Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Good for you; keep up that attitude. God bless.

I have had three Prolia shots to date. I can't really identify any side effects that I attribute to the Prolia. I am also taking Arimidex (fifteen months now) as follow up treatment for breast cancer, so it's hard to always know where to place the "blame" when something goes out of wack. The Arimidex has the possible side effect of causing or aggravating osteoporosis, which I was diagnosed with right after my breast cancer surgery, when they put me on the follow up drugs. I am doing everything I can to rise victorious over all of this. I'm 60 years old, but in my mind I'm still 35. I am not giving in easily to age or illness.

My bone density has progressively worsened. I have a family history of osteoporosis and I am only 65. My number last year was -2.9. Last year I was prescribed fosomax, but could not tolerate it with my digestive issues. So I was given a Reclast infusion. I hydrated well prior to and took one advil; I had no negative side effects. I have been on Vitamin D, 1200mg of cLcium, and weight bearing exercise for a year. This year my scan was -2.9.
I had a physician mention that due to my complete lack of sun exposure (pre skin cancer issues) that the vitamin D and calcium could not be utilized. He recommended a UV light with full spectrum UV To help activate the vitamin D. I just purchased it and will use it a few minutes when I am nude after showering. We shall see if this helps.

Hi @heritage1955, I too was just diagnosed with Osteoporosis in April. I'm at -3.7 and I'm only 52. I was pretty shocked at how bad it is. My doctor put me on Forteo, which is the only medication that builds bone. I give myself a shot every day. It's really not as bad as it sounds, the needle is so small I barely feel it. And, of course, I have upped my calcium intake. I try to take 500 mg three times a day. I read at the Mayo Clinic website that your body can only absorb 500 mg at a time, so anything above that is just a waste. But if you take Protonix or anything to help acid, you need to take the calcium at least three hours a part. The medication keeps you from absorbing the calcium. It's hard to do when you take Protonix twice a day as I do, but I get up early to take my meds so I can get my daily calcium. I also take 2000 IU of Vitamin D every day.

@faith123 Thanks for updating us on your treatment. I also hope that the infusion is helpful to you. Teresa

I fractured my hip 10 mths. Ago and still on walker. Since then have gotten the firxt of the yearly reclast infusion a month ago. So far no problems. I hope it helps. It was my first broken bone. I'm 81.

My calcium always runs a little high (10.4 to 11.1) and my parathyroid level was high (134) but is now normal. I have osteoporosis and osteopenia. What kind of treatment that would not include calcium is there? I was told not to take calcium by the endocrinologist. Should you have treatment or not with high calcium levels.

I had reclast infusion 2 days ago with no side effects. Just thought I'd let you know.

Hello @gailfaith. I think you are referring to a discussion that you started earlier. You can find that discussion, and the article to which you are speaking about, by clicking here, http://mayocl.in/2q2qAeF.

@gailfaith here. Unfortunately I forgot where I saw it, but I recently saw an article that eating prunes (5-6 per day) may have the potential to reverse osteoporosis.. THere was a small study where some people ate prunes, and the other group ate dried apples. After some time (again forget how long, sorry) the prune eating group showed denser bones. I brought the thought up with my endocrinologist and he hadn't heard about it, but thought it might be worth a try as it couldn't hurt if constipation was also a problem. I was recently Dx with osteoporosis after years with osteopenia, so I started to eat them also. I am scheduled for my two year DEXA scan in several months so I'll let you know how that turns out. However, because I am also doing a lot of walking (80 measured miles since Aug, 2016) as I trying to stay out of a wheelchair due to my Myotonic Dystrophy which was Dx at Mayo in Nov 2013 and I've been in weekly PT since,....that may 'muddy the waters' to know which activity might have any beneficial effects..