So great to have you back @Petals! I moved the discussion we were having not to long ago about bone health to this thread so we can keep it all in one place.
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@petals. I had a REm Echolight fine after my DEXA and it showed osteopenia instead of the osteoporosis. The Echolight looks at the inside of your bones. It’s another piece that you can add to help you navigate this.
I haven’t yet started meds. I’m in the fence. Haven’t seen the data to convince me yet. Started walking with a weight vest and using weights. .
Thanks @Coach_Theia and @Gossimrr. I’m sorry I was out of the loop for a while. It was nice reading the previous posts.
Even as a retired pharmacist, I am not big on taking medications. My doc and I do spar back and forth on the pros and cons of meds and supplements.
I do not look at taking medications as bad or a failure. I will only take medications and supplements that have good studies showing their safety and effectiveness
My reasons for trying the medications are that I want to prevent any more bone loss. There is long term research supporting the use for medications like aledronate for osteoporosis. All medications (and supplements) have risk vs benefit and there are known side effects with alendronate that I figure I have a better chance of tolerating now than when I’m older.
I look at it as adding alendronate to my diet, exercise and weight training efforts. I have literally watched my Mom shrink the last few years and she broke her back during COVID and is now partially disabled.
I’ll report back later.
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Dr Jen Gunter has some information on collagen. It’s not looking like there is strong research showing the benefits of taking collagen.
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@petals yea I haven’t seen good studies on collagen either.
I had two doctors tell me to
Use Fosamax. Neither of them took any blood tests to see WHY I may have bone loss. And that frustrates me. I don’t just want to put a bandaid on something without knowing the why.
I have seen my mom shrink as well but she literal does nothing but watch TV and smoke. She doesn’t walk anywhere.
I’ve added more weight bearing activities which I haven’t done before. I’m hoping that will have an impact. I’m also making sure I get calcium and other vitamins daily. As best I can.
I’ve looked at different approaches and haven’t figured on one I want to follow.
I’m also afraid to take the fosamax because it stops the osteoclasts from working in the bone process so what happens if I fall off my bike and get a broken something? Will it heal?
Too much between this and my bladder issues.
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For many of your same reasons @Petals I started Reclast in June after a 1 year holiday after my 5 years of alendronate. During that 1 year holiday my bone density scores worsened. I am also trying to up my strength training. My mom also shrank, broke bones and struggled.
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The provider managing my stuff now took every blood test known to man (lol) before starting therapy both times (before alendronate and now reclast) and no cause found.
We are from the same cloth … I’ve been dealing with bladder issues too. I am allergic to adhesive so cannot use patches, bandaids or tegaderm or surgical tape.
I had to stop estrogen patches for that reason. I’ve used estrogen cream for stress incontinence, dryness, (etc) but am still having cystitis issues and frequency issues.
I was going to stop the oral HRT, but when my bone scan came back with osteoporosis, we decided to keep me on HRT too. Unfortunately, HRT does not work on osteoporosis as well as fosamax. I do feel better on HRT- more energy and less pain and stiffness. I may stop it after I see how I tolerate fosamax.
On top of all this and my father dying in May and I’m taking care of my Mom, her house as well as our house- my husband (Rick) developed two retinal tears - he had surgery last week, then developed LYME!!!
AAARRRRGGGHHHH!
at least they took the tests. @bkolden
@Petals that’s sounds overwhelming. Sending you hugs.
I am having a bad two weeks with my bladder and I’ve been having a pity party this weekend. I’m really tired of the whole things, and menopause can leave me alone too. 
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Late to this discussion but I am throwing out a resource for Pelvic Floor health for those of you with bladder issues. I have my own issues that are annoying but not severe. Anyhow, I came across this newsletter on Substack that is written by a OT who specializes in pelvic floor issues. After reading a few of her free articles I became a paid subscriber because she gives the most thorough information I have read about women’s issues related to childbirth, menopause, etc. I haven’t really done anything with her advice yet but I plan to take a deep dive and find out more about what I should be doing.
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Whoo Hooo!! At my one year follow up for osteoporosis my bone density has had statistically significant improvement in spine and hip is stable!! 
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So happy to read this @bkolden !! Keep up the great work at the gym!
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