I took Fosamax for two years and then an endocrinologist switched me to Evista. I showed approvement later that year but now I have worsened (-3.25 hip) after 2 years on Evista. My endocronologist wants me to start Forteo or Tymlos now. I consistently walk 4-5 times per week. I am considering halting all treatment for osteoporosis. I’ll continue to walk and add mild weight training at the gym. What supplements should I add to my diet besides the Calcium and Vitamin D I already take?
Vitamin K2. There is good information about this on the internet. Google authority nutrition vitamin K2 for a good overview. Also, is your magnesium intake sufficient?
Thank you for tip on vitamin K12. I will add Magnesium 400 mg. I had been taking it but not consistently.
-3.25
I'm afraid If it were me I'd carry on with treatment - a hip fracture is a lot worse.
Apparently Forteo is particularly good for improving spine density. Because of a possible side effect of cancer it is not approved to be used for longer than two years. Unlike the bisphosphonates which disable the osteoclasts (bone remodelling cells) it encourages the osteoblasts (bone building cells).
Bonnie, there is so much you can do. Also, do not panic too much about your tscore. Some of mine are worse and I am trying to do this naturally.
Foodwise include the following:
avocados
yoghurt
hard cheese
oats and pearl barley
grass fed meat
bone broth
cucumber
leafy greens
prunes
vegetables and fruit
Drop sugar and white flour if possible and concentrate on quality nutrients. It is okay to have occasionally. I only have on birthdays and Xmas, for example.
Vitamin K2 is probably the most important supplement as it aims the calcium onto the bones.
I do not have magnesium every day but fairly regularly.
Anhaga is reliable as she is has researched thoroughly.
....consider taking Boron which prevents bone leaching out.
For boron include the following in your diet as it is better to get this one naturally:
prunes
oranges
bananas
avocados
broccoli
almonds
walnuts
beans
chickpeas
legumes
raisins
pears
vegetables
Insurance companies are pushing Tymlos where I live. It’s the same class drug as Forteo but from what I’ve read much more expensive. I read no more than 18 months and only 2% improvement. Part of me thinks the pharmaceuticals are trying to take advantage of people with osteoporosis.
Oh I think there's no doubt about your intuition there. The companies were instrumental in getting those little heel density machines (now shown to be next to useless) into doctors' offices and pharmacies, and pushing for people with only osteopenia to start taking drugs. I won't ever take any of the drugs. Under the circumstances I would be very wary of a new drug in the class which includes Forteo simply because it hasn't been proven that this medication is safe. At least we have some track record for Forteo. I feel that the elderly people of the Western world are guinea pigs. And cash cows. 
Spot on! Have you ever taken any of the drugs?
No. My doctor was quite keen for me to take AA when I started on prednisone for polymyalgia, but didn't press the matter. I did a lot of reading and talked to friends, and in the end I've gone the natural way and successfully got my t-score from -2 to -1.6 (in one year). I know this is a lifelong thing, I will always have to eat right and get enough of the right exercise, but I think it's better than the alternative. I won't be eligible for another scan for a couple more years, maybe longer, so fingers crossed that things are still going in the right direction!
I’m sorry to hear about your polymyalgia. It seems everyone on this site has a hurdle to get through. I am wiser now about taking drugs for my osteoporosis. The hardest part of this is to accept that I will always have to eat right, exercise, and avoid my doctors advice. I feel I’ve always taken very good care of myself my entire life but now I realize it was not enough post menopausal and perhaps the drugs I was told to take for osteopenia contributed to my condition. I had back surgery in 2015 for DDD with osteoporosis. It was so bad I developed scoliosis and began to have leg and continent issues. Now I have fusion hardware at L4/5 with tilt at L3/4 plus the osteoporosis. But it could always be worse!
Oh dear, that sounds rough. Do hope you are feeling better.
Thank you. Yes and no. I’m sure it could be far worse.