Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Dear Migzil - I struggle with constipation because of medication. My doctor told me to take Milk of Magnesia every night. It works wonders with absolutely no side effects. You can get it flavored or plain. The one with the least amount of not so great ingredients is called Good Sense. If you can't find it in the stores, it is sold on Amazon for very little money.

If you take calcium, you should also take Vitamin K2 (mk4, mk7). Vitamin K2 ensures the calcium goes to your bones - not to your kidneys (kidney stones) or arteries. You need to take magnesium and vitamin D3 as well. I can only tolerate 400 mg of magnesium. If you get diarrhea, take less. It will also help with constipation. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer. I have posted the website about vitamin K2 written by a nutritionist (doctor) before - and here it is again: https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/blog/2016/12/09/the-ultimate-vitamin-k2-resource
This is a short read that will help you understand about vitamin K2.

There is a great group on Facebook that talks about osteoporosis - and there are nutritionists who write on there all the time giving advice. It is called Osteoporosis Natural Remedies. I have learned so much in that group! Many of the people there only do calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, K2, and boron - and they are getting their DEXA scan scores reversed from osteoporosis to osteopenia. The problem with the bone-building drugs is that they don't really work. They give the impression of bone growth on the DEXA, but the minute you stop taking those drugs, you pee out all old bone that was hanging around making it look like you had bone griowth. That's what those drugs do - they keep the old, dead bone in your body, and it makes it look like you have new bone growth. But the real problem are the side effects. I talked to a couple of women who got osteonecrosis from those drugs. Not only did their jaws disintegrate, it moved to other areas of their bodies. Once it gets started, it is difficult to stop it. If you go on that Facebook group's timeline and ask about it, you will probably be hooked up with someone who has had it. That's how I found out about it. I went on there the night before I was going to start Prolia and several women started talking to me - two of them called me on the phone and talked to me! My guess is that you already know this. You can also ask your dentist about those drugs. Your dentist will likely have a lot to say.

Whatever you do, I wish you good luck. We are all in this together. I can't wait till this pandemic is over so I can get a DEXA scan. I have no immune system and my doctor won't let me do anything that isn't absolutely necessary. Let us know how it goes.

@migizii Your PCP can help you a lot of bone drugs you still need to take calcium as the literature suggest the best is calcium citrate for your bones Let me know what your Dr says

Thanks @lilypaws for the information. My bones are soft and I am on Prolia. I was on Tymlos for awhile, but couldn’t manage side effects. My last DEXA showed osteopenia, close to osteoporosis which was improvement! The increased calcium situate was to boost my calcium rate due to a low level on my last blood test. I am going to discuss with my PCP and go back to 2x a day (400mg) each time and if I need to, supplement with something else-food wise.....if it doesn’t work, I’ll have to succumb to something to manage my digestive system so I don’t redevelop major constipation. Stay well and keep up the good work on your recovery❤️

Thanks...idk what to do right now....I don’t have a nutrionist, but will be talking with my PCP tomorrow so will check with him.

@lilypaws the next time you are speaking to your endocrinologist ask about VitD.

@migizii It's never too much! Can you get back on the Calcium citrate? How are your bones? Have you had a Dex Test to see how they are, but sometimes they are not correct. They just said I was osteopenia, but I am osteoporosis. Had a 9 hour surgery on my back in June and the surgeon said my bones were soft. So now I have to do Tymlos an injection in my stomach every day. It's a small needle so it doesn't hurt. But I have to do it for two years, unless the surgeon puts me on a different one. How old are you? I'm 68 and I was taking Calcium Carbonate, which Citrate is better, so thats what I'm on now. Hope this helps and I liked your message.

@lioness Oh k. I got the message from @sue225 You are correct. I'm scared to take vitamin D because one time this year had twice as much in my blood. But I do need Magnesium. Before I even got yours or Sue's message I had sent a message on Friday to my endocrinologist and he sent back and explained everything to me. Take only 1/2 of the calcium citrate (is the best and what he recommended.) Well anyway from now on I'm slitting my 1000mg of calcium and take them twice a day. Jeanie Thank you!

@sue25 I;m glad I saw this today. Like I must have told someone I was on 1000mg 2 times a day. I sent a message to my endocrinologist and he wants me to break them in half and only take two Halves a day. Thank you!

@sue225 Yes that maybe to much maybe just stick with food that supplies calcium and take to your nutritionist about your issues

Maybe for those of us who have existing g.i. problems, calcium supplements can make things worse. I also am a celiac in addition to the IBS.