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What's the goal for T scores?
It just occurred to me: In taking drugs for osteoporosis, is the goal a perfect -1 (or higher), that of a healthy young adult? Do we stop taking meds only when we reach that number? It seems to me unrealistic to think that a 70+-year-old woman like me would ever reach that number, especially having started out with DXA scores of -3 or less.
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@normahorn When I started, months before medication, I was at -3.3. I was at -3.0 when I began Tymlos, and improved to -2.0 in nine months. It's now a year later, and I am due for a DEXA this month. I don't think I'll reach -1.5 - I guess it's possible - but I expect to see more improvement.
I've also been doing back-strengthening exercises for two years, along with my usual gym routine.
I am not the typical patient, though, at least I don't think? 67-year-old male, athletic. Still, there are plenty of stories out there of people who made big improvements.
@njx58 I am totally envious of your numbers!! I also exercise pretty much daily (though probably not as vigorously as you), but am still, at -2.9 with one year of Tymlos, pretty far from -2.0.
@dvargo It seems to be the quickest fix for most doctors.
I did 1 year of Evenity , but I did not take the prescribed Jubbonte that my specialist wanted me to go on.
She would not acknowledge or recognize my REMS or DECA scan calling them rubbish and a waste of time.
I am currently looking for another specialist and I am even considering going to the USA and paying for proper help.
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1 Reaction@bonebuddiesforlife was your dexa and rems good? Doctors are only trained to hand out pills. Strong bones is a whole body approach.
Both REMs and DEXA were better than my last CT scan the previous year.
I have 3 compression fractures in my spine.
I have a kinesiologist that I work with and it has does wonders for me.
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1 Reaction@sebutler Are you doing specific weight-bearing exercises? How about nutrition? I take vitamin D3 and K2, and collagen peptides.
You can still make gains in year two. Does your doctor order blood tests to monitor P1NP and CTX?
Hi, njx58 -- Yup, weight-bearing exercises (jogging on treat mill, strength-training with free weights). I take D3, but not K2 and collagen peptides. I eat kale a couple times a week (in my smoothies). I've been skeptical re collagen because I've read that the molecule is too big to actually be absorbed.
Yes, I hope I make gains in year two. DXA coming up this week. I have to ask my docs for tests looking at the bone turnover markers -- just requested one, which I will get this week. Tymlos really upped both P1NP and CTX; a bit slower with the last P1NP, but still building bone.
@njx58
What are your back strengthening exercises?
I had great improvement with weight training. Have been using a trainer twice a week for two years now.
I had even better improvement after a year on Evenity, followed by one Reclast. I continue the weight training and hope for more improvement.
At this point, the DEXA reading has my at osteopenia everywhere except my right hip is around -2, which I guess is close to osteopenic. I take 1000 of D and 500 mg of calcium, per the endocrinologist.
I do have a 7 to 10 pound weighted vest, that I have yet to use, for no particular reason, but the endocrinologist said I could use it twice a week for 20 minutes.
It’s great to see what others do thanks to this website! And great to see we all are striving to take care of ourselves. I’m a pretty active 73 year old.
Many people find this person's YouTube page to be really helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/results
@bonebuddiesforlife Interesting about REMS. I the US I've only been offered Evenity after my DEXA...never even suggested REMS. What kind of improvement did you see on Evenity?