I reversed osteoporosis without drugs

Posted by sheilad1 @sheilad1, Dec 28, 2022

I had my bone quality test yesterday along with another bone density test. This was my third bone density test in 14 months.

My first bone density test was Nov 2021.
I started consulting with different doctors. If I must take meds I would. But I had to get to the truth.
The physician who appeared to know the most is Keith McCormick DC the chiropractor who got osteoporosis at a very young age and really understands it.

That first DEXA scan showed I had mild osteoperosis of the spine, within the margin of error.
So no McCormick said to take the CTX (blood) test and a few others.
CTX was good.
My CTX shows that the osteoclasts are not breaking down too much bone. therefore, my next bone density test shouldn’t show that that I am much worse.

I decided not to wait until 2 years for another scan and took
I took another bone density (aka DEXA) scan 10/2022 to see if that was true about the CTX.
My spine was actually better in that scan and it was now osteopenia.
My hip was a little worse bringing it outside the margin of error. McCormick said this was a tough call so I said to him why don’t I get a bone quality test (that he told me about) and I figured that will buy me a little time anyway lol.

Unfortunately, the bone quality test only measures the spine.
Since it’s unusual for your spine to get better and your hip to get worse, it made me think - what have I done differently since the last test? Why would my spine improve but not my hip? What is my spine doing that my hip is not?

I decided it had to be the Supernatural virtual reality exercise app that I exercise to (on the oculus quest VR helmet). Even though I am striking the air, there actually is resistance, and I push hard to hit it as powerfully as I can.

I decided to put weights on my ankles. Everything I read says weight training should be once or twice a week, and I certainly only did it once.

Back to yesterday and the bone quality (TBS) test and yet another bone density (DEXA) test.
My hip was back to where it was on the first test. This put me back inside the margin of error where I would not have to take medication
This demonstrated to me that the CTX score did in fact mean I'm not losing density quickly.
Yesterday's test shows that my spine continued to improve and my bone density score was no longerosteopenia. It was normal. My bone quality test was great. The tech really loved it and called me over to show me how I was completely in the green meaning It was normal which is a little unusual at my age, 74, altogether.

I may be wrong about supernatural helping.
I’ll probably take the DEXA again in six months because I am anxious to see how the hip does, and if it improves even more.
And if so, I’ll turn myself into a study. 😂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

sheilad1 | @sheilad1 | Jan 26 12:50pm

Your doctor is wrong. You can get a scan more often than the allowed time (every 2years usually) if the doctor writes MEDICALLY NECESSARY on the script, which it should be to get a proper diagnosis.

debkincaid | @debkincaid | Jan 26 3:58pm

In reply to @rola "What it comes down to is you may have to pay for the DEXA, usually under..." + (show)

Here in NM, $700+!

loplady | @loplady | Jan 27 6:36am

In reply to @debkincaid "Thank you for this. I used your link, found a clinic not too far away, and..." + (show)

I am not on any drugs and my endocrinologist ordered blood work so we could make an informed decision as to whether I should go on meds. With that comment from him, I'd find another doctor who understands tests needed to get a real picture of what is going on with your bones BEFORE starting meds.

debkincaid | @debkincaid | Jan 27 7:15am

In reply to @loplady "I am not on any drugs and my endocrinologist ordered blood work so we could make..." + (show)

In the US, rural areas are lucky to even have a doctor. But you are right, it seems my doctor knows little about osteoporosis. He thinks I can decide based on my t-scores. He was almost running out of the room when I tried to discuss it with him. I will try to find a different doctor in a town an hour or so away. Thanks for your comment.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 27 7:28am

In reply to @debkincaid "In the US, rural areas are lucky to even have a doctor. But you are right,..." + (show)

I personally think DEXA scores can help decide on taking meds (If under -3.0). We can also do TBS to see how bone quality is, but a DEXA under -3.0 can mean meds are needed.

The blood tests, in my experience, establish a baseline before meds to make sure meds are working as well as to guide transitions to follow up meds like Reclast.

So I am not sure your doctor was wrong. Keith McCormick, the author of "The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis" and the more recent "Great Bones' writes that at -3.0 and below, meds should be considered. My doc at a major urban teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard, also goes by DEXA and does not use blood markers. I see another doc as well, who does use bone markers, but my main doc has been right about everything.

One caveat: it is good to make sure PTH (parathyroid) is okay. High calcium would be suspicious for that.

debkincaid | @debkincaid | Jan 27 7:59am

I’m all for every tool available to stop & reverse this disease. My dx is new, -2.6 at the worst, & I want to know if I am loosing bone quickly & how quickly. I do take a small bit of thyroid drug, levothyroxine, but blood tests (T4, TSH) show it’s normal. A Continuous Blood Sugar monitor shows me my blood sugar drops very low (50) while sleeping & I am not diabetic. My heart rate is very low too, only 60 & above if I exercise, under 40 while sleeping. Since I have $10k of dental work, not interested in biphosphonates. Anyways, more than you wanted to know! Thanks for your comment.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 27 8:25am

In reply to @debkincaid "I’m all for every tool available to stop & reverse this disease. My dx is new,..." + (show)

With a -2.6 that is a different picture and it makes sense to see if you are losing bone via blood tests. Or another DEXA in a year (we can sometimes get this approved or pay for it: Someone said it is $400). You could try to find a TBS test (trabecular bone score) .

It seems like you have some other pressing problems! Do you wear a CGM? One of my kids has type 1 and two had ketotic hypoglycemia that dropped blood sugars overnight. They all do a snack with protein (and maybe a little fat) before bed. For years I got up to test the type 1 kid at 1 am and 3 am but the CGM alarm takes care of that now!

Heart rate in the 30's sounds pretty dicey and I hope you have a good cardiologist! It is hard having multiple issues and at -2.6 it might seem the bone issue could wait a bit 🙂

anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 27 9:28am

In reply to @debbie1956 "Hello, I am new to the Mayo Connect Clinic and wish to express my deep appreciation..." + (show)

I’m so sorry this happened to you. Prednisone is a known bone killer and whoever prescribed it, for a year, which is extensive, should have had you consult with endocrinologist before starting so the correct bone protection meds would be provided to counter the effects of prednisone.

I hope you will get the help you need to build back .

06111945cc | @06111945cc | Jan 27 10:19am

https://www.lifeextension.com/search#q=CTX&t=coveo4A2453FD
CTX-$75

https://www.lifeextension.com/lab-testing/itemlc140850/intact-n-terminal-propeptide-of-type-1-procollagen
P1NP-$99

debbie1956 | @debbie1956 | Jan 27 10:54am

In reply to @anjalima "I’m so sorry this happened to you. Prednisone is a known bone killer and whoever prescribed..." + (show)

This is a good point. At 63 years old, four years ago, the neurologist would have known I was post menopause and should have referred me to an endocrinologist. He warned me the Prednisone could blow out my hip. I was dealing with autoimmune sudden hearing loss, so this was my priority at the time. I asked my PCP for a DXA scan. I think she made the biggest mistake by scheduling my follow-up DXA scan 3 years after my initial osteoporosis diagnosis at -2.8. I had no idea how wrong she was when she assured me this was a very slow progressing condition and no idea how serious a disease this was! Thank goodness I initially asked for the DXA scan or I would be unaware of my -3.5 now! I am focusing now on my good fortune not having any fractures so far, hoping my bone quality may have saved me and rapidly educating myself before my endocrinologist consult.