Osteoporosis drug with the fewest side effects?

A friend of mine was diagnosed with osteoporosis.  In fact she became my inspiration because she did in fact improve her bone density.  This was all confirmed by her followup DXA scans over the years.  She moved from osteoporosis to osteopenia, and continues to improve.  She too must have been in her 50s at the time of diagnosis, not sure exactly.  She's a year or so older than I am and I'm 69, but she started the OP journey some years ago.  

Posture can be improved through exercise.  Another acquaintance of mine, older, had become very bent over from OP.  She went to a Nordic Walking class and although she cannot yet use the poles the standard way she has become perfectly erect!  In fact the instructor looks on her as his star pupil.  I think she is in her 80s.

You can only be guaranteed no side effects from the OP meds if you don't take them.  The risk is yours to take and the choice is yours to make.  I and my friend chose the non-med way and it worked for us and we both feel very much healthier overall.

It takes more "work" in a way than taking a pill or getting an injection, but really it isn't work, just a modification of lifestyle. 

When I got my improved t-score results my doctor was blown away.  She asked me how I did it!

Anhaga has achieved great results with natural means.

By mentioning small bones I suspect people with tiny bones like mine could get a worse result anyway! I have not broken any bones but I take care not to.

How high a dose of calcium are you taking?  The optimum dose should be about 300-400 mg at a time, up to twice a day.  A rheumatologist I met at a "bones" clinic at our local hospital actually said she didn't believe in calcium supplements.  I kind of agree, although I do take a bones supplement which includes calcium.  if we have a good diet with various sources of calcium, like the leafy greens which provide bioavailable calcium (kale, broccoli, collards for  instance) an average amount of dairy, that kind of thing (check internet for non-dairy sources of calcium for ideas) then I think the supplements are not as important.  We need to make sure we get all the micronutrients we need to absorb and use that calcium.  K2 is one of those, and D3 of course, also magnesium, boron and a number of other things, most of which (except K2 and D) should be easily available in a balanced diet.  

My friend who has done so well said, when I asked her, that she thought Nordic walking was the single exercise that had helped her most, although she does other things as well.  

I have bought a weighted walking vest and I think that has helped improve my spine t-scores.  You can get one which has tiny weights so you can gradually build up over time, and the extra weight stimulates osteoblasts to lay down new bone!

Swimming helps insofar as it strengthens your muscles, which thus exert a greater force on the bones, but doesn't have a direct effect on stimulating bone growth, as weight-bearing exercise does. 

I'm afraid I know nothing about what blood levels of calcium might signal altough I expect someone on this forum will know.  

My GP believes everyone should take vit D throughout the winter months in the UK as we don't get the vit D we need from the sun

I think any of us who live far enough North, or South, need supplemental D part of the year.  The rheumatologist I mentioned only said she didn't think calcium supplements were necessary.  She said we should take Vitamin D.