Dear Ahmeyers,

I said exactly the same thing - I wish I'd never gotten a DXA scan! Since receiving the terrible news about my spine, I've become increasingly nervous about hiking and exercising, including the yoga I have done for years. Like you, I prefer to manage my health naturally. I have learned so much in the past few years, bit by bit, that I wish I'd known at my first diagnosis. Taking calcium supplements, for instance, is much more complicated than just taking a pill. I've learned that phytonutrients from nuts, seeds and whole grains can inhibit the absorption of calcium. For the first year after my first DXA, I took my calcium immediately after a breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries, walnuts and flax seeds. Ack! By my understanding, that calcium bonded with the phytates and washed right out of my body.

Most recently, I've started working with the Integrative Medicine Department at the University of California at Irvine. I see an herbalist there who immediately recommended adding K2 and fish oil to my supplement regime. She suggested Nordic Naturals, as she has done a third party review of their ingredients and is confident of their integrity. I also went to an excellent physical therapist who helped me to learn core strengthening and balance exercises, to help me avoid a fall.

This week, I received the book Great Bones, Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis, by R. Keith McCormick, DC. I'm super impressed by his comprehensive discussion about the metabolic process involved in bone-building. I really, really wish I'd had this book to study four years ago. If I had, I might not be facing Evenity at this point. My OP is the result of having overactive parathyroid glands (a common condition for women). I only have one parathyroid left, and it's doing a good job, so my endocrinologist feels that the bone building medications that simulate parathyroid hormone would be too risky for me. The plan for me is to take Evenity injections for one year, and then switch immediately to Reclast to maintain the bone building we hope to achieve with Evenity.

I hope this information is useful for you. I feel exactly as you do - I'd much rather manage this naturally, but it seems that it's too late for me. I'm between a rock and a not-very-hard-spine place.

All my best to you,

wilkenlmw