Check in--cheerleaders wanted

@sdb2026 If you have a T-score os less than -3.0 "severe osteoporosis" you need to be taking drugs. There are some very good bone building drugs - tymlos, forteo and evenity, Yoga will not help osteoporosis. Lifting heavy weights has been shown to help, but not as much as drugs do. Please explore the drug route with an endocrinologist. You can still lift weights and exercise while on these drugs. It is really not worth getting a fracture.

@summera1 sure! I am still learning; slow and steady. But yes—those are some of the exercises we do. Lots of core strength at first (bc I fractured my L1 in April). Adding in weight bearing activities including the ones you mentioned plus others. More examples are Superman, StepUps, push ups on a counter, among others. Posture stretches too. Good luck! It’s a lot.

@shocknot26 Thanks! I do step-ups and I'll add Superman. I loved doing counter pushups but now do not have counters I can do that on. LOL! If you know of others I can add, please let me know:)

Managed 4 days last week. 2 days on my walkingpad thing, 4.5 mph for 20 min and 2 days with my 8 lb weights + squats and planks. Counting days I do instead of days I miss! One more week of break and then back to teaching--that will be the test. Can I manage to peacefully drink a cup of coffee and read the news, exercise for 20 minutes, make lunch for myself and the 1st grader, get us both dressed and breakfasted, and get us out the door by 7am? Oh, and kick the 16-year-old out of bed before we leave. Only time will tell...

Thanks for the great exercise suggestions and booster energy here!

@janism

Bravo

With 2 kids too!

I do exercises for balance including tai chi movements. You can find many tai chi routines on YouTube. The tiger pose can be challenging but rewarding. I also do lunges, squats, planks, and sit-to-stand. That last one is great for core strength.

Walking, supplements, exercise are great but often do not take care of severe problems. My osteoporosis was severe and I was denied surgery because of it. I refused ALL bone medications because of the side effects. My doctor told me a fall with a broken hip could kill me and would never heal. My back is a mess with slipped discs and stenosis and I can barely manage. I have a torn rotator cuff and no cartilage in both shoulders, bone-on-bone in my neck and both knees. Knowing that I was in trouble, I finally agreed to start Forteo injections two years ago and I have gotten great improvement and I no longer am in the osteoporosis range. My back is so painful it has affected my quality of life and independence. Without those medications, surgery would not be an option. I am glad I finally listened to my doctors, but it is a personal decision to start those medications because once you start, there is no end. Keep up the exercise, vitamins, supplements and delay meds as long as you can but I would at least visit with my doctor about them if your osteoporosis is severe. I'm glad I did! Spine surgery is September 22nd!

"Even when taking steps to prevent bone loss, some people continue to lose bone or have fractures. In these situations, treatment with medicines may become necessary. Even when medicines are used, diet, exercise and lifestyle choices still play an important role in bone health."

This is an excerpt from Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968. It is a good reminder that depending on severity of the disease and how your body responds, there may come a time where medications become necessary and delaying may put a patient at greater risk. Diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and medications all can work together and it is best to discuss your particular diagnosis with your provider to see which option is best or if you are at a point where you may need medication in addition to your exercise and diet.

@JustinMcClanahan
Important information.
Thank you for posting this.

@ou14mejc
Great testimony to share …this may be very helpful information for many others who visit here.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your experiences…