Hello. I am a 65 year old female with a family history of osteoporosis. I used to be 5' 10" in my youth but now I've lost over an inch in height. I am small boned, and have a low dairy intake, as it causes me mucus problems. I went to my doctor with sudden severe back pain in November last year. She put me on medication and after about 6 weeks it gradually eased, only to return in January when I was turning over in bed. Went to the doctor again as I was in agony and had limited mobility but this time she is referring me for physiotherapy. Thankfully the severe pain has eased a lot, but There is still pain in the spine which seems to radiate out laterally and affect the muscles. If I'm on my feet for more than about 15 minutes the back starts to ache and I have to sit down. I don't want to press for a bone scan in case it isn't that, but on the other hand I don't want to wait until I break something, like mum did, before she got diagnosed. Any advice please.
Suspect Osteoporosis: Hello. I am a 6... - Bone Health and O...
Suspect Osteoporosis
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PS I also have right hip pain which suddenly got worse about the same time as my back went. I have started taking (a lot) of supplements. I basically asked all my friends what they recommend. I'm taking collagen, calcium, magnesium & vit d. Glucosamine, chondrotin and Msm, fish oil, and rose hip. I like dancing and walking when the pain permits and have just started hydro-cise.
At your age you are entitled to receive a DXA scan, if for nothing more than to provide a baseline. You can do a lot to improve your bone health, or simply to maintain things if you are still in a good place regarding bone density.
Physiotherapy exercises can help you maintain your height mostly by keeping your spine straight and strengthening supporting muscles. Have a read of my post from a while ago which outlines what I've done:
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Of course much of what you are experiencing can be caused by poor muscle tone or osteoarthritis, but nevertheless a protocol designed to improve or maintain bone density will help those issues also. I know - I have fairly extensive osteoarthritis in my spine.
Good Luck!
Thank you Heron. My doctor says I have osteoarthritis but I have not had an x-ray or a scan, so how does she know? Also my symptoms seem to fit osteoporosis more. I am starting to stoop, as leaning forwards seems to relieve the pain a bit. I am in constant pain, but I'm now learning coping strategies and taking pain killers when necessary. But when my back first 'went' in November, the pain was absolutely excruciating - up there with childbirth and tooth abscess. The smallest movements had me in tears. The doctor's advise was painkillers and 'keep moving'. Now I've always been been able to keep moving with a bad back in the past, but this was up there on a different level. It took about six weeks of rest before I could start 'moving' as she put it, only for it go again January. Exactly the same symptoms, this time caused by turning over in bed. So now I sleep semi-propped up on pillows, which stops me from moving about too much in my sleep. I feel much more comfortable when I wake up in the morning now. Just waiting for my physio appointment to arrive.
If your gp will not refer you for xrays or a dexa scan then I suggest it is time to make an appointment with another doctor or change your doctors surgery. With a family history of osteoporosis, slight loss of height and back pain you should be treated better than you are being at the moment.
That is appalling. I completely agree with Kaarina. I know of people who were told they had osteoarthritis, the doctor "just knew" - but subsequent x-rays showed no sign of arthritis and in at least one case the proper diagnosis was a kind of vasculitis called polymyalgia rheumatica - nothing to do with the bones! So the imaging is really important to get a proper diagnosis and the right treatment. A physiotherapist can't work in the dark either, they need to know what your condition is so they can help not harm.
When you attend your physio appointment I would be wary of what he/she may decide to do in the way of exercises because you have not had any x-rays done of your spine or a DEXA. As your doctor is being so unhelpful, I hope you can chat with the physio and explain your fears that way ie family history of osteoporosis, slight loss of height and back pain for weeks and returning after turning in bed etc. With a bit of luck the physio will get in touch with your doctor before starting any exercise routine with you.
Many thanks for replies.
If you are in the UK you can of course call and have a chat with a nurse at the Royal Osteoporosis Society. The call to the helpline is free from landlines and mobiles. I have not used this facility myself but I hear from those that have, that it has been most beneficial to them. Call the helpline - 0808 800 0035
Will ring them - thanks.
Also get your vitamin D level tested. If living in the UK, mid-lab is said to be best which is about 100nmol. Always get your blood test results from your GP as they often say all is fine if within the lab range but if you're at the bottom of the lab range, it's not going to be optimal. If diagnosed with osteoporosis from a DEXA scan you will likely be prescribed calcium with vitamin D3 and offered bisphosphonates or similar.
Hi Pinklady54, I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. I fractured T12 in 2015, and remember how bad it was. It’s time to take charge! You need your spine imaged ASAP. At the very least a lumbar and sacral X-ray needs to be done to rule out fracture. If your xrays are inconclusive, then you need an MRI to see if you’ve blown out any discs, and it can pick up on compression fractures the radiologist reading an X-ray can miss(happened to me). A Dexa is also warranted with your family history, age, and small frame. Knowledge is power...... The results may be scary, but it puts you on a path to healing. I wish you the best...
Sharon
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