I was diagnosed in 2011 after a pratfall on the pavement broke 3 ribs. There was no Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) in SE London but luckily my pulmonary specialist (I had fluid in lungs and around heart) referred me to rheumatology.
DXA showed -3.2 in spine but hip ok at -0.9. I had absolutely no risk factors, and was a bit cross! I insisted on various tests to look for underlying causes of poor bone density, but nothing showed up.
I started risedronate and Adcal, read up about osteoporosis and joined what was the National Oestoporosis Society then. I decided to embrace it, but not feel like a victim. For 8 years I took my weekly pill and kept my body upright for 30 mins while having a shower and getting dressed.
I had DXAs every 2 years or so (lucky me, I think!) and initially my spine improved to -2.8 but then it stuck there. Another pratfall onto my back broke a shoulder blade, and ribs again. By now my GP said “you know more on this than I do, what do you want?” and I went back to the consultant who changed me to Zoledronate.
Zol is an annual infusion - takes 15 mins through a cannula. I had my first in Feb 2020. Missed the next one due to Covid. Second one in 2022. Missed the next due to a cancer operation. Third and last in 2024. Good job Zol has a long-lasting effect! DXA in 2025 showed spine at -2.5 - big improvement to borderline osteoporosis. Hooray.
Now I’m on a ‘drug holiday’ because long-term bisphosphonates do have risks of rare side-effects. Next DXA will be 2027.
For my mental health I joined ROS and became a volunteer, I learned enough about the condition to be a proactive patient and talk to health specialists in their language, and I got involved in research.
For my physical health I improved my already healthy diet, once retired I started walking more, and the shoulder episode drove me to the gym for rehabilitation and I have stayed there ever since - my wife and I go every other day when we’re at home and I’m building and maintaining muscle strength to support my skeleton and improve my balance.
This was going to be a short introduction note, but I got carried away. Congratulations if you made it to the end 
