What decision to make regarding osteoporosis

Posted by bettersleep68 @bettersleep68, Mar 6, 2023

I am going for my dexa in a few weeks..I am concerned it will show more bone loss..I am scared to start any of those medications and side effects..anyone else feel like this ...maybe just whatever will be ..

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freckle1 | @freckle1 | Apr 6 5:00pm

In reply to @windyshores "Ten years is too long on Fosamax! So sorry for your mother's experience. Did she have..." + (show)

Nope. But although she had many falls, she didn't have a fracture. Died of the flu at 93.

vgen | @vgen | Apr 7 8:36am

In reply to @nhubbard1 "Diane Stanley I had no idea I had osteoporosis..I am 75 always very active bike riding..." + (show)

I am so sorry for your pain. Going from active to your condition is very sad. Bone building drugs scare me. All us old ladies seem to have osteoporosis and the drugs seem to be very painful. Hope you recover fast

windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 7 11:13am

In reply to @vgen "I am so sorry for your pain. Going from active to your condition is very sad...." + (show)

@vgen I can say from personal experience that fractures are more painful! And the effects never go away. My spinal fractures affect digestion, breathing and heart rhythm. Still painful and I can't life anything. A bottle of seltzer is heavy for me.

gailabee | @gailabee | Jun 7 6:52am

In reply to @glitzy50 "Anyone have improved bone density after using algaecal?" + (show)

I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!

windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 7 9:25am

In reply to @gailabee "I’ve been taking AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium for 3 years. My last Dexa showed improvement!" + (show)

@gailabee the strontium will make your bone density look better on DEXA that it really is. Strontium replaces calcium in bone and is denser, to the scan looks denser than if you didn't take strontium. This does not mean you have no improvement. But the DEXA results should be adjusted by a radiologist who knows how to adjust for strontium.

Also, I have kept a chart on my DEXA results since 2006 and the scores jump around a bit so unfortunately we have to look at trends, and we only usually have the scans every two years, so trend watching is difficult!

patjack2 | @patjack2 | Jun 8 2:30pm

I think there’s lots you can do in lieu of drugs. You can lift weights, walk and walk and walk. Join an exercise program. I go to Osteostrong and it’s been very successful for me. Good luck to you.
I’ve been told by a physician friend that it’s important to have your Dexa done on the same machine every time. I’ve been looking into Echolight, a new and supposedly more accurate reading of bone density.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 8 6:11pm

In reply to @patjack2 "I think there’s lots you can do in lieu of drugs. You can lift weights, walk..." + (show)

I think that everyone can make a decision based on individual situations, about medications, but I personally would not say there is "lots you can do in lieu of drugs" for those with severe osteoporosis. As the sufferer of many spinal fractures, I just feel compelled to add that caution to this discussion. Fractures are very painful and disabling, affect GI and breathing, and reduce independence. I urge anyone with serious DEXA scores (or previous fractures) to look at drug options. The medications work. More holistic approaches can be used alongside meds and even follow meds for maintenance in some cases.