Recently I had a Dexa scan and it confirmed I had Osteoporosis. Although it looks borderline to me and I'm wondering if I'm likely to be offered medication?
I would like to start medication because I'm 36 and my understanding is it'll only get worse as I get older. The high fracture risk for my lumbar spine is also concerning to me.
I've got a call with the doctor on Monday but I get too much anxiety to wait.
I (33F) was just diagnosed with osteoporosis at age, z score -2.8 and t score -2.8. Between ages 14 and 20, I struggled off and on with anorexia while I was competing at a high level in distance running. I have been doing weightlifting and CrossFit moderately (1-3x/week) for the last couple of years, and not a lot of running. I have three kids now, and regular cycles. The only time I’ve had hormones checked has been during pregnancies.
I am supposed to meet with an endocrinologist to discuss further, and I want to educate myself. I am wary of medications and I’ve heard people have reversed this without taking meds for life. I want to know where to even start.
What questions do I need to ask? What options do I have? What kind of practitioners are helpful?
Thank you all in advance. Any advice or experience you have is helpful to know. As I said, I’m overwhelmed and feeling discouraged.
In case this info gives someone else hope:
I’m a 43-year-old premenopausal woman with family history of osteoporosis, diagnosed with osteopenia per REMS 2 years ago. DEXA was always normal, though spine was close to osteopenia range at a T-score of -0.8 per DEXA. The only medication I take is levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
After 1 year of LIFTMOR inspired exercise (more on LIFTMOR here: https://www.reddit.com/r/osteoporosis/s/jsB2xZt15j) and bone supportive nutrition and supplementation where nutrition fell short (more on that here: https://www.reddit.com/r/osteoporosis/s/nA90Bezjjo) my bone density per DEXA had improved throughout, and my bone density per REMS had improved for the most part.
I did not get another REMS scan this year because my insurance does not cover it, but I continue to get DEXA scans ordered by my endocrinologist every year at the same facility on the same machine.
Attached is the 2-year update. By now all values have improved from my baseline 2 years ago, and most have improved significantly.
In fact, several values beat the improvements that many medications achieve on average. Check out the table at the 14 minute time stamp in this endocrinologist’s presentation comparing medication facilitated improvements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5maUhAjOA
I have nothing against medications, and I’m glad they are available to me if I need them one day, but I’m also glad that exercise seems to be working well for now and that I don’t need them yet.
I was surprised that my bone density continued to improve this much at most sites within the last year despite losing some time of LIFTMOR inspired training due to a shoulder injury, P1NP / CTX ratio not looking as favorable as it did during the first year, slow weight loss of 13 lbs (I had gained some weight during the previous year), and current BMI of 18.6 (I do not intend to lose more weight, and I would not mind gaining a little back if it’s mostly more muscle and bone).
Again, hoping this info helps someone decide to give bone supportive exercise and nutrition a chance if you enjoy exercising and can safely do so. Things don’t always need to be perfect, and it can still work out. It can also be a great add on to medication if you want to combine interventions. 🩷
Looking for a supplement that can help with bone density. Looking for something 3rd party tested and made in the US. Im 63 and my scan is -3.2. My mom had osteporosis and hoping to turn this around. thank you.
Anyone have vision problems after infusion? Probably best med for me ( femoral hip -2.9; spine -2.5) but I have optic nerve problems and optic neuritis is a “rare” side effect. Prefer not to go down prolia path.
5 years ago learned that I had low bone density. A year later I got a 2nd DEXA and it was actually a bit better. The theory at the time was that I just never reached peak bone density due to a childhood autoimmune disease, but that I was not losing bone mass.
Recently I got another DEXA and my scores have significantly dropped. T-Scores -2.3 in my spine, -2.4 in my hip, and -3.5 in my femoral neck. No prior osteoporidic fractures.
PCP sent me to endocrinologist. They did blood tests and found no apparent cause of my bone loss. They have me starting on Bonsity.
I have increased my dairy intake to three servings per day, started consistently taking vitamin D, and will start a weight training regiment.
Just starting on this journey but worried this is going to impact my life over the long term. Glad to have got started on treatment prior to an fractures, and ready to make whatever long term life changes I need to make.
Attached article gives good info on the value of deadlifts.
My mom 70 has osteoporosis (spine t score is - 3.1).... She seems to be in constant pain... Randomly any part of her body starts paining...
. I came across recliner chairs that have full body massage functions. Has anyone any experience with them in pain relief???.... . They aren't marketed specifically towards osteoporosis and are said to be for general wellness, so the salesperson didn't have a clue if it's actually of any use...
.... . Obviously not a cure but on a daily basis does anyone find that this helps in any way at all... Or is it just the opposite, all the vibration somehow causes more pain? ...
Hi, we're a bunch of students who need respondents (35-50 year old women) to answer questions on supplements for one of our classes. PLease help...we're honestly desperate for answers...
My orthopedic surgeon says that core decompression is no longer an option and that I need my left hip replaced. It has been extremely painful to walk since 6/3. I don't have a pic of my latest xrays but the necrosis is present on it. Here is my MRI though. Thoughts?
Btw I have lupus and was on very high doses of oral steroids for a very long time and received IV 1000mg of methylprednisolone 3 days in a row last year to save my life.