Hard to know what meds to take—also, has anyone tried hydroxyapatite?

Hate to welcome you to the club that no one wants to be in! Sorry about your diagnosis. Always hard to make those decisions on how to proceed. Doctors will almost always prescribe a bisphosphonate as a first-line medication as it's cheap and insurance pays for it. If you do need medication, it's not always the best first option though. Depending upon how bad your bone loss is and where it is, spine or hip, should really determine how you move forward. You can peruse these boards for info on the various medication options. I would also recommend reading the book Great Bones by Keith McCormick. It's a comprehensive look at osteoporosis and treatment options as well as lifestyle support.

Hydroxyapatite is a supplement that's derived from cow bone. Our bones are made of hydroxyapatite so it is thought to be well absorbed and beneficial. It's basically a calcium supplement but naturally contains the minerals and collagen also found in bone. Hydroxyapatite is usually processed from cow bone so if you decide to take it, it's important to get a product sourced from grass fed cows. If your diet is in short supply of calcium, it might be helpful but if your osteoporosis is significant, it likely won't be enough to make a difference. One thing to note is that HA may raise phosphate levels in the blood, something to be discussed with your doctor.

With osteoporosis, you really have to hit it from all angles; diet, a significant increase in weight-bearing exercise and strength training (safely of course) and medications when necessary. After menopause, it is almost impossible to build bone naturally so if your osteo is severe, it is important to stop the progression and unfortunately, sometimes that includes medications.

Thank you for this very informative answer, I appreciate it. Maybe I will try one pill at the beginning of December and see how I feel. Also perhaps seek out weights, I don’t do much besides walking.

Thank you for that great information. I am 80 with borderline osteo but I have it through out my body. I’m against Prolia snd Reclast which have been recommended. I’m in good shape and do lots of exercise. I had considered not adding any supplements for Osteo but I will checkout your drug recommendation. Thank you.

Primary care docs are still prescribing bisphosphonates and Prolia as first line, despite all the info saying bone builders need to be first (Tymlos, Forteo, Evenity) and are more effective when used first. This practice is a result of insurance policies not medical needs. I gather some specialists are doing this as well.

If you have to do a bisphosphonate, residronate is not recommended by my docs. They all use either Reclast or alendronate. In my experience and from my doc, and Keith McCormick's "Great Bones>"

The article in Wikipedia on hydroxyapetit cites some sources that would advise an unknown effect of this element. Could you inform me of the cites that explain the more positive role it plays for we who are diagnosed with osteoporosis?
Thank you for sharing your decision, your experiences, your concerns. I share the condition and the concerns and am still undecided about Evenity, the one my endocrinologist recommended. I too would like something that does not include the threat of heart attack and stroke!

windyshores, I keep reading online that anabolics need to be first and while I completely agree, I can't find the research. Do you have any links for the establishment of this protocol. It does seem to be widely unknown by our general practitioners.

The endocrinologist I consult with says that you can't expect the hdroxyapetite to stay in form though digestion. What stopped me was the discovery of hydroxyapetite in cadaver valves of people with valvuar heart disease. No connection was made with consumption, though.

Thank you. Mysteries of our chemistry!

@gently Gosh I have seen this so many times over so many years. You might want to watch Dr. Ben Leder's video on Sequencing and Combinations or buy Keith McCormick's book "Great Bones" for a review of studies.

windyshores, what have you seen so many times. Is it information without documentation?