Not having a good day 😞 feeling very negative . I know my fractures are healing - my posture is dreadful . It’s making me dizzy I know that sounds weird - but I googled it and it can be a symptom of bad posture . I do wonder if physio will improve my posture ? Consultant not happy to start it just yet though 😞
No bra,elastic waist , baggy tops is the way forward
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Can you get walking poles? They will help you stay more upright as well as giving you a bit of support as your muscles start to regain strength.
I have a back brace - can only wear it for two hours a day as it will interfere with my muscles getting stronger - I just assumed any sort of aid , walking stick / pole would have the same affect ?
I'm not sure. An acquaintance of mine, a woman who must be well into her 80s now, was bent over nearly double from OP. She was considered a star pupil by the man who taught her how to use Nordic walking poles. She can't use them quite correctly, perhaps she has disability like you? I don't know her very well. Nevertheless, I've seen her standing in conversation with people, with her poles, and she is upright. I know they are recommended to help people maintain an upright posture if they are risk of kyphosis, that's really why I took up using them myself. So one end of the spectrum, providing the support to allow someone with spinal OP to see and interact with the world from an upright posture, and the other, maintaining upright posture from the beginning.
Without going into details of their use this gives an outline of the benefits. Where I live there are free classes offered frequently and I do recommend at least one instructional session:
whitebookski.com/2017/07/25...
And although this is region specific it gives you a detailed idea of what Nordic walking is all about. Don't be intimidated by mention of power walking or how much energy they use. People like me can't do power walking, and people like you are looking for the support the poles can give you, both of us can benefit:
You can have a free beginners lesson in the UK too, I did with this organisation AmandaTF
I think the difference is that a back brace takes over from your muscles so they can weaken with too much use of the brace. Walking poles, on the other hand, don't actually support your weight and, in fact, help to work the muscles in your upper body in addition to hips and legs being worked by the actual walking activity. As Heron says, they can also encourage good posture.
Yes, the actual support they give is more in the way of helping you keep your balance. Thank you for clarifying. 
Great suggestion. I hope it helps you AmandaTF. I have benefitted from this thread. A friend was telling me to get walking poles for my husband because walking with them will strengthen his heart. Since I suffer from OP, I plan to get a set for both of us!
Dizziness could be a range of things so would definitely mention it at next appointment as it could make you more prone to falls. It might be easily sorted out.
Hi,
Check out the side effects of the zolendronic acid, this may be the answer to the dizziness. As well as lack of sleep maybe? Pain could be causing shallow breathing, I'm guilty of that, another possible reason for dizziness.
As the day proceeds gradually my back becomes weaker and it's hard to use both hands especially away from my sides. Washing a cup or my hands means one hand staying still with my arm leaning on the side of the sink/basin and using other hand. Up until 2pm I can walk fairly well unaided, after I make use of my walking stick - sometimes needed through the years for osteoarthritis in my right foot. It helps stop some of the staggering as I drag myself off a chair. By the time I try and sleep I'm so stiff I need to roll myself onto my back. Takes an hour for me to relax by which time considering giving up and getting up is the norm. Hard work even though I do feel like I am mending like you. Sitting in armchair at mo tapping my mobile - elbow propping me up as usual. The lack of energy for exercise is frightening me. Stiffness is not helping. And zero energy due to lack of decent sleep.
Treated myself to a new coat and decent boots last October. Both still in wrappers. Could scream. Luckily had couple of comfy bras and soft tops/joggers that have to stretch in all directions. I feel like a sack of spuds. The only consolation is it would have been awful if half our age. And no that doesn't make me feel better either. Feel like 102 by bedtime.
I hope we are offered physio advice soon that is good. The risk of stretching in the wrong direction and going crack is something we cannot take.
Two useless appointments last week have made me realise how little care we are offered. Damn that Prolia. No warning of these side effects has changed our lives!
Didn't mean to bore anyone senseless with my description of life at mo, just being realistic and brutally honest. My legs, arms, etc etc work and for that I am 100% grateful.
Keep going you!
Hello you - I have to admit never gave the zoledronic acid a thought . Although I have to admit I’m almost bored with analysing every little thing . You have a walking stick - bless you ! What are we like !
Sack of spuds 😀 you do make me smile .
You are 100% re the analysis bit. It and the problems with just are. Dealing with them and the new frustration is the worst especially when down.
Poor old stick. It's helps me get balance in gear when hauling my stiffness out of a chair apart from that it spends most of it's time going thud on the kitchen floor with accompanied verbal delights from me as I kick it. Every place is the wrong place to prop it! Then hang onto a kitchen unit and crouch in a very unladylike way holding my breath and praying I don't hear any cracks from my useless spine!
If you could see me sideways you would believe me about the spuds! Thankfully always been slim but bust line has gone out in sympathy with my aching back. Either that or my upper arms have shortened. Eck! As for my waist. Swollen and sore just because at mo. Height has dropped 3inches since fracture.
Read up on things that worry you seriously keeping an open mind, often tiredness and pain can be the cause of many a problem. After years of living with a very violent autoimmune disease ((Lupus) thankfully now quiet and many a time with huge problems due to lack of care and support I make myself look at how well I am in many ways and also that even after major organ failure and huge acute problem I have got through it. I'm just hoping current horrors we will look back on one day and see that we got through it, a bit damaged but survived. Hard to always keep these thoughts in me but do try when facing new/recent probs.x
You and I could be twins 🤗
Your body shape appears to sound just like mine 😞
I too have lost 3 inches in height . Digestive organs are all squashed.
I have a “grabber” that I use - stupid thing is never where I need it to be 🙄 and as for bending down in a very unladylike like position that’s me to a tee 😂
Good job we can laugh x
Hi Amanda TF,
Sorry to hear you are feelig low.
If I am honest for at least part of every day I feel the same.
I too have 4 spinal fractures all without trauma but not caused by Prolia.
Where are your fractures?
Mine are L2 L4 T11 and T9.
The physiotherapists will not touch me because my density is so low.
My last fracture was in T9 and as a result I have become mostly wheelchair bound.
Around the home when moving around or standing I use 2 crutches, using a stick or crutches is quite safe and will not weaken the back muscles as do back braces if worn for too long.
The Orthopaedic Consultant told me not to wear a brace once the fractures heal as it will weaken the muscles and heighten the risk of more fractures.
Adjusting and accepting the changes that come with the fractures is extremly difficult.
I have found it helps if you focus on other parts of the body.
Put a little lipstick on each day, treat yourself to a nice perfume, and there are so many nice comfortable shoes and boots out there.
My daughter bought me a lovely lightweight scarf recently which I wear with my jumpers, I shall be investing in more!!
The little things make such a difference
I had my hair in a lovely bob before my last fracture and could no longer manage it as it is impossible even now to raise my arms for the pain.
I had it cut short (a massive step as my hair always got me lots of compliments) it's the best thing Ive done, it dries naturally and I absolutely love it.
I was told that having fractures in both the Lumbar and thoracic spine can make things much more difficult, it is a different brace for each area.
The brace helped me while the fracture healed but it was strong painkillers that enabled me to move.
At the moment I am gong crazy with a feeling of movment and pushing and pain under my right rib.
This began just around the time of my first and last Prolia injection last February (I cannot blame Prolia) but as of yet I do not have a proper diagnosis.
It has got so much worse over the months that now my quality of live is zero.
I have had it suggested that it could be the pelvis rubbng on the hip because of the shortening of the spine, or it could be nerve pain from the fracture I had last year.
As a result I am going fot a CT scan of the bowel and an Endoscopy.
I understand fully how low you are feeling,
Life as we knew it changes so much with these fractures, and our personal appearance with it.
It helps to talk and this is a good place o do just that.
The warmer weather will be here soon and hopfully less pain with it.
Take care xx
As another person out here dealing with this dreadful disease, I have been so blessed by this site. Not only have I learned a lot, I have received comfort from the caring and helpful responses to the dear ones who post on this site seeking help. It goes a long way toward helping me deal with my condition, knowing I am not alone, and that there is a place I can go to ask questions or share my emotions. Thank you thank you.
Thank you for your lovely reply - you sound so positive ! I do try - matching earrings to jumper (all be it a baggy one) like you have had haircut - much easier shorter . The scales still say I weigh the same but my goodness I’m a completely different shape 😞 some days the mental implications of my fractures are worse than the physical .
I have just ordered myself a walking stick - needs must .
Take good care x
You're very welcome and thank you for your kind words.
The bulging stomach seems to be an issue for all of us with these horrible fractures.
I am of very slim build and feel because of this it is even more noticable.
Everything feels uncomfortable around the waist because of it, so I wear mid rise trousers.
High waist trousers are a definite no go for me!!
O.M.G. they come up so high it's laughable.
On a serious note however.
I do find it helps to think that others do not see my stomach they just see me and it is only I who has the problem with it.
Also when I look around I feel very fortunate to have held on to a good figure for so many years.
One other thing that I was upset about last summer was that my t shirts and tops that sat higher on the neck stood away and looked terrible.
After my initial upset they were sent to charity and replaced with tops that sit slightly lower all the way round the neckline.
Well good luck with your walking stick, Physio told me to use mine in the hand on my worst side, and it will drive you crazy when it will not obey your command to STAY and defy you by sliding to the floor.
It will become your best friend, it will make you more aware of where you are walking and prevent you falling, and give you someone to lean on when needed.xx
Have you tried one of the gadgets that clip around your stick and allow it to hang from a table or worktop? They work well, most of the time. I changed to a crutch following an OT assessment, it gives better support and prevents me stooping and is much better behaved than a stick! I’m also a fan of grabber sticks, especially in the garden.
Thank you, I also have 2 crutches they were given to me after my 2nd and 3rd fractures which happened within a month of each other.
I did well with them up until about 2 months before my 4th fracture, it became really difficult to stand for any length of time and walking became impossible.
I do have a number of other spinal issues that add to my disability.
The only walking I can manage now is a little around the home, the rest of the time I am using a wheelchair.
I shall certainly look into buying one of the clips you mention as this will take away the frustration that comes every time my stick slides to the floor and I can not pick it up.
I have a pair of Smart Crutches, which when set in the horizontal position, give good support standing, though like you, I use a wheelchair when I go out.
IMO this is a fantastic site for exercises for your posture They show you very clearly how to do very simple exercises for your posture.
I feel for you. It can be depressing when it never seems to get any better. My posture and the fact it makes my tummy stick out annoys me too. Very uncomfortable. I bought a posture vest. It gives my back some support by helping the muscles, and also flattens my tummy a bit. I wear it for a few hours a day. It’s supposed to strengthen the muscles also. It’s not cheap, but I’m glad I bought it. Hope you get some help soon 🙂
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Posture vest ? Thank you I’ll have a look into that x
I have one with a front zip. There’s also one that pulls over your head, but I thought it would be to much of a struggle to put on. I take cbd oil it helps a bit. Relaxes me as well. Best wishes. 🙂
Hi Amanda, I really do empathise with you. My last (rebound) fracture was November 2018 and although the fractures have probably healed by now, I still suffer horrible back pain every day. By late afternoon, the pain is worse and I feel totally exhausted. Each morning when I have to lie back on the bed just to put socks & (usually elasticated waist) trousers on, I curse denosumab. But I have improved and you will too. Initially I couldn't wear a bra for several months - then I found a flexifit bra in M&S which is fairly comfortable. I too have to wear elasticated waisted trousers but found the David Nieper website. Their stuff is horrendously expensive but they do have periodic sales and their trousers are comfy but also look quite smart. Although I have to shorten even their short length. I had my hair cut by a home hairdresser for a while but now can get to a salon. They have to put lines of rolled up towels on the chair to raise me up to the backwash but they don't mind. And I have to take a cushion for my back but I've got used to that. My lumbar roll has a strap which I put round me and this and my stick now accompany me everywhere. I also still have (FaceTime) sessions with a pain psychotherapist. I just wish that I could draw a line under what has happened but acceptance is difficult. I'm trying mindfulness. What is hard is when well-meaning friends ask me how I am. I just mumble OK as I really don't want to bore them but no-one who hasn't been through this experience can possibly understand. The grabber stick is great, as is my extra long handled shoehorn but these accessories make me feel ancient! I do wish you well. And everyone else who is suffering in this way.
one off many biggest concerns is my job - are you able to work ? I’m support staff in a school - very physical job . Usually walk approx 4 miles between 8am and 4pm . Lots of lifting and bending - I’m scared of what the future holds . X
I'm retired. 70 this year. I do feel for you. It's bad enough being so restricted in my activities as I was previously very active.
Thank you - I’m 52 . So am praying for a few more working years ahead of me .
Hope you have a good day xx
I can recommend the Alexander Technique, it has helped my posture enormously.
Morning - really feeling the need to “stretch” now obviously I’m too scared to do so . Scan shows my fractures are still very much “visible” not quite sure what that means ? Still using brace and stick .
How much longer 😞 I’m guessing the healing rate of re bound fractures is different from the norm ? Had 2nd infusion in 4 months this week - consultant says my bone turnover still all over the place . Pain still very much present .
Avoiding full length mirrors now 😫 I’m so crumpled
It’s so hard some days - but I know it could be worse.
Best wishes to you all x
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