A cure for backache??

[KeithF]

Hi, I was 68 and very active, water skiing, tennis and keeping fit on a rowing machine then I thought I'd cracked a rib skiing which took months to heal then went skiing and the same thing happened again. I had an MRI which showed four collapsed vertebrae so a follow up bone density scan gave a value of 2.7 on the osteoporosis scale. That was nearly two years ago so now no skiing, tennis or rowing machine. I'm due for another bone density scan in June. My main problem is severe backache as the muscles try to compensate for ribs which are out of position. I take alendronic acid and Adcal calcium substitutes and I do 15 minutes exercises every morning, have physio every two weeks and do an hour's Pilates with an osteoporosis expert weekly. I'd love to find a way to stop the muscles from trying all the time to compensate and just causing horrible backache by doing more harm than good.

[HeronNS]

It seems to me that your physiotherapist should be doing a better job for you. Are your 15 minutes of exercises physio for your back? I do Nordic walking and I understand one of its benefits is strengthening the upper body. Anything which can strengthen muscles which support the spine should be good. You may have spasmed muscles, however, and a technique called dry needling could help with that. I received dry needling from my physiotherapist and it helped with some pain issues I had.

[Hidden]

Hi. I have had three separate incidents of fractured vertebrae. Following a dexa scan of 1.5 my G P put me on alondronic acid. I only had 3 doses and experienced sever backache. I spoke to GP who said that this med didn't suit everyone and pain was quite a common side affect. He changed it for something else and told me to start taking it a month after to allow first drug to leave my system. I had to see my consultant during the next couple of weeks who said I probably didn't need it as my score was quite low, he suggested just taking adcal watching my diet, walking and Pilates. Need to check dexa score again after a year from last one to make sure it was not getting any wocse. So it might be worth talking to GP to get your meds changed. Worth a try! Pilates is great really enjoying it. Hope this helps. It did take several weeks for pain to completly go though.

Sue.

[1pam in reply to Hidden]

Hi interesting to read about side effects of alandronic acid. I am similar to you in history of fractures and am experiencing back ache which worries me. I am waiting to see consultant to discuss having alternative to acid as my own doctor says it is not helping my bones as I am still having fractures. I do tai chi and an exercise class to strenghthen bones but wonder how you cope with Pilates. Used to do thus but even yoga not recommended for weight on upper back. But if it works for you then good. Pam

[Hidden]

Hi Pam my consultant actually recommended Pilates instead of yoga. So far so good found a really good teacher who carefully monitors what i do. Seems to be helping.

Hope you get sorted soon.

[KeithF]

Hi All, thanks for the replies, Heron, my morning exercises are focussed of my spine and I feel better afterwards but I can only walk for about 10 minutes before the backache gets too bad, I'll look into dry needling. Sue, I didn't know that alendronic acid can be a backache issue, I'll talk to my GP. Pam, my physio is a OP specialist and she rund Pilates classes for sufferers so the exercises are very specific to strengthening muscles without risking more bone deterioration. Thanks everyone - that's given me some ways forward.

[Kaarina in reply to KeithF]

Keith,

One of the side effects of AA can be joint pain. That is one reason why I only took it for two weeks to pacify the GP as it is the first drug on the list that they prescribe for OP ! Actually it gave me stomach/bowel problems. I have enough joint pain without a taking a drug that may give me more of it. I was not prepared to take the risk.

[KeithF]

Thanks Londinium, I take Adcal daily which is a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement but I'll arrange a Vitamin D test in the next few days to check my level.

Keith

[Summer66]

What can other calcium can you take other than adcal, I have CHD and have had heart bypass following heart attach. If Adcal blocks arteries why am I prescribed it feeling very worried. What is a alternative .Can anyone help

[HeronNS]

You did notice this thread is three years old?