Undecided choice of drugs for Osteoporosis

Hesitating and researching are important. Since you are borderline, you have time. I like your rheumatologist because she doesn't use Prolia or pressure.
While reclast is a workhorse drug used successfully by many, the side effects (for about 20%) can be severe. If you take the reclast which is a 5mg dose, you could consider asking for a 1 or 2 mg dose with a longer infusion to test your reaction. Windyshores is the in house expert.
I would suggest that you look at Forteo and ask your rheumatologist about it. I say this because I'm taking it and have had no adverse effect.
If you have an unfortunate reaction to Forteo, you can quit taking it. The drug leaves the body quickly. Reclast is more complex it stays in the system for the three months and can cause cascade events that last even longer.
Your friends may be making very good decisions for themselves.
I was afraid of the fractures that can alter life in unimagined ways.
If you have any question we have 10 different answers to confound you.
Bless your choice with luck.

Side effects vs Risks -my explanation.
I can push through temporary inconveniences, like tiredness, nausea, temporary joint pain etc. I am not afraid that I might be feeling poorly for a couple of weeks.
It’s the possible long term risks, e.g. loss of density if stopping the medication, more susceptible to fractures in some cases.
Does that make sense, I hope I’ve explained it properly.

They are absolutely allowed to state their opinion.
In fact I value their opinions.
They are friends with whom each of us has medical issues; it’s wonderful to be able to share our concerns, and get an opinion from a different perspective.
I don’t need their stamp of approval, but it sure is nice to discuss openly with people who care about each other.
I do not have any friends, or relatives who have taken osteoporosis medication.
I am basing my concerns on blogs, reviews, articles, videos.

Thank you!
You are absolutely right!
In this particular situation I have stop listening to others opinions, and fearing that they are correct; I need to make a decision based on my needs. 👍🏻

I would like to say I don't think I will be taking any drugs but I also realize I don't realistically have that option, given my age (86) & the state of my bones.

My advice would be to find a physio who specialises in bone health and stay off drugs for as long as possible. I am 76 and recently had chemo and radio for an aggressive estrogen driven breast cancer. So have to take anastrazole, which is bad for bone health. Medical oncologist says I need to take it for several years. After 6 months with the physio my bone density has improved significantly - although am still diagnosed with osteopenia. Twice a week. Now lifting 24K kettlebells and doing 50K on the leg press. Means I don't need to walk much- chemo caused peripheral neuropathy, so walking isn't pleasant.

To take drugs or not is turning into one of the biggest devisions of my senior years. (I am 77). My mother had six sisters and every one of them developed osteoporosis. They all lost a lot of inches in height, had rounded shoulders, and one had a dowager’s hump. They took no drugs because they didn't exist then, but they all lived past 90 with no bone problems. My endocrinologist had recommended Evenity but said he understands my reluctance to take drugs and seems to be ok with me trying a year of natural approach….brisk walk every day, op exercises, bone collagen, calcium. I will have another bone scan at the end of the year and see what happens. I am relatively small (5 feet tall, 108 pounds) and tend to have negative reactions to drugs so i am hoping the natural approach works for me. We must each decide individually what is best for us.

@freckle1 I hope you will have a DEXA scan after one year on anastrazole. I lost a lot of bone that year. I did end up fracturing right after I finished my 5 years. I went on Tymlos and regained a lot after that.

My docs would not prescribe Reclast to help my bones during letrozole due to my afib. That was a big mistake. I hope you don't need meds for bones during anastrazole but most of us do.

@sandrajhunt when you get to the point that your spine is rounded. I can tell you from personal experience that you experience digestive, breathing and even heart issues. I am just telling you because noone told me. It takes a few fractures to round the back.

guinevere, I cheer your realization. I'm of the mind that once you've lost a degree of bone only pharmaceuticals will restore their integrity. I respect anyone who engages in "natural" methods, while fearing for their bones.