Hi I’m aged 69. Broke my wrist almost 3 years ago whilst hill walking. Just received my scan results and feeling sad shocked and angry I’ve done a fair bit of research while waiting and had decided I would prefer going down the natural route if results showed osteopenia but my Right Femoral neck is -3.6 so now feel I’ve no option but to start Alendronate as recommended I keep active with my favourite activity being hill walking in the Scottish Mountains. I was a bit wary returning to the hills after my wrist fracture but soon settled back to it but as no one had mentioned I was referred for a scan I thought not knowing was the best thing for me so I just carried on as usual. Now I feel so anxious as to what to do now. I’m also worried I won’t tolerate Alendronate as I’ve had an ulcer many years ago and have spells of GI issues. GP did say there would be other options if I don’t tolerate it. I’m actually feeling a bit sorry for myself but hope in time it will pass as I adjust.
Hello, I’m newly diagnosed as well but only 52. Have several issues that are not conducive to great bone health so it seems ( premature ovarian failure at 42, small frame and low BMI, 19, potential subclinical hyperthyroidism and now on steroids for Polymyalgia rheumatica since Sept last year)
Had my DEXA scan in Dec and got the results a couple of weeks ago and was -2.8 so in the osteoporosis range. Was rather shocked and felt like I now wasn’t able to do everything I previously did incase I broke something. Then thought actually nothing has changed between when I had the DEXA scan and getting the results and haven’t had any issues so will just carry on as normal. Rheumatologist said I shouldn’t be lifting anything heavier than 11 kg and when I told her I regularly carry around 20kg bags of horse food, bales of hay and straw, buckets of water and push wheelbarrows full of dung I was met with a somewhat disapproving look!
To compound it all my friend’s horse decided to eject me violently from her back the other day and I landed flat on my back and got up with nothing more than a wet muddy bottom!
So I shall continue as normal (possibly not ride that horse again though) and just be aware when I’m lifting, which I am anyway having done several manual handling courses at work. Started Alendronic acid and took my 3rd one this weekend. No side effects yet
Hi
I’ve a small frame too , my endocrinologist (third opinion after GP and then a brutal female rheumatologist told me that petite women’s score on DEXA comes out worse than what we really are . He did bone turnover blood tests and FRAX score , all good , took me off medication and said I would be fine with lifestyle intervention . Plenty of calcium from food if possible but no more than 800mg and ensure vit D supplement 1000IU in summer 2000IU in winter but get my levels checked twice a year to make sure a good range . (50-150) . Said to be careful as back scored -3.1 but petite women thing etc and keep fit with strength training . Hope this helps . Bisphosphonate messed my tummy up and burnt my oesphogus and only took it for 3 months . I do know they can give you an infusion but I researched what those drugs do and it’s not natural , they wrap around your bones and stop the natural bone breakdown and reforming happening and then in 10 years you’ve brittle bones ! Also he said I was too young at 57 for those drugs !
Thank you for your reply. I started taking a Vit D supplement in October as up till then I was getting enough natural Vit D as spend a lot of time out doors working ( gardening) and with the horses. Bloods showed it to be very good in September.
I do worry about what the AA could do and have aired my concerns to my GP and Rheumatologist. I may get referred to Endocrinologist for my slightly squiffy thyroid so may be that I can mention it then as well.
Having been violently ejected from the horse the other week and walked away with nothing more than a wet muddy backside I do wonder how much specialists know about small framed women and their bone density.
Hi Lala I also enjoy hill walking in Scotland. I retired aged 59, and in the 8 years since then I’ve climbed over 100 Munro’s. Before I retired, I had had two broken wrists (different times) , one broken ankle and three spinal fractures (again different times). I was on Alendronic Acid weekly. Took it each Sunday morning with a good glass of water. Remained upright for 30 minutes before eating. I had no issues with it so I was left on it for 10 years. My Dexa scan two years ago was almost identical to the one 7 years ago.
Good luck
Thanks for your reply. That’s great you have managed to maintain your scores. I am still undecided if I will start AA but have collected the prescription from the chemist. Good to hear you have had a positive experience with it. Hope you manage to add to your Munros. Much like you I have bagged over 100 since retiring.