New diagnosis at 56 yo. Looking for advice on non drug therapies.

I’m 65 - same boat. I’m going to try increasing dairy and protein (I was a snacker) and cutting out chips, fries etc. I’m thin and fine boned so I will add a weighted vest to my daily 3 mile walks. I’m also working with a personal trainer - weight training - to balance out my cardio. I’m taking supplements and will retest after a year of this. If worse I’ll try tymlos or evenity followed by fosamax to lock in gains. I have the feeling I’m just avoiding the inevitable but going to try this.

Ps this forem attracts a lot of negative comments as most people who are happy with their meds don’t bother commenting. My endo and my DIL who is also an endo don’t see many bad side effects

Thank you!

Is there general consensus that the drugs are pretty much inevitable?

I believe so. There was a @windyshores who commented that it’s way better to take drugs than to break bones

I’m just waiting!

Hmm, I had to think about this for a moment. I am a retired nurse. I feel you should have another physician look into this. You never know what new practitioners are told. I think 56 years old - can be young for osteoporosis. Of course, I don't know your family history. I would recommend you see or talk with another doctor. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with osteopenia at age 53. Spine was -1.3 and hip was -2. I continued with HRT and weight training (both started at age 51). I was on a healthy diet at the time (lean meat, fish, veggies, fruits with minimal carbs) so I continued that. I also added a 1:1 calcium/magnesium supplement, Vit D, and Vit K.

My BMD continued to decline until I hit -2 in my spine and -2.8 in my hip. I hadn't done a lot of research on meds up until that point, only lifestyle. My PCP started me on Fosamax and I thought that was reasonable since my BMD was continuing to decline even with a healthy lifestyle.

Initial results were very good, with my spine at -1.5 after two years. However, my hips remained about the same.

After 5 years on Fosamax, I had a fragility fracture bending over a bathtub and pressing down hard on my ribcage. It was a partial compression (~15%) of T8 and it had a huge impact on my life. I would do anything to avoid another.

I stopped the Fosamax and was started on Tymlos then Forteo (generic). I had to switch to Forteo after my insurance revoked my pre-auth. Unfortunately, the Forteo just didn't work out for me.

At that point, I sought a referral to an endocrinologist at a metabolic bone disease clinic and she has been amazing. She tested me for many more issues than my previous rheumatologist. She wasn't able to find an underlying issue contributing to my osteoporosis but thinks there is a genetic predisposition as my dad had similar issues.

I started on Evenity a few weeks ago and have had no side effects. I am very happy with treatment at this point and hopeful that the Evenity will help prevent another fracture. I trust this doctor.

My point of this long post is to say that each of us is different and there is definitely no one size fits all treatment. It can take time to find the right approach but I would say to keep an open mind and don't dismiss the meds. Most of all, you want to avoid a fracture because it's terribly life-impacting. Good luck!

I was like some of you, early 50s with osteopenia. Most likely due to low estrogen, but with a sister with breast cancer HRT was not an option.
I chose not to take any meds, although my GYN continued to write prescriptions hoping I’d change my mind. I ate all the right calcium packed foods, had enough D, and carried some fairly heavy equipment at work that should have been enough weight bearing exercise.
Fast forward 12 years, and I was at osteoporosis in my hips. I now realize that many of these bone meds help to preserve the existing bone. I wish now I had done something earlier.

I'll chime in on the positive outcomes side.
Alendronate, forteo, evenity, Prolia .....no noticeable side effects with any. Effective for me and great gains with evenity.

I was in my early 50s when diagnosed too and refused to take any drugs. Afraid of all the side effects. At 65 fell and broke a hip…after talking with an endocrinologist I started a year of Evenity — no side effects what so ever and made great gains. Just had my first reclast infusion this past Friday — was very nervous about it - I hydrated well before and after and used Tylenol. Only issue was a manageable headache.
Yes I was lucky — I look back and wish I would have started the drugs when I was first diagnosed. Good luck with your journey

I am also interested working with Dr. Lucas. I have never worked with a Dr online before. I guess that is how he works?