Osteoporosis Your Views

[happystuff]

I just did some research and found that credible sources recommend the K vitamins (K1 & K2) can be quite helpful in combating and preventing osteoporosis--so just ordered some to try. No reported side effects if taken as directed (unlike some of the prescribed meds). Worth a try.

Never heard of the K vitamins. Will have to look this up. Thanks!

[HappyHiker]

Never heard of the K vitamins. Will have to look this up. Thanks!

Yes! See what you think...here's one med study I found of interest: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7645307/

[nswef]

That vitamin K recommendation is interesting. Before my fall the chiropractor had suggested Vitamin K3. I'd forgotten about that. I'll ask my Primary Care. She's pretty up to date on alternatives to things.

[rosarugosa]

I would like to revive this thread because I just had a scan and a diagnosis of osteoporosis. This wasn't really a surprise, since I have every single risk factor, with bonus risk factors of intense dislike of milk, and GI intolerance to calcium supplements. I am a very small person, so even the best case scenario would be little bird bones. Anyway, I've been doing research in anticipation of a discussion with my MD. I follow Dr. Jennifer Gunter and have read her books, and she says that the societal acceptance of osteoporosis fills her with rage, because so many women develop this condition, and it so often leads to fractures, that lead to a loss of independence, and a cascade of other issues, and often ultimately death. I am very active (my sister calls me "the Eveready bunny), and I want to do what I can to stay that way.
Happystuff and NSWEF, are you both still doing OK with the biphosphonates?
Happy Hiker and Catherine, are you still sticking with the no treatment and healthy lifestyle approach, and if so, how is that going?
Has anyone tried HRT for the condition? I am wondering about that option since it might address some other issues.
I understand that there are some alarming risk factors with all of the medication options, but my own personal risk-benefit analysis definitely points to pursuing treatment.
If I've forgotten anyone who has something to add, please feel free to chime in (or to PM me if you wish to discuss less publicly). Thanks in advance!

[catherine]

I still am not treating my osteoporosis (I have it in my lumbar spine--3.0 and osteopenia in my femoral neck 2.5). I reviewed my scan results from 4 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!) and it says that my 10 year risk of a major osteoporotic fracture is 15%. I recall, when I did tons of interviews for what was the only bisphosphonate at the time--Fosamax--that the doctors always dismissed clinical trials with the primary outcome being impact of treatment on BMD score, because they really wanted to know if Fosamax reduced fractures.

It seems that since then there have been clinical trials with attempts to measure the impact of treatment on fracture risk reduction. From what I can see in the paper on a meta-analysis (for some reason it won't paste in this post), while the relative risk reduction of a fracture is significant, the absolute risk reduction is very small. .
.

I also saw research that calcium + Vitamin D3 yields similar results to pharmacologic options, but there's something about how it needs to be taken in order to get those results. I'll look into that..

That's not to say you shouldn't consider treatment! I'm not a doctor! I'm just telling you that for me, I have chosen not to go with pharmacologic treatment. However, I might up my calcium + D3 intake, depending upon the research I read.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/article...%20vitamin%20D.

Also, keep in mind that you live in the NE, as I do, and your bone density will drop in the winter because of the lack of sun exposure, so if you had the scan done recently, it may have slightly impacted the results. I always have tried to get my bone scans done in the early fall, just to optimize the results!!

It sounds like you have enough activity in your daily life in terms of walking. They say that weight-bearing exercise is another lifestyle intervention that can help.

You have inspired me to look more into the research and I'll keep you posted. I tend to be very Pharma-averse, mainly for personal reasons that have to do more with laziness/stubborness than for any good health reason. So take what I say with a grain of salt.

[happystuff]

I am still on my weekly med. My last bone density, however, showed that I no longer have full-fledged osteoporosis! Again, still on the meds as I am still susceptible.

As for HRT, I went on that decades ago, but actually for early onset menopause. It helped tremendously! But I was only on it for about a year. My dr was very good about explaining that it would be a "temporary" usage. Weened on and then off with no big issues. Again, it really helped when I needed it.

[catherine]

I am still on my weekly med. My last bone density, however, showed that I no longer have full-fledged osteoporosis! Again, still on the meds as I am still susceptible.

As for HRT, I went on that decades ago, but actually for early onset menopause. It helped tremendously! But I was only on it for about a year. My dr was very good about explaining that it would be a "temporary" usage. Weened on and then off with no big issues. Again, it really helped when I needed it.

Wow! That's great, happystuff! Do you mind sharing which med you're on? I'm assuming it's a bisphoshonate?

[nswef]

I am still on ibandronate, my scan showed I'm not deteriorating... the scare with the dental work seems to be OK- But I will not ever think of implants...the extraction was scary enough. (reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw with Ibandronate and implants) I tke a tums at night, multi vitamin in the morning, yogurt, milk, cheese and ice cream! Vit. D. I''m 76 and have been taking the ibandronate since 2020. Chiropractor years ago suggested Vitamin K 2 or 3.

[HappyHiker]

I would like to revive this thread because I just had a scan and a diagnosis of osteoporosis. This wasn't really a surprise, since I have every single risk factor, with bonus risk factors of intense dislike of milk, and GI intolerance to calcium supplements. I am a very small person, so even the best case scenario would be little bird bones. Anyway, I've been doing research in anticipation of a discussion with my MD. I follow Dr. Jennifer Gunter and have read her books, and she says that the societal acceptance of osteoporosis fills her with rage, because so many women develop this condition, and it so often leads to fractures, that lead to a loss of independence, and a cascade of other issues, and often ultimately death. I am very active (my sister calls me "the Eveready bunny), and I want to do what I can to stay that way.
Happystuff and NSWEF, are you both still doing OK with the biphosphonates?
Happy Hiker and Catherine, are you still sticking with the no treatment and healthy lifestyle approach, and if so, how is that going?
Has anyone tried HRT for the condition? I am wondering about that option since it might address some other issues.
I understand that there are some alarming risk factors with all of the medication options, but my own personal risk-benefit analysis definitely points to pursuing treatment.
If I've forgotten anyone who has something to add, please feel free to chime in (or to PM me if you wish to discuss less publicly). Thanks in advance!

Happy Hiker here. As I approach my 79th birthday, I continue to be healthy with no prescribed meds for osteoporosis. I take a variety of supplements, eat mostly vegetarian, and go to the gym 5x a week and use weights, ride my bike and do some walking. Yoga once in a while.

I've yet to break a bone. No one in my family-- mother, grandparents (female) ever broke a bone, either.

From what I've read, having supple, flexible bones is really important. You can have solid bones filled with calcium that are brittle and fragile--and easy to break.

The side effects of taking the common prescribed meds for O are scary and don't seem to prevent fractures at all. Read up on the topic and maybe do some lifestyle things to protect yourself and develop supple, flexible bones that bend and don't break easily. Just my opinion.

[happystuff]

Wow! That's great, happystuff! Do you mind sharing which med you're on? I'm assuming it's a bisphoshonate?

Alendronate 70MG tablet once a week.