1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Osteoporosis quite severe if I started hrt now will it help . I am 74

Posted by tiny28 @tiny28, Apr 6 9:57am

Any other woman of a similar age to myself with osteoporosis found hrt helpful quickly? I am just so scared of the other drugs. I have had no fractures yet but I feel they are imminent !!

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dawnplanta3456 | @dawnplanta3456 | Apr 10 11:09am

I had two atypical femur fracture surgeries 5/months ago. Latest dexascan in arms is -5. Cannot do legs because of too much metal and spine is somewhat deteriorated because of my age which is 90.
Is there really any point in taking a medication when the change if any is only incremental and because of my age I don’t have that many years to improve. I am considering just being careful not to fall.

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drsuefowler | @drsuefowler | Apr 10 11:25am
In reply to @broken13 "I am 67 with severe osteoporosis. I did Forteo to build bone and then Raloxifene to..." + (show)
@broken13

I am 67 with severe osteoporosis. I did Forteo to build bone and then Raloxifene to maintain the gains.
No side effects at all with Raloxifene . Forteo initially had some headaches and tummy upset, but just took it at night and that worked. I am also very med sensitive, so happy this worked and I have had no further fractures for the past 8 years. If you need to build bone, I would research Forteo.

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@broken13, Are you still on Raloxifene? I am on Forteo and need a med to hold in gains. I assume you have to stay on that med forever?

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1 reply
rjd | @rjd | Apr 10 12:00pm
In reply to @oopsiedaisy "Here's a paper discussing Covid's impact on bone metabolism: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10912131/ It's lengthy but here are a..." + (show)
@oopsiedaisy

Here's a paper discussing Covid's impact on bone metabolism:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10912131/
It's lengthy but here are a couple of paragraphs from the paper that summarize the impact.

"Emerging research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may have significant effects on bone health, potentially leading to bone loss. Two studies identified hypocalcemia, characterized by low blood calcium levels, as a prevalent condition in SARS-CoV-2 patients, and low levels correlated with increased disease severity and worse clinical outcomes [75, 76]. A third study found SARS-CoV-2 infection altered bone turnover markers, suggesting that even moderate severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection could impact bone health and potentially lead to bone loss, even without concurrent hypocalcemia [77•].

These findings increase concern that SARS-CoV-2 infection may have long-term effects on bone health, underscoring the importance of evaluating patients’ bone turnover markers and fracture risk post-recovery."

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Thank you for the link. There is an incredible amount to understand and absorb.

In particular, the statements about BTM's are interesting given how much controversy there seems to be about the use of BTM's for monitoring treatment.

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1 reply
broken13 | @broken13 | Apr 10 12:57pm

@drsueflowler I am now back on Forteo, but the generic brand. The suggestion is for me to go on Evenity afterwards and then Prolia. I am favouring going back on Raloxifene . Raloxifine held well for 6 years. It was the "insignificant loss' over time, that suggested I go back on a bone builder.

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bboon55 | @bboon55 | Apr 10 3:56pm
In reply to @rjd "Would you please provide the link for any studies showing COVID causing rapid bone loss. Thank..." + (show)
@rjd

Would you please provide the link for any studies showing COVID causing rapid bone loss. Thank you.

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Long-term effects of Covid-19 infection on bone mineral density
J Glob Health. 2024 Oct 18;14:05029

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active1 | @active1 | Apr 11 7:40am
In reply to @drsuefowler "@broken13, Are you still on Raloxifene? I am on Forteo and need a med to hold..." + (show)
@drsuefowler

@broken13, Are you still on Raloxifene? I am on Forteo and need a med to hold in gains. I assume you have to stay on that med forever?

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You can quit Raloxifene whenever you want.

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1 reply
tiny28 | @tiny28 | Apr 11 8:24am
In reply to @active1 "You can quit Raloxifene whenever you want." + (show)
@active1

You can quit Raloxifene whenever you want.

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I am not on raloxifene

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oopsiedaisy | @oopsiedaisy | Apr 11 10:46am
In reply to @rjd "Thank you for the link. There is an incredible amount to understand and absorb. In particular,..." + (show)
@rjd

Thank you for the link. There is an incredible amount to understand and absorb.

In particular, the statements about BTM's are interesting given how much controversy there seems to be about the use of BTM's for monitoring treatment.

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Agreed. I don't think even the experts know.

For example, they track our BMD measurements through DEXA but there is no guarantee that improving BMD will lower our fracture risk.

For example, I was placed on alendronate and saw pretty significant improvements in my BMD, (+25% in my spine, +7% in my hip). I have never had a measurement in the osteoporotic range in my spine yet I had a compression fracture 16 months ago.

Clearly there is more going on than just measured BMD.

I've never had any bone markers measured. Looking back, I feel like there may have been some value. My current doctor doesn't measure them or use DEXA scans more than every two years.

I have an appointment with an endocrinologist specializing in metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis at the end of this month and have a list of questions. I'm mostly looking for opinions from someone who should have a lot of experience.

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maryandnans | @maryandnans | Apr 12 9:05am

I just started on bioidentical estrogen. I hope that it helps to keep my osteoporosis from getting worse. I talked to several doctors BHRT., but until I mentioned that I still do have hot flashes night sweats etc they would not give me BHRT just for osteoporosis. I am 70 years old my right femoral neck at last check was negative 2.6 everything else is still osteopenia. I understand about not wanting to take osteoporosis medication. After doing extensive research I feel the same way. My goal is to continue my exercise and strength program and hopefully with the bhrt I will see at least the stabilization in my next Texas scan in 2026.

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tiny28 | @tiny28 | Apr 12 12:19pm

That’s great to hear. I have just begun mine plus added testosterone. Only four days in. My spine is much worse than yours and I can’t do weight bearing as i have a very bad pelvis problem. Si joint dysfunction.

Good luck and let me know your progress .

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