Fracture Liaison Services

Treatment journeys & osteoporosis medicines
1

I’m interested to know if anyone has had any positive experiences of this service.

I was referred to it at the end of last year.

I had a DEXA scan done and received the results promptly.

I had my follow up telephone appointment today which seemed to follow a set script. Questions I asked were left unanswered.

I tried to get the nurse to be honest about my condition and was told to be positive…

I’ve now been discharged back to the care of my GP.

I’m genuinely interested to find out what other people’s experience of this service have been.

Thanks

2

They picked me up when I fractured my wrist. I got the DXA scan while still in plaster and so the diagnosis and referral for treatment all went very smoothly and quickly for me. I was very impressed. I’ve now had my Zoledronate infusion only 4 months after my fracture. All NHS.

2 Likes
3

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

4

I was given information on the Fracture Liaison Service when I left hospital after breaking my femur. The leaflet said I would be followed up after 12 weeks which didn’t happen. I enquired with my GP and local hospital and they didn’t know anything about the service.

1 Like
5

Thanks Sueblue

I think it is a bit of a post code lottery still at the moment.

I am aware of the ROS campaign to get the government to commit to providing these services, as they are not available everywhere yet.

2 Likes
6

Thanks for your response.

1 Like
7

Lucky you.

Leeds don’t have a Fracture Liaison Service, my GP wasn’t particularly interested in the fact I had fractured my spine in 2 places.

Just pushed a weekly/daily tablet on to me even though I said I can’t tolerate lots of medications.

My sister is the same and she was offered Zoledronic infusion and is fine on that.

I couldn’t have an appointment for an Endocrinologist until I’d taken the tablets. I wasn’t prepared to make myself ill in doing so.

I’ve now been waiting 13 weeks for the infusion and have fractured my sternum while waiting.

Pleased you got sorted with yours.

8

This is supposed to be a national health service. But clearly the service you are getting is different from what happened with me and your sister. Hope it gets better soon

1 Like
9

Different areas in the UK treat patients differently I’m afraid.

Out of curiosity did you have to take the tablets first before you could have the infusion?

Thanks for your reply.

10

Hi Doremouse,

I’m on alendronic acid and I am not experiencing any side effects. However, when I was discussing the medication with my GP he said if I had any issues with it to not hesitate going back and he would change my treatment to something else. They always try to start with alendronic acid because it’s the cheapest option…

I’ll leave it to someone else to comment on whether they were prescribed alendronic acid before being offered an infusion.

11

I was given an information sheet (Chesterfield hospital) on the Fracture Liaison Service. I was never contacted and my GP and local hospital knew nothing about the service.

1 Like
12

No. They said my osteoporosis was so severe they sent me straight on to the infusion. I’d already got spinal fractures although they hadn’t previously been picked up before my wrist fracture. Everything was marked urgent aas I was deemed ‘very high risk’. It was a terrible shock and I’m now extremely careful/very frightened in case of falling and breaking a hip or something

1 Like
13

Same here. It’s so frustrating when there’s no one to turn to for help.

14

I’m pleased you were treated quickly.

15

No. I am already under rheumatology and the scan said I was at very high risk of another fracture. So I was sent straight down the zoledronate route

16

Same for me. Having infusion on Thursday!

17

Good luck! I felt a bit ropey 48 hours later but it soon passed. Drink lots of water the day before it’s supposed to help

18

I was prescribed the oral meds, did some research, didn’t want to go that way so I phoned a friend who has been osteoporotic for many years and she told me about the infusion. I went back to my GP and asked,and he instantly referred me for the infusion. I’ve had one so far.

19

Exactly the same two weeks ago ! Had an assessment and fls called with results. Very matter of fact and felt it was read off a script too once the call ended, I called the ROS helpline and were amazing in talking me through things !