This is just copy and paste of an account I wrote to keep track of things for myself. Please note I have no medical training and I haven't checked to see if the web links at the end still work. I think most will.
Since writing this account I've had a second DXA scan showing that within a year my bone density improved from -2 to -1.6. This was the main measurement at the hip, but all the measurements improved, including the spine. They are no longer recommending that I take drugs and next scan should be in 3 to 5 years. My doctor was amazed and asked me how I did it!
Background – “high risk” small-boned Caucasian female over 65, taking prednisone for polymyalgia rheumatica since June 2015, suffered broken leg (tibial plateau) when leg was severely twisted when I walked on ice February 2014. My T-score is -2.0 but I am in the high risk category. When starting prednisone I was told that bone thinning was an effect of prednisone so I took my calcium and Vitamin D supplements, bought a pedometer and started walking more. It was at my request that I finally had a scan in September where the osteopenia was diagnosed. Even when I had the broken leg no one suggested a scan would be a good idea. All I knew was that the bone healed rapidly and well, I had not needed surgery.
After the diagnosis my GP recommended medication but by then I had started hearing about the potential for horrific side effects, so turned her down and started serious research. I started by talking to my friends. Two of them had successfully moved from osteoporosis range into osteopenia through non-medical means. One remains faithful to her regimen and continues to improve, the other has slacked off and become osteoporotic again. Suggestions from the more dedicated person included Nordic walking and parkour but she does not have polymyalgia (PMR). She also has taken various supplements under the advice of a herbalist. I am not ruling out her methods but am not completely following in her path. I took up Nordic walking about three months ago. I tell you about her because her experience is what gives me real hope that “natural” methods work. A sister-in-law was taking Fosamax but had to discontinue because of side effects (I don’t know what the side effects were).
I have done a lot of reading. You will find several good sites on the internet but if they are heavily promoting certain products it is a good idea to balance their advice with what you read elsewhere. I am convinced that the following regimen is the best for me, and I expect to be adding to this, and modifying things, as I continue to learn more:
Exercise: I have a weighted walking vest which allows me to gradually add small amounts of weight. This is to challenge the skeleton to lay down more bone. I am learning Tai Chi which is not only excellent for improving balance (helps to avoid those bone-breaking falls) but has been shown to improve bone density. I use my pedometer to make sure I get 10,000 steps a day. At present this includes all my daily activity, not just my walks. I may increase this in the future. I also carry on with long-standing physio exercises for osteoarthritis and practice a bit of yoga.
Diet: Because another bad side effect of prednisone can be diabetes I have to be rather careful with my food choices, but as long as you are eating a well-balanced diet you can consider adding the following supplements:
Calcium hydroxyapatite (preferred because it is most easily absorbed into human tissue and I've read that it is more readily absorbed by people on steroids) but calcium citrate also a good choice.
Vitamin D3 (Iately I’ve had to cut back D and calcium because of too high levels of D, possibly caused by unrelated ailment, sarcoidosis, an issue which will not affect many people)
Vitamin K2 (K2-4 and/orK2-7, K2-7 is preferred) Please note that Vitamin K2 (not K1) is nearly absent from modern diets, and is the vitamin that guides calcium into our bones rather than letting it collect in our organs or inside our blood vessels. Unless you have access to grass fed cattle and their products, and free range hens eggs (not grain fed) you will almost certainly need to supplement this vitamin.
Sources of Vitamin A betterbones.com/bonenutriti... I have read conflicting advice about whether retinol or beta carotene is better, and have decided that natural sources (food, or maybe cod liver oil) are safer choices than taking a chance with the latest fad in supplements.
You should have enough vitamin E in your regular diet, otherwise make sure you get a mixed tocopherol version
Magnesium which is also something many of us are deficient in. Apparently calcium interferes with absorption of magnesium so a separate supplement may be a good idea for a while until deficiency is dealt with. Lots of foods have magnesium although as with so much these days it depends on the soil they’re grown in.
I am taking a bone strengthening supplement from our local organic foods store, also Vitamin K2 supplement. I also take cod liver oil for the A and D content. (editing belatedly in 2022: I haven't taken cod liver oil for a long time as I discovered I tend to run a high D level - an effect of (asymptomatic) sarcoidosis. Also it isn't necessary to add Vitamin A supplements if your diet contains good sources of A - by far the healthiest way to get Vitamin A.) I don’t think I’ll have much luck with a reliable source of genuine free range eggs until spring, but at least I know what to look for then. (Yes, I do eat prunes for the boron, but I don't believe the hype that they "cure" osteoporosis!) The reading I have done includes websites and books. As I indicated above, always read with a critical eye and take the best ideas from everywhere. I don’t think anyone has all the answers, and also we are each different, will have varying risk factors and so forth. But I hope my experience gives you some ideas, and also some ammunition as you withstand the medical profession’s strangely strong idea that we must take their dangerous medicines!
A YOUTUBE VIDEO DESCRIBING VERY MUCH THE PROTOCOL I'VE OUTLINED, WITH ADDITION OF FACTS FROM THE PRESENTING PHYSICIAN, SUCH AS MEDICATIONS AND OTHER RISK FACTORS WHICH CAN LEAD TO BONE THINNING. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
healthunlocked.com/boneheal...
Books:
Kate Rheaume-Bleue, Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox
Lara Pizzorno, Strong Bones (good book but she undermines her credibility by promoting certain supplements and a specific Zumba version)
Dennis Goodman, Vitamin K2 the Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health
Dean, Carolyn, The Magnesium Miracle (2014 edition)
Websites:
healthline.com/nutrition/vi...
australianprescriber.com/ma...
osteopenia3.com/Natural-Ost...
saveourbones.com/about/ BUT note authoritynutrition.com/the-... Also, as I do more reading I begin to wonder if she is as up to date with recent research as she should be. There are some good exercises on her website, however.
hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2... This article is encouraging because it shows we don't always need drugs, but they do mention taking strontium citrate. Although this is probably safer than strontium ranelate (which is a manmade version so it could be patented) I personally would not recommend it. Strontium is heavier than calcium, replaces calcium in the bones. DXA readings become inaccurate. I don't know if it makes bones stronger, but I do know we need calcium for a lot of processes in our bodies.
metadocs.com/pdf/pp_stronti...
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
openheart.bmj.com/content/2...
hyperwear.zendesk.com/hc/en...
An article describing various versions of Vitamin K and showing the importance of adequate dose of Vitamin K2- MK7 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Osteoporosis/PMR treatment
My journey and experience with PMR
Ignoring advice of doctor regarding osteoporosis meds
My journey continues 
Update on my PMR journey. 
I've posted this because so many people have asked for it, usually through the Bone Health forum, that I thought if it posted successfully it would be a lot easier for me to share.... Forgive me!
Thank you so much for this information. Could I ask you what you think of using organic crushed/powdered egg shells as a calcium supplement? Do you know anyone who uses it? I have access to wonderful free range eggs and am wary of 'shop' calcium supplements. I do not want to take Prolia. I am 69 and my T score is -3.1
Best Wishes to you.
If you have a t-score of -3.1, I venture to suggest that the idea of using egg-shells is a bit late in the day. However, it is possible to use them as a supplement as I'm sure you are aware since you suggest it:
healthline.com/nutrition/eg...
But your osteoporosis is pretty advanced.
So what should I do? Take what? Take the Prolia?
What should a 69 year old with a T score of -3.1 supplement with,
or are you saying it's down to exercise, vit D, K2 and boron plus magnesium, as HeronNS has explained. The NOH UK promotes it constantly and is not interested in any other method, natural or otherwise!!!!
In my village there are a lot of people on this Prolia and everyone appears to be OK
with it according to the Doctors.
I am confused, uncertain and unhappy and don't know which way to turn.
But thankyou for replying.
Best Wishes
The problem with Prolia is you can't stop taking it because of the risk of rebound osteoporosis resulting in fractures. If you do stop taking it you must take another drug for some period of time, at least until the after effects of the Prolia have worn off. This is a disappointment because Prolia is very good at improving bone density but starting it may mean a lifetime commitment even if your bone density improves to the point that the doctor feels you don't need it any more.
Speak to your doctor about the Prolia - be sure they are aware of its limitations which have really only been established in the last year or so. It does a brilliant job - but it has been found that when you stop it you need to take oral bisphosphonates for a time to avoid a rebound loss of bone density. Or you stay on the Prolia indefinitely. Few people have problems while on it - it is when you want to stop that an alternative is required. But your bone density is very low and I doubt that exercise and supplements will achieve a great deal.
I know this is a year old...what, in the end did you decide to do. My t score is -2.7 and I was on prednisone but doing the walking and "tap dancing" or heel dropping. and eating right and taking Heron's suggestions and 2 years later with the prednisone my t score IMPROVED by .001 !!!
I don't know anything about using eggshells, but I looked them up and they are calcium carbonate, which is not the most easily absorbed form. I know you're suspicious of commercial supplements, with good reason I think. I've been taking calcium citrate for many years, ever since I hit mid life, as I understood it to be more easily absorbed. Oddly enough I was never able to find this at the pharmacy and had to buy them at a store which specialized in organic foods, etc. I think the pharmacies now carry it, but we are talking decades since I started taking calcium supplements. Since PMR I've also been taking a supplement which uses calcium hydroxyapatite as this may be the form best absorbed by people on pred. The source of this calcium is certified disease free animals raised in New Zealand.
I really think its not even the calcium which is the most important thing as we do get a fair amount through a normal, well balanced diet. It's the other micronutrients, Vitamins D and K2, magnesium, boron, and so forth. As well as weight bearing exercise which stimulates bone to be made.
The article I linked says egg shells properly prepared are absorbed better than calcium carbonate supplements.
Good to know.
Not sure I fancy it though ...
Thank you for replying. I am trying to decide what to do.
Has your T score improved?
Thank you for the information.
My t-score improved within a year from -2 to -1.6. That was over two years ago so I have not had a DXA scan since. I think I may be allowed one late this year but they may make me wait longer.
Everything you are doing sounds like a good idea from what I have read...everyone is different and has varying health issues...I am tiny at 66 yes old, 100 Ibs...I try to get as many vitamins as possible from the foods I eat...but these days it's not easy....I think the walking and other exercise is great...it's getting cool enough here for me to get out more and walk with my dogPattycake...
Excellent. I've been doing pretty well the past few years. No third DXA scan yet. I suppose I should have one sometime but covid and a change of GP have kind of put hold on that. I hurt my knee quite badly last year and spent many months unable to exercise as before, but getting back on track now, so hopefully not too much of a setback!