Hi I was diagnosed with Osteopenia following 5 months of not really knowing what was going on with my body. I had a severe pain in my back along with pains around to my stomach and sides and along my rib cage. This lasted for 5 months until I was sent for an x-ray and they found I had fractures in my spine. They believe this was caused by no trauma other than pulling a child’s zip up at work. A few weeks later I was put in hospital with a slipped disc. I was feeling low and wondering why me?. This became worse when after going for a dexa scan I was told I had Osteopenia. The pain was extreme and I didn’t know what to do. I was on tablets for this, tablets for that as well as painkillers and pain patches. It was all too much to take in and I felt a self loathing for not being able to work and do the things I did before due to the pain I felt. In November of last year I finally had to admit defeat and give up my job as a nursery practitioner which I loved. After 23 years of doing this work I felt a sense of loss for what I no longer had in my life. Not just the work or money but the social interaction of not seeing friends and colleagues on a daily basis. I know longer felt like me, the single mum who had brought up 2 boys, who had earned her qualification to follow her career path. No longer was I able to shop for hours without having to stop so many times that i might as well not have gone, no more could I rock out to my heavy metal songs without worrying about another fracture. I became and still am scared of so many things I took for granted in my life. Walking up and down the stairs became a trial worthy of the Olympics as well as shower. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoy life and do things but I’m slower and the pain , at times can be so painful it leaves you feeling exhausted. I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right knee after a traumatic experience where I honestly believed I was paralysed. The fear that gripped me was beyond hysteria and have now been told I have arthritis behind my left knee as well. On top of this I’ve begun to notice that at times when I eat I have trouble afterwards in my tummy up to my ribcage. It’s like a feeling of being full up but it’s much more intense and I can feel pain in my back at the same time. It’s worrying but I feel like I’m constantly at the doctors for something so am holding off going about this. So if anyone can shed light on it I would be much grateful. Anyway it was my first time of writing and maybe it’s time to stop now. Thanks
I too get the feeling of being full it’s to do with the spine being shorter which squashes the insides so less room for food. It’s very common apparently. Smaller meals are required.
I too have pain which can be excruciating at times and going shopping to look around is a trial. It’s stop start which takes ages.
I feel as though my life is over at 71, I’ve been fit up to fracturing my spine.
Hi Greenfingers. Thank you for your message. I am eating smaller meals but this to no avail has helped. Is there anyone out there who might have more ideas of how to deal with this pain and what exercise is best to do. Thanks
Hi. Your story has really resonated with me as mine is very similar. My Dexa showed severe OP and I have had several fragility fractures. GP’s don’t seem to have any answers because the majority do not receive much in the way of training on OP and don’t appear to have any curiosity to find out. The first thing that helped me was to make sure my blood levels were ok. I was deficient in Vit D but fine in calcium. Took Vit D supplements and upped my calcium naturally through diet. Then I started attending chronic pain coaching sessions, which are similar to NHS Retrain the brain. This helped me to manage pain without need for strong pain relief through various techniques. These sessions also covered feeling associated with disabling pain and/or conditions such as the sense of loss. I too had to suddenly give up a job which I loved. Next I started to make sure that I showered and dressed everyday and went for a short walk outside. Sometimes it took me more time to put my shoes and coat on than I was out walking. It felt like a waste of time but I persevered because I found it very different trying to walk outside to inside. Gradually I have built up how far I walk, it not far but has helped me build stamina. After a 72 week wait I was eventually seen by a Consultant and prescribed Evenity monthly injections. I was fearful of both the injections but also the future but have to say as the months went on I began to get stronger. I then found an online gentle exercise class for people experiencing chronic pain and this has helped me enormously both socially and physically. At the end of the sessions we have guided meditation and again I have found this really helps in managing pain. It’s worth researching how calming the vegus nerve can help alleviate pain. I live alone and at the beginning I was having to have someone in the house when I wanted to shower because I was so afraid I might fall. This was sorted by getting a chair that fits over the bath and swivels around. I also employed a cleaner but now find that I can do most things apart from changing the bed and the full deep clean. I also lost 4 inches in height and suffer from bloated tummy caused by everything being squished down. I also started to become intolerant to various foods so am now gluten and dairy free. I still manage to get enough calcium through foods i.e. almond milk on cereal and you would be surprised what other foods contain calcium. As I started to do more so I realised the importance of the muscles each side of the spine and the need to keep them strong and protect from further spinal fractures. I am now on Zolendronic infusions and have my 2nd in September. My DEXA and REMS scans have shown significant improvement in bone density but more importantly the REMS has shown good results in bone strength. Yes my life looks very different to how it was 3 years ago but I can accept this now and find joy in other things that I am able to do. Sorry for long post but really thought it might help you see that although it might not feel like it now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Wishing you all the very best
Thank you for this. I am trying to walk everyday but some days is harder than others not least because I also have an ulcerated leg which can really hinder me. But I will keep trying and hopefully things will get better.
Hi,I am newly diagnosed with osteoporosis and these stories are very much like mine. Fractures pain, also not wanting to eat feeling full. My son says I should walk and do exercises but this is painful