GP recommendation. Was leery about Prolia because of jaw bone warnings. He said they have learned that after 5-6 years you should stop Prolia for a year to avoid that complication. My mom tried an oral osteoporosis med and it aggravated her stomach too much and she quit it. She lived with me for 15 years and was in good health but at 94 she fell one morning and broke several bones and only lived 4 weeks. I took care of her with hospice help. She had so much pain it broke my heart. I am willing to try an osteoporosis med after watching her. I’m 77 and active. I go to the Y and walk the padded indoor track with a weighted backpack to help bone density and then use other exercises to strengthen my core.
I have 4 neighbors who are on different osteoporosis meds and doing well.

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I've had severe osteoporosis for over 5 years. My understanding, from the doctor I see, is that you start by taking Fosamax type meds and would not start on Prolia unless Fosamax failed io help. I guess I wouldn't take Prolia if I had not sufferd any fractures and not tried a med. with less side effects first.

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1 reply
tilou | @tilou | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @meganstpaulmn "Sounds reasonable to me. I had a major vertebrae fracture in July and was given a..." + (show)
@meganstpaulmn

Sounds reasonable to me. I had a major vertebrae fracture in July and was given a back brace to wear while it healed naturally. I'm actually doing pretty good now.

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Congrats. Megan, you are encouraging me, I have the same but still wearing the brace. No drugs for me anymore after a first try (when I was much younger) which caused very bad side effects and discontinued.
I wish you good continuation on your progress.

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tilou | @tilou | Nov 26, 2023

Did anyone use a sunlamp for osteoporosis? If yes what kind do you recommend?

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jessicamc | @jessicamc | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @meganstpaulmn "I've had severe osteoporosis for over 5 years. My understanding, from the doctor I see, is..." + (show)
@meganstpaulmn

I've had severe osteoporosis for over 5 years. My understanding, from the doctor I see, is that you start by taking Fosamax type meds and would not start on Prolia unless Fosamax failed io help. I guess I wouldn't take Prolia if I had not sufferd any fractures and not tried a med. with less side effects first.

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I have issues with my stomach and three compression fractures in my spine plus I’m 77. Maybe that’s why Prolia was the choice?

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surfsonge27 | @surfsonge27 | Nov 27, 2023

Not sure what a DA is, but there are meds to help, consult a rheumatologist or Medical doctor

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1 reply
tilou | @tilou | Nov 27, 2023
In reply to @surfsonge27 "Not sure what a DA is, but there are meds to help, consult a rheumatologist or..." + (show)
@surfsonge27

Not sure what a DA is, but there are meds to help, consult a rheumatologist or Medical doctor

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Sorry I meant a DO!!!!

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windyshores | @windyshores | Dec 1, 2023

With fractures or severe osteoporosis it is better to start with Forteo, Tymlos or Evenity, I have been told by my doc and read (see "Great Bones" by McCormick). Not sure why folks are starting with a bisphosphonate like Reclast or a med like Prolia unless it is for insurance reasons. Many insurances require a bisphosphonate or Prolia first but using them first can affect the effectiveness of the bone builders. It is commonly known among docs that the bone builders should be first. Insurance policies need to change!

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 7 1:37pm
In reply to @windyshores "@cpd54 and @tilou Dr. Keith McCormick has a lot of information on "Whole Body Approaches to..." + (show)
@windyshores

@cpd54 and @tilou Dr. Keith McCormick has a lot of information on "Whole Body Approaches to Osteoporosis" (the title of his first book) but is a strong proponent of medications when needed. He himself had fractures and did Forteo followed by a year of Reclast, I believe.

@tilou if you have already fractured, I hope you will consider Forteo, Tymlos or Evenity to build back bone. I chose Tymlos because the dose is adjustable and it is very good for spine. I have spinal fractures and my bone density went from -3.3 to -2.5 (borderline) in 18 month of daily injections of Tymlos.

Keith McCormick's latest book "Great Bones" has a lot of info on meds as well as holistic approaches, which can be used together or in sequence. He does consultations in person and by phone.

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@tilou- Hello. When your T score went from -3.3 down to 2.5 on Tymlos did you stop taking Tymlos? It is my understanding that -3 and less is osteoporosis. And yours got worse.

Merry

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1 reply
tilou | @tilou | Jan 7 3:08pm
In reply to @meganstpaulmn "Sounds reasonable to me. I had a major vertebrae fracture in July and was given a..." + (show)
@meganstpaulmn

Sounds reasonable to me. I had a major vertebrae fracture in July and was given a back brace to wear while it healed naturally. I'm actually doing pretty good now.

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Hi Megan, did you remove your back brace? Has all your back pain disappeared after your fracture healed?

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