osteoporosis & osteopenia

[Suzi_]

my latest bonescan shows that my left hip, neck and left wrist bone loss is worse , i have osteoporosis & osteopenia. I take milk, yougurt, cheese, do Tai chi and daily walks. I am looking to improve my bone density. I am small built Asian female in senior years.

Any med suggestions, intravenous like Prolia or reclast please! Thanks

[Met00]

Have you been checked for possible underlying causes of your bone loss? Are you taking a Vitamin D supplement and do you know your blood D level? Do you supplement with Vitamin K2? Are you getting sufficient magnesium, boron, Vitamin C and zinc in your diet? Dairy products are a good source of calcium, but you need sufficient blood D to help with it's absorption and K2 then helps send it to the bones. Calcium isn't the only mineral our bones need, with magnesium in particular and a number of other minerals also being very important. As well as walking and Tai Chi, would you be able to do any higher impact exercise (eg jogging, hopping, jumping, skipping) and progressive resistance training with weights and resistance bands?

Sorry, I have no recommendations for meds, but hope you're aware that if you take Prolia, should you ever stop it you would need to go straight onto another medication (usually a bisphosphonate - Reclast is one of these) to help reduce the risk of rebound fractures. For this reason I would highly recommend making sure you can take a bisphosphonate without any problems before ever agreeing to Prolia. However, if you haven't fractured and you're only on the cusp of osteoporosis, you may not have reached the point where meds would be recommended. Any such recommendation should be based on a fracture risk score, such as FRAX, which takes into account a variety of risk factors, not just t-scores alone.

[Suzi_ in reply to Met00]

thanks for the information. Yes I am taking magnesium calm powder, vitamin k & D. I have hypothyroidism & Hashimoto. No jogging- I am 79.

The reason endocrinologist suggested med is because my risk of fracture is greater than it should be. I am a petite Asian female.

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks again!

[Met00 in reply to Suzi_]

Have you ever fractured? Do you know your fracture risk score (eg 10% risk of fracture in the next 10 years)? Being petite can make bone density seem worse than it actually is; I've come across an online calculator for re-estimating t-scores if you're under 5ft tall. And at any height, if you're very slim that can also skew the results negatively.

[Suzi_ in reply to Met00]

what’s the calculator? Yes I am under 5’. I would like to see that..

Let me look at my bone scan reports !

[SwimLMich in reply to Met00]

I'm pleased that you mentioned this factor (being petite) as I don't think it has gotten the kind of attention that it deserves. Thank you!

[Kitchenbuddy in reply to Met00]

I agree with you. I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis 5 years ago -3.5. I don't take anything but do try to eat good and take supplements. Begging my gastro to stop the protonix for gerd, but because of a barret's esophagus he won't recommend it. I worry about my bones, but don't want throat problems. No fractures and I exercise and walk everyday. I just can't jump onto the wagon with all the medications. Too many risk. Going to ask my doctor for another bone scan this year to keep an eye on things. We alk have to find our way and think about all the risk on both sides .. Such a difficult decision. If only medicine could cure without harm.

[Bones4Me in reply to Kitchenbuddy]

To Kitchen Buddy, I can sympathize with what you are going through, as my score is -3.1 and I have Gerd and Hiatal Hernia. You didn't mention any fractures, and if that is the case, I am envious of you, as I have had multiple (nine) back fractures over the last three years. Since you have Barret's Esophagus, I have researched it to the point where I do agree with your doctor of keeping you on the Protonix. To keep to the minimum of medications, I do take a tablespoon each day of a reputable liquid that has Calcium, Magnesium & Vitamin D3. Best of luck going forward.

[Kitchenbuddy in reply to Bones4Me]

Thank you. I have not had any fracture and for that I am thankful. I am very active and have always engaged in exercise. Doing Thi Chi, walking and exercise with weight to help maintain strength. I am sorry to hear about your fractures. I hope your doctor can help you become stronger. Best of health.

[Met00]

There's a post about it here: healthunlocked.com/boneheal.... I think you need some quite detailed info to be able to use the calculator though

[MissKitty777]

I had my first shot last month. Other than feeling tired for two days, I had no trouble. Prolia is a shot in the flabby part of the arm twice a year. It’s not an infusion. I have 5 friends all taking Prolia with no trouble and bone scans all improving. I will pray for wisdom for you.