Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

What is TBS? My balance is dreadful. I have severe osteoporosis.

What are your t-scores and have you had any fractures? Did your doctor do BTM (bone turnover marker) testing? How is your balance (have you had any falls)? Did your DEXA include TBS (trabecular bone score)? Have you lost any height?

I have osteopenia in my hips, osteoporosis in my lower back, age 72. I increased bone density years ago when I was doing some weight bearing exercises and I had mild osteopenia. I wasn’t concerned but I was working with a trainer and was shocked to learn I had increased my bone density and wasn’t doing half the things I’m doing now. So I believe I can do it again.
I’ve started on Algaecal ordered from Algaecal website, Bone and Morrow and Living Bone ( both ordered thru Ancestral Supplements, Ultra K 2 plus Vit. D3 +K2, Trace Mineral Drops, eat foods high in calcium, do weight bearing exercises. It’s a commitment and needs consistentcy but I’m determined to not take any prescribed meds. They have side effects and although the docs tell you a small percentage experience side effects, I’ve been through that experience twice with other meds and don’t want to go through that.

Angela what treatment did you decide to go with? Did you start meds?

What are your t-scores and have you had any fractures? Did your doctor do BTM (bone turnover marker) testing? How is your balance (have you had any falls)? Did your DEXA include TBS (trabecular bone score)? Have you lost any height?

@pami I have not done the Reclast yet and the 1mg is a "test dose." Doctors are nervous about me tolerating it.

If I tolerate it I will probably go to 2.5 mg, a half dose.

The problem with Prolia is that you can really only do a bisphosphonate after it (so far). That transition is tricky. When you stop Prolia your bone density falls and fracture risk rises. Hope you can share your plan!

Prolia is better for kidneys and I have kidney disease. But none of my endos use Prolia.

I had 3 years of Reclast in my middle 50s. Later. I had 2 years of Reclast in my middle 60s. I never had a problem with Reclast. The last year I was on it I didn't make any progress so I am now trying Prolia which is working for me.

How many months have you been doing the 1 mg of Reclast? I wondered how that is working for you?

@patclem my docs are doing a test dose of Reclast, 1 mg vs the full 5mg. After that I will do a half dose of 2.5 mg. Hydration and a slow infusion help.

The bigger question is, if you have severe osteoporosis, can you do Forteo, Tymlos or Evenity first?

Those lists of side effects are scary for us but I try to remember that companies are legally required to report each and every side effect. The jaw issue tends to happen over time and happens more with cancer patients on higher doses. My docs say it is rare. But it is true that some have fluish reactions short term, and some have pain or malaise etc. with the Reclast.

After getting a Dexascan they found osteoporosis and was told I was at rIsk of hip fractures. I am 82 so I said I would do the Reclast. I am to start Reclast July 14. The PA that ordered the infusion only told me about side effect with my jaw that you can get problems with it. That was all she said. After researching Reclast on the Mayo Clinic site there are so many side effects. I am 82 and am more interested on living my few years without so many side effects and want quality of life first. Has anyone hafnReclast for a while and any complications from it ? Thank you.