Estrogen might help, which might have been mentioned earlier… attached article provides good general overview for osteoporosis.
I would do both 1 and 2. It doesn’t have to be either/or.
I would not take the Fosomax. I would see what the clinic has to say. There might be some new trial going on or something.
Any suggestions on where to find appropriate exercises?
Get a trainer and tell him/her you want major weight-bearing exercises. Start with small weights and build up. Don’t assume you can only do tiny weights; I routinely lift 30 pounds, and I’m all of 5" tall.
There are books about weight lifting and osteoporosis that can help you also.
Good suggestions, VH (although I assume you’re really 5’ tall)
Whoops, not 5" – 5’, you’re right!
I’d do numbers 1 and 3. Although I’m not sure about retaking the bone density test in a year – my insurance only covers the test every two years.
What I think has helped me – increased vitamin D, more weight-bearing exercise including running, yoga. It’s not only important to address the bone density number, but to make sure that your core is strengthened and you work on balance.
I’m trying to postpone taking drugs as long as possible. How old are you? The younger you are, the more I’d try to avoid the drugs and try other methods.
I am in a similar situation at 60 years old- also 5ft tall and thin. I have an appt with an endocrinologist coming up in Jan.
I’m 60, and not thrilled with taking the meds. That’s probably my least favorite option.
fireandrain - My insurance will only pay for a bone density test every 2 years too, but, now that I’ve been diagnosed, it won’t be for screening anymore, so my insurance won’t cover it as a preventive service anyway. Since I have a high-deductible plan, it’s likely that a bone density test in a year will be applied to my deductible and I’ll be paying for it.
I’m leaning towards making an appt at the clinic to see what they have to say, increasing my exercise, and hoping for the best.
We just got plan info and the Federal Blue Cross plan will only be covering the screening after age 65 unless there is a medical reason do do so between 50-65. I have had it covered every couple of years until now. So it will be 3 years until the next one.
@singersmom: If there is a history of osteoporosis in your family, that might be your medical reason to get it done sooner.
Shellfell, strength and resistance training is what works and it’s important. VH is right; find a certified trainer (available at the gym) and tell him/her about your osteoporosis. A trainer is important not only because they’ll steer you toward exercises that’ll help your bones, but also because they’ll keep you from hurting yourself.
Great news here! My spinal osteoporosis has dropped back to osteopenia, and my hip osteopenia has improved by a pretty good amount. I was hoping to get off the Fosamax but my endo talked me into staying on it for two more years, assuming no problems. I detest taking it too, but he said that the jaw problems had been seen in cancer patients who were taking much larger doses and had existing jawbone problems. He said he’d personally never seen it (as did my gyn), and pointed out that there’s a much larger risk of problems with osteoporosis than with the drug. I couldn’t argue with that. He said if I show similar improvement by 2017, I can kiss Fosamax goodbye, so that’s really great motivation to keep up with the workouts!
Agree that it’s not either/or. I take the Fosamax, and work out 3x/week, and religiously take my calcium and Vit D.
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice, LasMa. I’ve also read that the issues with Fosamax are usually in cancer patients on higher doses, but that doesn’t really make me more comfortable about taking it. I’ll probably make an appt at the osteoporosis clinic and see what they recommend (I’m assuming meds, but who knows) and do the strength and resistance training.
It didn’t make me more comfortable with it, either, or I guess I should say it made me barely comfortable enough to take it. I think it helped me a little also that not one but two of my doctors said that they’ve personally never seen a case of the jaw problem. It also helps that I know I’m going what’s in my control to reduce the already miniscule chance of the problem, namely taking excellent care of my teeth. My dentist is as impressed as my endo. 
I actually did ask my endo if there was any way to tell which of the 3 factors – exercise, drug, calcium – had contributed most to the dramatic improvement. I was hoping he’d say it was the exercise, so I could slip the drug out of my regimen. But of course, he said there isn’t, but what I’ve been doing is obviously a winning combination, so why mess with success. I have to say, it’s a great feeling to be able to say that I don’t have osteoporosis any more, and I’m willing to keep doing what I’ve already been doing for a while longer because of that.
DH is a dentist and he’s not crazy about bisphosphonates. Taking care of your teeth will not prevent your jawbone from dying, and I already have periodontal issues, so I guess I’m less comfortable than you. I appreciate hearing your advice though and will take all this into consideration.
Shellfell, if I’d had dental issues, I might very well have made a different decision.
I have had 2 friends who actually had the jaw issue. One of the cases was pretty severe and she couldn’t eat much solid food for ages. That scared me pretty much.
@Veryhappy and others- do you have a favorite book on exercise for osteoporosis?
I do not. There are some books that I got out of the public library re: osteoporosis and exercise, but I don’t remember what they’re called.
But when I started exercising – it must be eight or so years now – I worked with a trainer, who started me off on three- and five-pound weights. I quickly realized they weren’t doing anything for me and increased to 7.5 pound weights. IME, use what is a tad difficult for you to lift. Otherwise, there’s no point in lifting it.
I now lift 7.5-pound weights for certain things, 10- and 12-pounders for other things, 15 pounds for certain things, and – once every fourth workout – a 30-pound barbell over my head and in various configurations. You really have to make sure that what you’re lifting is somewhat hard, but not crazy hard, for it to be worthwhile.