How many of you improved your osteoporosis without drug intervention?

@mlwh if transvaginal estradiol improves bones, then it is not staying local, which was what my question was.

This is relevant for me because I had breast cancer.

I was on HRT for eight years and still had osteopenia. I was much younger in my 50s. I am now 82 then they put me on vagifem and I ended up with a pre-cancerous condition of the uterus requiring hysterectomy. I then developed bilateral breast cancer. I’m using the two studies on strontium citrate as supplement guides- one done in Canada the other one done in United States. At one point, I had osteoporosis while being on long-term steroids, and reversed it to osteopenia; I’m on prednisone such a long time for an auto immune situation. My Endo wants to be on bone meds, even though I’m not technically osteoporosis now. I had stopped the strontium when I developed atrial fibrillation because I didn’t want to muddy the picture. I felt so ill after the second Prolia shot - got shingles 13 days after it- I resumed taking strontium citrate 340mg now, dietary calcium, vitamin D, 2000, magnesium citrate 200 mg a day. Even though I didn’t have the strength to exercise because of my condition, I still improved my bone density from osteoporosis to osteopenia.
(I am a retired, nurse anesthetist.)

That study is from 2007 and doesn't seem to provide much information on the delivery system or subjects unless I'm missing it or there is more detailed info elsewhere. There are too many confounders that are not disclosed to really rely on this study as being definitive (unless there is more complete data from this study elsewhere). Were none of them taking vitamin D or calcium prior to the study and therefore it had a positive impact? Were any of them exercising? Weight training? What was their diet? And most specifically, what is the delivery system? I'm wondering if "transvaginal" provides the same results as "transdermal" vaginal estrogen. There are estrogen creams for the vagina which are more topical and supposedly not systemic and there are rings that are inserted into the vagina which I believe deliver a systemic dose. It doesn't seem like a very well designed study to make any definitive conclusions but maybe there are other studies that can confirm.

I agree that that study is rather old. Since I am a breast cancer survivor, I use estriol not estradiol. I apply this for the dryness and it helps. This particular form of estrogen does not enter the breasts. I don’t know if it does anything with bones. My GYN told me it can be brought over-the-counter, but it must be USP.

Are you my twin? I also was blind-sided! I’m also 65 in excellent health- I run, do yoga and HIIT classes, hike, have excellent posture etc. my doctor wasn’t surprised, however, due to my slight frame. If it makes you feel better - she also said, “well, you are thin. While you DID get osteoporosis you don’t have heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other obesity related illnesses. People usually get SOMETHING when the age”. I’m following your posts as it’s of interest to me. Thanks

Bike riding isn’t weight bearing exercise/ she should hike and lift weights

My daughter-in-law is an Endo And she says SOME things in his book are sound and somethings not. She suggests bonedensityandosteoporosis.org. I believe McCormick is not an MD?

I agree and am trying the natural approach. Unfortunately, so many contradictory info out there: dairy (of course) but also eat spinach and almonds for calcium. OH but hold the fort - spinach and almonds have oxalates which bind to calcium and magnesium rendering them unavailable. My head is spinning when I read all the nutritional advice.

He is a chiropractor who decided to study osteoporosis because of his own experience with it. I'd say he's pretty knowledgeable about it. He certainly knows more than some doctors I've spoken with.

That said, he wasn't always of help to me. He could not explain why I got osteoporosis to begin with, and he is overly reliant on bone markers which don't always tell the story. Also, he is *so* busy now that his day consists of one phone call after another, so I'm not sure he even remembers his patients, most of whom he has never even seen. He is retired from being a chiropractor.

I have a year of Tymlos left, and I doubt I will need to consult with him later on. My endo seems to know what options are next.

The info seems overwhelming. I started taking Prolia last yr then due to allergic reaction was taken off that now I’m in Alendronate and feel like give up. My t score is -4 and 3 drs are telling me not to stop. I exercise 1-1/2 hrs aerobics and walking every day.