What about men and Osteoporosis?

@jimmy05 I was 64. My T-score was -3.3 at first, then improved a tiny bit to -3.0 with better nutrition - but one part of my spine was still -3.3 or something like that.

Then I went on Tymlos, which is a daily injection for a maximum of two years. My T-score after nine months went to -2.0, which is osteopenia. I'm now 18 months in, so it's probably even better now. My next DEXA is in January.

I should add that I had no symptoms. I'm a runner. One day I came home, bent over to pick up something, and felt a sharp pain in my back. I thought I wrenched something. It was actually a compression fracture. I was shocked when I found out.

@njx58 that's awesome!!!! Great to hear!!id love to chat with you someday!im scared im 57. My osteoporosis is a result of a medication i took 25 years ago for acid reflux, called pantoprazole. Long term side effects were fractures of thoracic spine and osteoporosis and ofcourse I got both. I've had 2 compression fractures at t7 3 years ago and t8 6 weeks ago. My T-score of lower lumbar is -2.7 and -1.25 in my left hip. I have my first meeting with rheumatologist on 11-12. I'd like to try diet which I've been on for 4 months and exercise which I do daily. I really don't want to do meds cause o don't do well with side effects.. I heard they all try to push the drugs right away, since I had 2 fractures already I'm scared.. don't know what to do...

@njx58 Did you experience the compression fracture before you went on osteoporosis meds?

@tillymack Yes. Until the fracture, I had no clue my bone density was low. Osteoporosis had never entered my mind.

@jimmy05 One problem you may have is that your T-score is probably not low enough to get insurance approval for an anabolic. The insurers have a laundry list of conditions, and one of them is that your T-score must be "severe" which they define as -3.0. That can be worked around if your doctor says there is some reason you can't tolerate a biphosphonate, but the whole insurance process can be a real PITA. You won't be surprised to know that the insurers want you to take the cheapest medication even if it isn't the most effective.

Two fractures at your age is concerning. I would at least ask about an anabolic. It can really make a big difference and get you out of the "woods" so to speak.

I'm currently taking alenondrate 70 mg once a week. 3 years ago I had osteopenia and my pcp put me on alenondrate 35 mg she said I'd have to take it for 3 years. When I fractured my back again 6 weeks ago I had my second dexi scan and it turned into osteoporosis so she upped the dosage to 70 mg once a week until I see the rheumatologist on 11/12. I keep being told that it could be managed effectively by a rheumatologist.

@jimmy05 I think an endocrinologist is better, in my opinion at least.

@jimmy05
I am not able to locate my T score in my notes! I was 66 when first diagnosed with osteoporosis; to which I really had no knowledge about so I went a year without much thought. A year late at a follow up appointment with my endocrinologist he explained that I really needed to get an infusion of Reclast to help strengthen my bones. I again really knew nothing about this so I agreed to the infusion. For a few days I had flu like symptoms and then both shoulders, left foot started hurting and created extremely painful pain along with feeling fatigue and nausea. As time, 16 months has gone by the extreme pain has lessen some but my arms remain feeling extremely weak and sore. I did meet with the endocrinologist pharmacist who shared that the Reclast infusion works for about 18 months; in hopes that within the next two months this stops! I find the more I use my arms throughout the day the less the pain is until I wake. There are times that the pain wakes me up a few times throughout the night. I’m told I require additional treatment but have declined thus far. I do go to physical therapy biweekly and try hard to stay busy and often try to use my arms and foot to extreme in hopes that this pain goes away. I am 68 years old, retired a little over two years ago and thus far have not really got to enjoy much with this constant pain! The only fracture in recent years in my index finger, I was trying to tie my shoe and my finger just snapped forward at the first joint. I tipped it back, put it into a splint and left it until it stopped hurting. I have seen so many people have different symptoms following this infusion; a lot with no side effects and others with great difficulty. My endocrinologist suggested I see my Rheumatologist, which I did, she had X-rays and blood work, waiting for a consult with her to hear her thoughts; my endocrinologist would like for me to receive another infusion; I’m in no hurry!