Osteoporosis Medications: Experiences and Opinons?

[Gale K.]

I don't have experience with osteoporisis medications, but I wanted to offer that the Algaecal website offers a lot of scientific-backed information about osteopenia and osteoporosis (they also obviously promote Algaecal but there is still a lot of good non-supplement info there). They also have a private facebook group moderated by dieticians who provide frequent input. I found the book Healthy Bones, Healthy You by Lara Pizzorino super helpful, and Lara answers questions in detail on the facebook group. A lot of members are trying to avoid the medications and it seems to be a good support group.
Interestingly, in the book Lara favors Barre3, pilates and yoga (especially Iyengar) for bone health. I'm giving online Barre3 a try based on this recommendation.

[weener]

My experience is...I was osteopenia for years, even doing everything right - which included exercise. Then Dec 2018 (I was 58) I was told I had osteoporosis and was given a prescription for Fosamax. When my dental hygienist asked me if there were any new health issues (Jan 2019), I mentioned this. She suggested (along with the dentist and a PT) to stay away from these drugs. They may help your bones but can do more damage to the jaw bone, if dental work is needed. She recommended Strontium Caps supplements. I've been taking them ever since along with collagen. When I had another dexa, I was told I had osteopenia. I think this was 2021. I don't know if what I'm doing is working since I'm not sure if I had osteoporosis.

edited to add: I stay away from pharmaceuticals.

[Vintage VFer]

Thanks, everyone, for so many thoughtful and helpful replies! It is a tough call to decide what to do and we are all on our own.

All the medical options have pros and cons. I was happy on BHRT. I rebuilt bone mass. I didn't have to worry about jaw necrosis or esophageal erosion. I did have to worry about possible cancer or blood clots.

[nevertoolate]

I’m 74 and have severe osteoporosis. About 15 years ago, I fractured my wrist after tripping and falling while running. That’s when I had my first Dexa and was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I was given Fosamax, which I took for a couple of months. During that time I did a lot of research. (One book I recommend, which someone noted above, is The Myth of Osteoporosis, by Gillian Sanson. There is an updated version available on Kindle.) The more I read, the more concerned I became about the side effects of Fosamax and related drugs. I stopped taking it. About 4 years ago, I had another fall (walking this time; I’m slowing down) and broke the same wrist again. I had another Dexa scan, which showed my osteoporosis had gotten quite worse. The current findings on osteoporosis drugs (new and old) have only increased my concerns about side effects. I won’t go into them here. I declined medication again, but had to really argue with 2 medical specialists to defend my position.

Last year, I found an alternative to osteoporosis medications. I follow Margaret Martin, a physical therapist in Canada, who specializes in osteoporosis. From her I learned about Clinton Rubin and Low-intensity Vibration (LiV) as a treatment for osteoporosis. (This is not to be confused with high-intensity vibration platforms, which can be found in some fitness centers and are NOT safe for anyone, let alone people with osteoporosis.) Low-intensity vibration is a technology that was developed by NASA to counter the bone loss of astronauts in space. From the MyBones site: “NASA’s leading scientists were challenged to develop a non-invasive, drug-free way to stabilise the bones of their astronauts. Professor Clinton Rubin led the NASA Vibe Project. He began to research the cellular effects and mechanisms of zero gravity. The idea was to identify new ways to maintain bone substance and ensure mobility, muscle strength and balance while in space. Over many years, the team developed the concept of low-intensity and low-load stimulation. The research team refined the concept through years of testing, developing a fully functioning and highly effective Low-intensity Vibration platform. These specific, low-intensity stimuli activate the body’s cells and thus contribute to maintaining and building up bones and muscles. Dr. Rubin and his colleagues were convinced that if LiV could work in space, it would work on earth. It became apparent to Professor Rubin that Low-intensity Vibration could hold specific benefits for people who suffer from poor bone health – including patients with osteoporosis. The technology, methods and associated medical results, once developed for astronauts, were increasingly refined and repeatedly subjected to new studies. Over 20 years, scientists across the world have reviewed, revised and refined Low-intensity Vibration techniques.”

That technology is now available to consumers in the Marodyne LiV, a low-intensity vibration platform developed for home use. It is a medically approved device in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. It’s being used in a variety of clinical trails in the United States. I’ve read a lot of the research on this and I really believe in it. (I’m not one to go in for woo-woo science.) It’s non-invasive and has no side effects. The protocol is to stand on the device for 10 minutes a day. You can do more. I do 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. I’ll never take osteoporosis medications again. This I can do. It’s not cheap ($3200), but for me it’s the only healthy alternative. I’ll post links if anyone is interested.

Margaret Martin (she has lots of info on her YouTube channel):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O9Z6dqLm-o&t=68s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNI3NKkcXU0&t=1011s

MyBones site in the UK (lots of research and other information):
https://mybones.health/health-news/our-story/

I bought mine through Copa Healthcare in Florida. I got about a $200 discount by mentioning Margaret Martin.
https://www.marodyne.us/

Hope this is helpful. I'm not a representative for the Marodyne LiV, just a satisfied customer. I could go on, but this is long already. Yours in fitness and health.

Ann

[FirmDancer]

Ann - thank you for that info!

Everyone - thank you for all the great discussion!

[patrice]

I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. This has been helpful!

Patrice

[Pat58]

Ann, thank you for that information. I'm so happy you found non-pharmaceutical solutions. I will have to google the dangers of high vibration platforms. I use a red light both/vibration plate at the gym sometimes.

Gale, I'll check out that book and find the Facebook page, thanks.

Christina, thank you for sharing about the strontium. I may go that route depending on my next DEXA.

[Vintage VFer]

Ann - Thanks for the interesting info! Have you had a DEXA since trying the Low-intensity Vibration (LiV)?

I like Margaret Martin. I have her books and a couple of her workouts. (The workouts are a bit of a snooze, so I only did them a few times. )

I haven't been to her site in a while and will check it out.

[JeepGirl]

Just chiming in with my experience. I’m 55 and went into early menopause at 40. I did take HRT for about 6 years. About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with osteopenia and started taking calcium supplements. I had a repeat dexa and was then diagnosed with osteoporosis. I started taking Algaecal and Strontium. My endo had wanted to put me on Prolia, but I wanted to see what would happen with supplementation. My dentist also recommended against taking the meds. I had a repeat Dexa last fall and stayed the same in some areas but gained 5% bone mass in others, which my endo said never happens. The supplemts are not cheap but I’m going to continue with them. HTH!

[warriorprincess]

I read a review of some research articles on the vibration platforms here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4440196/

But what I could never understand is the difference in the $300 ones vs the $3000 ones. Most of the research was done at the 30 hz range, and the cheap ones will do that. I actually bought a cheap one and have been using it for about a year. I won't know any results until my next Dexascan which is due around March. If I don't get any results, and Ann does, I'll spring for the pricey one. So please, keep up updated Ann!