I had a nasty fall at the end of last year, which left me with multiple fractures in both arms. The fractures have healed and I have been discharged from the fracture clinic, but still having physio at the hospital. I was offered a DEXA scan, and received the results a couple of weeks ago. -3.4 in my spine, -1.7 in my femur, -1.0 in my hip. Diagnosis osteoporosis.
I don’t really understand why the result for my spine is so bad - I suffer no pain in it, and I am now scared to take dance classes because the warm up exercises involve bending forward, and they can’t be adapted because there isn’t an alternative move…
I’ve tried getting advice from various medical professionals who have been treating me as to whether it is safe for me to continue with the exercises and there has been a lot of buck passing… the most constructive advice I have received so far has been from my GP, who has said that as I have suffered no vertebral fractures, and have been doing the exercises for years without any pain or discomfort, to listen to my body, be sensible, and continue to do the things in life that bring me joy!
I’m trying to be brave, but used up all my reserves after my accident. My family, friends and work colleagues are all very supportive, but I still have a massive sense of grief. I’m facing five years of taking alendronic acid and won’t know if it is working until my next DEXA scan in five years time.
I have sorry to hear that, but am glad you are on the road to recover.
You are bound to be concerned about returning to exercise after such a trauma.
Have you seen the pilates leaflet on ROS website? It shows you how to bend safely in a roll down, which you should be able to practice at home then transfer to your aerobics.
Mobilates . Com (without the spaces, no links allowed) do online classes for people with chronic conditions and love to move and disco which would be a supported lighter way to go back to aerobics. I have just signed up for a Pilates course and had my first class. The instructor was lovely and offered lots of options. Xx
Hi. You’re not a wimp. I feel exactly the same. Diagnosed 3 weeks ago. Broke my hip back in September and I feel like I’m never going to be me again. I was so active, power walking, aerobics, looking after my allotment and now I worry about fractures all the time
Thank you Triton. I know what you mean about being scared of fracturing another bone - I am conscious of it all the time. It’s not a good way to live. On a positive note, I have started taking the alendronic acid and it hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. I’m starting to share the diagnosis with people who I trust and I am at the stage of telling people without bursting into tears. I’m looking forward to going back to my dance classes and I am asking my teacher for advice on suitable footwear so they support my feet properly. Good luck with your journey Triton - I hope it gets easier for you xxx