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All the drugs for osteoporosis have dangerous side effects. What is best choice, or take a chance without drugs? Hope no falls or fractures. It is frightening. My Dr. wants me to see Endocronologist, Start on a drug to strengthen bones.

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Go see that endocrinologist. If it is important enough to ask you to do that then they are seeing lots of bone loss worries.
You know what is the BEST way to strengthen normal bones?
It's WALKING.

Walk as much as you are able. Walking strengthens bones a whole lot.
The fact that your MD is referring you means he wants to r/o (rule out) more serious conditions. So keep that appointment and don't take the advice of a bunch of folks on a Forum, but the best MEDICAL advice you can get.
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chyron24 May 4, 2024
What about taking high doses of calcium and Vitamin D3 daily? My Dr. is obsessed with getting me on bone meds, despite high risk of side effects.
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See the endocrinologist first to figure out what is going on.
I was also told that I should start on Fosamax and I resisted and saw an endo and it was discovered that I had a parathyroid that was the cause of calcium loss. My levels started to return within minutes of it's removal.
I am now back to "osteopenia" and not "osteoporosis"
I did learn something interesting in order for the Dexa Scan to be accurate with the numbers tests should be done on the same machine so when they compare they are more sure of the numbers. (this was according to my current endo)
Second and maybe a third opinion!!!!
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Just a heads up about calcium supplements. My husband took them when he was receiving prostate cancer treatments.

He started getting kidney stones. When he questioned his doctor about the sudden existence of kidney stones, the doctor said that kidney stones appear more frequently when calcium supplements are taken versus when someone drinks milk.

Kidney stones are very painful. We had no idea what was causing his pain because he had never had kidney stones before taking calcium supplements.

When I took him to the ER in the middle of the night we were told that it was kidney stones.

Everyone reacts differently to everything. My mother took calcium supplements and never experienced any problems.

Mom didn’t have osteoporosis. She drank milk her whole life and lived to be 95. I am not sure why she was even taking calcium supplements. Her bone density tests always came back with good results.

I had a really bad bicycle accident and experienced an open compound fracture. I have never been a huge milk drinker. I have steel rods on both bones in my arm.

When I asked my orthopedic surgeon if I could take calcium supplements since I didn’t drink a lot of milk, he said that he would prefer that I get my calcium from dairy and vegetables.

Of course, ask a vegan about any of this, they will tell you about the benefits of a plant based diet. Plant based diets are wonderful if done correctly.

Many people consume too much meat. For me, it’s all about eating a balanced diet that includes all foods.

My primary care doctor says that it isn’t necessary to eliminate all dairy products or meat. Everything can be consumed in moderation.
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Try milk. It's very safe.
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Anxietynacy May 5, 2024
Yeah , no!! If it wasn't for these bone meds my mother would of been a pile of broken bones 30 years ago. Sure the meds suck but and it's up to you if you think you want them or not. Educate yourself, but don't think that let's just drink milk and it will solve all are problems.
My mother has been on test trials that actually grew her bones, 20 yrs ago. Probably the same meds people take now.
When your bones are just crumbling MILk is not the answer
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My Mom was always drinking milk... eating cottage cheese... eating ice cream... yogurt... regular cheese... plus over the counter calcium tablets. For her it worked as with her many falls, never a broken bone, passed at 98 yrs. She tried to get my Dad to eat/drink the same, but he was lactose intolerant.


I inherited the lactose intolerance, plus can't tolerate calcium tablets, but do ok with taking a couple Tums each day and D3 daily. But I know my bones are thin, did have a hairline fracture a few years back.
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NeedHelpWithMom May 4, 2024
FF,

My mom took quite a few tumbles too. She had mobility issues due to Parkinson’s disease. Yet, she never broke any bones either.

She also escaped being in a wheelchair. She did use a walker.

I felt sorry for her because she also had bad knees but wasn’t a candidate for knee surgery.

In spite of her discomfort, she worked extremely hard in home health and at the rehabilitation facility.

Mom may have been old, could barely hear, and so on, but put a good looking man in front of her and she took notice! LOL 😝.

She did whatever the handsome physical and occupational therapists asked her to do! It helped her tremendously.

Oh, and she had a crush on all of the handsome firemen who picked her up off the floor when she fell! Couldn’t hear, but definitely saw the good looking men.

Her nurse was married to a fireman and she told me that all of the old ladies loved him!

I was impressed by how much effort mom put into occupational and physical therapy.
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That needle you get every six months to strengthen your bones...it was found that it may help osteoporosis but it makes the bones brittle and they break easier. Note that u see no commercials for them anymore. I am 74 and due a scan. I have had them since my 40s and have been boarderline as of 3 yrs ago. I have taken nothing in 30 odd years. I did no HRT. I fully believe that we go thru menopause for a reason. We aren't suppose to make estrogen after a certain age. My suggestion, eat calcium rich foods. Exercise.
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Anxietynacy May 5, 2024
I definitely agree, but I would add my opion would be it depends what stage you are in. If you are in the latter stages your going to break bones anyways.

My sister is in the latter stages, mom has been for a long time. My sister was 2 inches taller than me now she is shorter than me.

My mom did break her hip , while on the 6 month shots, I will say it was a fall, then a break. Not a break then a fall.
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My 76-year-old mother has been on a daily injection called Tymlos for the past year. She is a lifelong smoker, and was put on it two months prior to her major neck surgery. They needed quality Bone to work with plus she needed Bone for her fusions to heal. She’s had no bad effects other than insomnia, which she’s always had but it’s worse. Her recent Dexa scan showed a good result. We were also told for accuracy to always get the scan on the same machine. I was just found to have osteopenia at age 50, two years ago. My risks include Being of small frame size, never ate much dairy, and never bothered to take supplements consistently. Now I take my calcium and D3 pills and walk. I’m due for the next scan in January.
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First try to get enough calcium AND protein in your diet. Bones need protein as well as calcium and vit D, etc. Milk/dairy products for example, are good for both. There are apps/online programs to record what you eat and find out if your food intake is adequate. If not adjust your diet accordingly,

Next exercise - walking is the simplest and good for many reasons. Walking downstairs is even better.

Finally, If as is the case for me. you are not able to eat dairy then supplements are probably needed. It's hard to get enough calcium without dairy. Be careful to take the supplements in 500 mg or less doses and with meals. Read up about it,

I'm 86 and my bones are good even though I can't eat dairy. I do watch what I eat, take supplements, and exercise.

By all means see the endocrinologist as there may be an explanation there.

Good luck!!!
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Anxietynacy May 5, 2024
I'm just saying if it's stage 3 or 4 I think considering meds should be an option
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My 97 year old Mom has a couple scoops of collagen peptides in her caffeinated dark roast coffve every morning. It seems to help improve her core strength and skin.
Per the Cleveland clinic and Jennifer Aniston (the Hollywood movie star), collagen can help strengthen your bones.
So it can't hurt, unless you do too much.
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lifting weights (loading the bones), strontium
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