Osteoporosis: Does the body start rebuilding bones after starting a gluten-free diet?

[Bogger]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I couldn’t find another discussion about it.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a couple of years ago after having been asymptomatic for celiac for decades. I ignored the celiac diagnosis because I had no issues, but I was ignorant to the long term damage. I am still asymptomatic, but after years of eating gluten I am now strictly gluten free.

The osteoporosis has been improving after taking Fosamax the last couple of years.

My question is…..has my body returned to normal bone production on its own now that it is not influenced by gluten?

A new problem has surfaced. I have to stop taking Fosamax due to a vascular issue which requires me to take a daily aspirin. The aspirin mixed with Fosamax will increase the chance of internal bleeding and ulcers so I need to turn to Reclast, which I’m trying to avoid.

I’m turning to you all to see if anyone knows if there is a chance that my body is back to normal bone production since it is not exposed to gluten. I’m going to ask my doctor if I can stop the Fosamax and take the aspirin until my bone scan next year.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[trents]

Fosamax is a first generation "bone rebuilder" and I have heard there are newer and better things on the market now. I assume Reclast falls in the second category and gets better reviews according to this website:

https://www.drugs.com/compare/fosamax-vs-reclast

I think some bone rebuilding can happen when a celiac faithfully begins to practice gluten free eating. How much may depend on a number of factors, not the least of which may be the person's age. May we ask how old you are? Gender may also play a part.

What are your reservations concerning Reclast as opposed to Fosamax? And does Reclast pose less risk for bleeds/ulcers than Fosamax?

I was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 50 and DEXA scans done at that time showed osteopenia. I am male and 74 years of age. I was on Fosamax for a while but discontinued it. I don't remember why I stopped but it may have been because of GERD. I have not had a DEXA scan follow-up so I can't say for sure whether or not going gluten free at age 50 resulted in any recoup of bone density. But, I have had numerous Xrays of this and that body part over the years since then and no doctor has commented on low bone density showing up in the Xrays. Of course, an Xray is not a DEXA scan but I think in a crude way they can reveal bone density because of how bright the bones appear on a Xray. And in around 25 years I have not had any fractures so I think that may say something.

Here's an important question with regard to bone health: Are you on a PPI for GERD?