compreshion fractures

[sammason57]

i have 3 compreshion fractures in my lower back i have osteophorisis and osteoartritus i am nearly 60 it causes a lot of severe pain its been 12 weeks now still in so much pain should i be resting trying to still lok after my husband i am so tired i have other medical conditions what is yur experiance mine are in L3 L4 AND L5 would love to hear from you thank you .

[MWZ3]

Have you taken any of the drugs for osteoporosis? Do you know your results from Dexa test? Is it severe osteoporosis? What are you taking to help you so far? You’ve had an X-ray to know you have osteoarthritis?

[sammason57 in reply to MWZ3]

hello thank you for replying i have taken drugs but have not tolerated them well i have not had a dexa test but it is severe osteophorisis i manage with a heat pad on my chair and an electric blanket at night it helps a lot and no side afects .

[DakotaMae]

Hi sammason57, it was so difficult to read about the pain you are experiencing. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2020 at 61 years old and have feared a compression fracture would come on any time, which has led me to do a good deal of research. Has the dr prescribed pain meds? Theoretically, the pain should have reduced on its own within the first few weeks (so the internet claims). Sometimes a back brace helps. In some few cases, surgery may be required. Otherwise, it is suggested that the fractures will heal on their own. ??? Maybe your dr could get more involved to find something a treatment plan that will give you a better quality of life. Hoping for improvement soon.

[HappyDiamonds]

Hi sammason57, I have had spinal fractures and a sacral insufficiency fracture and can appreciate the pain you are experiencing. I promise you it will get better in time but its a slow process. Mine took about a year before I could honestly say it felt anything like approaching normal. I also have severe osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. The best advice anyone could give you is to contact the Royal Osteoporosis Society on 01761 471771 and speak to one of their lovely specially trained nurses in confidence and completely free of charge. You will also find a wealth of information that I know will help you on the website theros.org.uk it gives advice on all medication, exercises etc and has a specification section for spinal fractures. Please don't struggle on alone. Good Luck

[Posy-White]

Hello sammason 57

Sorry to read about your fractures, good idea from HappyDiamonds to get some support from Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) helpline.

Saw the suggestions about a brace, I found a brace very helpful and like you I used a heat pad at night and during the day. Trying to get the balance between rest and exercise is really hard. When I first had a problem with spinal fractures I was advised to use walking poles when outside and the furniture and one pole inside in order to maintain good /‘best as possible’ posture. I found this very helpful the extra support helped reduce the pain levels.

I also found a Tens machine helped with the pain especially car rides; it doesn’t get rid of the pain but help to make it more manageable. I did have a lot of problems with the pain management, but did have 8 fractures; the OS Consultant sorted out pain management medication that worked for me, these where patches as I also had problems with absorbing oral medication.

I would urge you to try and get more help, as everyone’s needs are slightly different. I had other issues (also experienced by others with spinal fractures) I found breathing difficult, I found it very hard to move my arms away from my body, I couldn’t reach out. Eating became harder because my poor stomach was being squeezed as I lost height with the compression of the spine.

Before I got the help of a Physio I did lots of chair exercises (the sort that are on the ROS website), practiced standing on one leg handling on to Kitchen sink etc. I eat three very small meals at the set time and have three snacks during the day, so that the problem with my stomach didn’t lead to too much weight loss. Slowly things did start to get better. I still keep up with daily exercises and trying to eat well along side the medication.

I do hope you are able to get some good support to aid your recovery.

Best Wishes Posy White

[Jennyjenny2 in reply to Posy-White]

Hello Posy-White

Thanks for your detailed description! I can totally relate to everything you say and your words give me encouragement.

My X-ray showed compression fractures L1, L3 and L4. That was 3 months ago as only the lumbar region was X-rayed. Was just getting over that and I sneezed!! With that and the constant coughing because of bronchiectasis, along with my changing shape, I know there are other fractures in the thoracic area. I relate to not being able to breathe and keeping my arms to my sides.

I asked my doctor for an MRI to which she replied ‘too much radiation’. ? Going to The Bone Clinic physio tomorrow I feel I need an X-ray on my thoracic area as well as an MRI.

I’m spending most of my time in and on the bed but afraid I’m losing muscle tone. I’ll look at the exercises on the ROS site. You are so lucky to have that in the UK I’m interested in the patches also but don’t want to do further damage if I can’t feel any pain. Does that make sense?

Do you take any bisphosphonates? I’m so afraid to as I am very sensitive to most drugs, even over the counter medications.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Jenny (from Australia) 🌸

[fraid]

Sorry to hear of your pain,it is so awful and exhausting.I have fractured T13,L 1-5, plus maybe another 2,decided more travel for xrays not worth pain,can’t do anything about them anyway.I’m afraid I still have major pain 18 months later- I presume from damage to nerves,arthritis settled in etc.I too was hoping it would all settle down,but hasn’t.I am crippled and can only stand/ walk few minutes at a time.I have Fentanyl patches,top up with Tramadol when needed.

All I can suggest is you do what you can early on to preempt it worsening.You need pain relief first,then as much advice as possible re how to work round it.

Hope you find help soon.X