Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Some follow up @gailb. I checked on my Supplement. It is the "F" package that will only be available after January 2021 (or was it 2020) with the Medicare Supplement programs, not the Advantage programs because of other services provided by independent insurance companies. Thanks again for you help.
Chris

Thank you for this; I wasn't aware of this organization. The exercises they show are helpful.

I came across this article this morning and it is interesting. Please, be aware of your sources when you are investigating treatments.

Dr. Karpf’s Response to Bone Drugs Article
https://americanbonehealth.org/medications-bone-health/dr-karpfs-response-to-bone-drugs-article/
JK

Thank you. I wish you the best of luck and prayers as well. I keep reading these forums and follow a couple FB groups recommended by @parrotqueen. The shared knowledge and experiences of all of us is valuable as we research our best health options.

Many times I have come here or to other medical chats and I have encouraged people to pay attention to their bodies and communicate with their doctors - instead of just doing what the doctor tells you to do and accepting unwelcome consequences. This has been met with a lot of criticism. I came across a doctor who said basically all the same things I am saying. Here is just a small snippet of what they said, "We operate from a deeply held conviction that in the long run each person is his or her own best physician. Practitioners may have greater medical knowledge and technical expertise, but there is no one who knows more about what is best for this patient, on the deepest level, than the patient. He or she has traveled roads on the life journey that we have not. The health challenges he or she faces are a part of that journey, and practitioners are privileged to be able to grow and learn from the people they work with." This can be found in a subchapter called "Be An Actualized Patient" in a book called "Thyroid Power: 10 Steps to Total Health" by Richard L. Shames M.D. and marilee Halo Shames, R.N., Ph.D. This book talks about many health care concerns - not just thyroid. I highly recommend this book to anybody who is seeking better health and a way to communicate with doctors. As I always say, doctors have enormous case loads and there are SO MANY medications and diseases and conditions for them to keep track of. Even the best doctor may only know a little about each problem. And they cannot be inside your body - so they have no idea how you are feeling when you take a medication. If you just want to read this one section, it is on pages 101-104. These doctors encourage the patient to speak up and communicate with their doctor - don't just listen and comply.

Thank you, Nancy 1228, for your reply. Certainly seems like the stress caring for your parents and loss of weight, etc. caused the drop. I am going to research holistic treatment more extensively. I wish you the best of luck. Saying a prayer that you will find the best option for your health.

@contentandwell, That is correct. Tymlos injections are daily for at least 18 months.

Hi Nancy. Also having the same name. Your situation is very similar to mine. I have been on alendronate for a year and a half and am seriously considering stopping. These forums and other sites have been helpful in researching the drugs and meds as well as provide nutritional info. I was Taking Evista a year and actually my numbers which were osteopenia improved 1%. my gyn dr. Didn’t think that was good enough. She really pushed bisphosphonates. Because I was experiencing so many hot flashes I switched to alendronate. Well a year with that and my numbers dropped over 3%. It was a horrible time where I had been caring for aging parents 1000 miles away. I lost 13 pounds and know I wasn’t eating well or keeping up with vitamins. My numbers weren’t bad to begin with. Even the endocrinologist thought so. My next dexa scan is in December. His NP said if I don’t improve the next step is Prolia. I was reading the brochure waiting in exam room. No way will I start that. So I appreciate input from folks like you on these forums as we navigate the best options for our health.

Thanks for the suggestion, @gailb, but I have considered it and for me it would just not work as well, from what I have heard there are too many restrictions, etc.

I almost missed your response. Since I am less active now and have joined the ranks of "alumni mentor" I don't go through all of them. It helps if you address the person with the @ and their name so they will be notified. My "name" is contentandwell.

@artscaping And those injections are daily, correct?
JK

I was checking out Kaiser Permanente a few years back. They turned me down. I'm not kidding. They said I was too sick. So I think Kaier is fine until you get sick(er(. You get a lot of services for your money.