Osteoporosis and SSRI

Good for you for tapering off the sertraline; it's inspiring.
How long did it take you?
Have you thought about adding estrogen/progesterone?
Once I "pass" my Cardiac Clearance for Evenity (fingers crossed), I'm going to revisit the HRT as long as the benefits outweigh the risks.
Even past menopause, the estrogen may help stabilize bone loss and uplift mood and overall wellbeing.
The progesterone has been proven to enable sleep for many women.
I agree that night is when mind spinning seems to take hold -- especially, when one is worrying about future health concerns.
I am grateful to say that I have not experienced fractures due to my fragile frame.
As mentioned, I only had my first DXA scan in July and am trying to push through the shock of the diagnosis as I am normally quite active and have now been advised on all the things I should NOT be doing.
I have an appointment with a Physical Therapist next week to learn what I can and should be doing as far as exercise and movement.
I think that's a good spring board so to speak.
Let's keep each other posted.
Here's to stronger bones and happier times for all of us!

I had never heard of SSRIs causing bone loss but I have also been on them for 50+ years. I tried Evenity but couldn’t tolerate it. I’m supposed to be starting weekly Fosamax, which I really don’t want to take either. As far as depression medication, I’m trying transcranial magnetic stimulation. It’s 5 days a week for 6 or 7 weeks, which is grueling if you have to drive very far. But I am in week 3 and can tell a difference already.

@soggybones
I did not take hrt after menopause. Ignore the 10 year thing. I am 77 and just started it last summer. Guess it is never too late.

@kjhill I'm glad the transcranial magnetic stimulation is working for you. My doctor had that, but discontinued it (He's getting older and I think he is winding down his practice). I didn't realize it was a 5 days a week thing. I assume you don't have to continue that for the rest of your life? Going in for that 5 days a week is like going to a job. However, if it helps then it's worth it. What happened with Evenity that you could not tolerate it? It's a shame it didn't work out since it's supposed to work very quickly and very effectively. I don't want to take any of these meds either. I hate it, but who wants to fracture right and left? I guess everyone has a cross to bear and this one is ours. Hang in there Kjhill!

@andi77 It took me 3 months to wean off of Sertaline. I'm sure this is a schedule that is way too fast for most people. Maybe it's way too fast for me too, but so far I'm doing OK. Anxiety and depression is an unrelenting beast it seems and I've spent my whole life fighting it. I'm so jealous of the people who don't have to work so hard just to feel normal day in and day out. I would love to do estrogen/progesterone, but I have a high risk for breast cancer. While the increased risk of cancer is small when you add HRT , when you're already at a high risk the last thing you want to do is add one more variable to increase it any more! I watched my mother, my aunt and cousin die from breast cancer and I really don't want to go that route. If it wasn't for my fear of breast cancer I would do HRT in a heartbeat! There are so many women who have benefited from it and it is safe for the vast majority. Best of luck getting approval for Evenity! I hope your cardiac assessment turns out fantastic. Yes, lets keep each other posted.

Thanks so much for your very open and sensitive reply.I decided to taper my sertraline from 50mg to 37.5 today (the recommended first drop) and will continue on this dosage for a month.Hopefully, within this time, I'll be able to meet with a psychiatrist to get me through the rest of the tapering schedule. I've been thinking about the naturally "sunny" disposition people as well, and I truly hope I can get there one day.
I too am quite reluctant about hormone therapy as my aunt passed from breast cancer and I have a cousin, who is a survivor. However, more recent studies are showing significantly less connection to breast cancer than has been reported in the past. Also, oral estrogen carries much more risk than transdermal.At this point, I have held off on starting my prescription for the estrogen gel (which you have to apply every day and seems very inconvenient), and progesterone at night.Other side effects are noted, such as breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, bloating...
For now, I think starting injections is daunting enough and I want to be aware of any side effects from that.
As mentioned, I'm awaiting Cardiac Clearance after my stress test, and then I'm still not sure when the Evenity would begin.
Have you started with an anabolic/bone builder medication yet?
I'm so grateful to have "found" you and this support group.I wish there were local in-person support groups for bone loss sufferers to share.
It seems we're a world of "remote" these days. I think that's another reason to account for some feelings of isolation at times.

I have struggled with depression since childhood. I am 78 (1948) and despite repeated therapy sessions, I did not receive any anti-depression meds until 1998. Sertraline 100 mg/day did not resolve my depression but I continued for decades to take it. Now after research, I am shocked to learn that Sertraline is associated with bone loss. I have never broken a bone despite my BMD result of -3.7. I have chosen to stop Sertraline completely and have been off of Sertraline for a week now without any adverse effects. I am also on Lamotrigine and Meththylphenidate hydrochloridide for depression that has been more effective than Sertraline has proven to be for me. I am not suggesting that anyone follow my choice to abruptly discontinuing Sertraline but I do encourage you to discuss with your PCP why the tapering of Sertraline is recommended. I have been an RN for 54 years with a PhD in nursing research and through the years I have witnessed many failures regarding inappropriate health care practices for women and I routinely push back on prescribed therapies by assessing reliable research on women’s health care accepted practices. I am so grateful for the support these discussions provide since we always know our bodies better than anyone else. Thank you for all of the support and insight.

@paxbar A -3.7 T-score is very severe osteoporosis. I hope you see an endocrinologist. Good luck on your health journey, and thanks for sharing about your experiences.