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Can diet and exercise alone rebuild bone mass
My husband was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. His lumbar T-score is -3.3, neck -2.31 and -2.6, hip -1.5 and -1.8.
He was prescribed Alendronate (Fosamax) and we’re concerned with the side-effects. As well as the side-effects of other drugs claiming to build bone mass.
Has anyone had success (with numbers like his) with exercise and diet alone? Also making sure to get enough calcium, Vit D.
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@isabelle7 you have posted a few times about exercise. I, myself, would not rely on diet and exercise with a -3.3 lumbar spine score. But then, I have lumbar fractures and know what that is like: painful and disabling.
Others may have differing opinions.
As I mentioned, I did Tymlos because the dose is adjustable, so it was a good fit because I am sensitive. (Many of us avoid Prolia because if rebound: my doctor doesn't use it.)
What is the doctor prescribing and is insurance cooperating?
Depends on your definition of success. If success means increased density on DEXA, it’s unlikely that nutrition and exercise will do that, unless a disease or nutritional deficiency was the culprit or you do very intense loaded exercise like Liftmor. If success is not fracturing, who can really say. My dexa numbers are similarly low and I have not fractured..yet., no medication…but I am not naive enough to think that I won’t fracture in the future, so I hesitate to claim success. Success might also mean better strength and balance to avoid falls and hopefully not fracture if we fall. Exercise and nutrition can indeed make a difference there.
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7 ReactionsMy doctor said it’s a combination of
Lifestyle ( diet and exercise)
Balance
Medication
To build bones
I know people that use medication alone and have done well on dexa
So likely that’s the most important aspect
But overall lifestyle is so important for all aspects of health
His doctor prescribed Fosinax and no issues with insurance. We have concerns about the side-effects.
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1 Reaction@isabelle7 - I agree with things that have been stated, but will tell you there are many root causes for Osteoporosis. Nutrition could be one , not getting the the supplements for his individual needs is another, exercise certainly will help , but there are several others to consider -blood sugar, hormones, inflammation, etc. Osteoporosis is complicated. Everyone is different. Meds certainly play a critical role, but one should be doing all the other life style things that are beneficial now and on into the future even if meds get you in a better place.
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1 Reaction@ans
My husband developed PMR May 2023 and GCA (giant cell arthritis). He’s been on high-dose prednisone for the majority of the past year.
He’s always exercised routinely, eaten a healthy nutritious diet and has taken supplements. We’ve made sure to include healthy proteins and plenty of calcium via healthy foods.
It’s our understanding that he developed osteoporosis as a result of the high dose prednisone. Do you know if that’s accurate?
We’re wanting to make sure any exercise he does won’t cause more issues for him. His spine T-score is - 3.4 and his other numbers (neck, hips) range from -1.4 to -2.5. An X-ray taken in Feb 2024 showed a new fracture in his back since his X-ray in May 2023. Not sure of any of this info helps give a better picture of where he’s at.
Also. For the past couple of months he’s had low-back pain lasting a couple weeks, resolving for a couple weeks, coming back. This has happened three times which concerns me. He hasn’t wanted me to mention it to his doctor saying it’s just muscular. Any thoughts?