Hi Robin, I understand all your going through because this has been my year too. In fact it began in October 2023, here we are November 24. I'm similarly affected every day. We are not alone as the forum is filled with others who have similar stories. I'm increasingly annoyed at a health service that didn't anticipate this was happening to me. I feel menopausal women should be warned and identified as likely osteoporosis sufferers. If I knew 15 years ago what might be ahead of me, I may have altered diet and lifestyle accordingly. As I lie in bed tonight with heat pads and hot water bottles, I think this is my life now forever more. Trying to find some xmas spirit....! Tomorrow should be a better day..
Hi Robin, I first fractured L2 and L4 and it was the worse pain ever when it happened. Then L3, but, after 18 months or so, these healed and I could walk again, go 20 times up and down the stairs etc. Then in between, I fractured upper back, T10 and 12, these were not so painful, just like unbearable muscle ache and had to keep sitting down. Then, finally , L1, that one was just at the beginning of the pandemic and I couldnt do anything much, started sleeping in a recliner chair (stops the twisting getting out of bed), here I have stayed! I still dont like going up the stairs so avoid that.
Things have changed, but I have got much better than I was. I can walk further without pain and do a little housework. I can get in and out of the car without being in agony. It has taken 3 to 4 years, but it has improved. I cannot tolerate much in painkillers and did not find they worked for my back, nor did all the ointments. My biggest go to is ice! Most people wont go there they want heat (heat doesnt help me much but ice does, for nearly an hour on the back it doesnt just take away the pain but it keeps it away after the ice comes off. I have 3 of those gel belts from Amazon and they are in the fridge. My L1 fracture caused some muscle problems on the left side and I get massage for that as it will keep knotting. I use a small heated blanket now and again as a comfort thing, but it doesnt do as much for me. Hope this helps.
Dear Robin, so sorry that you are in so much pain. Yes, compression fractures in the spine are really awful and very painful. I have a compression fracture at T8, flattened end plate at T12 and partial fractures at L1 and L3. My life has changed too and I have had to get a lady who comes to clean the house once a week, especially since my husband had two slight strokes. I hope you can get some help from your local surgery with painkillers and hopefully referral to physiotherapy services. Sometimes you have to push hard for these things when they are not routinely offered. I too wish that there was more information as women go through the menopause in relation to possible osteoporosis……much more education is needed. It came as a bolt from the blue for me when I fell and fractured my hip at age 73. Up until then I thought I was very fit, apart from having severe diverticulosis. Good luck to you Robin. I send you warm thoughts good wishes.
Hello Robin, I can sympathise with you, the pain is awful and becomes very wearing. I broke 3 vertebrae and dislocated my coccyx back just before Covid hit and had just begun to feel a bit more normal and do more when in May I fractured T 8, T9 and re crunched T 12
X-rays showed no healing and lots of fluid, so I've recently had MRI STEM scan which also shows that it's still making no effort to heal. The surgeon has hoped they could use bone cement but the way it's fractured they can't do it.
Fortunately I can take strong painkillers, I can't imagine what it's like just with paracetamol!!
I have Oxycodone which is slow release morphine, Duloxetine, which was a game changer for awful shooting pains down the front of my left leg.
Also Naproxen which means I have to take Omiprazole, sorry about spelling!! Haven't a clue if it's right or not😅
I've had several steroid injections for my previous fractures which had blunted the pain somewhat.
Is that something that you could try?
I'm having more injections next week but they're different to what I've had before, it's the only thing that they've got to offer for extra help so although they're horrid too have it's worth a try.
Have you been seen at the pain clinic?
They're really helpful and may be able to come up with something else to help your pain, the waiting lists vary but once you're under them they look after you very well.
I also loved to garden, I can't walk far, I've had to get a gardener, cleaner and someone to do the ironing.
I've just put in a claim for attendance allowance, it'll be interesting to see if I get it.
I also love crafts but have had to shut my Etsy shop, as you say, I just sit/lie and do naff all!!🤷
Also it's having a bad effect on my husband, we got married young and have done everything together all our lives and suddenly it changed and he's having to do loads of things for me, I've always been a stay at home mum/ housewife/gran.
He gets stressed seeing me in pain.
Just to add into the mix his 90 year old mum lives with us, she's fitter than me now other than her eyesight!!
Do you have regular contact with your doctor?
I've found that by keeping in touch with mine has helped because if you don't let them know you're still in pain, if they've not seen or heard from you they think you're better.
Please keep in touch, would it ok to pray for you?
I wouldn't get through each day if I didn't, it helps tremendously
Sympathies from a fellow sufferer, I do feel for you all for I feel the same! I fractured 8, inc.T12 through L 5 , so my lower back shot- right now I would like to shoot meself! Took months to get them to xray my back, kept saying was my kidney stone and op, why don't they listen?? 😡I didn't bother going for xrays above T12 as can't travel atall, would do more damage and only end up with same meds as can't cement. My scaffolding is well and truly broken, affecting all parts inc now refractured between shoulder blades, worst ever pain as every movement of arms etc screams, spasms in whole back again, had been improving but did too much so back to square one, idiot. 🤪
I am a restless soul and a verb so hard stay still, lived on recliner 4 years ( now in dip as old and worn, me and two sofas too, have to keep change sides, again today as left ribs agony). I too used to be so active, rode my 2 horses before work, competed etc. now I grit my teeth against the pain, swallow pills, watch tv and write when I can move my arms enough. ☹️
Right now I am on Fentanyl patches 25 mcg, Gabapentin 3 x day, Tramadol and Nurofen, Ibuleve swapped heat for icepax again, feel like it's never going to end. Do nag your doc for better pain meds, try control your pain, it's so exhausting, wearing, depressing and annoying we are expected to put up with it. I am scared to move as cannot bear the startling agony, but have to go to loo as on diuretics atm! Self medicating, think might up Gabapentin as my tel apt from doc pharmacist cancelled today, she's ill, probably can't bear the thought of it all , me neither.🤨
My X, osteopath, still lives here , is actually helping me a bit finally, between work and his Gfiend, usually leaves me to it doesn't want to know. Physios made me worse so ask him but little anyone can do really, too far gone just have to wait to heal and hope nothing else falls down. If I see me head rolling along the floor I know I've had it, but right now I'm planning for Xmas, even if my X and friend has to do it all while my itchy hands want to help. Hope you can get pain relief, try anything, something may work, things will heal and get better, be patient, distract yourself and cross your fingers if you can. Bestest wishes. 🤗
Sorry your in pain and have been for some time, something that becomes very wearing and impacts on everything.
After continued pain issues after 8 spinal fractures I was referred to the local hospital pain clinic, long waiting list, I got an appointment eventually. Even my GP was a little shocked at what can only be described as a waste of everyones time but you might have better luck? It was the Consultant Rheumatologist who eventually sorted me out, clearly having a better overview of the situation. I like you have allergy and have food intolerances this includes oral medication but I am able to tolerate Butec 10 micrograms/hour transdermal patches, changed weekly. These are a synthetic opioids, I can’t take morphine these are slightly different. Unsure if any help to you?
Once pain was more managed I started to be able to do more, go on short car rides, sit and stand with only minor /tolerable pain and do some physio which in turn has made me stronger and more able.
There is something online called pain-toolkits which is a bit up jumped baby bunny but sometimes every little helps even if it’s knowing you are doing all you can already!
Other things that helped me Tens machine helped with the pain especially car rides; it didn’t get rid of the pain but for me help to make it more manageable. I eventually got a new mattress to suit me, I have found I can only sleep at a 30-45 degree position but I also sleep on a heat pad, I start off with it, it turns itself off after about an hour and a half and when I wake for a move and reposition if needed I turn it on again. I even have other heat pads on cushioned chairs in different rooms of the house; cold just doesn’t suit my back! Physio recommended a spinal brace, which made a big difference in being able to stay upright, I can’t walk far, about 40 meters but manage this with the aid of crutches and stops. I also have a wheelchair and a mobility scooter (all second hand). I am very luck I have a family member who is an OT and a husband who can make things so now have rails up any stairs and loads of aids to help me. Most local authorities have an OT type of advice / go to/ home Service that can advise on helpful equipment and load it for you to try before buying. It might be you need a referral from you GP?
Have I gone on too much? Sorry if I have everyone’s spinal damage after fractures is very differs how they heal etc. I did fracture a number at one go and of course not everyone needs braces, crutches and wheelchairs! But understand where you are coming from I too was very active, I could run two miles with ease, walked and cycled, loved swimming, gardening etc. I went to yoga and had just started a dance class when all this happened, it does take some time to get used to the new life. It's hard but with time and good pain management things improved. This site has helped me greatly, there are so many people who have great tips.
I hope you are able to find some ideas and thoughts from others to help.
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