Has anyone used Fosamax for bone health and did it help?

@gravity3 I will get some of the information. I don’t know what is driving the osteoporosis, hormones, lack of vitamins, or getting older. My calcium levels are high on tests. I take vitamin D since it is always low. I have a supplement with zinc, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium designed to strengthen bones. My doctor is a PCP and my confidence is low that he is focused on my particular numbers versus prescribing a pill for the generic symptoms. I will post more info soon.

What is your DEXA score in your spine? I've read you should avoid twisting movements, which is why I quit golfing as my DEXA is worst in my spine.

I declined Fosamax after reading articles that said bisphosphonates offered minimal benefits as far as fracture prevention. Bisphosphonates slow down the loss of bone but also slow down the formation of new bone. Your DEXA may appear better, but you could have older, more brittle bones. My doctor does not agree with this, but respect my decision to refuse the medication. Here are some articles that may be of interest.

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00101-3/fulltext
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/popular-osteoporosis-drugs-come-with-mounting-concerns/index.htm
If you decide to go ahead with the Fosamax, but are concerned about side effects, my Endocrinologist offered me a prescription for 1/2 the normal dose, which he said would still be effective. You could try that and if you don't have side effects, then consider the normal dose which I believe is 70-75mg/week.

It sounds like you are already physically active, but check out Brick House Bones on Facebook for great free exercise videos by a PT who specialized in osteoporosis. Also, search this support group and read about studies showing high doses of Vitamin K in the forms of MK-4 and MK-7 have been shown helpful when taken with calcium supplements, to direct the calcium to your bones. Boron is good and it's suggested to eat 5-6 prunes a day to add boron to your diet. Also, collagen supplements containing Fortibone have been shown to help with BMD.

@cgirl0721 If your calcium levels are high in your bloodwork, and your vitamin D is low, you should get your parathyroid levels checked. That was my case and I found out I have an overactive parathyroid which contributes to osteoporosis. If your PHT levels are abnormal, see an endocrinologist for treatment.

@daisy17 oh wow. Okay will do, thank you!

@daisy17 This is so helpful. Thank you. Taking notes and working on the ideas. It’s sad that my doctor never told me about the turns in golf. I get the supplements and I have already started eating prunes. I am still reluctant to take Fosamax. So I am trying to get a comprehensive plan to avoid it. It doesn’t sound like I will be successful without the meds, but it’s worth a try.

@cgirl0721 Maybe your DEXA scores in your spine aren't severe enough to limit your golfing, but I have "severe" bone loss in my spine so have to be careful.

@daisy17 my DEXA T-Score is -2.5 that seems low to me? How does this compare to when you had to stop golfing?

Fosamax did work for me; but not a lot - about a 4% increase in areas; femur stayed the same at -3.5 - my worst number. So doc put me on Reclast. Fosamax caused a lot of bone pain, also started having more stomach issues (IBS the only health issue I have so not a surprise got worse), and I started having heartburn (which my husband had to tell me what that is about as I never knew what heartburn felt like!). Side effects not life altering but really annoying. I've also had bone pain (sometimes severe) while on Reclast; finally, 10 months later it seems to be dissipating. Again, not life altering.

@daisy17 my DEXA T-Score is -2.5 that seems low to me? How does this compare to when you had to stop golfing?