T-score of -1.8

[ctg492]

Osteopenia. So having been told this is my number and diagnosis I am very confused. I have read a great deal. Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic both say this is not an actual diagnosis more like a label such as "pre" diabetic a label that was used about 15 years ago. I am not a DR of course, but I research everything. SO when the phone call came and told me Fosamax, I said I will look it up first. I was set back by all the warnings and side effects. I choose not to take this and was offered no other help. I am 55, small framed and been underweight many times in my life.
Thoughts?

[sweetana3]

Mom was convinced to take Fosomax and found she was highly allergic to it.

Wow, I found a lot of interesting info in the Cleveland Clinic site here: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/ccjm/Jan06/watts.htm

I lean more to a lot of weight bearing exercise and diet.

Personal opinion here: I think it is a lot like the prescribing of statins. A just in case, maybe, make the patient happy, we don't really know you, it might help, type of prescription.

[CathyA]

Have you researched why you might be having it? Maybe you could reverse it somehow, without the drug. Have your parathyroids been checked, other drugs you might be taking considered, etc.?

[ctg492]

being a 55 year, thinner, I ate or did not eat is better saying when I was teen, this brought on no periods for months during those years. these seem to be listed reasons. I run and am very active now. I take zero medicines, have never been on any. No drinking now for two years, was a lite casual drinker in my past.
Had a broken Jaw. The side effect of the Fosomax reacting on my jaw was scary.

[Teacher Terry]

My sister reversed it by taking vitamin d and calcium. She read all the side effects of that drug and did not want to take it.

[catherine]

I have interviewed probably over 1,000 "F...x ladies" (women who are the target market) in the course of market research. I have worked closely with the manufacturer to motivate women to go get their BMD.

I also got my own BMD at 55, and subsequently a couple of other times. I have a T-score that tells me I have osteopenia and osteoporosis in my lumbar spine. My aunt is suffering from some kyphosis (hunchback) and she and I are often mistaken for mother/daughter, so I'm sure we share some genes.

That being said, I was prescribed F.....x and never took it. I do yoga, take calcium and VD3 and walk every day. My T-score has been pretty consistent over the years. So the more important information is, does your bone density stay the same over time, or are you getting worse? From what I understand, you "bank" calcium in your youth.

Another important issue is, which doctors always said to me when I interviewed them, can you actually correlate falls and fractures with low bone density? The jury is out on that.

I don't think you need to fear bisphosphonates (the class of drugs that F... x is) but why not give lifestyle change the old college try--either with F..x or without it? Do weight-bearing exercise, eat lots of greens, take calcium and VD3, and check your bone density in another year or so.

I am not a doctor, and am not in the position to advise. But the other thing that you might want to know is that Loren Fishman has conducted his own studies which showed improvement in BMD after just 10 minutes a day of certain yoga poses. Check him out:

http://sciatica.org/yoga/12poses.html

[ctg492]

Thank you all,

Forgot to add to the list of possible reasons, Caffeine of which I drank massive amounts till I was 33. AND perhaps the biggest I checked Mom had Osteoporosis, which now I do not think she had. I think she had low bone density as many women do at that age.

It has been one of those weeks where all of sudden I feel old. i am not, I am proud of my fitness level, my healthy eating, never being on any medication. So to have a DR, my first visit to her also, just hit me with TWO prescriptions was overwhelming. The other was for hot flashes. I said No thanks to that also after reading the side effects.

Simple none of this was to me. I guess I am lucky this was my first Health Care event where I was prescribed medicine. And so fast, no explaining why, what this could do , what it may be side effect wise, what my choices were. This is sad to me that I feel I over research things especially my health. Some one who just agrees and has no idea would end up on lots of medicine perhaps. Again this was my first visit to the new DR, took me 7 years to change as we had moved to this area and I never changed DR offices driving back 2 hours (9 from the last home). I know I have a check in the box on the DR files that says Won't Listen or take prescribed Meds. :( That is not true. I actually felt railroaded. I have to sit down and figure out what I will do, what I will change in my life or if I actually need too. The Hot flashes are miserable, but not worth Meds with side effects. Bone density is really important I know, so I am going to look for a specialist that maybe will give me a better understanding of my situation.

I quit running this week over this:( I read so many contradictory articles on run not run......that I am going in circles!

[JaneV2.0]

I am hoping to get to the end of my life without taking part in the vile charade that is modern medicine--where they invent conditions or exaggerate them just so they can prescribe the "five by fifty" drugs they feel they need to sell. And label you "non-compliant" if you sensibly decline. How dare they affix such a label to someone who is an autonomous adult! It's like they're some kind of authority figure one must obey, instead of the professional consultant they should be. Don't get me started. Agents of death and disease, mumble mumble mumble. Venal charlatans, mumble mumble...

It's been awhile since I looked into Bisphosphonate, but I remember that it's associated with esophageal cancer, spiny growths on the jaw, deterioration of jawbone, and other delights. Ann Richards, who was a spokesperson for one of its brand names, died of throat cancer, though supposedly due to lifestyle rather than the drug. Nothing I have read about it convinces me that it's a better answer than taking bone-enhancing supplements, getting plenty of unfiltered sunshine, exercising, and enjoying life. JMO, of course.

[JaneV2.0]

Some time back I read of a study linking increased protein, along with supplements, to bone health. The link is dead--it was a Senior Health Week publication--but here it is, in part:

Researchers studied the association between the intake of protein and changes in the BMD in 342 healthy adults aged 65 and older. The randomized, three-year, placebo-controlled study used supplements consisting of 500 mg of calcium as calcium citrate malate and 700 IU of vitamin D given daily.

Using a food-frequency questionnaire, researchers assessed the participants' intake of protein at 18 months. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess the participants' BMD every six months.

Participants in the supplement group took an average of 1,346 mg of calcium daily. Those in the non-supplement group took an average of 871 mg per day. The average protein intake for both groups was up to 79.1 grams per day.

An increase in total body BMD was found with a 20 percent higher intake of protein in the supplement group, according to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The participants given a placebo did not experience this change.

Researchers found that the type of protein the participants consumed did not figure into their findings, whether it was animal or plant protein.

[CathyA]

Catherine brought up good info.........especially determining if your problem is even worsening. Getting a repeat densitometer test in a year would tell you that. If it's not worsening, then you would know and feel better about not taking the drug. Some women just have low readings without problems.
I do find it unacceptable that this doctor immediately gave you prescriptions without discussing much else. I would find another doctor.
Did she check your calcium levels?

[Gardenarian]

ctg492 -

I am in exactly the same position. MOST women over 50 have bone loss. I was surprised by my test results as I have always been quite strong (for my size), am very active, and have practiced advanced yoga (handstands, etc.) for many years - as well as doing lots of gardening. I am also underweight.

I am not taking Fosomax.

I have enrolled in a gym for people over 50 and am doing lots of exercises, including lifting, to increase my bone mass.

Did you have your vitamin D tested? Most people are deficient, and this can cause bone loss. I am very deficient in vitamin D, but can't tolerate the supplements. My doctor recommended 5000iu per day, but I can't take more than 400iu. For now I'm sunbathing 15 minutes per day (luckily I have a fully fenced backyard.) You should take vitamin K2 along with vitamin D, as it increases absorption.
I have had skin cancer and for many years have made a habit of wearing lots of sunblock - I'm still avoiding sun on my face (using a hat, lying on my stomach, wearing sunblock on my face. The cancer was on my face.)

I am lactose intolerant, so am taking calcium and magnesium supplements. I'm also trying to increase my dietary sources of these vitamins, but it's difficult. I'm trying to eat more protein and just more whole foods overall. I'm also eating more soy, as the phytoestrogens are supposed to slow bone loss.

It is possible to not only stop bone loss, but to increase your bone density - without drugs.

[JaneV2.0]

Boron and K2--as is found in Gouda cheese (yippee!)--are also helpful in bone formation.

[ctg492]

Thanks for all the info everyone.

[ctg492]

Update: I have had time to think about the situation that I have, though mostly tried to forget while I made changes in my work out and diet pattern this summer. I made an appointment at a specialist in late September. I feel this will give me the knowledge I need to make the best decision. Will post then what I learn about this.

[Suzanne]

I'd suggest making bone broth and using it freely in cooking, and as a hot drink. Add an acid to the simmering broth: vinegar, lemon juice, tomatoes.

[ctg492]

Thanks and I understand the point, but life long Vegetarian here.

[ctg492]

Today was my meeting the Specialist. Lots of questions, pokes and prods, Blood work. The advice was not to treat this with any medicine. Eat Healthy, take my calcium and vit D, exercise and be re checked in a year. Perhaps down the road treatment would be needed, maybe it is just the way it is and won't progress. Although it makes no difference how this occurred, it was most likely from my lack of proper diet and restricted foods during the growth years.

SO I left with a satisfied mind.

[rosarugosa]

Sounds like a good visit with common-sense advice.

[Gardenarian]

I'm trying a topical form of Vitamin D. I'm being tested soon; I'll let you know it works.

[ctg492]

How did you discover you were Vitamin D low? I was lost in questions and did ask what the exam included and why. The blood work I forgot to ask what the testing was for, other then looking for any issue that could be causing this. Probably this was one of the tests?

[Suzanne]

A friend reversed her bone loss by eating a can of sardines (with bones) daily. I make a lot of bone broth, as I'm allergic to fish - it should be protective!

[JaneV2.0]

I wish I could like seafood--small fish are remarkably nutritious. Ditto for offal. I must work on that. I guess this post belongs in the "What foods would you like to eat more of?" thread.

[Gardenarian]

My doc tested for Vitamin D, as I've been having joint pain.