I’m new to the Osteoporosis/Osteopenia world and really looking forward to reading everyone’s contributions.
Having been diagnosed late July after falling on the ice in January and suffering a fractured wrist, my first thought (apart from Why does it take so long from fall to diagnosis and treatment - nearly 8 months) wasn’t “Why me?”, because why not? but rather “How me?”
I have a healthy diet with plenty of protein and calcium, neither parent had broken a hip, and I’d spent the previous 15 years doing strength and resistance training at least 3 times per week. Prior to my fracture, I’d also scored low risk on the Bone Health Checker.
I was also surprised by the difference in attitudes from the hospital’s specialist nurse and my GP. The best the nurse could say was “I’ve seen a lot worse” and the GP, because I do read a lot, was “you’ve gone into this too far”.
So, anyway after the tears had dried I consoled myself that maybe I’d have had worse scores without my gym training. I’ve since upped my training in the gym under the guidance of a good PT with osteoporosis experience. I also started medication, though I’m not convinced I’ll go the full 5 years with it. And I’m still reading a lot.
Hello GeordieMeg. I’m sorry to hear that you got such awful comments from the nurse and doctor, but I’m pleased that you dusted yourself off and are still exercising with someone who knows how to exercise safely.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago when I was put on steroids for 6 months, and before the steroids started to damage my bones, they wanted to check what state they were in. Turns out I have a -3.1 score on my spine. All I got was a letter from my doc, and a prescription for alendronic acid. 2 years on, still no medical help. So I totally agree with you that knowledge is essential. Luckily the ROS provides the support lacking from our own doctors. I’ve only broken a rib so far, but probably like everyone, I’m terrified of breaking something far more serious.
Hi there ChloeC Commiserate with you over the broken rib. So hoping I don’t break anything else, but in a funny way I’m so glad I fell and broke my wrist otherwise I’d have had no idea that I was osteoporotic and would probably have just got worse! Yes, we have to keep on carrying on. Good luck to you!
I also have osteoporosis and have had mixed comments from various Dr’s - most of which have scared me so much (talking about keeping me safe / out of a wheelchair etc). I have had several spinal fractures and live now in constant pain which is pretty depressing age 57! I eat lots of calcium and protein and am trying to do more resistance exercises to build up strength. Goo d luck to you all
Good luck to you too Moose. I think differing attitudes from doctors is part of the problem of getting our heads around an OP diagnosis. The hospital consultant recommended medication, GP told me I was barely in the OP range (-2.7 lumbar spine), which seems to be true, and to carry on doing whatever I’d been doing. I asked him about the possibility of improving the score through heavy lifting/resistance exercises as in the LIFTMOR study, but he told me it was unlikely for me and more commonly seen in those who hadn’t exercised much before diagnosis. So much conflicting advice!
I hope you get some effective pain relief and best wishes with your exercises.
Hi ladies, Interesting to hear your stories and experience with Doctor’s and advice. I started bone building meds age 40 (5 years on Alendronic, 3.5 years on Denosumab and now Zoledronate just to wean me off Denosumab due to the rebound fracture risk. Over 10 years I’ve maintained my pitiful scores of -2.8 (hip) and -3.5 (lumbar) and this is actully a good result. All middle aged people without osteoporosis are losing bone mass so staying the same is a good result. Yes I’m eating well and doing the recommended bone building exercise, mobilty et al but I don’t think I’d have maintained without the meds. Looking forward to a drug holiday now and then probably treatment on one of these new anabolic drugs when I am a bit older or bone scores start to decline. So there is hope. Just a note on the exercise thing, my current consultant is very blunt and warned me about over exercising to try and keep bones strong. He says the most improtant thing is maintaining a good body weight (not too thin) as that loads bones more than any weight training regimen.
That’s interesting re the exercise, did they say why? I haven’t even seen a consultant, but the OP nurse who phoned with my results thinks I can carry on with things like star jumps. So much research seems to be in support of high-intensity resistance/strength training.
No the consultant doesn’t have time for any sort of chit chat I’d say it’s dependent on age, current fitness and strength levels etc. Sounds like you’re already fit GeordieMeg and know what you’re doing so keep it up. Not sure of your age but I’ve learnt that even 80 year olds can benefit from lifitng light weights. I think over exercise can become a problem if it disrupts sex and growth hormone levels, periods stop (if you still have them) and therefore bones are not getting the benefits of oestrogen and testosterone.
that is interesting about the weights - I am definitely too thin and that has been a contributing factor to the osteoporosis and I hate doing the exercises but I am doing core muscle rather than weight lifting since lifting heavy weights can be problematic if not done correctly. I read so much about people dead lifting their body weight and so think I should do more but have been told not to.
Hi Moose. Similar physiology here so I stick to body weight and light dumbells. As long as your loading the bones it’s all good. I think pushing past warning signs and lifting heavy weights isn’t for everyone and if you’re frail it’s just risking injury or fracture.
If anyone is on Instagram take a look at Dr Jocelyn Wittstein. She’s an orthopaedic surgeon in the US and posts info and videos re impact exercises for both beginners and more advanced exercisers, though she does recommend getting your doctor’s advice first if you’ve not done much in the way of impact before.
Appreciated all the comments. So disappointing the attitude of some healthcare professionals. Why does this happen? They need some customer service training!
Reading your post resonates with my own experience. I specifically asked my GP for a DEXA scan then when the results came in simply got a quick call telling me I had osteoporosis and he’d send a prescription to the chemist. Nothing said about scores and no advice. I’ve had to chase up my yearly blood test to check calcium levels and still no advice. Thank goodness for ROS; it’s important to take control and manage your own condition- knowledge is key.
I’m sorry to hear that you have had the same experience. I think we must just take our health into our own hands and do the best we can. Apart from the brilliant ROS, I have also been using the Margaret Martin utube videos and her books, and have also consulted a naturopath who recommended lots of additional blood tests, to check on all sorts of relevant additional indicators. These have been very useful. I am also meeting a yoga/pilates teacher in a couple of months who specialises in osteoporosis. Anything that helps us with additional knowledge can only be a good thing.
Especially in the case of spinal fractures. It was skipping that caused my two vertebral fractures a couple of months ago, so I am only doing low impact exercise at the moment.
Good to know others feel much like I do. It’s actually been almost 3 years from my fractured wrist to diagnosis. No one actually said I was referred for a scan. I just ignored it and didn’t start researching until I got an appointment for a dexa. I’m so annoyed that I didn’t look more into it at the time of my fracture. I’ll never know but might’ve had better scores 3 years ago and managed to at least stabilise without medication. Hope all goes well for you.
I’d say it’s dependent on age, current fitness and strength levels etc. Sounds like you’re already fit GeordieMeg and know what you’re doing so keep it up. Not sure of your age but I’ve learnt that even 80 year olds can benefit from lifitng light weights. I think over exercise can become a problem if it disrupts sex and growth hormone levels, periods stop (if you still have them) and therefore bones are not getting the benefits of oestrogen and testosterone.