Woohoo! Thrust that dumpster fire mug to the back of the cupboard- things are looking up. Get out your most cheerful mug and join me for a cup of delicious Earl Grey tea (or coffee, if you must.) I have some good news to share from my doctor appointment yesterday.
But let’s back up. Four years ago I had my first bone density scan, and the results showed that I had osteopenia- ack! I was very surprised by this- I remember saying to my doctor “But I run and lift weights!” She wanted to prescribe Fosamax, but I didn’t want to take it. Instead I started taking a calcium supplement and increased my Vitamin D supplement. There, that should solve everything.
Two years later I had another scan, and it was even worse. The numbers for both my hip and low back put me in the osteoporosis range (eek, so scary!) My doctor again recommended Fosamax (again I said no) but she also said she had heard good things about a supplement called Osteo Vegan. She didn’t suggest it because I’m vegan; it’s just a supplement containing every bone-building mineral you could imagine, and she thought we could give it a try.
You take nine pills a day, and because it’s not a prescription drug, it’s not covered by insurance. But at this point I was scared enough to shell out the $77 a month, and obediently began swallowing my pills.
This was also around the time I started lifting heavier weights, because I heard that helped with bone density. But I have to admit I was feeling pretty worried. I have a lot of risk factors- my mom had osteoporosis, I’m post-menopausal, and I have a very small frame. Oh, and in my teens and 20s I drank a LOT of soda. Strike four!
Fast forward two more years. I had another bone density scan and honestly was afraid to hear the results. BUT GUESS WHAT. The osteoporosis is reversed, and I’m up into the osteopenia range- so far up that one of the areas barely showed osteopenia at all. ‘
My doctor was astonished. She was just hoping that it hadn’t gotten any worse- she truly didn’t expect improvement like that. We discussed the Osteo Vegan, and the heavier weightlifting, and she said “JUST KEEP DOING EVERYTHING YOU’RE DOING!” She said if I make the same improvement again in two years, I won’t have osteopenia at all.
I’m not sharing this to brag about my bones, (Obviously, there’s still work to do there.) I just want to say that THERE IS HOPE. If I can get my bones this much stronger, think what else I could do. My muscles can get stronger, My ankle can get stronger! Things can actually get better- we don’t have to just deteriorate until our bodies crumble to pieces.
Do you have any areas in your health where you’ve made improvements? Or are there any health issues you’re concerned about? Please share! You never know… I’ll bet there’s a solution out there.
Top photo by Miska Sage on Unsplash
37 Responses
Woo hoo!!! I’m taking a note of Osteo Vegan! Yes $77 a month is a lot, but it’s waaaaaay cheaper and a way better quality of life than the alternative.
Now if someone could come up with a cure for dry eye syndrome that would be amazing!
I also have dry eyes, although I don’t think my issue is the same as yours. Mine is just due to my age (grr) and the fact that I weirdly insist on continuing to wear contacts. My eye doctor recommended some special eye drops, which help a bit. I seem to have lost that bottle and am desperate to replace it.
That’s fantastic news Jenny! It’s so good that your doctor was willing to suggest the supplement. I read an article in the paper that said when they got a group of eighty-year-olds lifting weights (under supervision, of course), they built muscle, so we’re never too old.
Yes, I’ve seen studies like that as well. You can definitely make improvements at any age!
That’s great news!!!! good job!! do you think it’s the supplement or the heavy training that did the trick?
Coco, I wish I knew. Like if i were sure it was the lifting, I would love to not spend the money on the supplement! But I suspect the supplement had a lot to do with it.
This is absolutely amazing news!!! If I didn’t already pay €80 a month for my IBD medication I would try to get these pills. But, it’s good you shared the label so I can see what’s in them. I’m already taking minerals (possibly should re-check the amounts), K2 and Vit D – AND Fosamax (but plan to stop that if next scan shows improvement), and you already know everything about my weight lifting.
I obviously have more risk factors than you but this still gives a lot of hope! You’re right, there’s a lot we can do to improve!
With everything you’re doing, I would be surprised if you don’t see improvement in your next scan. I didn’t want to take Fosamax because of my understanding of how it works, and how the bones are constantly getting rid of unhealthy material and replenishing with new… but I am not a doctor so I would never give you any advice on that point! Sometimes you just need to get the bone density up ASAP. You definitely lift more weight and more often than I do, so I would imagine that’s helping you a LOT.
Yes, I’m definitely not a fan of the Fosamax and how it works and I honestly don’t think it should be used in younger people unless it’s a very serious case (mine wasn’t). It took a while for me to decide whether to accept it or not but decided to give it a try and if I didn’t get side effects, continue until the next scan. I think I have things I can improve on but otherwise I think I’m quite on track. Definitely with the weight lifting!
It’s always good to hear people’s success stories because people love to share horror stories and generic BS online 😵.
Brag about your bones, because that is incredible news! I am thrilled to hear this as I’m someone who has been told I’m at a high risk for osteoporosis. Now, I haven’t had a bone density scan so I don’t know, but I have been doing everything I can to strengthen my bones. I was not good at nourishing myself in my youth, in fact I was very bad, and so that is a worry because I think I missed something during those bone formative years. But your post gives me an incredible boost – this is such good news!
Nicole, I’m positive I missed a lot during those years- my diet was terrible, I ate a ton of sugar and drank way too much soda. So, it’s good to know that you can have healthy bones in spite of all that. Your doctor will probably recommend a bone density scan at some point- as you said, you do a lot to keep your bones healthy. But if there is a problem, you’ll want to know about it and make adjustments.
This doesn’t deserve a celebratory coffee date, THIS NEWS DESERVES A GALA! Not black-tie, fancy cocktails and the whole nine yards though – I think we’d both enjoy a gala better if it involved waffles, Earl Grey, and pajamas, right…so let’s go with that.
What wonderful news, Jenny. I’m elated for you, and proud of you for sticking with so many good habits. These numbers are awesome! Keep up the good work <3
Hmm, I think what you’re referring to is more like a slumber party, which is more “me” than a fancy gala. But okay! Thanks for your support and kind words : )
That’s such amazing news and you should be proud! I’m personally concerned about osteoporosis as I have a few risk factors as well – namely being smaller framed and struggling with an eating disorder in my teens/20s but I’ve been too nervous to get a bone density scan. But I’m so glad that you’ve been able to reverse your osteoporosis with the supplement (nine pills a DAY?!) and weight lifting!
Ashley, I was really surprised when I got that first scan- I just felt sure my bones were healthy since I was running and lifting weights! So, you never know. We sound similar in a lot of ways. I think you’re younger than me though- I would start thinking about it seriously around the time of menopause. And, don’t be nervous to get a scan- if there’s a problem, you want to know about it and it CAN be fixed! (I know… nine pills is a lot. I’m used to it though!)
Yay!! What amazing progress. I guess this is probably the kick in the butt I need to be more consistent about lifting weights. I’d just rather do cardio any day. LOL. I’m so proud of you!
Engie, I’m totally with you. I resisted strength training for a long time, and didn’t start getting serious about it until I was in my 50s. So you’re way ahead of me! But- I still feel like if I didn’t need to do it, I wouldn’t- I would love if I could just do only cardio every day.
Oh my gosh! This is amazing, Jenny! What an incredible improvement!!!! I need to make a note of this supplement because it sounds excellent. I also love your philosophy about not giving in to the idea that things will all go downhill with aging. Yay you!!!
Thank you Suzanne! Yes, the supplement is obviously excellent. It actually says on the package that it’s GUARANTEED to increase bone density- I guess they can make that claim with confidence.
This is so awesome! I have never had mine checked but I worry about that (had hypothalamic amenorrhea in my 20s-early 30s and my mom has osteoporosis). HOWEVER I also feel like I would have had a stress fracture by now if I had low bone density!
I started taking Ritual vitamins ~6m ago (not in any way connected with them) and was so excited my vitamin D was up to 45. 45!! I’ve never seen it that high. But a good reminder that you can still be surprised by this kind of thing and YAY FOR YOU for reversing the direction! That truly is amazing. Agree with NOT changing anything since it’s all clearly working!
Thank you Sarah! Yes, you might have some risk factors, plus you also have a small frame. BUT, you run and your vitamin D is at a good level (mine was chronically low for a long time.) Plus you’re younger than me. You’re probably fine for now. When you go through menopause you can get a scan then and see where you’re at.
Well this is fantastic news! Keep doing what you are doing is fantastic advice. Love a good report from the Doc
Yes, it’s nice to get a good report for a change! I’ll definitely keep doing everything I’m doing.
This is amazing. I’m not a fan of medication. I don’t take a thing.
Maybe I should start lifting?
I’m not a fan of medication either- I know in some cases it’s necessary, but I would rather try everything else first.
That is wonderful news!! Yay!! I am so glad that what you are doing is working. I had a bone density scan when I was getting dx’d with RA. At that point there weren’t any concerns noted so I hope that continues to be the case. My mom also has osteopenia and some osteoporosis. So I imagine I am prone to it.
My biggest health problem is my dang RA which has not been behaving. I was thinking I could get an injection in the other joint in my finger that is now bothering me but it turns out they can only do one injection per finger every 3 months. So I just have to hope it goes away. It’s not terrible but it’s painful cut things with a knife or floss. I changed meds a couple of months ago and it can take over 3 months to be fully effective so I am hoping I see an improvement soon. My next option would be going into the clinic for an IV infusion of meds once/month and it can take up to 4 hours and I just do not have 4 hours to give each month! So fingers crossed it doesn’t come to that.
Oh, that is tough. Yes, RA is complicated- you can’t just take a supplement, lift some weights, and make it go away. I can’t imagine you carving out four hours to go get an infusion, even if it is only once a month. Hopefully the new meds will kick in and be effective, SOON. For the osteoporosis- you’re younger than I am so you probably don’t have to worry yet. When you go through menopause you can start getting scans, and go from there.
That’s amazing and such good news. I am glad you stuck to your guns and went with the “natural supplements” route (I am guessing Fosamax is a prescription drug?) and that you made such huge improvements.
So often changing your lifestyle (or making changes to with supplements) can really make a difference. Good for you.
If you recall, I had issues with heartburn/chest pressure a while back but they didn’t find a cause for it. The doctor kept suggesting a PPI (which I know is bad for you long term and I simply refused), instead I tried to tweak my diet, stress levels, and anything else I could think of and what do you know? I haven’t had any issues in quite a while now… be your own best advocate!
Yes, Fosamax is a prescription drug, and yes I’ve heard bad things about PPIs! It’s good that you found a different way to solve that problem. Of course I’m not anti-medication 100% of the time- some people need it. But it’s always better to try other options first, if possible.
YAY YOU! How much weights does one have to lift to see this improvement, I wonder. I’ve seen your posts, and you’re pretty hard core. I am going to take note of that supplement and also make a note to get a bone density scan. My grandmother broke her hip due to osteoporosis at 40. 40! She also was on a diet from about age 15, and smoked like a chimney, so it’s not all genetics. I had a bone scan once many years ago and it showed some osteopenia so I took some calcium and vitamin D for awhile but then I stopped for no reason other than I ran out. Thank you for the motivation and encouragement. I think posts about this sort of thing can be really helpful, so again, yay you!
Wow, this is great! So interesting! My mom has had low bone density scans and they wanted to put her Fosamax too… but she didn’t like the sound of some of the side effects. I think she’s still monitoring it and has made some dietary changes/ taking supplements also and I think it’s improved some and is hanging in there at least not getting worse. I want to say that it is definitely your strength training keeping this at bay!! 😛 Haha. Who knows- but you know I’m a fan of strength training! Happy to hear that you have been able to reverse it! That’s great news for anyone else in the same boat.
Wow this is amazing news Jenny, well done! I work in research focused on how healthy lifestyles can improve brain health as we age, and we know on a society level it works, BUT it’s often hard to see it as an individual. That is, how do you know you prevented something, or were you never going to get it? It’s amazing and encouraging to see clear evidence that changes you’ve made to exercise and diet have resulted in a REVERSAL of these bone density issues, Hooray!
Fantastic, Jenny!
I didn’t know that bone density can be improved so effectively, that’s very encouraging news for anyone with those issues.
Fun fact: I got a bone density scan done in February with flying colours, three weeks later I was diagnosed with a stress fracture. So even with healthy bones, there’s no guarantee.
Your tips apply to all of us!
That is such good news! My mom has osteoporosis and I do not want to end up the same. I am so bad at taking pills though, I’m not sure I could do 9 a day. My Dr prescribed me restasis for my dry eyes but I’m not even good about using those drops twice a day. I didn’t think they were working, but it seems it takes a few months to see the effect so I need to be more patient.
Excellent, Jenny!! Yet another reason for me to start lifting. I just need a simple, 20 minute lifting routine… I own 5, 10 and 25 lbs weights. Agh, if only I had motivation.
This is such amazing news, Jenna! Sign me up for the gala/slumber party to celebrate your success!
I’ve never had a bone density scan but it would be interested to find out how my bones are looking. I really want to focus on improving my flexibility/stability right now because I know that is really crucial as we get older! Thankfully, I do love strength training so it’s something I’ll be happy to kick up a notch in a few years!
That’s wonderful news, Jenny. Just keep doing what you’re doing sounds like great advice to me! Here’s hoping the numbers keep going UP!