Provera vs Progesterone-any knowledge/thoughts at all?

[JustMe]

I tried posting this in Healthy You, but it wasn't getting seen there.

So after a ton of research, I am deciding to utilize an estradiol patch and progesterone as one of the ways of treating my osteoporosis. My PCP is supportive but stated that she would use Provera instead of progesterone as that is what she was trained to do. This was a quick email exchange and I have an appt later this coming week. Anyone have any really good articles/studies of even info on the differences. I know I have read/seen somewhere in my research that the progesterone is more indicated, its what the specialist is recommending, etc. I have googled of course and not finding a great source. FWIW, I am consulting with an out of state specialist but he cannot prescribe for me. I did have a local gyn. also suggest the progesterone (with the estradiol), and I can go back to her if needed, but for many reasons it would be easier if my PCP was on board. So, basically, I am not making this up and my PCP is easy to work with and would listen if I had some good information to give her...anyone?

Also, I hope no on else gets diagnosed with osteoporosis, but if you do, feel free to contact me! It is a hard thing to research, with a lot of conflicting information. I literally read things stating one particular course of action was indicated and another stating it was not more often than not. After going around in circles for a long time, I think I am finally getting to the point where I know who I want to listen to and what research matters, etc! I am hopeful about moving forward.

[petesgirl]

Hi!! I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2019 and I'm only 40, so I'm very interested in your research and what you have found to help! My endocrinologist has been fine with a wait and see approach but a bone scan a few months ago showed some more bone loss so he wants me to do Prolia---any experience or thoughts about that? I also was given the option of oral birth control of the progrest/estradiol patch and I haven't made a decision on that. My Gyn is pushing the birth control but I weaned off of it a few years ago and really would rather not go that route so I'm curious how your approach is working out. I also know I need to incorporate weight bearing exercise---what do you do on that front? I also have MS and any sort of exercise is daunting to me because I often feel dizzy and have a lot of fatigue (like 3 naps a day type of fatigue...).
I'm interested in anything you have learned and what your trusted resources are! TIA!

[JustMe]

Hi there! Well, lets see...I have kind of exhausted myself figuring everything out. The best books I read were Dr Lani's No Nonsense Bone Health Guide and The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis. I had a paid consult with the author of The Whole Body Approach...which is how I decided to go with the estradiol/progesterone combo. Since my bone loss seems due to menopause it was what made sense to me...The other medication is tricky; I elected not to for now as I am hopeful I wont need it at least not yet. If you pm me, I will send you the names of some facebook groups I am that discuss these things.

As far as weight bearing exercises, I have not yet incorporated those and am at the point now of trying to figure out what to do. https://melioguide.com/about/margaret-martin is a link to a PT who is highly regarded in this area. I bought her book, but am too overwhelmed to figure out what to start. I am searching for some inexpensive videos that can walk me through where to start (you can certainly find a lot of videos, but I need more structure/direction right now as this has been so exhausting).

I don't know if the hormone approach is working as it will be a while before I do a bone scan/bone markers, etc. I am happy with my choice so far as I think it makes sense based on my research....really need to add that exercise, but really need to have realistic expectations of myself and what I can take in.

[chlobo]

Hi there! Well, lets see...I have kind of exhausted myself figuring everything out. The best books I read were Dr Lani's No Nonsense Bone Health Guide and The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis. I had a paid consult with the author of The Whole Body Approach...which is how I decided to go with the estradiol/progesterone combo. Since my bone loss seems due to menopause it was what made sense to me...The other medication is tricky; I elected not to for now as I am hopeful I wont need it at least not yet. If you pm me, I will send you the names of some facebook groups I am that discuss these things.

As far as weight bearing exercises, I have not yet incorporated those and am at the point now of trying to figure out what to do. https://melioguide.com/about/margaret-martin is a link to a PT who is highly regarded in this area. I bought her book, but am too overwhelmed to figure out what to start. I am searching for some inexpensive videos that can walk me through where to start (you can certainly find a lot of videos, but I need more structure/direction right now as this has been so exhausting).

I don't know if the hormone approach is working as it will be a while before I do a bone scan/bone markers, etc. I am happy with my choice so far as I think it makes sense based on my research....really need to add that exercise, but really need to have realistic expectations of myself and what I can take in.

Can I ask how your osteoporosis was discovered? Did they have reason to look?

[JustMe]

Can I ask how your osteoporosis was discovered? Did they have reason to look?

I requested the dexa scan just because I knew I was firmly in menopause. There was no real reason to look. It is not done routinely and even seems to be discouraged until somewhere in 60s, but I didn't know that, my dr agreed to the scan, and here I am. I have not had fractures, but I had a general feeling of being fragile---that is not a known symptom and generally there are no symptoms unless someone fractures.

I dont know if I would encourage people to get the dexa scan or not. There is a lot of controversy around if dexa scans predict fracture/what it means to get a low bone density score on a scan especially for small-framed people/if medication should be used vs having an idea if you have low bone density or not. I would at least recommend eating sufficient protein and food in general (weight loss and restrictive diets are risk factors--not to say they are never indicated, but bone loss was not something I considered when thinking about those things) and weight bearing/strength exercises (which I have yet to add, although I have always walked daily) as we can all benefit from those things.

[petesgirl]

Thanks for all the resources! Do you take any bone building supplements?

[JustMe]

Thanks for all the resources! Do you take any bone building supplements?

Sigh, lots of controversy around those too. I take Vit D with Vit K (not new for me, I have taken for years); have also taken magnesium for years and continue with that. I take a supplement that the author of the Whole Body Approach...makes and sells called OsteoStim. I am considering taking Boron, but undecided. There are studies that indicate that eating 6 prunes/day help! I started, but am worried about sugar/triglycerides as mine run high and I have a family history that includes early heart attacks. Debating about supplementing with calcium, but torn about that. I bought a calcium citrate powder and may take a small amount....so, there are some things I am still debating.

[petesgirl]

Sigh, lots of controversy around those too. I take Vit D with Vit K (not new for me, I have taken for years); have also taken magnesium for years and continue with that. I take a supplement that the author of the Whole Body Approach...makes and sells called OsteoStim. I am considering taking Boron, but undecided. There are studies that indicate that eating 6 prunes/day help! I started, but am worried about sugar/triglycerides as mine run high and I have a family history that includes early heart attacks. Debating about supplementing with calcium, but torn about that. I bought a calcium citrate powder and may take a small amount....so, there are some things I am still debating.

6 prunes a day?!? Ha....that would probably land me in the bathroom all day long!

[chlobo]

Sigh, lots of controversy around those too. I take Vit D with Vit K (not new for me, I have taken for years); have also taken magnesium for years and continue with that. I take a supplement that the author of the Whole Body Approach...makes and sells called OsteoStim. I am considering taking Boron, but undecided. There are studies that indicate that eating 6 prunes/day help! I started, but am worried about sugar/triglycerides as mine run high and I have a family history that includes early heart attacks. Debating about supplementing with calcium, but torn about that. I bought a calcium citrate powder and may take a small amount....so, there are some things I am still debating.

i've also read some controversy over some of the osteoporosis drugs. I recall reading about one that made the bones more dense but also more brittle? Which seemed weird to me. Seems like there is a problem with everything.

[chlobo]

I realize this is a little off the beaten track but it is a podcast by a functional medicine practitioner on bone health. Might be worth a listen. I realize there isn't much in the way of "common opinion" out there so I thought I'd add this to the pool of knowledge.

https://chriskresser.com/how-to-natu...ource=hs_email