Anyone diagnosed with osteoporosis?

Peri

If so, I'm looking for some good education resources. I'll be making an appointment with my regular doctor asap but I want to know the current treatments. Five years ago "they" were pushing fosomax on everyone, then they decided it wasn't right for younger (I'm 57, they meant below 70) women. Have any genuine, well researched conclusions been reached yet or are we all still experiments? And what kind of MD specializes in osteoporosis?

Thanks for any info!

8 years ago

Off Topic

22 replies

Latest reply was from Laurie

Donna

Active Member

Read everything you can. My mom, who is in her late 70's has some health issues that were probably exacerbated by Fosomax. She has stopped taking the meds and totally changed her eating habits. Here is a link to some information that could be helpful.
https://www.drmcdougall.com/he.....eoporosis/

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'll be watching, Peri. And thinking of you. I suspect I am next in line here, as both my parents suffered from it.

A woman at my gym class has just been diagnosed (in her late 50s). She tried the medication and it made her feel horribly ill and in pain. So now she is going the nutritional route for one year to see what happens.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, but not osteoporosis. I had a bone density scan done recently, and so far my bones are fine. I hope and pray I don't get osteoporosis. It seems like the medicine that's prescribed isn't all that good.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I had a dexa scan a few months ago that showed that I have Osteopenia at age 60. I am of good weight (not too thin and not overweight), but I am small boned and always thought that I may be at risk for osteoporosis someday. Despite eating/drinking a lot of calcium rich food and having been an avid exerciser since my youth, I still developed osteopenia. My dexa showed the ever slightest bit of a problem in my wrist and hips and my spine was fine.

I had a dexa scan performed when I was in menopause at age 47 to get a baseline and I was fine. I was not on hormone replacement therapy and therefore, pushed my doctor to order another dexa scan at 60 rather than wait until the recommended age 65. I am glad I did because I can take steps now to delay any further bone loss.

If I were to look for a doctor to go to for my problem, I would most likely pick one who deals with this quite often, like a gynecologist. The other option is to find a doctor who has special interest in this area. It could be your family physician, an internist, rheumatologist, etc. if they have and treat many patients with osteoporosis.

I am currently working with physiotherapist that I know who works with many elderly people who have osteoporosis, to develop an exercise program for me to keep my bones and muscles strong. It is pretty much what I have been doing,except that I am working out with my weights - including ankle and wrist weights.

My mother who never exercised a day in her life or even ate well developed osteoporosis. I have no idea when she developed it, but was diagnosed in her 80s. She took Boniva and had no problems. My FIL also was in his 80s and took Fosamax.

Don't know what stage of menopause you may be in, but is hormone replacement a consideration?

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, me. 17 years ago when my Mum died, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have absolutely no bone density. I fit the profile: very slight blonde women from Nordic descent.

No need to take meds yet. Need a healthy diet and exercise - got that covered. Will revisit the condition when I hit menopause.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I got osteoporosis pre-menopause due to a malfunctioning parathyroid gland, which caused calcium to be pulled out of my bones and dumped into my bloodstream. I had to have the gland removed, and they followed it with 2 annual IV infusions of Reclast. I couldn't take Fosmax and similar drugs due to horrible GI distress. I'm okay now, and never had any side effects from the Reclast. I'm back in the less-scary osteopenia category now. I didn't really have time to do any research when I was going through this, but I was fortunate to have a very good OB/GYN and internist looking after me, and I just did what they told me.

8 years ago

Kat

Veteran

Here's a link to an updated (2015) article from the American Academy of Family Practitioners-- http://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0815/p261.html

that may provide some useful information for you when discussing findings with your healthcare provider... Because osteoporosis can be associated with other conditions, a rheumatologist is probably a good first stop-for evaluating your condition and any possible modifiable risks.

Good luck to you!

8 years ago

Anonymous

Me. I've had it gor many years. The most recent bone scans show more bone loss in my hips. I have been on Fozamax for years, then off it for years and now on a once a week generic. Do not overdo the calcium in your diet or supplements. I just went through a series of 24-hour urine tests trying to get mine down because I am in danger of kidney stones. There are internists who specialize in osteoporosis. I found one of those who also is a diabetes specialist. Right now she is more concerned with the osteoporosis than the diabetes.
Weight bearing exercise helps. I did very well when I went to Curves but there is not one near where I live now.

8 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

I was diagnosed with osteopenia at 50 after my parathyroid blood test was slightly elevated. My latest dexa scan (I'm now 52) shows more bone loss so I am now taking 500 mg extra calcium and 2000 IU of Vitamin D3. I will increase my weight bearing exercise and see if that helps. I am small boned and border-line petite, which puts me at risk. My mother broke a wrist at age 60 after a fall, so I guess that's a red flag.

I haven't seen her lately on the forum, but Thistle was diagnosed with osteoporosis at a young age and if I remember correctly, had to embark on a pretty strenuous weight-lifting program. I wonder if it has helped.

8 years ago

Gail

Veteran

I was dx with osteoporosis in my spine and osterpeania in my hip 4 years ago at 52. My Father had it and I am am slight with a smallish frame.
I did not take any meds for the first two years and tried to control with diet and exercise. I went for another Dexa scan in 2014 and it had progressed to a point that I was 70% likely to get a fracture . It scared me as I saw my Father hunch over in a very short period of time. I started Fosamax two years ago. I take it once a week and it does cause me some heartburn and I have to watch what I eat a little more but I have become used to it. I just went for another Dexa scan in November. The results were very good for me.
My hip improved by 3.9% and is now back in the normal range for my age. My spine improved by 9.1% ! It is still in the range of osteoporosis but my risk of fracture is much less now. I have also started running and increased my Vitamin D and Calcium. My specialist's goal is for me to come off the meds after the next Dexa scan in 2 years.

8 years ago

carter

Veteran

Peri, nice to "see" you! I hope you'll post your progress and findings on this as you go along. Although neither of my parents was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I have little doubt that both had it. I have been doing a bit of research on prevention lately. Have you looked into Boron? I have added Boron and a small calcium/magnesium supplement to the Vit D and other supplements I take daily.

https://www.organicfacts.net/h.....boron.html

https://draxe.com/boron-uses/

https://www.regenerativenutrit.....rmones.asp

8 years ago

deb

Veteran

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at 51. I fell and broke my wrist and it took nine months for it to heal. Seizure meds were the major culprit in my case. They put me on Fosomax and I took that until I developed osteonecrosis and lost part of my jaw bone. What I did not know about Fosomax is that the half life is 15 years so it takes that long for it to leave your system It also changes the developing and shedding of the bones and once started the bone development is changed forever and never reverts back to normal development. That being said, I would still take it if I did not have the adverse reaction. if you fall and break a hip or your back healing would take a long time.

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I went through early menopause (premature ovarian failure) at age 36. I refused HRT because of the increased risk of breast cancer (my mother, aunt, and grandmother all died of breast cancer), I've had several bone density scans which have shown that I have osteopenia. I took Fosomax for a while but had some reactions to it so now I just go the all natural route, which so far is to take calcium and vitamin D. I am going to look into what Carter posted about and try some of those because it is time for me to go for another scan and I don't want to have osteoporosis.

I see my GYN. Exercise, a healthy diet, and a calcium supplement are good to do. Absolutely do a lot of research before taking any medication.

8 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Thank you all for your support. So I posted and ran...left town for Christmas and just didn't want to think about it. I should have popped in to say thank you sooner. I will read those articles and get started thinking now...appointment in two weeks.

I am 57 and 8 or 9 years post menopause. I only took HRT for the first 2 years. My mother is very hunched, and before this 10 pound weight gain I was fairly thin. I had been in osteopenia since my last scan 4 years ago, but I was really thinking I wouldn't have progressed...I compete in ballroom and practice several hours a week, and walk 20-30 minutes almost daily. How is that not weight bearing enough? Maybe that's why my hips are better than my lumbar spine.

Anyway I was disappointed and very alarmed. I don't hear anything good about Fosomax and 4 years ago my Dr agreed. I don't know what he will recommend now. But thanks for the support and for helping me realize I'm not alone or even unusual. Which is too bad really, but thanks.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Peri, I'm so sorry. (And all others who've commented here, also.)

It seems as if the problem is very widespread, and yes, the slim, fair, light boned among us are at greatest risk, but there are other factors also. The woman I spoke of earlier, in my fitness class, is relatively short and not at all overweight or underweight; in fact she appears medium boned and quite muscular. She has been taking the weights class for years and also bikes with her husband regularly. So it seems that the protective aspect of exercise may not be easy to calculate and might not be enough in all cases. (Though I'm sure the exercise helps us in other ways!)

I do think some of this is the "luck of the draw" (i.e. genetic tendencies) combined with childhood nutrition. What we did or didn't do then might be more important than what we are doing now, because the peak bone density was established way back when.

8 years ago

Neelie

Veteran

My mother has osteoporosis and was prescribed Prolea which is given by injection once every 6 months. I believe it is a newish drug. Seems to be helping her. She has had no side effects and positive results (she is 81). She had to see an endocrinologist first and has a blood test prior to each injection. It is only for post menopausal women.
Good luck.

8 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

This popped up in my Twitter feed the other day, and I thought of this thread:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/.....most-women

8 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Thank you so much Aquamarine, that was very helpful. I have printed the article and will add it to the discussion when I see my Dr.

I do agree with Suz...luck of the draw. I don't think we have as much control over anything as we like to think. I was a serious milk drinker from childhood into my 30s until I developed an allergy. Basically I think I did everything "right" except for being me...thin, family history, Northern European descent. Can't help that.

What aggravates me is the statistic being something like 1 in 2 or 1 in 3. I feel like such an overwhelming problem in men would be solved by now. Could be I'm just a grouch about that issue in general!

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Peri, I was thinking the exact same thing as I read that article. Why does this problem still exist this way? Am definitely going to talk with my doctor about a DEXA scan. It's not routine here until after 65 I think. So I will have to request it.

8 years ago

Gaby Meyers

Active Member

Me too!
I was diagnosed at about age 56. I still had not hit menopause. I fit the profile, very small boned, fair skin, and runs in my family. I went on Fosamax for several years then went off and took the prescribed holiday from drugs for two years. I had no problems while on the drug but my bones did not improve either.
Three years ago I went to see a doctor at Illinois Bone and Joint. He strongly recommended that I needed to go back on something. There are several new options now and many women opt for taking a yearly or six month shot so they don't have to bother with anything. That scared me because that meant that if the drug did not agree with me it would be in my system for a very long time and taking Fosamax once a week didn't bother me so that's what I'm doing.
The last two years I've been eating a much better diet and exercise regularly. At my last bone scan this past summer my doctor was amazed at how much my bones have improved. He told me to keep doing whatever I was doing. I believe it's the diet and exercise. I love food and do eat everything but I make it a point to include lots of green vegetables, yogurt and other calcium rich foods, plus weight bearing exercise. I believe it's the most important thing you can do for yourself and it's all natural. Hope this helps.
Sincerely, Gaby

8 years ago

Andy Xaji

Member

one of my family had osteoporosis and for him it was very painful every time the pain approached when on the move, there were many things he tried to cure the disease. one of them is consuming the best calcium supplement at this time. if you are interested in the product.
please read the following link:

https://depotreview.com/the-be.....d-in-2019/

6 years ago

Laurie

Veteran

I was diagnosed with osteopenia when I had back surgery in August. The surgeon did not pull L4 - which had slipped forward- entirely back in line because he felt the bone quality was poor enough that he didn't want to risk the screw he had just inserted coming out. (sorry if that is TMI!) The doc I see for my thyroid/hormone situation added a big calcium supplement to my regime, plus I've been doing so much more exercise since that surgery that I hope I see improvement when I have a DEXA scan in the coming month. I haven't had one for many years, but the last one was normal.

6 years ago

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