How do you halt the progress of osteoporosis?

I am 81 and took one Prolia injection and decided against anything further because of side effects. I asked about the odds, and the doctor didn't have an answer. Last week I ran across a statistic: for someone with osteoporosis, the odds of getting a life-threatening fracture is 26%; the odds of getting a less serious fracture is 62%. I've accepted the odds. I continue to do the things that are good for my bones and take extra care with risky behavior, such as climbing ladders, going up and down stairs, etc. I recently read that Tai Chi is excellent for improving balance, which reduces chance for a fall. I plan to begin that soon. At my age, I am at risk for any number of ailments or accidents. A dietitian at my local hospital called my attention to research that stated calcium supplements can cause clogged arteries. I discovered the diet I adopted several years ago for building immunity gives me as much calcium as I need. I've done everything I can about my osteoporosis, so I just set that worry aside and select another worry from my menu of old-lady worries. And I keep a gratitude journal to remind me of everything that's right in my world.

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The odds are alarming but they include people who might have comorbitities that exacerbate a fall risk as well that contribute to the statistics. I don't mean to downplay them but to reassure people that there is an inherent systemic flaw in med stats, . All medical statistics are tricky because, when looking at humans, it's impossible to create a data pool of perfect copies and just isolate one tiny variable and focus solely on it. That's hopeful because it stresses how anything we can do to improve balance skills and an otherwise stronger body pays off in keeping us on the better-than-average outlier end of the statistical charts too.

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I am 81 and took one Prolia injection and decided against anything further because of side effects. I asked about the odds, and the doctor didn't have an answer. Last week I ran across a statistic: for someone with osteoporosis, the odds of getting a life-threatening fracture is 26%; the odds of getting a less serious fracture is 62%. I've accepted the odds. I continue to do the things that are good for my bones and take extra care with risky behavior, such as climbing ladders, going up and down stairs, etc. I recently read that Tai Chi is excellent for improving balance, which reduces chance for a fall. I plan to begin that soon. At my age, I am at risk for any number of ailments or accidents. A dietitian at my local hospital called my attention to research that stated calcium supplements can cause clogged arteries. I discovered the diet I adopted several years ago for building immunity gives me as much calcium as I need. I've done everything I can about my osteoporosis, so I just set that worry aside and select another worry from my menu of old-lady worries. And I keep a gratitude journal to remind me of everything that's right in my world.

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I also have pretty bad negative numbers in the spine. My hope was to avoid meds, also. However, recently had a consult with a Mayo specialist who stated the data shows taking the osteoporosis meds reduce fractures by 50%. I thought that was a pretty good outcome, but still am not sure if I want to take the medication. I wonder if anyone out there has experienced improvement in their T or Z scores by diet and exercise modifications?

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I am 81 and took one Prolia injection and decided against anything further because of side effects. I asked about the odds, and the doctor didn't have an answer. Last week I ran across a statistic: for someone with osteoporosis, the odds of getting a life-threatening fracture is 26%; the odds of getting a less serious fracture is 62%. I've accepted the odds. I continue to do the things that are good for my bones and take extra care with risky behavior, such as climbing ladders, going up and down stairs, etc. I recently read that Tai Chi is excellent for improving balance, which reduces chance for a fall. I plan to begin that soon. At my age, I am at risk for any number of ailments or accidents. A dietitian at my local hospital called my attention to research that stated calcium supplements can cause clogged arteries. I discovered the diet I adopted several years ago for building immunity gives me as much calcium as I need. I've done everything I can about my osteoporosis, so I just set that worry aside and select another worry from my menu of old-lady worries. And I keep a gratitude journal to remind me of everything that's right in my world.

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People are posting here with a wide spectrum of DEXA scans, but I just want to add one comment for more severe cases versus those just over the -2.5 line: osteoporosis is on a spectrum, not a point!

Fall prevention, avoiding bending and twisting, careful exercise can all help avoid fractures. Balance is especially important regarding hip fractures. However, at certain levels of severity, one unfortunate movement can fracture vertebrae. I made a movement similar to pulling a bathing suit on from a sitting position, and fractured three vertebrae.

If a pain free and symptom free life is a goal I would suggest that a year of side effects from meds might be preferable to endless years of pain and disability from fractures. Granted, many of us are actually unable to take meds. Truly unable. At least for certain meds.

The 62% risk of non-life-threatening fractures may sound reasonable, but looking back, I wish I had heeded. I thought I tried every med and that I was unable, but once fractured, I am more than willing to go through side effects for two hours after Tymlos. Some days there aren't any, too.

I did tai chi, I felt great, it was so hard to relate to the risk. I post on here in case my experience can help someone else avoid the "non life-threatening" fractures because they are "life-altering"!

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Morning and thank you for your informative post as well. I agree with you that we all have our own inner voice that, with knowledge can help to find what's best for our own individual strengths, madidies and weaknesses..and not be taken lightly. Knowing that falls are the number one cause of many of our problems..balance is essential to hang onto.
Since I have osteoarthritis in both my knees..there are certain exercises that just hurt too much for me to do...even stairs are painful. I must admit that I did overdue the vibration plate for the first few days of having it and I will go back now and start at a lower intensity level..as per the companies instructions...silly me....But happy to report that my hips are feeling a lot better even if my knees got very angry with me. For those who have osteoporosis in the higher minus numbers...I strongly suggest that you take it easy with your workouts...slow and steady is a better plan for success and not to cause possible damage to our already compromised bones. I am still thrilled with the 'feeling' of shaking that I'm getting with the LifePro Waver machine. I haven't hooked up the 'straps' yet..as I have a kitten who just loves to get into everything..so I'm waiting for the right time to do those upper body exercises along with the vibration plate. It can also be used sitting down as well until one's balance is enough to stand on it safely.
If you google "LifePro", there are interesting videos to watch and learn from.
Hope this was helpful info....enjoy your day!

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I just got the LifePro Waver machine. Thanks for the info. Haven't tried it yet.

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People are posting here with a wide spectrum of DEXA scans, but I just want to add one comment for more severe cases versus those just over the -2.5 line: osteoporosis is on a spectrum, not a point!

Fall prevention, avoiding bending and twisting, careful exercise can all help avoid fractures. Balance is especially important regarding hip fractures. However, at certain levels of severity, one unfortunate movement can fracture vertebrae. I made a movement similar to pulling a bathing suit on from a sitting position, and fractured three vertebrae.

If a pain free and symptom free life is a goal I would suggest that a year of side effects from meds might be preferable to endless years of pain and disability from fractures. Granted, many of us are actually unable to take meds. Truly unable. At least for certain meds.

The 62% risk of non-life-threatening fractures may sound reasonable, but looking back, I wish I had heeded. I thought I tried every med and that I was unable, but once fractured, I am more than willing to go through side effects for two hours after Tymlos. Some days there aren't any, too.

I did tai chi, I felt great, it was so hard to relate to the risk. I post on here in case my experience can help someone else avoid the "non life-threatening" fractures because they are "life-altering"!

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