My osteoporosis story so far

[SoupyBDS]

I have suffered an aching back and been stooped over for years, but didn't know the cause. It wasn't until April 2024 that I suddenly suffered extreme pain in my lower back, which went on for months and is still extremely severe. I had trouble getting my GP to take me seriously for months and it was my physiotherapist who called in the MCAT team to help me. They ordered X-rays and this revealed four fractures of the vertebrae in my lumbar region. Finally, my GP took me seriously and issued bone strengthening tablets and mild painkillers which were nowhere near strong enough. I was sent for an MRI, but couldn't lie flat on a hard bench for 40 minutes, so they couldn't do it. Waiting to see if GP can get me a sitting MRI, but may have to pay privately. I am wondering if that operation to inject strengthener into the bones will be worth considering. I have always eaten very healthily, never smoked, yet still have very bad osteoporosis, which my GP tells me is genetic. My older sister is even more badly affected than I am and I worry so much for my daughter.

[Met00]

Sorry that your GP took so long to take you seriously. Has he now done blood tests to look for the underlying cause of your osteoporosis? He shouldn't just dismiss it as genetic, as the genetic link may be another, treatable but as yet undiagnosed health condition. You should have had blood tests for Vitamin D, calcium and parathyroid (all in the same blood draw), thyroid, coeliac and a full blood count. If you haven't had all these, I would recommend you go back to your GP and ask for them.

[SoupyBDS in reply to Met00]

Thank you for your answer. GP has now had extensive blood, urine and stool samples carried out. The pity of it is that it took so long to be taken seriously, that I had something wrong with me. I had not visited the GP for years, so obviously I am not a doctor botherer and should have been listened to. I urge anyone with worrying symptoms to insist their doctor listens to them.

[Met00 in reply to SoupyBDS]

When you get the results, make sure there's one for parathyroid (not the same as thyroid).

[Samosalover]

I had vertiproplasty done in 3 vertebrae earlier this year where they inserted 2 minuscule “jacks” in each one to expand them back to their original height and then pumped some sort of “ciment” into the void which set in a short while. It was minimally invasive and improved my wellbeing a lot. Unfortunately I have 5 other compression fractures in the “Ls”, but it was too late to treat those.

[Missus835]

I had two fractures vertebroplastied last September. What happened was the vertebrae on either side if the L1, L2 (the plastied ones) fractured as they are weaker. Since then I have sustained 8 more fractures, despite having had a Zoledronic Acid infusion last October. I now have an Osteoporosis Specialist who says "no more vertebroplasties", but my thought is now that all the L vertebrae are pretty much caput, maybe a vertebroplasty might help with the excrutiating pain of spasming back muscles. My heart goes out to you. 🫂

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi SoupyBDS ,

Welcome to our community, thank you for joining us here Living with pain can be so exhausting, so we really hope this space allows you to share with others and not feel alone in the journey. Just wanted to drop by to share that we have some information about managing pain: theros.org.uk/information-a...

and information about vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty that you may find helpful : strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...

Wishing you the very best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator