Just Diagnosed with a - 4.1 Left Femoral Neck T-score

I did the opposite and followed Doctor's advice with AA and Adcal. It was ok at first but I seemed to be getting odd symptoms after 6 months and gave them up. As I have Coeliac my blood is checked every 6 months so I knew my Calcium, Vit D and all the other numbers were back to nearly normal, so I didn't worry so much. Still have to wait another 9 months for the next Dexa though, like you every 2 years.

Hi All,

Tomorrow, I am finally going to see my doctor to discuss the diagnosis.  I really appreciate all of the knowledge and insight you all have shared with me.  I'm absolutely not going to start on any drugs, and have made drastic improvements in my diet.  I've lost 5 pounds so far, too.

A friend of mine with Osteopenia said she's on an all-natural fish bone nasal spray, 4x/day (waiting for her to give me the name...it is a prescription).  She tried Fosamax and had severe pain.  No side effects with the spray.  I thought it was interesting that no one had mentioned this on here.  (I am in the U.S.)

Since learning of my OP, I have started on K2 (100mcg/day), Cal-Mag Citrate (cal 1000mg/day, mag 500 mg/day & D2 400iu/day). I was already on D3 (200 iu/day) and B12 (1000 mcg/day).

I'm going to ask her about adding in zinc, Vitamin A, and Fish Oil.  Anything else you think I should add or ask about?

I do plan on having her test all of my vitamin & mineral levels.  For the record, my last calcium level was 9.3.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for everything!

Janice

I am in Australia and we are not offered all the drugs and have never heard of the spray.

Here, it seems to be fosamax or prolia that gets offered.

You are on top of this and I will be interested to see how you go with your diet and exercise regime. 

I am guessing you are having yoghurt every day and all the other nutrient rich food that has been named on here.

I wish you well.

Kathleen.

Hi Janice,

I have had osteoporosis for over 10 years.  I tried the natural route: Vitamins, diet, walking, specific exercises, etc.  I thought when I retired a little over a year ago and increased my walking/exercising that I would surely see a positive change in my dexa this year.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  So, after 10+ years, I finally gave into taking medicine since my t-scores were so bad and declining.  I now have to take Forteo to build bone before going on the medicines that maintain bone.  It is a personal decision.  I don't regret trying the natural route over the previous years at all.  But, one might argue that waiting has now put me in the category of needing daily injections instead of injections twice a year.  Do your research and you will make the right decision. Good luck! marilyn

HI Janice

Like Alison28608 I have always followed a healthy, nautural, supplemented lifestyle with lots of excercise. I ramped it up when I turned 60 to make sure i was still healthy and active going into retirement with 12 young grandchildren to play with. THen BOOM. Last year at 62 I was diagnosed with PMR/GCA, started high dose prednisone, then in November after spraining an ankle I had a dexa scan. Same as you, T score -4. I’m very tiny, it’s hereditary, early menopause, etc....all the high risk factors that I had no idea about. I begged my dr to  let me try to improve it with natural methods and his response was “well it hasn’t worked for  you so far has it” then proceeded to  drum it home with just how dangerous this was for me. I’ve had  my first Prolia injection and so far so good although I’m also reducing my prednisone dosage so that’s an interesting combination. I’m sure whichever path you choose will help, but it is your choice to make. For me it’s better to have a quality of life that suits my lifestyle. I can’t think of anything worse than being “broken” and not being able to do the things I plan to do in retirement,  even if they are modified slightly. So far  I can still dance, walk on a glacier in NZ, play with the grandies and travel in our RV. I have to be grateful for that and if Prolia and Prednisone is what I have to take to live that life then so be it. Better safe than sorry as they say.  😏

Hi again,

Well, had my consultation with my doctor today.  She said that the diet and exercise route would not be enough for me but that she was really concerned because my -4.1 # is just too low for someone my age, and she doesn't believe that my diet and lack of sufficient exercise was the culprit.  She has referred me to an endocrinologist because she is concerned there is an underlying problem that is sapping my bones of all the calcium (thyroidal issue).  She said she did want to put me on a bisphosphate, but I told her I truly did not want to get on those drugs yet...and she completely understood.

So, back to the doctor it is for now (April 25th).  I am going to switch to a new, intensive supplement which contains everything I need (in 8 pills a day - yuck!).  At this point, I'm just so worried about missing out on any vitamins/minerals and don't want to waste another day.  I wish I had taken the osteopenia diagnosis more seriously all those years ago.  

I sincerely thank you all for your comments and well wishes.  I can't tell you how much it helps to hear from you.  

I'll keep you posted!

Janice