Hi my name is Julie and a few weeks ago diagnosed with osteoporosis 2.6....after lots of thought and research I have decided not to take medication offered... is there anybody else who is going to try and manage my osteoporosis without meds?
Help: Hi my name is Julie and a few... - Bone Health and O...
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Jule777
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Hi Jule
There are quite a few on the forum who have decided not to take any OP medication that is on offer.
The option is to do appropriate exercise, walking, slow weights, taking K2, magnesium, vitamin D and have a good diet. Some people include eating a handful of prunes a day which may help. When taking OP medication these things also apply.
It is advisable to have a Vitamin D test to find out your levels which do change, probably being higher in the warmer months.
We have all arrived at the Osteoporosis diagnosis for varying reasons and it is up to each of us to research, as you have done and then make up our own minds. One can always change if one route is not working that well.
You can always have a chat with a nurse on the NOS helplines. I have not done this (yet) but I have heard that those that have, found it extremely helpful.
May I ask how you found out that you had osteoporosis?
Thank you for your reply I feel that talking about this takes any fears one may have..... in the past 3 years I have broken my wrist twice, first my right which caused a lot of issues as I am right handed then the left which was a bit more manageable but still painful....both just simple falls hand goes out and that was it.....
Jule
Hi Jule,
I am sorry to hear about your falls and fractures.
So presumably you had a dexa after your first wrist fracture. How soon after did the second wrist fracture happen?
It is good to talk about it. I agree. Are you taking the calcium and Vit tablets that are prescribed after a diagnosis of OP? I went and had a chat with my doctor and we decided together that I had enough calcium in my diet so am only prescribed Vitamin D tablets. I do have a Vit D test twice a year when I see the doctor who is looking after me regarding my osteoporosis. I asked my GP to refer me to someone and he kindly did this for me. I feel a little better about this OP diagnosis since being referred. I do not feel that I am being totally neglected! 
I didn't have a scan after the first break as I missed it through traveling that was 2014....the last one was about 4 months ago and after I had recovered my GP sent me for a scan just before Christmas also bloods which have come back good cal &vitD....the bloods that look at the bone came back today indicating that I am the higher end of normal so with the TZone of 2.6 I feel at this point I am going to managed this myself,Just for now.....just need to stay on 2 feet LOL and believe it or not I don't even drink.....
Hi Jule
I fall but have not broken anything ... yet. After a fall I lose my confidence but very quickly make myself go out, first with someone and then alone. Falling is such a shock to the system, well it is to mine! I refuse to become housebound though, through a fear of falling. I do balancing exercises and tai chi to try to prevent these falls. I do not like walking out in the evenings, this time of year, because the street lighting is often not good so my eyes are glued to the ground looking for anything that may make me trip up. I will not stay home though!
Good for you....the second break I was playing badminton with my grandson now I know I have osteoporosis I will take it easy....Thank you for talking...
Looks like your t-score is barely into the OP reading, so it makes a lot of sense for you to go the natural route. I was able to improve my bone density in one year from -2 to -1.6 simply by doing the supplement, diet thing Kaarina mentions above, plus adding weight bearing exercise (walking, Nordic walking, Tai chi and wearing a weighted walking vest). 
Thank you
My context includes a broken limb, too, caused by slipping on ice and twisting my leg, I didn't actually fall so I don't think it was a fragility fracture, but one caused by trauma. At that time no one said I should get a DXA scan. It was after starting steroid treatment for PMR that my doctor suggested I take AA as well, and after doing a lot of research decided against it. Glad I did, things have gone well for me. It's a lifelong program, of course. You can never stop looking after your bones, but no different really than caring for ourselves anyway.
I was diagnosed with op in February last year at the age of 64, and so am coming up to my first review.
With a spinal T score of -4 and four fractures (now five) I have been taking sodium risedronate for nine or so months with no side effects.
I take vit D supplements and eat a calcium- rich diet.
After feeling sorry for myself for a few days I spoke to the OP helpline who were very helpful during a long and wide ranging conversation so it is well worth speaking to them (and subscribing).
My Pilates class proved to be too much for my fractured vertebrae despite being given modified versions of exercises where necessary, I’m still not ready to lie on a wooden floor even with a thicker mat.
I used an nhs choices video - exercising with osteoporosis which was an excellent start. I then found a new physio who practices hydrotherapy in a local pool and now use that warm pool for exercise as often as possible. It relaxes my back, and has clearly built up muscle in my back arms and shoulders. I also swim.
I joined a Nordic walking group which was great fun and sociable as well as improving my balance, confidence etc. I had another stress fracture if a bone in my foot and do have not walked for some months. I hope to return to walking thus week, weather permitting.
Walkingcand warm water exercise is my form of relief for back pain, I rarely take tablets.
There is plenty of advice out there, but I have only been able to deal with it step by step. Take decisions which suit you now, and if those work then build on them. You need to be adaptable with op - eg exercise which is fine in the summer can be risky in icy weather so you need to find another form of exercise to keep your spirits up
Also find something which interests you and us sociable which you can do when you have an injury - I am learning bridge which takes your mind off your troubles.
I know the contributors to this forum have a vast range of health issues, not just op, but I feel there is a lot we can do to help ourselves whatever stage we are at, and I have learned a lot from following various conversations, so thank you all for that.
Thank you for your Help,what I can understand after talking with my GP yesterday, after all test have returned is that my OP is in its early stages 2.6 but have been diagnosed neither the less,I have explained to her my reasons for not taking meds.I believe my life style will help me live as normal as possible.The bloods came back stating that at present OP is in the normal bracket but borderline.we have agreed to have the bloods again in 6 months.my only issue at present is my back she says that OP has no symptoms but most mornings have trouble so stiff lower back L4 is the problem maybe its unrelated.Also what's your view on aerobic ? I take part twice a week lots of bending and twisting.
How did you find out L4 is your problem? Was it an x-ray or the DEXA? Do you know what is the problem with your L4?
Yes I had a 0P scan hips were 1.9 spine 2.6.....they gAVe me a print out showing L1 top of my next and L4 bottom of my spine... she expmained these were the areas showing problems.
I have compression at L2 and no other fracture history. I had a scan in 2012 because of losing a lot of height.
Like you, my back feels stiff getting out of bed, which soon wears off. I also get low back pain after gardening and a fair bit of vacuuming which again soon goes after a few stretches backwards.
Dear Julie
My back pain stems from long standing damage to two discs in my lower back, although no doubt the recent damage higher up the spine joins in from time to time. I have therefore been advised that high impact exercise is likely to cause further damage and twisting of the spine is to be done with caution. The bind us you do need to twist your spine, at a level appropriate to you, to prevent it from seizing up altogether.
The advice differs according to whether or not you have already fractured a vertebra as well as your scores and the exercise you are used to doing. Speak to the op helpline and/or read their literature. You can also speak to the class instructor who should be able to modify exercises for you - if they can’t then consider finding another class. An assessment by a physio could also be very useful. Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll work out a regime which suits you but it can sometimes take a while to find out what is best for you.
This is what DEXA Scan results are based on:
"A T-score of +1 to -1: normal bone mineral density.
A T-score of -1 to -2.5: osteopenia.
A T-score of -2.5 or lower: osteoporosis.
Severe Osteoporosis is diagnosed when the T-score is -2.5 or lower, and the person has already suffered a fragility fracture."
I am the same as you as there are pretty much so many harsh and life threatening side effectts to the meds and from what I have read they don;t realy help anyway in a large way, plus after 5 years you have to halt the use and by that time there are once again side ffects for taking the drugs... I feel that osteoporosis medication seems to be in the dark ages, with more hinderance than help. I am 46 and have had osteoporosis for about 10 years. I am careful how I walk etc but I know my bones are fragile. It does scare me, but what is the alternative... stroke, cancer or blood clots if I take the medication and then after 5 years I'm back to square one anyway. I am like you... stuck!
DISC, you are young for this diagnosis. The first thing your doctor should help you with is - why? Once the reason for your low bone mass is determined it may help whatever treatment you use be more effective - including the natural (nutrition, supplements, exercise) route. If, for example, you've had some problems with food digestion, or you've been Vitamin D deficient, then dealing with those issues can be helpful (just examples, not suggesting this is what's going on with you). Best wishes!
Hi DISC,
You are suffering with so much as well as being diagnosed with OP and I am sorry. You have a low body weight but I can understand why. I really do not know what to suggest to you. Perhaps it may help if you had a chat with one of the nurses on the helplines. I have not used this facility but have heard of those that have and they have found it to be most beneficial and helpful.
Yes I am only 4 stone 13 lbs due to having severe gastroparesis, but the osteoporosis started before that really. I've always had digestive issues as I had pancreatitis before that so have always had malnourishmnet problems. I wish you guys well, as it is a minefield as regards treatment for OP.
Hi DISC
I truly wish you well too. Please do keep in touch with us here, should you wish to do so and you can always look in as and when.
Look after yourself. Sending you over a gentle hug. {{hugs}}
Yes I am going to go nutrition way
Just too scarred of AA
My spin reading is -4
Lot worse than yours
I am concerned about the meds at this early stage of my diagnosis,but I will have to monitor it within the next year just want to stay positive.
you have an 88% chance of NOT having a fracture in the next 10 years with those numbers.
!!!
Yes don't want to go on aa stil confused as fractures and loosing height is not good
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