Hi, Cindy, and welcome to this forum. It's great to hear of your good results, and I hope you continue to do well. I'm very blessed, because my current physician practices integrative medicine. My prior doctor put me on once-a-month Actonel. One dose was all I took, because the side effects (for me) were awful. My current doctor and an orthopedic surgeon both told me to take calcium and magnesium (400-600 mg. each), vitamin d3, and vitamin k2, each morning. And then to take strontium citrate each evening. The ortho also told me that taking too much calcium without opposing magnesium can cause kidney stones and parathyroid problems as well what you've mentioned. The supplements have helped me. My bone density has increased, taking me from serious osteoporosis up to osteopenia. Hopefully I'll continue to improve on them. Best wishes to you.

Hi nanny1611
Yes those are great recommendations, vitamin K2 is one of the 'secrets' that many people are not familiar with. Make sure it is K2 and not K1. You may also wish to incorporate Silica - I usually suggest people start with 50mg every other day -- make sure you drink LOTS of water. Silica may work as a durietic, once the body gets use to every other day (a couple weeks) go to every day 50mg.

Silicia is great for mending bones -- when you see a tall palm tree that is swaying in a big wind storm yet the trunk does not break, that's what silicia does for the bones. It makes them "flexible" and extremely strong.

thank you both for posting. It's hard to put all the information together since one thing helps and hinders if taken in wrong doses. On an off throughout the years, starting at 55 or so, and I'm 69 now, I was on Actonel. The results went from Ostopenia to Osteporosis, back to Osteopenia and now Osteoporosis again.

The doctor who ordered the test last month, called and thought it would be a better idea to swtich from the once-a-month Actonel to once every 6 months Prolia injection, given at the hospital.

I was leery and asked my gastro if the Prolia would affect my Barrett's Esophagus. He said it was fine for the most part, but if anything, to stay on the once a month Actonel. I stopped the Actonel a week ago. I'm looking to change my density scan on my own and think there are ways.

So it's all the more appreciated when I see posts with actual supplemets listed and the reasons. Thank you so much!

Hi Retired Heather,
If you don't mind I'd like to ask you a few questions... you mentioned that you were diagnosed at 55 and you are now 69. If you had a crystal ball when you were 50 yrs old what would you have (if anything) done differently that may have prevented your Osteopenia at 55?

Second question, what one word you would use to describe how you feel right now knowing you went from Osteopenia to Osteoporosis?

Third question, if you had a magic wand and could reverse your Osteoporosis right now, what is the one word you would use to describe this miracle?

What are the "heart conditions" that can be caused by taking more than 500 mg of calcium per day?

Gentle hugs, Linda

A study of more than 61,000 women, those women who had the highest intake of calcium (more than 1,400 mg per day) had a 40 percent increased risk of dying and more than a doubling in their risk for heart disease. The risk was most noticeable in those women who took calcium supplements. Women not taking supplements did not appear to have the same increased risk of heart disease or death.

The above paragraph is from http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/women-calcium-supplements-heart-health-risks-5742.aspx published by a medical doctor.

Also: Osteoblast -- which are special cells in charge of growing new bone will die prematurely when you take more than 500mg / day. Studies show if we give osteoblast cells too much calcium we hamper the bone regeneration process. High calcium intake overburdens osteoblasts, leading to a lack of bone regeneration. A 12-yr Harvard study of nearly 78,000 women, found that women who drank milk 3 times a day actually broke or fractured more bones than women who drank little to no milk. The bottom line: processing excessive amounts of calcium causes osteoblasts to die prematurely.

Lastly, calcium supplements should be taken with 50-100% amount of magnesium or the calcium will not be fully absorbed. Magnesium is also very good for heart conditions and will protect and support a healthy heart. See article http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health-specialist/magnesium.aspx

Hope that helps :-)

Hi Cindy: thank you for asking those 3 questions. From menopause at 50 to now at 69, I'm not sure what I could have done differently. I was thinner than now, exercised each day, and ate pretty well, mostly a very low cholesterol diet since I have FH. I was warned by my gyno, that because I have a slight frame (not skinny, just not big boned as some say), I'd be more prone to osteo.

The one word I'd describe myself when it comes to being diagnosed with osteo, is "uninformed". I know a bit of this, and a bit of that, and depending on what I read, I could or could not be doing the right thing :)

And the one word for the miracle that would change the osteo would be information. That would give me and others a stepping stone to building better bones, which I believe is possible.

Thank you again... !

Heather -- you are welcome. Thanks so much for opening up and answering my questions. I am a wealth of information and reversed my Osteopenia. I help women with Osteoporosis reverse this condition naturally so they can take control of their health without the harsh side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. If you need help and want to learn more send me a message and we can talk more.

Hi Cindy, I have learned so much from this forum. I, like many others, have decided against any of the drugs simply because of the "possible" side effects, which in reality seem to be "probable". From what I learned in this forum and hours of research, I am taking D3, K2, Plant based calcium, and magnesium. In addition, I have added white sulphur crystal, although I have not really gotten that into my regime. Would you be so kind as to share your plan? I have incorporated weight bearing exercise and walking. I would like to add yoga because it is mentioned so many times in my research. Thanks for any advice you have.

Yes! I would like advice and encouragement! My recent bone density test was alarming and frightening. My t-scores are 2.5 in my spine, 3.0 in my neck, and 3.5 in my left hip. After doing much research, I am scared to death of osteoporosis drugs and treatments involving injections and the like. I would like to try a more natural approach. I currently have a vitamin D deficiency and my doctor wants me to take 5000 mg a day. I exercise as much as possible, given the fact that I have severe scoliosis as well. Any advice you can give me to start a proactive regimen would be greatly appreciated and considered an answer to a prayer. Thank you!

Hey Texas Gal and Nesskay,
In 2010, when I was diagnosed I too wanted to find a natural way to reverse this condition -- and I found one! It is a very specific exercise program done in a very specific way PLUS a nutritional plan that includes a Chinese protocol. This came thru months and months of reseach. I created the plan based on the research and only did it on myself to see what would happen. After 4 yrs I had reversed my Osteopenia.

Last year I started working with other women. I started doing live face to face workshops at local gyms, yoga studios, in my area (I live near Tampa, FL). The results from other women have been amazing. I am now offering this program to other women outside of the Tampa Bay area.

First, I will set up a time to talk with you on the phone -- I want to get to know you, your condition and I can explain the program to you. It's very detailed and specific... for example the exercises are yoga-based, but it is more than just doing a few poses. The poses are done in a very specific way and the alignment must be done correctly otherwise they will not be effective. For this reason it is important I work with you individually to ensure you are doing the exercises correctly.

Also -- Texas Gal -- you have scoliosis -- which will mean your exercises will need to be modified for you. I have many clients that have scoliosis and we have managed to change the curve in their spine while building stronger bones!

If you are interested in learning more about this program please email me at Info@CindyBartz.com. I will reply to you and we can set up a time to talk on the phone. There is no pressure to buy anything. I am here to serve and to provide an alternative approach for women with Osteoporosis. I answer all my emails personally and usually within 24 hours. I would love to talk to you more and see how I can help you.