PCP Suggesting Meds for Osteopenia

Posted by northrancher @northrancher, 3 days ago

I'm 73 and I've had stable Osteopenia for about 20 years. Last June, I had a terrible fall, which resulted in an L1 Compression Fracture (20% LOH). Due to that fall, my PCP says I'm now considered as having clinical Osteoporosis and is recommending I take an OP med. Would really like your opinions and thank you, in advance.

Here are my DEXA results from last week:

L2-4
T-score -1.7
Left femoral neck
T-score -0.9
Right femoral neck
T-score -0.9
Left femur
T-score -0.9
Right femur
T-score -0.8
1.6% hip fracture over 10 yrs
14.2% major fracture

CTX 419

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nightsky | @nightsky | 18 hours ago

I'm drinking PH 9 water to help my spine, eating 60-100 grams of prunes and 200 grams of Jarlsberg cheese daily.

I'm exercising, although I need to do more of it.

My osteoporosis improved to osteopenia without drugs. I'm continuing on this path to avoid potential drug side effects. It seems to me that all medicines can have a downside.

northrancher | @northrancher | 17 hours ago

In reply to @nightsky "I was considering Osteostrong until I read about people who experienced fractures during their sessions." + (show)

Oh no! very disturbing. Where did you hear this?

northrancher | @northrancher | 16 hours ago

In reply to @nightsky "I'm drinking PH 9 water to help my spine, eating 60-100 grams of prunes and 200..." + (show)

Good for you figuring out what works without taking meds. I'm still working on it for myself. My goal is to stay in osteopenia & avoid falls.

jennirdh | @jennirdh | 5 hours ago

In reply to @nightsky "I was considering Osteostrong until I read about people who experienced fractures during their sessions." + (show)

The location I go to in central Florida I have confidence in, they are right there with me, spotting me and checking my positioning during each session. There haven’t been any issues at least at that one. I did get clearance from doc before I started and I was very anxious at first, it was only 4 months since I’d fractured L4&5. They started me out very very cautiously, and I am gradually getting stronger. Of course I would check w your doctor that you trust, but at least go to your Osteostrong location and have them show you the machines and explain the process. Then decide for yourself!

nightsky | @nightsky | 4 hours ago

In reply to @jennirdh "The location I go to in central Florida I have confidence in, they are right there..." + (show)

I'm glad they are starting you slowly. Apparently, a trainer rushed a woman into a training too intense for her bones.

jennirdh | @jennirdh | 4 hours ago

In reply to @nightsky "I'm glad they are starting you slowly. Apparently, a trainer rushed a woman into a training..." + (show)

That’s terrible! If anything I am still VERY careful, that feeling of vertebrae compression fracturing is horrific. I, too, never want to experience that again! 4 times total for me, T12 was the only one I wasn’t exactly sure when it happened…