Don't want to take medication

I I have taken all of these for over a year and has not made any difference for me. Developed a situation on my knee replacement (cyst) that now needs to be replaced. 😓

I am new to the forum and have so many questions. You say -2.9 is not that bad, is -3.5 bad? I am so confused over the test and my doctor seemed to be only interested in my taking fosomax, which i refused for now. Going to go the supplement route first and see. Thanks for your input.

Just to clarify, the bigger the number after the minus sign, the greater the osteoporosis risk.  So your bone thinning is worse than kathleen's.  However, we are all different, different body builds, different genetics, so it's not really one size fits all.  The greatest risk for fracture isn't osteoporosis numbers, it's falling.  The things we can do to prevent that from happening include maintaining and improving muscle strength, and making sure we look after our ability to balance.  Saw an interesting test outlined today, and one of the tests is whether one can balance on one leg for ten seconds.  Other parts of the test include measuring grip strength, and the ability to squat, pick something up from the floor, and stand again.

So supplements plus appropriate exercise are, to my mind, the best and safest way to go.    

Thank you Anhaga for your quick response. I'm on the exercise and supplement treatment as of last week.  Will continue to read old post to gather as much info as possible. So happy to have found this group😀

It has less to do with advertisers than with promotion of products.  I know we can mention drugs ad infinitum, but non-traditional products, titles, etc, get censored.  I think it's just because it's the easiest way on this colossal forum for the moderation to be effective in avoiding crackpot ideas.  It is irritating sometimes, but I do understand why it works this way.  I got censored for called the pharmaceutical business by its insulting nickname.

 

The "evil" empoticon turns into a frown.  That's disappointing.

Anhaga, I'm always reassured when you talk of the greatest risk for fracture is falling, despite scan scores but I remain to be convinded. I worry about 'fragility fractures' and what may happen if I lift something too heavy, or without keeping my back straight or exercise too vigorously . . . 

I'm familiar with the balance test of standing on one leg. A recent study of OP patieints in our university consisted of grip strength, reaction time, and the balance test.( I managed one minute on this one!!). So not worried about balance really but the possiblity of fractures can freak me out!  J

I was just saying I miss you and wondered where you are. So good to see you commenting again! 

I don't and can't exercise too vigorously so I don't have that concern.

I have more issues with herniated discs than I do with the osteoporosis.

So many people I come across have never found out if they even have osteoporosis and are content in their ignorance. I envy them.

I hope you keep visiting here as I missed you.

My worst one is -4.3 and that is the lower spine. It is only a number so don't worry too much.

Many people I come across have never had a bone density test so they are happily oblivious of the state of their bones.

Just as many people who do not have osteoporosis break bones as those who do have osteoporosis.

I also have refused to take fosamax and have not regretted that decision.

To me that says it is not worth getting too anxious about. Just take no risks.

 

Thank you for making me feel less anixous. I will do the supplements and see how it goes.

I like your logical thinkging!

I broke my leg because I slipped on ice and my knee twisted sideways.  This was deemed a "fragility" fracture when I was being assessed for bone density after starting prednisone.  However when I had a chance to speak with a rheumatologist at a bones clinic a couple of months ago and described the break (tibial plateau) she said it was an unusual break and not likely a fragility fracture.  I have never been given my t-score for spine; the same rheumatologist said because I "don't need it" which I found very condescending.  

My worst tscore is -4.3 lumbar region. I wonder if we put too much importance on numbers anyway!

It wouldn't really matter anyway because new people will always need the personal reply from you.  On the PMR forum our resident expert keeps a file of answers to common questions and copies and pastes probably several times a month.  Of course she also personalizes the answer.  I copy and paste my bones bibliography in messages to people fairly regularly, although I've pretty much given up on my bones biography.

To clarify moderation (again) see the FAQs linked below. It is nothing to do with "upsetting advertisers" - they do not have a say in the running of the site. It is because posting about specific books and commercial sites is in itself advertising. If users try to "circumvent" or "Test the system" the likelihood is your account will be deactivated. As I repeatedly say if anyone has any issues with this then discuss it with me via PM. The forums are also not for using the PM service to promote supplements and books. If the information is genuine and not promotional then by all means post a discussion about it. If it is specifically in relation to the books/websites talked about before then it won't be allowed.

https://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/402742-why-has-my-post-been-sent-for-moderation-not-been

https://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398316-adding-links-to-posts

Regards,

Alan

I'm sorry, mea culpa.  I didn't mean to enourage naughty behaviour.  But it is a bit tiresome to have to private message people when describing perfectly harmless treatments, accepted by the majority of health providers as helpful.  I quite agree with private messaging our reading lists!

Hi Kathleen, no, not dead yet  - but thank you for your very kind words!  I connect pretty regularly with you all but haven't really got much to contribute. Have finished my Forteo course, am now on Actonel for apx. 5 years - with fingers crossed . . . Other than that, I walk most mornings  and do back-strengthening exercises twice a week (which I find SO boring!). 

Life is pretty good for me and our summer weather was hugely better than last year. I rid myself of some significant stress recently  (a small holiday cottage), which was a great relief as I found the maintenance a big burden. . . .

You seem to be doing well and are still in the 'will I, won't I ?' way of thinking re. taking any bone meds. Pros and cons on both sides, of course.  . .. ..  

Take care of yourself - and thanks again for the kind thoughts.   J   x

It is important that people have different views and argue with knowledge and evidence.

I have more health issues than osteoporosis even in the back. Two herniated discs probably cause the most trouble and I have given up trying to fix them and now just make sure not to set them off causing me pain.

I am active mainly in the pool as other exercise is limited.

Good to hear from you. Just hoping for our other mate to pop in now. The one with two 'l's!

Our mate with the two "Ls" is still around, I'm sure!!   

BTW I have other health issues also ie. polymyalgia  - which requires treatment with steroids, which in turn helped accelerate my bone thinning . . 

Keep well,  Thelma.

Hi Alan,

My husband would like to know if there is any chance of his account ever being reinstated as it is about a year ago since it was trashed. I need him to do research for me on Vascular Dentia and Altzheimers.

Thankyou,

Pauline

Once again you have made a comment that on several occassions, I have asked you to back up with, where you have found this imformation. Could you please enlighten us as to why you believe as many people break bones without OP as with this “thining bone condition” because everything I have read, disagrees?However, I keep an open mind and would love to see this evidence

That should have been Vasclar Dementia etc.  Just one of the symptoms.

Try again:

That should have been Vascular Dementia etc.  Just one of the symptoms.

Think I got it right this time!

Pauline, I think you should private message the moderator.  This would be better, I think.  More likely your note will be seen and you can provide more details about who you are actually referring to.