Hi everyone, I have had 6 spinal compression fractures and now I'm finding it hard to deal with the downward pressure on my abdomen. It is so uncomfortable and I hate the feeling of my rib touching my hip. Is there any way to alleviate this.
Thank you
Hi Loper
I have 5 compression fractures and suffer with exactly the same thing with my abdomen, I look 6 months pregnant all the time and find it very uncomfortable especially with the bend back. Clothes are especially hard, in fact I came back yesterday after another unsuccessful shopping trip trying to find something to wear!
Take care
Hi
My condition is fairly recent so I haven't even ventured into the world of clothes but I agree my new shape is going to be difficult to clothe. I have a wedding to go to on New Year's Eve and I think that will be difficult.
I am going to start physio to try to strengthen my upper back. I spent about 3 months sleeping in a reclining chair but am now back in my bed. I am straighter first thing so my thought is that if I can regain some muscle I should be able to make some improvement. I'm probably deluded.
Best wishes
Yes it's horrible. I find if I lift my stomach up for a moment and rub between ribs and pelvis it alleviates some discomfort. I'm still on recliner 4 years later! Have refractured between shoulder blades and the pain is extreme esp. spasms, so am on Gabapentin which makes you hungry and put on weight mainly from fluid retention, so took diuretic for 5 days which helped my bloated tum go down so less pressure on ribs.😖
Re Xmas clothes, I am sofa bound so can't shop but have old favourites I wear- long black velvet skirt, long black polo neck, blue or goldy waistcoat which breaks up the silhouette, sparkly necklace, earrings( need new ones so on birthday list) loud lippy and I hope by then I'll be able to smile not grimace and groan! 😬
Whatever you wear hope you have a good Xmas and have got used to your new shape. 🤗🧑🎄
Thank you. I am beginning to accept the reality of my situation. I have yet to be offered any medication but am taking plenty of calcium, vit D, K2 and magnesium. I think the best I can hope for is no further breakage.
The wedding I am going to is an evening do, so I think long and velvety might be the way to go and added bling.
Take care.
Sorry, realised I said 'lift my stomach up' of course I meant push it down, duh! Or there wouldn't be a gap to massage. Are you not in pain, great if you're not, but if you are you need to get that sorted first. I also misread your clothes thing, thought you were talking about Xmas, duh! Bit off me 'ed on these meds. Maybe one of those skirts that fade from dark grey to lighter would be nicer, plus lots of tops now balloon out at the bottom so would hide your bump. 🤗
Fortunately I'm not in pain. I think 3 of the fractures must have happened in April last year when I was in agony. Dr was no help and advised paracetamol. The recent fractures happened in the last 6 months and I was in extreme pain again. Dr advised paracetamol and physio and when I said could it be osteoporosis, she said no because you haven't broken a bone! Might have avoided the latest fractures and I only discovered I had OP because a medical friend advised an MRI which I had privately.
Appalling doctor. If you haven’t complained already do so. I also have compressed vertebrae and find it’s worse after eating as more pushing up on the lungs. Really affects my breathing as I also have COPD. I’ve not come across a solution but what is important is to avoid further fractures. You need to get to a rheumatologist ASAP and get on one of the bone building drugs. E.g teraparatide. Good luck.
Yes, it is really praying on my mind, the fact that had this been 'caught' last year, I may not have had the 3 further fractures and the kyphosis. It's hard to think about at the moment because it just brings the tears back and I need to move forward. I was referred to the osteoporosis clinic in mid October and have been told I should get an appointment by the end of December and then hopefully on to a bone building drug.
Really sympathise as I have the same problem. I find when I'm sitting it's ok but when I walk I try to straighten up (back is bent) and raise my rib cage and then I end up really breathless. I have been doing exercises to help with the breathlessness and they have helped a little. I keep trying to find a way of walking and breathing which makes it more comfortable as I used to love walking but can't do much of it now.If there is any help anyone can suggest I would also love to know.
All the best
Julemark
Yes I keep reading about all the walking people are doing but I'm finding my back fatigues just pottering about. I'm hoping when I start physio, it will improve. I will pass on anything that helps.
Take care.
I see you have lots of replies here so don't know if this will help, but I find standing still or pottering (and especially in the kitchen and cooking for any time) are the very worst things for me and cause a lot of discomfort (3 vertabal fractures). However walking reasonably briskly seems to not cause me problems and I can walk happily for a good length of time - apologies if you've tried and this is painful for you. Hopefully your physio will be very helpful. I've been going to a brilliant physio every 6 weeks or so for a couple of years and she has helped me build up a programme of exercises which have helped enormously. Good luck and I hope you get some improvement very soon
Hi
I would love to be walking but at the moment I need a walking stick as I can't hold myself up and I find my back is very fatigued after just pottering around the kitchen. Are you able to walk without a walking stick? I'm looking forward to starting physio. I'd be interested to know what kind of exercises are in your programme.
I'm very fortunate that I can walk well with no problems and without any support but when my back problems started about 6 years ago I was in intense pain and spasming and had to pull myself out of bed on the bedpost. I tried a chiropractor first before I found I had fractured vertabrae (usual story of dismissive GP) and he couldn't do anything for me as I was in too much pain to lie flat on the couch. So things can get better! I have a bit of a stoop which I hope won't get worse and I'm working on, but am generally very active now. The exercises are very varied - some sitting, some standing and some lying down and mostly involving stretching, gentle rotating or bending to some degree but obviously very carefully and within my range and ability. Your physio would have to advise you according to what's right for you, but along with regular massages they have made a huge difference to me. I do wish you well and hope you regain your strength and mobility in time
Thank you, I am hoping that if I can strengthen my back and core, I may be able to hold myself upright and walk. I'd like to work on the stoop too!
Have you tried breathing in, hold it and breathe out through pursed lips in time with your walking? Fighting my agony atm I have found that it helps doing that and breathing out when I get up from sofa, coz that empties lungs so less pressure internally on spine, ribs. Walking with two canes also helps as one makes me list to starboard, Nordic walking seems to help some. Not an expert here as can only walk a few mins at a time, rest, repeat- like interval training slowly building up without causing further damage. Horsy so know more about training them than meself! Good luck. 🤗🧑🎄
I like the breathing idea, I will try that.
Yes I'm intending to try it also. It never seems so bad if I'm distracted by something else. I try occasionally to take one of our dogs for a short walk and it's better then maybe because I'm looking at them and not trying so hard to straighten up. Reading other postings on here I feel quite lucky that at least I'm not in continual pain and the meds so far have not caused side effects. I hate my new body shape and loss of height coupled with the ghastly folds of flesh from the concertining of the body. I've gone from a willowy 5 ft 7 to a breeze block 5 ft 1 and a half. Have found that blouson type tops are the best teamed with straight cut jeans or trousers. However still thankful that at nearly 80 I'm still around and am so much better off than lots of others xx
My worst fracture was a major wedge in T11 and I was in so much pain and it was hard to breathe with ribs pressing on my lung, that I ended up having spinal fusion surgery from T8 to L2. I had to take teriparatide for 6 months beforehand to build my bones to be strong enough for the surgery. It helped a lot,but I can't say the hump in my stomach is completely gone. My breathing is easier though.
With the compression of organs between all of the vertebrae, I had to go up 3 pants sizes to be somewhat comfortable in clothes.
I'm so sorry you're in the pain, etc. that you are. This disease stinks.
May I ask if the surgery allowed you to regain some height? My fractures are T9, T10 and T12, L1, L3 and L4. Yay for T11 and L2. I enquired about the cement treatment but the specialist said they only do that if there is severe ongoing pain which I don't have.
They thought they could use cement on me but apparently it was too risky because of the way the vertebrae are fractured, the cement could leak into the spinal cord, causing me problems than it solved! My fractures are nearly all in the same places as yours!!
I had kyphoplasty in T10 and T12. I had been in pain, but I'm not sure that was any part of the equation for kyphoplasty to be recommended. I believe it does need to be done within a certain timeframe of the fracture happening though. (I'm in the US, if that makes a difference)
I did gain some height back from 5'4" to 5'5 1/2" after the surgery. I was originally 5'9 1/2"!
In the UK there's not a timeframe, but not everyone's fractures are suitable for the use of bone cement. The consultant told me it heats up as it goes in, if the bones are very fragile, they can fracture further or what's worse leak into the spinal cord. They accessed my scans to see if it's help me but unfortunately my fractures are done in a way that makes it to dangerous to do.
As someone else has said this is an awful disease. Xx
Wow, thank you for sharing... probably why it wasn't mentioned for my wedge fracture that was 75% crushed.
Yes it's certainly an awful disease which has taken me totally by surprise. I'm trying to arm my daughters with all the information I am finding out albeit too late for me. When I heard about kyphoplasty I was very encouraged partly because I'm embarrassed to have this stoop. I think it has aged me about 15 years, my 94 year old Dad is fitter than me!
Reading back over your posts, it would be good for you to see a bone specialist or endocrinologist, someone who is knowledgeable about osteoporosis, and can do testing accordingly. I think most of us with osteoporosis do fracture instead of breaking bones, so that was incorrect information from your doctor.
Your osteoporosis could even be linked to a different type of medical issue, so that would need to be sorted out. If that is the case, you could end up not having osteoporosis. (Others on here can tell you more about that....I know one such issue could be with your parathyroid, which has nothing to do with your thyroid)
I hadn't heard of the parathyroid and I'm going to ask for a blood test. I suspect I don't absorb well because I have ulcerative colitis which may be part of the issue.
Not trying to nitpick Becky but fracture and broken bones are the same thing!!I tend to say I've broken my back, but it's fractured vertebrae in medical speak🙃
Oh, I agree! And you can have osteoporosis without having either!
Hi Lopera,
As you’ll see from the responses on here it’s a problem many of us have. I have both lumber compression and thoracic wedge fractures which have curved and reduced my spine by 4 inches and experience the same rib and pelvis compression you mention. I have found that floor Pilates helps to stretch out my back and chest and gives relief for a while. I’m sure if I did the exercises everyday there would be even more benefit. Walking definitely helps with mental health. I use two hiking poles and try to get a good rhythm walking as upright as I can, rather than leaning on a walking stick. As for clothing - I find weightier fabric that hangs away from the body helps to hide the tummy bulge.
It’s a huge adjustment that we’ve all had to make, but try to keep positive and keep doing the things you enjoy.
Hi ladies, I’m so sorry you all are going through this. I was just wondering, were any of you on any kind of bone medication before this happened? It seems to me that most of you were not treated early on for osteoporosis?
Hi, In my case I have 3 fractures which happened around last April. I was in a lot of pain but the doctor said it was musculo skeletal and recommended analgesics and physio. Eventually the pain went away and I was non the wiser. This year, again I was in extreme pain and had the same response from the Dr. It was only because a friend persuaded me to have an MRI (which the Dr did not deem necessary) that I discovered the fractures including 3 new ones. I'm still not on any medication as I have yet to receive an appointment at the osteoporosis clinic. If it had been picked up last year, I would be in a better position now. You would think that back pain in a lady of 'mature years' would be a red flag.
That is terrible that your doctor didn’t automatically check you for osteoporosis. Although you should have had a routine bone scan early on. It’s a terrible disease and I feel so bad for you. I had a bone scan at 64 and my scores were really bad. I’ve been on two different bone drugs since and my bones have improved and so far no fractures. My understanding is I will have to take these different drugs for life and they have scary side effects, but we, as women, don’t seem to have any great options.
I was similarly dismissed by GPs and physiotherapists and a doctor in A&E despite being in excruciating pain, on long term steroids and post-menopause. The physios were thrown partly because my DEXA scan 6 years ago and 2 years ago were perfectly OK and still is in one on my hip after the fractures (they can't DEXA the spine now it's fractured as it wouldn't give an accurate reading, just the hip. I pleaded for x-rays for 9 months and kept being told I didn't need them, it was just muscular. Luckily eventually my rheumatolgist took pity on me and did x-rays where they found 4 fractures and a kyphosis (sounds like the title of a film doesn't it). I wasn't on any bone protection because my DEXAs were fine over the years. I'm putting in official complaints in the hope that 'lessons will be learned' but I doubt it as the ROS nurses Helpline say they hear similar stories so often
It sounds as if you've really been through the mill!! You poor soul.Interestingly enough, my DEXA scans aren't at all bad, if they went just by the scan they would say I've not got osteoporosis, but my bones say otherwise!!
The last three I broke in May, recent scans show they've made no attempt to heal, the area is surrounded with fluid build-up.
Fortunately I've an experienced consultant who is very helpful, but tbh, there's not much they can do for us.
That's where theROS need support, to find a cure and other effective drugs.
I hope you get somewhere with you case, it's neglect.xx
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I actually got a GP appointment, instigated by my rheumatologist, but the GP was no help. I want to get to the root of why I'm still in so much pain 18 months after spinal fractures and she just offered these pain patches which I think are some kind of morphine, I'm too scared to try them. Meanwhile as I was being ushered out even though I was protesting my stomach was protruding and felt lumpy and strange etc she eventually examined me and thinks there might be a hernia there and is sending me for an ultrasound. But not an ultrasound to see if I have bursitis as she obviously has a crystal ball that can see through skin and tells me it isn't that. I am going round in circles because the last physiotherapist said he thought I had bursitis (but missed the fractures, like the first physioterapist). I'm going round in circles. I spoke to the lovely nurses on the Helpline at ROS but they couldn't really help, said what I'm going through is very common. Some people get better, some don't. So I'm working my way through the guidance on life post fractures. I'll try acupuncture in the new year and invest in a sturdier rollator (currently using a 3-wheeler which is portable but keeps getting stuck on cobbles etc).
I'm in a similar situation, I had 5 spinal fractures nearly 18 months ago now but my abdomen really hurts especially when lying down and the pain often wakes me up in the night, presumably when I'm turning over. So I finally got a GP appointment to see if they could help. The doc didn't say much just that it happens with spinal fractures (which other GPs and ANPs missed telling me it was muscular, but that's another story). She prescribed some strong opiate pain patches which I haven't tried yet. She didn't seem at all interested in my stomach until I said I was worried it was protruding when I sit up, and how could I be sure there wasn't something else going on? suddenly her face changed and she actually examined me and said I might have a hernia, she's sending me for an ultrasound. So I've learned a new tactic, to say please reassure me nothing is wrong. I got the idea from someone I know who thought something was wrong and said 'I am not leaving here until you categorically assure me I haven't got 'X'. They then did some tests and she was right, she had got it.
Well done for persisting. You have to be proactive and firm which is not really in my nature but I am learning fast. I will keep that phrase in mind if I think I’m being fobbed off.
Hi, agree with everything you say. I live on farm and was moving some bales and then was in excruciating pain unfortunately as lockdown hit so didnt see a doctor for 6months and only spoke to one after the pain was still there after 5 months and husband paid for private mri and it was revealed 5 luimber fractures and 1 at I think T12 two were still healing. At one point had muscle spasms so bad I was stuck in bed and couldnt move. Was in agony. Fortunately pain pretty much gone unless I stumble and shock my back. But have fat tummy and at end of day feel quite stooped. No help from doctors apart from usual tablets and with this budget any help is only going to diminish. Still onwards and upwards, could be worse!!!!!
Hi Lopera ,
Just dropping by to wish you a very warm welcome to our community 
Thank you for sharing here. It's great to see the ideas and support being shared on the thread. We just wanted to let you know that we have some information that might feel relevant to what you have mentioned about compression of your abdomen:
clothing, body image and osteoporosis : strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...
daily living after fractures: strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...
We really hope you can continue to connect with others here as it can make such a difference not to feel alone with it
Wishing you all the best,
Lulu
ROS Moderator
Compression fracture - old or new?
life after multiple compression fractures
L1 vertebral compression fracture 
mild to moderate wedge compression fracture of t12 no other fracture demonstrated 
