Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

@sprout I would not comment on your situation without knowing your DEXA scores and whether you have fractured. If your score is lower than -3.0 for instance I would discuss with you the benefits of medications and risk of pain and disability from fractures. If your DEXA is, say, -2.6, that would be a different story. I have recommended The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis by McCormick, Lani Simpson MD's Facebook and website, and Margaret Martin's melioguide site for exercises. For some of us, medications are unavoidable to avoid disability and they can be life changing but some do have significant side effects. I addressed side effects of Tymlos by starting with a low dose and moving up slowly. Good luck!

Welcome @sprout, I think your question is something a lot of us think and talk about. @windyshores and others have mentioned helpful suggestions. Hopefully others will share their thought and experience they've researched. Here is some information on the topic for a start --- The natural approach to osteoporosis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4625766/

Have you had any suggestions from your doctor?

What is best course to treat Osteoporosis if I do not want a prescription, prefer to treat naturally.

@hlp123 I have suggested the Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis by McCormick here and to friends. I think it is helpful. You can get it from a library before purchasing!

@callalloo that is a low level of D3. Did you mean 1,000? I take 3,000 units daily, 45mcg K2, 800mg calcium split in two, and 300-600mg magnesium two hours away from any calcium.

My endocrinologist wants me on Fosamax since I am taking Letrozole for another year (5 in all) for breast cancer. My general practitioner agrees. I was on Fosamax previously & had jaw pain. Endocrinologist says Fosamax does not affect jaw. Anyone else have this problem?

I'm no expert at all on osteopenia/osteoporosis but have been taking the Alive! Bone Support (formerly called Bone Formula) for several years after buying it for a friend healing from a broken neck. A DEXA last year was almost identical to one six years earlier so it's probably helping. After comparing the two DEXAs, my PCP stopped recommending I consider taking Fosamax at least.

The 4-tablet dose contains 1300 mg calcium from red algae, 100 mg vitamin D3, 150 mg vitamin K2 and magnesium and some fruit, vegetable and greens stuff and an insignificant 9 mg of strontium also from the red algae.

I also take orthosilicic acid because a few studies I read noted its role in bone renewal (brand name Bio-Sil) and Biotin Forte (3,000 mcg biotin and 30 mg zinc). The latter two also help hair, skin and nails in theory. I have thick hair that seems to be growing faster since adding the Bio-Sil. I'm not sure that that's a desired side effect but it's interesting. And, to me, is a reminder that the body's innate propensity is to regenerate when the environment supports it in ways we don't yet fully understand.

But again I'm no expert about this stuff. Am just taking stuff that peer-reviewed studies suggest are important in bone health and renewal.

Thank you so much for your information.
Would you be willing to give us an amount of each of the members of the trifecta. How much calcium/D3/K2 per each day should we take ? I am not on a plant based diet and hope to eventually get off of all of the Osteoporosis medications. Also, has anyone read "The Whole Body Approach to Oseoporoses" book? If so, I would love to know if I should purchase it, if it was helpful
Thank you !

I began Forteo in March & so far no side effects. An endocrinologist first recommended Forteo 17 yrs. ago when I was 55. I tried the other recommended meds at that time, as well as diet & exercise to build bone, but my osteoporosis continued to worsen. I hope you find a medication that you feel comfortable with & that is effective for you!

Total Bone Support if that is what you are taking has 500mg strontium. The therapeutic dose was 680mg but 500 is a considerable amount, and will make your DEXA scan look like your bones are better than they are. In other words, that amount of strontium throws off your DEXA. Strontium replaces calcium in the bone and is denser by nature, so the DEXA looks denser. Sorry but this is a well-known factor in what looks like improvement.

That said, you may have some improvement from the Reclast and even the strontium: you just cannot tell.

Europe/UK no longer approve the ranelate form of strontium due to clots/cardiovascular risks. Some US companies have stopped making the citrate form.

I’m close to finishing up my 2nd and last year on Forteo. No side effects at all. Year one scan showed improvement in most areas; am hopeful for the same in the upcoming DEXA in July. Highly recommend Forteo.