<p>Chiming in on the yoga front, there was a pilot study (that Dr.Loren Fishman did) that suggested that yoga - even just 10-20 minutes a day – can create significant bone growth, because of the way it stresses the bones. I was told by my dr. that biking is not very helpful because it’s not weight-bearing.</p>
<p>to me the main thing about yoga is that it improves balance which can prevent falls. I have done a lot of hot yoga during some of my injury recoveries and plan to do it again as soon as this fracture gets a little more healed. </p>
<p>Great! Why are you asking for info if you are so sure of your course?
“Done the research” Can’t give you any help. You said you did that.
Going to take Forteo–done the research already. Although cases varies widely. Can’t help here.
Know the exercises. And “that’s just the way it’s going to be.” Again. Ask for help after the crutches.
You’re thrilled with Forteo-- so what’s your question? I can’t imagine anyone being happy with that but I don’t sign up for that stuff.
No new sports or even want to consider. You’ve tried 'em all! You are a better person than me.
Doctor is great. Not going there.
So what’s the question?<br>
Are you just plain frustrated at not feeling good from your physical standpoint?
You have really good questions and I do NOT mean to belittle any of them.
I would start a new thread that is not buried. You may go through some “old stuff” but some of that old stuff may be “new” with info that isn’t years old. And I’m sure you won’t be the only one who needs help.</p>
<p>Can’t help you with the drugs, but do you lift weights? </p>
<p>gouf73, I also have osteoporosis and have seen a couple of specialists. Running is recommended because it is a weight-bearing exercise. Swimming and biking aren’t. Women who have broken bones because of osteoporosis probably should not run, but those of us who are healthy can. Now, whether it’s a good idea to run as much as MoWC might be questionable – I run, but keep it to once, sometimes twice, a week. I walk, bike and swim the other days, plus lift weights twice a week.</p>
<p>MoWC, I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ll throw it out again – look into strontium. Lots of very positive anecdotal evidence.</p>
<p>I had a doctor recommend Evista. I’m glad it’s working for you, dragonmom, but the side effects scared me. Actually, it wasn’t the side effects as much, but that women said the side effects continued after they stopped taking it. </p>
<p>The thread isn’t buried anymore, gouf. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum, and, hopefully, we can help each other. I’m not sure of my course. After the Forteo I need to take something else, and I don’t know what that something else should be!<br>
Also, while I have a great orthopedist, my bone doctor (endocrinologist) is not great. She does not specialize in osteoporosis as I thought. How can I be thrilled with Forteo? It has a black box warning and involves needles!
Gouf- I know this is hard for you to understand, but I’m a runner. That’s what I do (besides my day job). I compete and I win things and I’ve been doing it since 1977. I do cross train and lift weights but not as much as I should. None of that, according to my doctors, is enough since I’m declining in bone density despite doing everything else right. </p>
<p>Fireandrain= I do need to look into strontium. </p>
<p>The blood clot side effect of Evista concerns me. Sounds like if you are going to fly they recommend that you stop it ahead of time for a week or so.</p>
<p>Evista was the only drug I could tolerate during the worst of menopause. when I could sleep thru a night, have fewer hot flashes, I used it every other day, then got off. It is a synthetic med. </p>
<p>It is very hard to give up one’s exercise regime. My orthopedic doc kept telling me how he had to shift his routine after a car accident and injuries. After my car accident, I learned I had to drop out of body pump, Yoga, Zumba. I still do Pilates 3x a week. I found it very difficult to give up classes I liked and still don’t like the 2 other forms of exercise that I’ve added on. MOWC is a certified runner. It is her favorite form of exercise, the base of a social crowd. She excels at this sport. I have no advice for her, just hoping she can find a way to continue.</p>
<p>The doctors don’t seem to be concerned about my running and have not suggested that I stop. They do want me to try the medication route to improve the bone density. This stress fracture is likely not connected to the osteoporosis, but who knows? Many younger women (and men) without bone density issues get sacral stress fractures from running, and older women who don’t run get them from lack of bone density. I have fallen a number of times in the last few years running and haven’t broken anything, so that’s good! </p>
<p>Right now I can’t run for 8 weeks anyway, but at least I’m off crutches! I’m trying to be better about lifting weights.</p>
<p>MOWC, I haven’t read this entire thread, but have you thought about diet? I just searched my favorite website for osteoporosis, and there are some references to folate helping to prevent bone fractures:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2010/06/the-best-lentil-salad-ever-2/”>http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2010/06/the-best-lentil-salad-ever-2/</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2009/05/snappy-spring-salad-2/”>http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2009/05/snappy-spring-salad-2/</a></p>
<p>and to kale as a source of calcium, “The calcium in kale is more absorbable by the body than milk (and ounce for ounce, contains more calcium than milk)!”:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2011/11/poppy-seed-crusted-butternut-squash-with-kale-and-pomegranates-2/”>http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2011/11/poppy-seed-crusted-butternut-squash-with-kale-and-pomegranates-2/</a></p>
<p>I’ve made quite a few recipes from this website, including the lentil salad recipe above, and they’ve all been great. I have several great kale recipes, if you’re interested.</p>
<p>Thanks. I eat the right things- along with some wrong ones. Apparently diet can help, but isn’t enough.</p>
<p>
According to my patient insert, stop several days ahead of major surgery that will keep you bed-bound for many days. Get up and walk every few hours during a flight but no need to stop. I seem to remember the same walk during a flight warning on BC pills? (It’s been a while since I took those) </p>
<p>Dear MOWC
Thanks for all the info. I’ve been off Boniva for a few years. I have almost no leg cramps since I’ve been off Boniva
It would be terrible if you had to stop running, hope that never happens. </p>
<p>MOWC, I haven’t read the whole thread but FWIW, I was diagnosed osteopenia hip and osteoporosis spine about 3 years ago. My primary at that time prescribed Fosamax, but the (rare) jaw side effect freaked me out so much that I wouldn’t take it. My 2-year follow up DEXA last fall showed no change, but by then I had become reconciled to the idea that I had to do something.</p>
<p>At that point my primary sent me to an endo in hopes he could talk some sense into me, and it actually helped. He spent quite a bit of time with me, talking about my fears, showing me the research, showing me stats, etc. The best thing he said was (and you’ll appreciate this), “Treating osteoporosis is a marathon, not a sprint.” What he meant was start making small changes that you can live with forever, and I have. I’ve cut out coffee almost entirely (still allow myself a half cup in the morning), added some calcium to my diet, and faithfully take my calcium supplements and Vitamin D. And yes, I’m now taking the Fosamax, and it’s not quite as scary any more. I also started walking (unlike you, I’m sedentary), although that brought to light an ankle problem which needs to be addressed. In July, I’m going to join a yoga class and a back strengthening class at my local parks & rec. So, baby steps. </p>
<p>NYmomof2, thanks for those links. </p>
<p>Thanks, lamom.<br>
LasMa- good information. Unfortunately, just in the small sample of my friends, I have one who had the jaw problem and one (a male) who had the femur fracture as a result of the Fosomax/Boniva class of drugs. That scares me, but there are certainly many, many people who take them without incident.</p>
<p>I am religious about the calcium and Vit D and have given up all but an occasional diet cola. I am not a coffee drinker, although I have seen fairly recent studies that show that caffeine can actually help bone density in older women, so I don’t have a concern about iced tea. Alcohol is a problem- I’m not a heavy drinker but I like my glass of wine or a beer. I haven’t given them up!</p>
<p>LasMa, I like the marathon-not-a-sprint analogy. I used to have osteoporosis but reversed it by lifting weights. Right now I’m on no medication for my bones, other than calcium and Vit D, but I lift heavy things over my head and do some treadmill three times a week, and I seem to be stable. </p>
<p>MOWC, good luck. If you’re already lifting, which I believe you said you are, perhaps you need to do it more frequently, with more reps, or with heavier weights. </p>
<p>I don’t do enough strength work. I need to increase that. I’m good about pushups and ValSlide stuff, but as far as a real routine of weight lifting- not so much. </p>
<p>You’re welcome, LasMa. The recipes on that site are delicious - even teenaged boys gobble them down. This is one of our favorites - quick, easy, and you end up happily eating a mountain of greens:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/07/flavour-bomb-greens-n-noodles/”>http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/07/flavour-bomb-greens-n-noodles/</a></p>
<p>I leave out the cashews, sesame seeds, coconut - and use mint and cilantro only if I have them on hand. I often leave ingredients out of her recipes and they are still good.</p>
<p>And this is a great kale salad:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cookusinterruptus.com/massaged-kale--salad-salad-with-apples-and-gorgonzola-4136-124.html”>http://www.cookusinterruptus.com/massaged-kale--salad-salad-with-apples-and-gorgonzola-4136-124.html</a></p>
<p>^^^I make that kale salad all the time–everyone loves it, even folks who turn up their noses at “kale”.</p>
<p>One comment about strength training and osteoporosis, you don’t have to lift weights to do the kind of activity that will help, body weight exercises can be effective as well, and for some people may be easier to.</p>
<p>I am not a doctor, and please discuss this with your doctor, but as an alternative to HRT I have read about women using phyto estrogenic compounds (that contain things like black cohosh, saw palmetto and so forth) to help fight off osteoporosis and they generally are a lot less harsh then taking real HRT or compounds based around hormones. I offer this as a suggestion only, I cannot or would not make claims it works or whatnot, hence talking to a doctor about it. </p>