My name is Elena. Brief history: 43 years old, I come from the Italian Island of Sardinia, I have been living for the past 10 years in California. I have been doing yoga for 8 years and CrossFit for 3. No kids (4 dogs!!!!!! ) 136 lbs.
2 1/2 years ago I broke my right wrist after mis-catching a ball, strange….but I guess it can happen! 7 weeks of cast and the x-ray shows that nothing is healed at all, it looked like the original x-ray done 7 weeks before. NOT GOOD!!!!!!! DEXA SCAN reveals I have osteopenia, the little sister of osteoporosis and the numbers show I am very close to having the big sister!!!!
I was 41, looked pretty healthy and my bones were crap!!!!!!!! NOT HAPPY!!!!!!!!
The Doctor prescribed me Alendronate sodium, the generic brand for Fosamax, a once a week pill that I was told I am going to be on for the rest of my life. The thought of being still young, already with bone problems and on medication did not go well with me. I was determined to get better and get rid of the meds, but I was told that it would be impossible, osteopenia or osteoporosis is a process that once it starts it cannot be reversed, you can control it, but not reverse it.
Lucky me, I came across the Paleo Diet and became my own best advocate! Research led me to Robb Wolf, the book The Paleo Solution and my life literally changed!!!!!! 2 1/2 years of following Robb and his work, listening to his pod cast, learning about other people getting off meds gave me hope that I could do it, too. Keeping up my training and good nutrition was my tool to reach my goal AND IT WORKED!!!!!!! As of last week I am officially off meds, my bones are looking healthy and strong and I couldn’t be happier.
Good nutrition and quality over quantity at the gym are my focus now. I may not be the strongest one but I never stopped pushing, pulling or trying!!!!!! (I am very proud of this part!!!) and I am determined to keep it all up.
I cannot overstate too much how happy I am that I fought back and how thankful I am for Robb Wolf’s teachings!!!!! I reversed the irreversible!!!!!!!!!!
Crunchy Pickle says
That is wonderful! What a great story! And, who knows what other ailments you have avoided by changing course…
Lulu Jones says
Wow, that is really amazing…so inspiring. I just started the paleo diet about 5 months ago and although it is not always easy, your story alone is enough to keep me going on this track no matter what.
Thank you so much for sharing,
Lulu
Gabby says
Great story and outcome! Thanks for sharing.
Derek says
Great story!
I wonder if you had/have a mild version of Celiac? Celiac patients frequently have poor bone density.
Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Elena says
Derek, I am for sure gluten intolerant!!!!!!!
James says
Thanks for sharing! So many people can get help from your experience. Paleo seems to free the slaves of poor health in so many ways, I did me too and It just gets better and better. Thanks for sharing!
Hyun Ortea says
Hi there! This blog post could not be written any better!
Ashley says
Thank you so much for this post! I was just diagnosed yesterday with advanced osteoporosis in my spine and hip, along with two sacral stress fractures. I have been following a Paleo lifestyle for the last few months and this gives me the push to keep going! I’m only 31 so I have some major repair to do, along with repairing my hormones and reestablishing my cycle to get everything right again, but this gives me hope! Thanks again!
sabeenamary says
I have this problem from 2011. But I did not have much information about the disease, treatment as well as diet. I have taken treatment nearly1year. That is calcium and vitamin D3. Thanks for these informations. Still I have pain in all the bones. I could not do any hardworks. Help me.
Eddie says
Hi Sabeenamary, Please make sure to get sufficient amounts of Vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 moves the calcium to the areas it belongs, into your bones and teeth. Without sufficient Vitamin K2 the calcium may end up in your arteries. Deficiency could lead to osteoporosis. Best.
Olivia Merriman says
Hi there just came across your paleo diet.I have osteopeina and I need a healthy diet plan as I don’t no what foods to eat.I’m loking at all the labels on the food packets in the shops salt and sugar in everything i pick up.I need help i dont no what to be buying.what to eat what’s the right foods.I’m on Vitiamin D tablets.
Please help.
Olivia Merriman says
I’m looking to reverse my osteopeina and start eating a healthy diet.
gina says
How do you know the meds you took did not help reverse your osteopenia?