What if anything are you doing to treat your osteopenia?

[Anonymous]

Osteopenia is a normal part of aging. Bone mass starts to decline around the age of 35 in everyone, the problem is being diagnosed with osteopenia doesn't tell a practitioner who will actually go on to develop osteoporosis. Unless you have risk factors (e.g., family history of osteoporosis, smoking, early menopause), you do the normal things: exercise (particularly weight -bearing) and eat a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D.

Many OTC calcium supplements are worthless and you're just peeing out your money, so do your research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Osteopenia is a normal part of aging. Bone mass starts to decline around the age of 35 in everyone, the problem is being diagnosed with osteopenia doesn't tell a practitioner who will actually go on to develop osteoporosis. Unless you have risk factors (e.g., family history of osteoporosis, smoking, early menopause), you do the normal things: exercise (particularly weight -bearing) and eat a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D.

Many OTC calcium supplements are worthless and you're just peeing out your money, so do your research.

OP. I do have risk factors which is why I’m asking what people have done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Has anyone had Bisphosphonates/denosumab/zoledronic acid treatment for osteopenia after a dexa/bone scan? A dental clearance is required prior to start of treatment because there is a small potential to cause osteonecrosis of the jaw.

The cohort you really want to ask are the elderly. The bad side effects can occur with cumulative use and can show up years down the road. Later in life, they go in for implants instead of dentures and are unable to complete the process because their jaw bone starts to break down as drilling occurs.

[Anonymous]

I take high dose vitamin D plus calcium, and use an estrogen patch, but I still have osteopenia. That said, my mom has pretty bad osteoporosis, so it runs in my family.

I need to find time to do more weight-bearing exercise, but it’s hard to find time and I’m not convinced how much it would actually help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to make a quick note for those who mentioned calcium fortified foods and oat milk - a study was recently published that you only absorb about 3% of the calcium added to those fortified foods and drinks. It was shock to me, I’ve been considering almond milk a good source of calcium for years. I’ve now gone back to dairy only.

Probably because it doesn't have K2. Bone Plus has vitamin D and K2 to help with absorption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was diagnosed with mild osteopenia in hips, but none in spine or shoulders with my first scan at 45 due to history. Mother had osteoporosis, grandmother had severe osteoporosis by 60. I was a runner for decades, so like a previous poster I was disappointed.

I started HRT, continued exercising. Gradually adding more of the right things to do (Vitamin D w K2, no calcium because that is normal--but I drink a lot of milk and Greek yogurt daily). I've always worked on balance.

Just had a new scan at 60 and there is no change. Just got a weighted vest yesterday. Adding ankle and wrist weights. And started female-dose testosterone. I also got magnesium.

Make sure you do "closed chain exercises." I wasted two years at the gym doing the wrong exercises and thought I was fine because the exercise was "weight bearing." "Weight bearing" is not enough. Gotta be closed chain.

[Anonymous]

"weight bearing" means your foot is on the floor with your weight on it. just lifting weights is not considered weight bearing (knee extensions, for example). However any time you contract a muscle and it gives a little tug on your bone in the contraction, you stimulate the cells that make more bone. So there is benefit to both weightbearing closed chain exercises as well as weight lifting in an open chain fashion. Closed chain can be more functional for sure.

[Anonymous]

I reversed mine in 2 years (I’m 62) with 2000mg Vit D daily and 6 hrs yoga weekly.

[Anonymous]

This is a treatment for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anybody tried this type of treatment? Any side effects?

What are bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates are a class of medications that help treat osteoporosis. Healthcare providers also prescribe them for other conditions that affect the density and strength of your bones and for some conditions that cause very high blood calcium (hypercalcemia).

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens your bones. It increases your risk for sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Osteoporosis means that you have less bone mass and less bone strength.

What are the types of bisphosphonates?

There are two main types of bisphosphonates — oral (taken by mouth) bisphosphonates and IV (intravenous, or through your vein) bisphosphonates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a treatment for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anybody tried this type of treatment? Any side effects?

What are bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates are a class of medications that help treat osteoporosis. Healthcare providers also prescribe them for other conditions that affect the density and strength of your bones and for some conditions that cause very high blood calcium (hypercalcemia).

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens your bones. It increases your risk for sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Osteoporosis means that you have less bone mass and less bone strength.

What are the types of bisphosphonates?

There are two main types of bisphosphonates — oral (taken by mouth) bisphosphonates and IV (intravenous, or through your vein) bisphosphonates.

Yes PP with PT and weighted backpack (actually a vest) and I take Fosamax weekly. Kendrick acid and apparently a bisophosphonate derivative.

I got this weighted vest from Amazon:

Henkelion28.99 black

[Anonymous]

Bisphosphonates can have side effects down the road. Ironically, they can lead to reduced bone mass in the femur and jaw to the point where femurs can break with little impact and jaw bone can crumble if drilled. These side effects can take a number of years to show up. They are reported to be rare, but many elderly get these fractures and don't report them.