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Regimen that is working for me

argie
  • By argie
  • Posted October 15, 2009 at 4:14 pm · 40 replies
  • In Exercise
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

I am a 55 year old post menopausal yoga teacher. A year ago my bone density test showed -3.0 in the spine and -2.2 in the hip. It is now -2.3 in the spine and -2.0 in the hip. The improvement is due to the supplements that I take, bio-identical hormones, functional weight training and Pulse Yoga. I also changed my alcohol consumption from 1-2 glasses of wine per day to 1-2 glasses per week. I do not want to take any drugs. I am encouraged with these results and hope to see even more improvement.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Asthma Cancer Forteo Fractures Prevacid Fosamax Advair diskus Osteopenia Actonel Osteoporosis Estradiol Progesterone

40 replies

sdivas

argie, what is pulse yoga? Sandi

Alli

congrats that is a big improvement esp without drugs... do you mind sharing info re your bio identical hormones... do you take estrogen plus progesterone and is it cream form. Keep up the good work it is so encouraging and others may draw from your ideas.

argie

As a yoga teacher, I was not willing to give up my yoga time, so I started incorporating weights into the routines. I call it pulse yoga. I teach it.

argie

I use a prog/ estrogen/ testosterone cream and a estradiol patch...all in minimal doses.

millie123

Congrats.

sdivas

argie, that sound interesting. A student taking your class would hold weights in warrior pose? I'm trying to visualize.

argie

In Warrior Pose, you would have picked up your weights coming through from Downward Dog Kickback. The weights can be from 2-5 lbs. You would then do either bicep curls, or have arms at shoulder level, open and close with arms at 90 degrees at elbow. There are a variety of things that you can do. I also use micro movements such as a slight squeeze and release pelvic tilt for strengthening and toning.

Alli

argie one more question hope you don't mind.. did the bio identical hormones cause you to have periods again or was the dosage small that it did not interfere. I have heard of people taking hormones and it happens as I am looking into hormones but don't want periods back again.

lilrayosun

Argie, this is fantastic! Do you need a prescription for the bio-identical hormone cream and estradiol patch?

bzcmom

Awesome! i am so encouraged to hear of one's improvement w/out medication. I have been on fosamax for 4 months and after doing much research am planning on going a more natural approach. I am young and healthier than I've been in years (except for my bones), can't help to think I can do this diet, exercise and supplements!
Again...CONGRATS!

rainie

That's fantastic to improve so much in just a year! That's the quickest improvement I've heard of since using this site. Did a professional advise you on the type and dosage of bio-identical hormones? Would you be willing to share the brands, dosage, and ordering info.? I would imagine it would be best to have a professional recommend the appropriate dosage and monitor you. I was taking an E3 vaginal suppository for dryness and it helped, plus a bio-ident. progesterone cream. These were recommended by a health consultant who specializes in natural trtments and does not have a medical degree of any kind. My gynecologist advised against both of these products and recommended estrace cream externally. The info. is confusing and there's conflicting info. re: safety and cancer.
I am 58 and was diagnosed w/ osteoporosis 10 months ago (spine -3.7 and hip -2.5). I am also trying the natural route w/ excellent supplements, at least 5 servings of fruits and veg. daily, pilates, walking, running a little, yoga, and occasionally using weights.
Thanks for sharing your success!
Rainie

argie

Allie, I am on a dosage that does not cause me to have a period. I did have a little spotting in the beginning until we arrived at the proper dosage. My doctor does blood work every 3 months or so to make sure the levels are where they should be. I would not do it without doctor supervision.

argie

Yes, you need a prescription for the type I am taking. It is filled at University Compounding Pharmacy.

argie

Thanks for the congrats. I took Fosamax one time and maybe it was my imagination, but I felt like I had taken something that did not agree with me. I don't like the whole concept of inhibiting your body to do something like make bone and then cladding the bone to make it denser.

argie

Rainie, I found a doctor through Suzanne Sommer' s book, Eight Steps to Wellness. I do not agree with everything in that book, but I do think she is on to something. I see Dr. Braverman in New York for the hormones. He recommends the supplements that I should take based on bloodwork. I then order the supplements from The Golden Cabinet in Los Angeles. I know Dr. Drew Francis there and he has very good quality supplements.
Dr. Braverman would still like me to take Forteo even with these improvements,, but I would like to stay on the same regimen and see if I can continue to improve.

argie

Rainie, Another thing. I agree that it is very confusing and in the end, we just have to make our own choices. I think there are risks with all of them. I am very active, I ski and cycle and since I found out that I have osteoporosis, I now sometimes get nervous about breaking a bone, but so far so good. I think the yoga helps with coordination and balance, so I feel I have less chance of falling. Also, I think it is important to keep the musculature strong around the bones, especially surrounding the spine. That is something that is not considered in a bone density scan and evaluation and think that is a mistake that doctors make , not looking at the whole body.

SantaFe

Argie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story---really is encouraging to hear all these success stories coming in lately. We all learn so much from each other's experience.

I'm really curious about your vitamin D levels thru all this. Were they ever tested? Were you in the high-normal range for D? And how much, if any, vitamin D supplement were you taking?
Congratulations! and look forward to your next scan!
Warmly,
Santa Fe

SantaFe

PS.
Would you mind sharing what other supplements you took?
Were they the usual suspects---boron, K2, prunes, mag, calcium, silica, etc?
Thanks, Santa Fe

argie

When I first started this journey, my Vitamin D levels were low. I started taking something called Essential D+K that contains 2000IU of D3 and 200mcg of Vitamin K. The last time I saw the doctor he recommended that I try a prescription Vitamin D of a 50,000 unit capsule once a week. I am about to try that. I also attempt to get a glimpse of the sun on some part of my body every day, if possible.

argie

Here goes, this is what I have been taking: NAC 900 mg, Cyto-Redoxin, Recancostat400, Ultra Nutrient, B Essentials Plus, Omega 3 Daily Essentials, Cortico B5/B6, Folapro, Resveratin, Curcumin X, Iodine Synergy, K+2, Vitamin E Delta/Gamma, Vitamin D+K, DIM Protect.

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