I took Fosamax for six years and then stopped. Bones good but then a little osteoporosis in my hip showed up and now my doctor thinks I should start up again. I told her I prefer to take my calcium, Vitamin D and do weight bearing exercises. What do others think?
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I had a BR at 60 YOA. I had been having horrible upper back pain and yes I wore well fitting bras. I wasn't as large as many women but insurance covered their part. The back pain is gone, I wear at least a size smaller in tops and can now wear 
I wish everyone thought like you!
Remember the movie "Eat,Pray ,Love" with Julia Roberts and a scene where her friend Sophie said she couldn't eat too much pizza because she gained too much weight and had a muffin top.Julia Roberts or Liz said a man didn't really care because h
I agree with you on the calcium, “D” and exercise. I was told I had osteopenia a couple of years ago. I have been walking at least 3 miles almost every day since and I bought a rebounder to use when the weather is crappy. I worry that the drugs have too many side effects, some they are just starting to find out about.
I am 56. I have been told after my last Bone density test July 2010 that my hips had degraded to the stage of osteopenia (my spine had been at such a stage for 10 years). I have always been in outstanding shape (running 40 miles a week for years, skiing, etc), eating extremely balanced and healthy, hardly any meat, very alkaline. The degradation followed a thighbone break in December 2008 that was causing too much pain to be able to do any impact and weight bearing exercise for 2 years. Two doctors recommended that I take Aclasta or at least Evista. I decided not to. I had a surgery to remove all metal from my thigh and embarked on a recovery program. I take only a 500 mg calcium supplement and some vitamin D on days that I go without sun exposure. I get everything else from nutrition. I will go back for new tests next December, one year after the beginning of my own plan and see the difference in my bone density. I could bet I will be back to where I was before. I strongly believe that inactivity itself had caused the deterioration. Doctors very quickly come to the conclusion that your age is the cause and assume that no one will do what it takes to attempt a reversal of the situation, so they prescribe drugs. I will tell you all the result of my experience at the end of this year.
I’m not a big fan of drugs of any kind; the more natural things we can do, the better. I can’t really weigh in on the bone conversation as I was rated “good” and “excellent” for my hips and spine (which reminded me of my German Shepherds). I do know that weight bearing exercise (weight lifting) helps. For a couple of years in my late 30s and early 40s I did weight lifting, so that probably helped me; along with the fact that I’ve always been overweight to one degree or another (talk about weight-bearing exercise…
). At this point in my life I’d like to get back into it, to a lesser degree, since it did so much for me back then. ♥
I have osteoporosis in my spine and have had it for several years (discovered around ’98, ’99 or earlier). I did take some kind of medication (can’t recall the name) for it a few years back but not for very long. I forget why I stopped taking it but suspect the cost and potential side effects had something to do with it. I eat properly, take calcium supplements, vitamins, exercise (walking, water aerobics, light weights, gardening [therapeutic weeding], etc.), and I try to remember I’m not 20 anymore so someone else can lift that box of books or five-gallon paint can because those days are over for me. I need good back support so cushy car seats and sink-in couch cushions don’t work for me and sitting for long periods of time can cause discomfort but rarely significant pain. I think with any medication, one has to weigh the risks and potential benefits and decide what their own bottom line is.
thanks for all this good feedback. I talked to an endocrinologist who said it was pretty much my choice and that she didn’t take any drugs herself. Another doc who I interviewed said count on D because most of the drugs are still controversial, despite how good Sally Fields and others look in the drug commercials.
I want to add not to be afraid of getting Vitamin D the really, natural way: the sun. It doesn’t take a lot of exposure and, from what I understand, the threat of skin cancer has more to do with burning than tanning. ♥
My cousin in Australia is trying ”Dr Tom McNeils bone formula” to see if that makes a difference to her bones.
I was also on Fosomax for several years (3 or 4 years) – but stopped taking it when I started hearing about women’s bones breaking (particularly the jaw.) I’ll be 64 in Sept.
I just had another bone-density test and the results were normal spine density but osteopenia in the hip. The doctors recommendation is = calcium 500mg/magnesium 250 mg three times a day. Vitamin D 1000-2000 unity daily. Strength training exercises (working with weights.)
Since I’m currently doing all of the above – I am looking at my diet. I don’t drink milk but do drink too much diet soda. I’m sure that I can find plenty of ways to improve in this area.
I’d suggest that you swap your diet soda for good clean water! No need to drink milk. I take 4000iu of Vitamin D3 daily and you may like to think about upping your Vit D3. Good luck!
Best site I’ve found for info: http://www.betterbones.com/
Thanks for the link to the Better Bones website – it is incredibly good information. In fact, it is so informative I decided to add the link to my blog and I have passed the link onto my cousin in Australia who is working on a bone loss problem. Thank you!
Yes, I did the same thing…especially weight bearing is a must. Now I added Yoga which I feel is a must for our age! You just need to find the right yoga instructor.