Alternatives to standard Osteoporosis drugs

Posted by annie1 @annie1, May 19, 2025

Has anyone tried Calciven and did it increase your bone density as effectively as Evenity or Forteo ? My Dr. doesn't recognize any drugs besides the standard treatments. End of discussion. The other major problem is that Medicare may no cover it.

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I tried the non-medication approach (with my doctor’s approval) for four years when I was first diagnosed with osteopenia. This included calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K supplements, resistance (weight lifting) training and exercise (3+ hours per week), and a healthy diet based on veggies, fruit and healthy sources of protein (fish and animal protein). I was also on bioidentical HRT.

While it may have slowed down the progression of my osteoporosis, it did not reverse it. After four years, I was now in osteoporosis in my hips. My back did remain in osteopenia.

I would not waste my money on a combination supplement. Just buy each separately. That way you know exactly what you are taking and it’s more cost effective.

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Profile picture for oopsiedaisy @oopsiedaisy

I tried the non-medication approach (with my doctor’s approval) for four years when I was first diagnosed with osteopenia. This included calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K supplements, resistance (weight lifting) training and exercise (3+ hours per week), and a healthy diet based on veggies, fruit and healthy sources of protein (fish and animal protein). I was also on bioidentical HRT.

While it may have slowed down the progression of my osteoporosis, it did not reverse it. After four years, I was now in osteoporosis in my hips. My back did remain in osteopenia.

I would not waste my money on a combination supplement. Just buy each separately. That way you know exactly what you are taking and it’s more cost effective.

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@oopsiedaisy What medication are you on now? Your story is similar to mine. I recently reversed bone loss in my spine. No drugs.

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Profile picture for dvargo @dvargo

@oopsiedaisy What medication are you on now? Your story is similar to mine. I recently reversed bone loss in my spine. No drugs.

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@dvargo Evenity. I was recently diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalciuria and placed on hydrochlorothiazide which may explain why the non-med lifestyle, supplements, and HRT approach didn’t work for me.

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Profile picture for dvargo @dvargo

@oopsiedaisy What medication are you on now? Your story is similar to mine. I recently reversed bone loss in my spine. No drugs.

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@dvargo
Did you take the same approach as @oopsiedaisy?

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Profile picture for oopsiedaisy @oopsiedaisy

@dvargo Evenity. I was recently diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalciuria and placed on hydrochlorothiazide which may explain why the non-med lifestyle, supplements, and HRT approach didn’t work for me.

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@oopsiedaisy Well, that makes sense. I am seeing a pattern that women who need to take the drugs have other issues going on. Continue to do all the wonderful things you have done in the past for your bone health.

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Profile picture for oopsiedaisy @oopsiedaisy

I tried the non-medication approach (with my doctor’s approval) for four years when I was first diagnosed with osteopenia. This included calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K supplements, resistance (weight lifting) training and exercise (3+ hours per week), and a healthy diet based on veggies, fruit and healthy sources of protein (fish and animal protein). I was also on bioidentical HRT.

While it may have slowed down the progression of my osteoporosis, it did not reverse it. After four years, I was now in osteoporosis in my hips. My back did remain in osteopenia.

I would not waste my money on a combination supplement. Just buy each separately. That way you know exactly what you are taking and it’s more cost effective.

Jump to this post

@oopsiedaisy Did your exercise include impact? If so, which did you do?

Thanks for noting your hypercalciuria as possible culprit. I plan to do a self-pay test for that based on your and a few others experiences with it.

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Profile picture for pmhpesp5 @pmhpesp5

@dvargo
Did you take the same approach as @oopsiedaisy?

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@pmhpesp5 Yes, except no drugs. I was shocked last month after my Rems test I went from-2.9 to -2.4.

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Profile picture for kfhoz @kfhoz

@oopsiedaisy Did your exercise include impact? If so, which did you do?

Thanks for noting your hypercalciuria as possible culprit. I plan to do a self-pay test for that based on your and a few others experiences with it.

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@kfhoz I jump down from an 18-inch height 32 times 3 times per week. I also jog intermittently when I go for a walk - I shoot for about 10 minutes total out of a 45 minute walk.

I used to run quite a lot when I was younger but haven't in recent years.

Glad you are getting a test for hypercalciuria. It's a bit frustrating that no one thought to do this for me for 12 years even though the only risk factor I appeared to have was age. I was diagnosed pretty young, too (53).

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Profile picture for dvargo @dvargo

@oopsiedaisy What medication are you on now? Your story is similar to mine. I recently reversed bone loss in my spine. No drugs.

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@dvargo Can you share how you did that? Hoping to do the same.

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Profile picture for dvargo @dvargo

@oopsiedaisy What medication are you on now? Your story is similar to mine. I recently reversed bone loss in my spine. No drugs.

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@dvargo I am also interested in how you improved your bone density. 🙂

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