I am 58 and just dx.
My t score showed osteopenia for the average of the left hip.
t-score or 2.8 for the femoral part of the hip
and 2.7 for the lumbar spine.
I am kind of in shock. Been having some chronic back and hip pain, but MRI showed nothing significant.
Freaked out about the drugs.
It's sooo overwhelming to figure this all out on your own. I don't trust the doctors to know either. Feeling scared and just don't know what to do. Going to do D3, K2 (from mk-7) magnesium... adding "perfect aminos" for protein. and a supplement that consumer lab approved that has Life Extension Bone restore. Also my Dr. is giving me a low dose of testosterone. Upping my walking and starting weights. Although, my back hurts when I do free weights , so I'm thinking of getting the poles for walking. ugh!!!
I don't want thinking about this and worrying to be my life. I wish I had a doctor to follow me that didn't buy into the conventional drugs. My holistic doctors only know so much.
I feel your pain on that one. I started seeing a naturopath when my conventionally oriented PCP blew me off, post-diagnosis. I knew I wanted to dig deeper, at least try to address the whole system, and I don't think I regret it, but I also stressed before I invested that I have severe osteoporosis--not just some numbers on a page, but this had started to affect me mechanically, and was this something that this doctor was familiar with. Oh absolutely, I was assured. But of course she can't do/know everything, so after my first visit, I asked for a referral to someone who might be able to help me with my back pain, as I was 90% sure I had fractures. I was told, "Trust the process," and, "If you have fractures, you wouldn't be able to function." My husband had had fractures--that's the only reason I know I have osteoporosis, HE asked for and got a DEXA for himself and learned HE had osteoporosis (age 59) bad enough to fracture, but he also fully went on with life. Really, really dumb thing for them to have said, because it did erode a trust that hadn't even been built yet. (Basically gaslighting, no? Later, this doctor's nurse asked me if I'd gotten special attention when I was sick...hint, hint?) (And by that time, I'd confirmed I DID have fractures.)
Now, you could say, I'm taking a truly holistic approach, as I've now established relationships with a new PCP, an endocrinologist and a physiatrist, as well. But they all disagree with one another on at least some points and though I think they should find me an interesting case study, be eager to try to help me (my new PCP thinks I'm crazy but did acknowledge that I'm "highly motivated",) for the most part, my sense is that they dread seeing me
All to say...don't ignore this. You are young, and you did catch it early. I suspect you ARE in a position to see improvement with lifestyle changes and accurately dosing supplements. If you aren't already doing this, find a strength training regimen that you like/can afford, and don't give up on it. Your body can still handle it. Start walking, briskly, with trekking poles. Learn to love activity. (Seriously--even though sometimes it hurts when I start out, I always feel better after.) Make it a non-negotiable. My mom was diagnosed with osteoporosis...started playing pickleball in her 70s, was still playing until she had an aortic aneurysm/dissection this last spring (age 83). She did take the drugs, didn't do much else, (except stay active,) and has never fractured anything but her wrist. I think that's more the norm. Osteoporosis isn't supposed to kill you, it's like...wrinkles, for most people. I think. Even for me, if I don't do stupid things (90% of my fractures happened in the course of exercise, the other two possibly as a result of my work,) even though I've lost three inches in height, and probably will never not "feel" it, if I just am "normal" (don't try to go for a run, say--definitely do not run if you've already had fractures--I wish someone would have told me that,) I'm fine. It really IS "when you have fractures" that this gets bad, so...do try to avoid them. Realize that when you have had them, "no pain, no gain," is a fallacy. Even the tiniest twinge can mean weeks of recovery. (But it also might not.) That is kind of hard, actually. But you'll learn your limits.
And, also, because you are young, deal with doctors who recognize/acknowledge that you could be looking at taking drugs for decades, not just years. Starting prolia at 80 is different from starting it at 60. Don't let them be cavalier about this. My mom did get back into the osteopenia range, (she took fosamax DAILY!) and it does not seem to have adversely affected her, but I'm not following in my mom's footsteps on many levels already so just because it didn't hurt her doesn't mean it won't hurt me. (I've taken 7 doses of Fosamax, pretty sure I have already damaged my esophagus--but maybe it doesn't matter if it helps my bones, just I'm pretty sure it's not going to. But currently. Fosamax is what our insurance will cover, so Fosamax it is. Because...I've got not much to lose. But you do. So be strategic.)
Good luck!
Hi Josephinius! Thank you for your very detailed reply. I am so sorry to hear that you're having problems with your esophagus. 
I do hope that you will feel better and Fosomax will work for you as it has for your mother.
My father had osteoporosis- secondary to being on corticosteroids for ulcerative colitis. He was on Fosomax for decades. He had no side effects and he was very active- hiking miles and walking. He has passed away but from pneumonia... nothing to do with bone health.
I think I've lost an inch in height, but I don't feel pain except for a dull back ache from time to time. And it hurts to sleep on my hips.
So, I don't know what to do. I am hoping that this new naturopath I am planning on seeing can help me sort it all out. But as you know, no one has all the info. and answers.
Sending you hugs!
xxxx
I started Fosamax (generic version) when my spine fell into 'Osteoporosis' range. Never had any fractures or pain (except from arthritis everywhere.) After 2 years on it, plus some supplements, my T score improved back into the Osteopenia range. Plan to keep it up for another 2 years, despite some occasional heartburn, and then take a 'drug holiday' -- hopefully a permanent one! Here's my summary:
2021: T -3.2 spine, T -1.6 femoral neck, so I started this regimen:
Alendronate Acid 70 mg/1x week; Vitamin K2 (MK-4 and MK-7, 100 ug); Melatonin (5 mg); Vit D3 (3,000 IU’s or 75 ug ); Turmeric (500mg, w 450 mg curcuminoids, 2x/day); Hydrolyzed Collagen (8mg) most days
2023 (after 2 years): T -2.4 spine, T -1.0 femoral neck.
Hi, I have been taking risedronate just over a year and have just had an improved DEXA scan, I firstly tried alendronic acid which gave me side effects but the risedronate is fine. I was very reluctant to start taking medication, I do tai chi regularly, dance class and walk a lot, take vitamin D and eat a calcium rich diet. My rheumatologist has suggested continuing the medication and I believe you only take for 5 years. It’s just one tablet a week, before taking the medication my scan results weren’t improving so I was so pleased to see a slight improvement. I have osteoporosis due to having an early menopause my mother also had it and had to have hip surgery, in those days they didn’t offer meds or have a great site like this for advice. I’m sure you’ll make the right choice for you.
Yes, on Tymlos, after fracturing L1. After 8 mos my spine improved from -3.3 to -2.1, and my TBS score (measurement of bone quality) improved significantly. I also use a Marodyne LiV for 10 mins every day. The other daily activities include Loren Fishman's 12 yoga poses and a 3-mile walk. Strength training twice weekly.
Exercise severe osteoporosis 
Confused about FRAX scores
Dexa results
Newly diagnosed and feeling overwhelmed
