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Thanks to everyone for the great response.  I feel so much more encouraged
now with a battle plan.

 If you are post-menopausal and also celiac, we tend to malabsorb both
Calcium and Vitamin D even after healing. I was diagnosed 6 years ago.  I am
on 2,00 mg of calcium ( with food and supplements) 200 meq of vitamin D3. My
calcium and vitamin D absorption per blood tests are very good. However, I
continue to have moderate osteopenia in shoulders, hips, low back.  I think
one of the big deterrents is weight bearing exercises , stretching and light
weight lifting.  My osteopenia has not gotten worse in the last few years.
 In fact, my DXA scan was a bit better last time.



I did exactly that.  I went from borderline osteoporetic, through
osteopenia, and now, after about ten years I am have a "normal" bone
density.  I take 50,000 IUs of Vit D twice a week and calcium everyday, but
no other medication.



I was originally treated for osteoporosis 16 years ago, but with medication
and calcium/D3 I now have only osteopenia.    Ask your doctor about
treatment.



Age is important.  The sooner you start to deal with this, the better.
 Celiac-diagnosed
at 58 --now 67.  At point of diagnosis had horrible bone pain...could not be
attributed .  Had mild osteopenia in several spots;  not overall, but was
headed there.

For last five years, have :
Done specially designed bone strenghtening exercises at least 3-4 times a
week, with free weights and leg weights.  Also weight bearing aerobic in and
out of water, though non-pounding on joints. Also stretching and "melt"
exercises.
Have been swimming at least 3-4 times a week.  As much walking as possible.
Take oral calcium citrate 2x day for max absorption with D3.
Eat tons of green leafy...much swiss chard ...lots of other fruits and
vegetables.  Daily.
No sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol.  No processed food.
Eat a great deal of low fat goat yogurt and take probiotics .
Take tiny trace amounts of estrogen.  NO DRUGS for osteoporosis.
I have reversed bone loss (normal loss post menopause is about 3-4% a
year...) I have been gaining over and above that.
It's hard word and it is CONSTANT.  NO CHEATING.



Its pretty common to have Vit D issues with celiac which causes severe bone
loss. Taking Vit D-3, 50,000IU weekly for several weeks will restore the
levels and the bones will start rebuilding. Depending on how severe the loss
depends on how quickly they rebuild. My T-score improved 1.5 in a year once
I

Maintenance in a healthy adult is 5,000 daily but you need the levels normal
or else maintenance levels won't do you much good.



I was similar situation as yours, undiagnosed celiac, with osteopenia at age
31. I took Fosamax for 2yrs, daily calcium supplement, weight bearing and
stretching exercise, walking/running, yoga. Bone density improved to low
normal. My diagnosis was about 6 years ago, Fosamax may or may not be the
current recommended drug.



Osteopenia in lower backbone & osteoporosis in the rt. hip when long term
(20 years probable) undiagnosed celiac was identified in 2001.  I was doing
(before & after diagnosis), strength training, (weight lifting) 2X/ week,
cardiovascular exercise 2X/week. I regain conservable bone density during
the two years between the initial bone scan (2001 & 2003) and maintained the
density through the next scan (2005).

I probably lost density 2005 - 2007 due to fractures which seriously limited
mobility. I was on fosamax until 2008 when I needed a dental implant and was
recommended to drop the prescription to enhance the implant success.  I
suspect I have since lost some bone density and have not confirmed that
suspicion or returned to  the previous exercise program although  I walk
considerable distances (not completely effective due to low body weight).

‘

I have reversed osteopenia by lifting weights (5 lb.) hand weights every day
for 30 minutes.  I also have lifted ankle weights (5 lbs) for 20 minutes
every day.

In addition I have been on 1500 mg. of vitamin C.





*It took me ten years of Fosomax, estradiol, exercise and prescription
strength vitamin Do plus daily calcium.  I have gone from severe
osteoporosis to osteopenia. *

* *

* *



Yes, I have. Being GF made a HUGE difference after several years. I actually
had osteoporosis diagnosed when I was about 43, a couple years after the
celiac diagnosis; was downgraded (upgraded?) to osteopenia by the time I was
48 or 49. I also use special homeopathic supplements and walk a lot. I'm now
51 and a half and haven't broken anything for a few years. Best of luck --

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