I have osteop only in my right hip secondary to the above knee amputation over 40 years ago - no weight bearing on that hip. I took oral bisphosphonates for ten years, Prolia for two and then IV Boniva for 18 months in order to get off the Prolia (which wasn't beneficial in my case). It's difficult to overcome the lack of weight bearing. I know with bisphosphonates, and probably the others, you have to take calcium supplements because the medication affects the levels in your bloodstream. I also know that once you take Prolia you cannot simply quit because there is a rebound effect that causes spinal fractures. There is a school of thought that we are overmedicating for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Some people deal with it through weight bearing and resistance exercise and calcium supplements.

My oncologist originally prescribed bisphosphonates during my long term follow up. Then I saw an endocrinologist that didn't inspire confidence. I finally found a rheumatologist who specialized in bone density disorders, published papers, etc. He was good - he retired from patient care. I was unimpressed with one of his colleagues and have stopped all the meds. I decided I'd rather deal with a hip fracture than than all the risks of long term systemic use of the meds.

When the OP wrote ”osteo diagnosis” she was referring to a disgnosis of osteoporosis, not diagnosis by an osteopath.

Kswl, never, ever correct Elmer, as he is the almighty bearer of unrefutable information on every topic, especially those related to women.

RNMom, my sister, who is naturally thin, was diagnosed with oesteopenia a few years ago. She's upped her calcium and D (which I understand is not an option for you), and incorporated more strength training. So far, she has warded off medication, and her doctor seems satisfied with this current regimen. But she wouldn't hesitate to take medication if needed.

I recommend researching jump roping, or just jumping, and its potential use in this situation. I jump each morning, although I don't use a jump rope, as I'd probably strangle myself.

If you have the option, I believe weight bearing exercise like walking and (even light) weight lifting can make a difference at any age. My father, now in his 70s, previously reversed osteopenia with medication, walking / jogging, and weight lifting. After retirement he stopped walking / jogging and shortly afterwards was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I'm not equiped to give any medication or supplement advice, but I do think if you can add in daily walking that could really help.

Lol every accusation is a confession, Elmer. You‘ve posted/edited/modified that post a couple of times this afternoon. Are *you* drinking?

My docs recommend prolia for me, but I am still fighting it. My former sec'y was on fosamax for years and ended up with jaw necrosis for which there is no treatment. Her jaw bone is dying, her teeth are falling out and there's nothing to be done.

The other side effect is that for some reason, your femur can snap....the largest bone in your body.

No thank you.

I have since added vit k2 to my calcium supplements and hope that will improve my situation.

Good grief - what kind of men want to spend time engaged in a womens osteoporosis discussion. 😳

I always thought this side was safe from such thread disruption, but I guess no longer.

Please stop engaging as it only adds more disruption, more heat, no light.

I want to know why he came over here.

No help, sorry. Just a question. Where does one get a Dexa scan? Should I ask my Dr. about getting one.

You should be getting regular scans. they are quick and easy.

I had a former pharmacology professor advise against bone meds because they only strengthen the outer layer. So if there’s a break, it can be far worse as a result. these meds have not been suggested to me, so I haven't asked any more questions.

I take HRT and the following supplements focused on bone health.

A blend of collegan with VERISOL® and FORTIBONE.

Also a formula by Jarro called BoneUp.

Mtn, you are too young unless you have a family history. Usually they start at 65 without risk factors.. Insurance pays every 2 years. Done at imaging centers, you don't need to change out of your clothes if you wear gym clothes with no metal(or at least where I have them done). Quick and easy 5-10 minute scan of spine and hips.

I get a dexa same time I get a mammo. Thing is mine shows osteopenia. Normally they don't do the wrist but these guys do. My wrist shows osteoporosis. So my doc says if I have in one place, I have it. But normally they wouldn't even know it and just say I have osteopenia. I started getting them early as I had Grave's disease which is a risk factor for bone loss.

Talk about timing. I am currently at Mayo Clinic for an osteoporosis consult scheduled for tomorrow.

I too heard all the anecdotal necrosis and side-effect horror stories. So I for years I upped the nutrition, weight bearing exercises, vest wearing, and supplement taking measures.

DEXA continued to slide. Marginally, but I expected it to go in the other direction.

Recently at a lunch with friends I polled this savvy group. A new and unexpected anecdote. Osteoporosis? No joint replacement possible. A friend of a friend with severe nerve damage from an attempted pin for a fracture.

I decided it's time for expert (a literal expert) opinion. I'm sure it will be a balance of lesser evils, but my thoughtful and informed decision will be easier for me to live with, whatever the outcome.

So if you have questions you think I should ask, fire away.

PSA. Get a DEXA now. Call any facility that does xrays or mammos. I had my DDs (late 20s early 30s) out of pocket. $75-$100. I wish I had a baseline. I'm glad they have one.

Oh @Annie Deighnaugh that is terrible and scary! How sad for your friend. Thank you for the heads up.

@gardener123 - joint replacement is possible with osteoporosis. Think of all the joint replacements that are done - certainly some of those people have osteop. I've consulted with several orthopods including one at the top ortho hospital in the US and all have agreed a hip joint replacement would be the treatment of choice if I break my hip. Only one of them said he wouldn't have anything to do with it but I know he prefers the high volume, high dollar quick in and out joint replacements.

MtnMTN, i get my dexa and mammo at the imaging center at my hospital. My PCP is happy to give me a script. I think dexascans are the easiest of all imaging tests. You just lie on a table and stare at the ceiling tiles. Dont wear anything with metal., such as zippers.

I had my first dexa in my 50s. My bones are pretty sturdy.

I'm linking another thread I started on this topic which might be helpful for some: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6560216/anyone-on-prolia-for-osteoporosis#n=34 That's where I learned about Vit K2

It has felt like a pleasant, safe space and is worth preserving as such.

I would hate to see it sullied by the sort of whining, complaining, criticizing, and one-upsmanship as is common in other groups.

I had a ”bone density study” in 2021, recommended as routine because of my age (56 at the time). Is that the same as a dexa scan? Mine was normal.

Probably yes, it’s the least invasive scan. Simply lie back and be still.

My endocrinologist wants me to start osteoporosis treatment even though I am still in osteopenia. I have looked at studies and seen the effectiveness of the bisphosphonates and am not convinced they are worth the risk. Of 100 women over a three year period, 6 will experience a fracture. On the treatment, 4 women will experience a fracture. Those odds are not compelling for me/ my situation. The risk of esophogeal erosion alone would deter me. However, everyone’s health and risks are different. You can take an online FRAX assessment and use that as a first step. It’s more helpful if you’ve had a dexa scan and can enter the value of your left femoral neck bone density (and the type of scan you had).

Because of the severity of my spinal fractures along with the risk assessments, I am starting on one of the anabolic meds that stimulate bone growth. This most likely will require daily injections, something I said I wouldn't do. Oh well!

As your risk of fracture goes higher it makes more sense to treat. Having a doctor who knows all your risk factors and health history is really the key to making these decisions. Paradoxically, I would rather go with the recommendation of my GP who knows my complete health picture than a specialist I rarely see. That’s the opposite of how I usually make such decisions 🤔

Since DH has fractured his back twice (both times sneezing), he was diagnosed with osteoporosis. He has been doing injections for almost 24mths now (which is the recommended max). Two different meds. Abaloparatide (Tymlos) first, but DR changed to Teriparatide due to labwork showing increased calcium. He recently started having gout, and discussed with his rhuematologist, but labs do not show an increase in uric acid (started tart cherry drink and tablets). He has also suffered from kidney stones previously (been drinking lemon juice in the mornings ever sice).

Side Note: You should always stand to sneeze, as sitting causes more pressure on the spine.

I went through menopause at 43. Bone density (Dexa) 50, 60, 64. All vey good. Booked with mammogram and sonogram.

I think the clear indication of bone issues makes the risks of taking the meds worthwhile. Let us know how you do with it!

Osteo meds serve two different purposes. They either slow bone breakdown or build new bone. With my history of a fragility fracture and my current scores, I am definitely in the treat category. I am not a good candidate currently for the antiresorptives due to the spinal fractures. After bone regrowth, I will be on them to maintain most likely.

My GP was saying treatment wasn't necessary because my hip fracture risk is low, but she was leaving out the big risk of more spinal fractures. Fortunately, the spinal issues do not cause me any issues. Hopefully it stays that way.

@Allison0704, does you hubby have any issues with the shots? The MD did warn about the reported dizzy/lightheadedness reported. Any tips?

For those of you who have been encouraged to start medication with a diagnosis of osteopenia, you night find this very long article interesting. It was written in 2009.

"Osteopenia is different from osteoporosis. In fact, though Benghauser is extremely health conscious, she wasn't familiar with it. "I'd heard of osteoporosis before, but I'd never heard of osteopenia," she says.

Osteopenia, it turns out, is a slight thinning of the bones that occurs naturally as women get older and typically doesn't result in disabling bone breaks. Still, Benghauser's doctor recommended that she go on treatment. As Benghauser asked around, it turned out that many of her peers were taking the pills. For example, she works in an office in Richmond, Va., with seven other women.

"Half the staff is younger, in their 20s and 30s, and then there are four of us that are over 50," she said. "Three of those four are on some kind of medication for osteopenia."

I am one who was encouraged to start a bisphosphonate with that diagnosis. I resisted.

How a bone disease grew to fit the prescription LINK

I got my first Dexa scan at 50, probably because my mom had osteoporosis. She was convinced by her pcp to go on Prolia. I researched it and similar drugs thoroughly, and told her not to take it. She did not listen, though. Long story short, she lived the last several years of her life with a broken bone that was irreparable. The mechanism which almost all of these meds use does not actually build new bone. They just slow the normal turnover of bone cells so you retain more ”old” bone cells. This makes it appear on scans as though your bone density has increased when it really hasn’t.

We all do what we think is best for our health, but personally I will never take one of them after witnessing what my mom experienced. I have osteopenia at 63 according to my last scan.

@Trapped I remember reading an article a decade ago (at least) about how they just made up osteopenia.

Such as this:

In June 1992, the World Health Organization defined osteopenia.[48][34] An osteoporosis epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic who participated in setting the criterion in 1992 said "It was just meant to indicate the emergence of a problem", and noted that "It didn't have any particular diagnostic or therapeutic significance. It was just meant to show a huge group who looked like they might be at risk. Wikipedia.

I posted a big link a few months ago with all the refernces to prove the Dx was madeup by a commitee that was full to the brim of Big Pharma executives and Drs were getting kickbacks.

My post was basically ignored. Women were discouraged on purpose from taking HRT estrogen and or progesterone combo. It was to ensure that there were plenty of candidates for the ” bone building ” drugs. As it happens women are NOT more likely to get breast cancer or die from anything related to HRT . They are much more likely to be disabled by bone fractures and falls and then suffer the lengthy death due to pain and being bedbound.

I had a hysterectomy in 1996 at 46 due to heavy bleeding from fibroids which were allowed to grow beyond easy removal by a negligent female OB. I switched to a male friend OB and he left my ovaries. I went for 2 years more before they stopped functioning. I started taking HRT as soon as I had my first hot flash 11/1998. I am still taking it. A reduced dose in patch form. I have never had another hot flash. My Dexa scan shows I have the bones of a mid 30’s female. I have lost 1/2” in height at 75.

All this to say that it shouldn’t be a surprise that women have not received the best medical advice on this subject. One only needs to look at the decades of poor treatment surrounding heart disease when women are experiencing symptoms.

c

C, I have been on the estrogen patch and progesterone pill for over a decade. My quality of life improved immensely after I started using them. I was so happy when the new findings were published. Research on women’s health issues is so far behind that of men.

Re: systemic estrogen hrt, my understanding is that one should not restart it if you are post-menopausal—- does this sound correct?

@texanjana yes it is. We are all victims, in one way or another , of the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. Nevermind working conditions and salaries and human rights. 😳.

My DD is still struggling with getting her Ferritin level up and huge loss of hair and exhaustion all because of incompetent female Gyn’s at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. She discovered after posting on her FB page how many friends were victims as well ! They were struggling silently because the Dr’s had them thinking ” it‘s part of being a woman”. Bull s$$$. It is about money and control.

My soapbox is getting overheated. I will give it a rest. I made chili and cornbread because it is cold and raining ! 🙏❤️

Great book by Marty Makary - Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health - very enlightening including a chapter on HRT. People read so much about medical conditions and treatments and have no idea how to tell what is based on sound scientific research and what is not.

@allison0704. I remember hearing that too about it being a made up disease.. And I've fought against taking anything for years and years. Several years ago I had a tooth implant and when the oral surgeon saw my medical records and the Rx for a biphosphonate ( which I had ignored, )he was concerned about how it would effect the healing process.

I am very fortunate that my DH is a physician who actually reads the journals himself. Back in 1998 when I had a hysterectomy in Florida he made sure I was on HRT as even back then the scientific community knew there was nothing wrong with it! Coincidentally, after my surgery the pathologist told DH there was cancer present in my uterine tissue. DH asked to examine it under a microscope himself and was not convinced. He had the sample sent out of state to a research specialist who agreed and I was spared completely unnecessary cancer treatment. I count my blessings and lucky stars every day. Women tend to be shockingly under treated AND over treated.

I think there are people who truly need treatment for osteoporosis but I think there are many more who would survive just fine without it. Osteoporosis is for real, osteopenia is a made up term based on arbitrary bone density levels.

@RNmomof2 zone 5 - Thank you for mentioning dizziness related to Osteoporosis treatment. Nobody mentioned this to me and my GP did not connect the dots. I started Fosomax about a year ago. Last fall I started getting dizzy frequently, primarily when changing positions in a chair or standing up, occasionally out of nowhere. I thought that had I checked for side effects before I brought the issue to my doctor, but apparently not. After having multiple tests, consulting with a cardiologist and an ENT they could not find anything wrong. Probably the Fosomax, 1% to 10% of those on the drug have dizziness.

@3katz4me absolutely it is osteopenia that is a made up disease as a precursor of osteoporosis , which is indeed a disease. A terrible trick being played on primarily women to make money for the pharmaceutical and medical community.

Just as the lies that were told about HRT were solely to create a disease that would need treatment , the made up osteopenia , and I believe, because menopause can be debiliating with its intense s/e for many women it is a controlling factor .

If as a person trained as an RN , I sound sceptical of the medical community , I am. Of course there are many out there who care deeply about their practice and the quality of the care they give. But there are shocking numbers who have lost touch with ” Do No Harm”. c