More on Supplements and “Natural”

I think there is no right or wrong answer just a matter of balance.

About 15 or so years ago after routine blood work my TSH numbers were off. My primary wanted me to go on synthroid, I declined at the time as I had swapped out regular table salt for sea salt which was a thing at the time. I switched back to table salt with Iodine and after 6 months my TSH was back to normal.
I've taken Kelp supplements ever since.
If I hadn't challenged her, I would of wound up on synthroid for life. When it wasn't the right thing for my situation.

I take supplements and some medications. I'm careful about what I take how much and the timing of when I take things.

Some Doctors are too quick to prescribe medication instead of trying to understand the possible causes for an issue.
I think osteoporosis medications fall into that realm.

Sorry to see you go. Good luck on your bone journey.

@ccps101 I hear you, 100%. I think people tend to gravitate towards “natural” first because of the fear surrounding the diagnosis and these medications. I know I did, but I used that time to really research, talk to doctors and pharmacists, get second opinions, etc.

Once you’re diagnosed with osteoporosis, however, “natural” only goes so far, which is to say, not very far at all, if you don’t want it to get worse. The “horse has left the barn,” as they say, and it has to be treated seriously.

I am trying to educate my friends, all in their late 50’s and early 60’s, but they do not want to hear it. One friend just told me a few days ago she hasn’t had a DEXA scan in well over a decade. She’s 66.

It breaks my heart.

I will also offer this: I have come away from the word, “disease,” and refer to it as a “condition.” I’m well aware of the difference, and I assure you I’m not burying my head in the proverbial sand, but it’s another way for me to be kinder to myself about it, because boy, did I beat myself up after getting the diagnosis, despite doing everything “right.”

I get wanting to step back. Don’t be a total stranger though. We appreciate you and your contributions here. ✨

@beachesanddreams thanks. I appreciate that. I think I come from a different perspective with three autoimmune diseases or conditions, either terminology. I was DX with my first one which is very rare over 15 years ago, with only one medication. Autoimmune diseases tend to run in packs and my rheumatologist was actually really surprised it took 10 years for the others to come on. The rare one is often silent at first. The others much more symptomatic. The most recent one is also quite rare, only a few specialists here and there and also tiny pool of meds. So this is all a long winded way of saying because OP is silent until a fracture, I agree that people tend to ignore. And big mistake! I’m thrilled to be taking a bone builder now, so glad I had that option and got ahead of it. I think you are right, people will look back when they fracture with regrets and a much scarier future. But because I have experienced really scary stuff I just took it more or less in stride. I knew when I was DX with RA (and that is very painful and life altering) if I didn’t get ahead of that asap I would be in horrible shape. When I started treatment I couldn’t dress myself. Now am doing great. I look at friends who had cancer. I can’t see any of us saying “oh I want to treat this ‘naturally’”. When that basically doesn’t exist anyway. People afraid of hormones in anabolics but they have no trouble popping a NSAID? Sorry not “natural”. Anyway, I think all my experience plus the fact I live with all types of up and down issues like all autoimmune patients, a racing heart for a half hour is NOTHING. So because of all that I am also not hyper focused on what I feel. Just get on with it. And the irony is, lol, because of the anti inflammatory properties of my anabolic I feel great! So not trying to be dismissive of people’s side effects but I do think going into this with a super positive, grateful attitude helped and has been like, pfft, piece of cake. When you’re at a place where you can’t dress yourself where I was with RA a little X or Y seems easy. Keep hanging in there. I will pop in here and there but found it incredibly frustrating with the “natural” talk. Cheers.

@oknowwhatpixie I understand and appreciate your view and I do think finding the source of OP is important if it was caused by celiac or something similar causing malabsorption or from cancer medication and the like. That’s very important.
However I am on medications that I will be on for life. For me, that’s no big deal if it keeps my QOL great and I can enjoy family, friends, exercise, travel, etc. One of my autoimmune conditions has one drug to treat it. One (well there is another now so there are now two). Without it I would have gone downhill fast. So for me, medication shmedication. And by far the best advice I ever got from a doctor was DIET is medication. So I don’t have this glaring dividing line that some here do. Anyway all the best.

Your post is an excellent warning…I have seen people with awful liver conditions or worse by overusing supplements…so I review whatever I do with my med team….great care with supplements and meds in general is good advice.

I am taking a supplement that has really helped me. It's Creatine, I talked it over with my three doctors and my oncologist is on Creatine. Do your research and ask your doctors!! They will give you advice. Creatine is given to body builders. I am 74 and no body build but wanted to recover from Chemo and having a hard time getting over brain fog and fatigue, also had lots of bone issues while on chemo. I am 5 weeks out from last chemo treatment and I am beginning to feel like my old self again. It is wonderful, but don't take my word for it. Do your research and make sure this is right for you.
Real sea sponge to exfoliate dead skin, works
Hydrating shampoo, to keep hair coming back healthy giving it moisture.
Eye drops for my dry eyes, yes even your eyes suffer Relief is what I use.
These last three things have made my lack of hair, feel great, and skin getting rid of dead dry skin cells makes your skin feel great!

Good Luck with everything!

@angele2times
Why did you decide to take creatine, and why is your oncologist on creatine? Basically, what were the specific symptoms which you were trying to impact and which ones were impacted. In what way do you find that creatine helps you "feel like your old self again"?

It is used by body builders to help supply energy to muscles, for improving strength, power and muscle mass. Plus, people take creatine supplements to build strength and some to promote brain health.

Plus, are you taking creatine monohydrate?

In terms of side effects what I see for older adults is presented by this geriatrician:
Kenneth Koncilja, M.D., a geriatrician at Cleveland Clinic says that: “The largest concern regarding creatine supplementation in older adults is renal (kidney) function,”.

@ccps101 Thank you so much for sharing your journey and information/experience. I also have autipoimune disorder and grateful for anabolic bone builder. Forteo worked well for me and now Teriperitide for a booster. May I ask you which anabolic medication you choose and what you will take for maintenance afterwards?

Regarding the post...

When I first started researching osteoporosis, I saw many articles about various supplements, not just calcium but copper, silica, Vit K, boron, strontium, zinc, magnesium and even probiotics. I saw the collagen and AlgaeCal articles. It's almost overwhelming after awhile...overdone. I have a friend (who doesn't have osteoporosis) who practically lives on supplements and takes high doses of Vit C, glucosamine chondroitin, fish oil, Vit E, tart cherry, melatonin, and on and on. Every supplement you can think of, he takes.

Supplements are expensive too, and it's concerning that someone is gobbling down a "mixture" of all sorts of supplements without really knowing if they are effective.

Regarding calcium, my friend who has "mild" osteoporosis in her hip was told to take 1500 mg of calcium every day--about half is in food sources. Her follow up Dexa scan showed "stable". But NOT improved. She is happy with these results and isn't exploring medication at this time.

I have severe osteoporosis and already tried a period of "natural" treatment without any luck. I'm now taking medication. I've had 2 doctors tell me that severe osteoporosis can't be improved using just supplements (or even HRT, but I'm too far past menopause for that anyway). Supplements might help maintain what's there but won't build the bone back. So if you have osteopenia or maybe just mild osteoporosis, perhaps supplements will maintain what's there. But perhaps not. I learned that there are underlying condition that CAUSE the osteoporosis in the first place. So the underlying condition has to be addressed. Taking supplements will not address the underlying issue (whether it's autoimmune or other problem).