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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Fortibone is good. Stay away from Calcitrate imo

REPLY
Profile picture for her2 @her2

Thank you for sharing. I too have osteopenia in my left hip.
Hypercalcium level in blood lab. I am awaiting a scheduled PET scan to see if my HER 2 cancer has metastasized somewhere. Trying to find an answer to what elevated calcium refers to. I stopped Vitamin D and Calcium supplements a week ago. I went to the Caribbean for sunshine and a volcano mud soak. I feel much better.
I had 19 infusions of chemo infusion treatments in 18 months. The break was good.

Jump to this post

@her2 hyperparathyroidism?

REPLY
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.

Jump to this post

@oopsiedaisy Thanks again for your notes about hypercalciuria and/or hyperparathyroidism.

Based on your notes and others such as @sebutler about hyperparathyroidism, and in part because of the low cost, I did add in a CALCIUM, 24 HOUR URINE NW (W/O CREATININE) test. It was only a $15 addition to the CTX and P1NP tests that I ordered from Jason Health. I am in the "normal" range.

The JH test includes the collection "hat" and the collection jug but you have to visit the lab in advance to pick those up. You also have to read about full prep instructions elsewhere as the instructions from JH where inadequate.

The whole 24-hour urine pee-in-the-hat was more tricky than I anticipated. Fortunately I practiced for a day before my actual collection. The following additional notes may seem like TMI, but it may help someone else.

Some of us find it challenging to 100% separate urination from bowel movement. In other words, it is not uncommon for women that, when pooping, some additional pee tends to come out. Fortunately I already owned a female urination device for sports. With that I was able to catch every drop in the "hat", which is important for the accuracy of this test.

If you need to buy a FUD, which are easily available for hikers and pregnant people, then be sure to get one that is fairly small (such as one for hiking) and that directs the urine somewhat more forward than down. That way you can sit and hold the FUD funnel going into the "hat" while your back end is doing #2.

My brand is "Freshette" brand. The "EllaPee" on Amazon looks good. Be sure to practice in advance!

REPLY

It also has Boron which I don't see listed in ingredients in most osteoporosis supplements

REPLY

Hi all Osteoporosis treatment seekers: This is no sure cure, but I encourage you to do some research of how dried prunes can maybe make a difference in our bodies bone health. Some researchers say to eat 6-10 prunes a day, others recommend 4-6 per day; however I have no proof that this added dietary change will result in better DEXA scores for our Osteoporosis. The basis of this recommendation is that dried or stewed prunes contain Boron. As your research continues you may want to include any trials using dietary Boron &/or Prunes that may offer positive results.
I have tried this dietary additive and will update you after I get the Post-12 mo Evenity treatment DEXA scan. Dried prunes have sugar, but are a quick & easy treat to the pallet and maybe make our bones stronger too?!? Just a thought to consider…. Best to you!

REPLY
Profile picture for dbamos1945 @dbamos1945

Hi all Osteoporosis treatment seekers: This is no sure cure, but I encourage you to do some research of how dried prunes can maybe make a difference in our bodies bone health. Some researchers say to eat 6-10 prunes a day, others recommend 4-6 per day; however I have no proof that this added dietary change will result in better DEXA scores for our Osteoporosis. The basis of this recommendation is that dried or stewed prunes contain Boron. As your research continues you may want to include any trials using dietary Boron &/or Prunes that may offer positive results.
I have tried this dietary additive and will update you after I get the Post-12 mo Evenity treatment DEXA scan. Dried prunes have sugar, but are a quick & easy treat to the pallet and maybe make our bones stronger too?!? Just a thought to consider…. Best to you!

Jump to this post

@dbamos1945 I also have been eating prunes along with my cottage cheese...1 cup of cottage cheese is 28g of protein...and prunes gives me boron. As a dental hygienist (albeit retired), I saw many patients who had decay between their teeth due to ingestion of dried fruit that always gets stuck there; and it is concentrated sugar. So my suggestion is to eat all prunes at the same time and then floss and brush teeth.
On a totally different note, IF ebola/marburg becomes and issue, I have read to avoid foods and supplements with zinc and eat citrus (lemons, oranges).
Best - Gracie

REPLY
Profile picture for dbamos1945 @dbamos1945

Hi all Osteoporosis treatment seekers: This is no sure cure, but I encourage you to do some research of how dried prunes can maybe make a difference in our bodies bone health. Some researchers say to eat 6-10 prunes a day, others recommend 4-6 per day; however I have no proof that this added dietary change will result in better DEXA scores for our Osteoporosis. The basis of this recommendation is that dried or stewed prunes contain Boron. As your research continues you may want to include any trials using dietary Boron &/or Prunes that may offer positive results.
I have tried this dietary additive and will update you after I get the Post-12 mo Evenity treatment DEXA scan. Dried prunes have sugar, but are a quick & easy treat to the pallet and maybe make our bones stronger too?!? Just a thought to consider…. Best to you!

Jump to this post

@dbamos1945 you might be true about prunes. Prunes contain boron as do many bone health supplements. The one I take has calcium citrate (I avoid calcium carbonate ) vitamin K, D, and boron.

REPLY
Profile picture for eileenvan @eileenvan

Fortibone is good. Stay away from Calcitrate imo

Jump to this post

@eileenvan After researching FORTIBONE , it looks like a winner. Thank you, Eileen!

REPLY
Profile picture for njx58 @njx58

Calciven is nothing more than a combination of calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 - mostly D3 and K2. There is nothing special about it, and given that it costs $40 for a month's supply, it's very expensive.

Jump to this post

@njx58 There are so many people out there trying to make a buck off of a vulnerable population! It's infuriating.

REPLY
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5

@lisamarechal I don't know anything about Calciven which I presume is a supplement? I did the exercise (weightlifting in particular which I was already doing) and calcium supplements when I was diagnosed with osteopenia. Unfortunately it eventually progressed to osteoporosis. I avoided medications as long as possible until I had a fracture. My endocrinologist told me that it was clear I was doing everything I could but the fracture changed that. He recommended medication so that's what I did. My bone density results attest to the positive outcome.

Yes, please share your test results. When will you have your next bone density exam?

Jump to this post

@naturegirl5 medication did you get on?
I’m 61 and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lumbar spine so kind of freaking out a bit and trying to sift through all of the information on over the counter supplements versus the Prolia shot.
Would really appreciate anyone in my same situation, letting me know what worked for them! Thanks in advance.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.