I am a new subscriber and hope to garner some information from people who are living with osteoporosis.
I am 67 and a few days ago got a call from my doctor telling me the X-ray of my spine has revealed I am suffering from a fracture probably caused by osteoporosis
He said he will organise a further X-ray or scan to measure the bone density and take it from there.
to say I am absolutely terrified is an understatement. I briefly went on line and all that hit me was 5 to 10 years life expectancy.
I don’t know anything about this disease indeed I suffer from health anxiety already so a headache is a brain tumour lol But my fear is very real.
I do not know what to eat , what to use for pain relief, exercise, dos and donts he told me nothing and I’m afraid to google it
ide love to hear from real people who have experienced this , who live with this and how I can help myself either slow it down if possible.
thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my post and I really hope you might send me some feedback.
Much appreciated and I apologise for being such a whimp
Hugs from me
Fetlock …😍
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Fetlock
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Hello Fetlock. Welcome to the healthunlocked community, and hopefully we can allay some of your fears. It's certainly a shock to be diagnosed with osteoporosis, and I imagine all of us have felt what you're feeling, to a greater or lesser extent. First of all, though, I'd like to reassure you that osteoporosis doesn't reduce life expectancy! The only time it can sometimes be a cause of death is when complications follow a hip fracture. But most people recover from hip fractures, and those who don't are for the most part very elderly people, who are already needing some degree of care support and are likely to have limited mobility and other health issues before the fracture occurs. For the rest of us, fractures of course can cause a lot of pain and sometimes can lead to issues with posture and mobility, but they don't normally kill us! Also, fractures are not inevitable with osteoporosis. The risk is higher if you've already had one fracture, but treatment of underlying causes can often reduce fracture risk. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago, have remained fracture free, and have also managed to maintain my bone density for the last few years through exercise, diet and a number of supplements, all without taking an osteoporosis medication.
Has your doctor run blood tests to look for an underlying cause for your reduced bone strength? You need to have tests for vitamin D, calcium and parathyroid (all from the same blood draw), thyroid, coeliac and a full blood count. If any issues are found, these can be treated to help strengthen your bones.. If you're offered medication, it's usually Alendronic Acid to start with. This reduces fracture risk by up to 50%, so it will depend what your risk is (you should be told after your DEXA scan), how much difference medication might make. There's a good patient decision aid here: nice.org.uk/guidance/ta464/...
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has lots of useful information, including a lot of exercises, with advice on what's appropriate, depending on whether or not you've fractured: theros.org.uk. They also have a specialist nurse telephone and email helpline, which many people find very helpful and reassuring.
Oh my , i am so bowled over at your care so many of you fantastic members have taken valuable time to write to me with numerous words of comfort and indeed wisdom , i cant believe how lovely you all are indeed its rather humbling after me, a nobody and not known personally to any of you…..im over the moon and and truly touched by your kindness,.
Starting with my fracture T9 i think , last year i took a very bad fall when balustrades i was sitting on collapsed and i fell about 20 feet landing on decor boulders in the garden bed below with the granite balustrades falling on top of me .
To say i was winded is putting it mildly but amazingly i was able to walk away. Bruised badly but able to walk I didn’t think i should bother the doctor or hospital, so basically used hot showers baths and lotions plus strong painkillers . I carried on working but less manual work that i found difficult.
Around Christmas i was still suffering i asked my doctor to send me for an X-ray, he refused but sent me to see the in house physiotherapist. He was an absolute marvel….its not bone but sore muscle do these three exercises daily …….said he 🥺🤷♀️. the exercise he recommended were ridiculous and frankly a waste of time . i did more just walking up the stairs .
Not improving or only slight improvement i once again went to the surgery and demanded i had an X-ray
The doctor phoned me few days ago telling me i have a fracture and two squished discs. He will be organising a further X-ray or scan after which can start me on medication to slow down the progress of osteoporosis, i wasn't to bend twist or lift 🤷♀️. rather difficult
i take dyhycodine 3 times a day take hot baths, showers and use a heat pad . and i think the fracture happened when i took the fall on to the stone boulders which are not smooth.
they did takes bloods and told me i do not have bone cancer but im not sure what else they have tested me for , thats something i shall be asking now you have spoken about that.
i cannot thank you enough for your mail and shall indeed be looking into diet and exercise
using the web sites you recommend
your story gives me immense hope that you have been able to do so well with diet and exercise. I too have today bought various supplements and continue to take these ….i will rattle when i walk lol 😀
Once again Met00 a huge thank you
Stay well and hopefully i will become as positive and brave as you . I will now resume my daily walks with my two labs who are putting on the pounds after reducing their exercise to a minimum
Then you can see where you are in the ranges for D3 for example, which might aid your decision on how much to supplement.
You can see exactly what has been tested and ruled in or out.
You can show yr photo of the x ray to yr physio.
You can begin to build yr own records - it's not like GPs have time to go through anyone's full records before they see them. And In my son's case a clinic lost or destroyed his complete file. You can probably access your recent file online if you ask, but I find a paper print out of results easier to work on.
It is a very good idea to keep a copy of blood tests as you can compare the results and look up what you have had tested.GP surgeries can print them off and they can also be seen on the NHS App
HiMet00I have just read your reply tor Fetlock. I also have been told I have osteoporosis-4 in my spine. Was put on alendronic acid for a while then had a appointment with the osteoporosis specialist. Was informed I wld need to start taking the eventy injection once a mnth. After reading up on it decided not to start it and stopped my alendronic acid also. Not had anything from September last year and feel good. Obviously being careful not to fracture. I have started taking supplements also and go to yoga twice a week. Can I ask what supplements you take as its always good to compare.
Interesting....I have -4 in spine also but my NHS consultant suggested an annual Zoledronic infusion which I have decided to go for. I have a good dentist and currently stable teeth who I discussed this with. He said if I needed any dental work he would patch me up and do anything more major in month 10 to 12 in the cycle. The risk seems small for the nasty jaw issue and I am more scared of fractures...I currently take weekly Bonesto which is sooooo much easier on me that the Alendronic acid weekly and daily that I was first given by the GP. I think it might be more expensive! My Rheumatologist suggested it, the GP can order it but was not familiar with it, she kindly said she would recommend to others habing heard it was easier to take. However the NHS consultant felt the infusion would be even more stable.
I am on a course of reducing steriods for PMR so this is what had added into getting such a poor Dexa scan. Wish I had had one at 50 years old, so I had a base line. They are relatively cheap and could save so many people this stress, l wrote to my MP as why give one after the horse has bolted.. I believe we all need one at 50..
I am lucky, I like calcium rich foods and am having fun trying out recipes to encorporate them. So far no fractures so trying exercise , walking and the 50 jumps suggested on the Osteoporosis site, dancing round the kitchen suggested by physio! Plus he suggested 2 x1 kg weights to lift every time I make a cup of tea.. I am trying to get the GP referral to the sports centre which they have agreed, saves 50 % and 3 months free. Back to Health scheme. I now put the timer on for the computer as still working but make sure I keep getting up and down. I have got back on the tandem bike but it's taken a couple of months of speaking to Health professionals who basically think it's very good unless I fall off but they seem to want me to continue. My physio says he sees more people with issues from lifting something without being squared up to it ( do not twist and lift even if light) than people lifting square on, where something is heavier and you prepare yourself bending knees etc.
Pills. Take 20mg of vitamin D as steriods stip it out, my level was bottom end of okay. I take 2 mixed bone heath tablets which have things like K2 and a small dose of calcium. K2 (seems to be the thing to stop the calcium going to the wrong place like arteries ) plus minerals. The dose is 4 a day but I am trying to do things via food which is easier with a calcium calculator.. and trying for 1200mg a day.
Eating Waitrose Essential California tinned prunes 1/2 a tin a day, keep almonds / hazelnuts in the car and handbag as a snack. Kefir for breakfast with 4grams of Maca powder ( tastes like caramel ..yum) plus chai seeds and other mixed seeds . Buying expensive butter beans and chickpeas in a large jar, who knew they were so nice and creamy! Saves on the meat content so not really that expensive. I thought chickpeas were bullets till I tried then them . I love sardines in olive oil on dry toast for a quick lunch. Avocado and scrambled egg etc, for weekend brunch...
Good luck it's a bit of a journey, this site is good as I have adjusted my thinking reading others thoughts here.
Take a big deep breath and try not too worry too much. I read everything I could and got more help online than from any direct nhs source. Thr Royal osteoporosis society is your best resource. Clear explanations and very good leaflets and videos and a helpline staffed with people who understand and are very reassuring. As met00 says, osteoporosis does not reduce life expectancy, it's a condition you live with, and can alter lifestyle and diet to mitigate many of the risks. It's a lot to take in, but the people within this forum will offer much reassurance and direct you to information and give tips that may help you with your symptoms. I owe my sanity to this forum 🙂
lol great user name …i cannot as i have already texted Met00 thank you all enough , take a deep breath was and is the perfect advice to give someone like me for sure ….headache is a brain tumour 🙈
I do not know why i suffer from health anxiety apart from watching my mother die a long drawn out death when i was 12yrs …. but hey that a trillion years ago
however, i have read all the replies and frankly rather blown away and humbled that you kind members have taken valuable time out of your days to contact me with any amount of encouraging words.
i agree about the NHS i have had zero information from my doctor and basically told me to take the painkillers and try not to twist, bend or lift anything……..which would appear to be the wrong advise . he did say i could get 5 to 10 years and i should google for more info. just my ;luck the first web site that came up in my search did indeed say 5 to 10 years life expectancy.
i will indeed contact the Royal osteoporosis society and gather as much info as I can
i will keep you all updated with my progress., and i can already say without the wonderful replies ive had from you all i think ide of lost my sanity these last few days
please keep well and i look forward to resuming walking my labs in the sunny Scottish weather lol 😝
Hi Grace ….hope thats okay shortening your user name …. Haven’t got a clue about the fracture, ive never had a back x ray before so yes there is a chance its old , however also showed up 2 squished vertebrae .
I can honestly say i love the cold weather i stay out of the sun at all costs , which i know is not good..when on university gap year i lived in Italy and oh boy couldn’t wait to get back to England ,
i do go out in all weather as i love my garden although too big for me to manage these days and after weeding i pay with chronic back pain, thats nothing new its bothered me for years….I actually had a pool built in the garden for the dogs to keep cool and reduce the grass cutting , big mistake takes too much up keep, but i love using it myself , not to swim more wade about and play ball with them …..yes i know stupid thing to have done up here in not so sunny Scotland 🙈
yes when i landed the very first thing that came to mind was could i move , it was indeed a very bad fall. lesson never trust balustrades ….i was beyond thankful that i could walk and counted my blessings …what a lucky escape . but as to the fracture i honestly dont know …certainly my back was purple and green for months and painfull to touch .
i, as mentioned , suffer from almost debilitating health anxiety, i think it was referred to as hypochondria some years ago. But doesn’t apply to when I cut myself come out of the bushes scraped and torn, it tends to bother if I am feeling unwell, then I conjure up all sorts of ailments. I may be suffering..
I live alone and have no close relatives nearby. My sons are both married and live miles away plus they are both the least sympathetic of people I have met basically telling me to stop going online and pull myself together.. I think they forget I am no longer a young person.
many years ago I felt so ill on a daily basis. I went to the doctors for the first time in many many years. She was did numerous tests.. I didn’t let the pain or the weakness I felt stop me, in fact I couldn’t, being self-employed didn’t allow me to take time off work. After months of tests up short was I was told I was suffering from fibromyalgia or ME.
you have probably heard of this and back in the day they called it the yuppie disease i.e. for those wanting to avoid working LOL. Well, it didn’t stop me working and never has if I needed pain management I took it knowing if I didn’t get out of bed and go to others would go hungry including myself my boys kept me motivated.
I have found this site remarkably comforting cannot get my head around how many lovely people there are on here offering help information and advice to a total stranger I am forever humbled and grateful
I do not know how long it will be before I have the told me he has requested that for, in the meantime, I will take the advices given on this site from you all as much as I can from the ROS website and follow healthy eating and exercise until I know more.
I have ordered osteo care started to take magnesium and vitamin D in the hope that they may do some good.
can I ask is everyone on here from the UK or is this an international forum?…..
once again, thank you so much for your encouragement and positive .
I haven’t asked how you are, and how you cope with osteoporosis. Has it been life changing for you?
Hi Grace, well after all the good information I have received from you guys , i will now admit it is clearly better to know what’s happening rather than hide from it…..👍
Hi Fetlock, I totally understand your fears, I fractured 2 vertebrae last August, it was extremely painful and came out of nowhere. At age 65, I was feeling healthier than I had for years, having taken early retirement, and going to the gym regularly for the previous 2 years.I'm not sure what gave you the impression of 5-10 years survival, I hadn't seen that anywhere, and as like you my doctor (as many do), just gave me alendronic acid and Adcal, told to exercise and healthy diet, see me again in 3-5 years.
It has taken me 6 months to come to terms with it both physically and mentally. What I would say is read as much as you can on this forum, also use the ROS website, see if there is a support group in your area or even join one of the online ones out of area if there's non near you, (Ros again).
Once you have results of your DEXA scan be prepared to make your own informed decisions on what you feel is the best way forward.
If you let this forum know what area you live in, I'm sure they'll be somebody on here could tell you what NHS resources are like, eg I live in Trafford Manchester, there are no Fracture clinics for osteoporosis here, but just 5 miles away in Salford and another in Stockport resources are much better.
A huge thank you for taking your valuable time to share your experience and knowledge with me a total stranger , the kindness on this forum is outstanding .
I too have always been reasonably healthy , last year i worked on scaffolding 3 stories up removing the white stucco from my home and replacing it after drilling out anything loose ….its now sitting pristine hahaha
However, whilst i was sitting on some balustrades that surround the terrace they collapsed sending me plummeting around 20 feet landing on my spine on to huge boulders used for garden decoration
At the time i was badly winded and torn to shreds from rose bushes , i was amazed when i was able to walk . Thinking i was just deeply bruised I didn’t go to the doctor or A&E . This happened last Autumn, the doctor did given me strong pain killers but not feeling 100% i recently asked to be sent for an X-ray after being refused previously. The doctor did given called me last week to tell me the scary news . He told me to keep up with the painkillers do not bend ,twist or lift….not easy Oh and go on line where i would get more info. And in the meantime he will request a DEXA scan after which he can administer appropriate meds.
That was where i saw the 5-10 yr life expectancy , it was the first website at the top of the page . After reading that i closed the lap top and basically cried the whole night through.
I called my daughter in law who lives in Bramhall Stockport as she is a chiropractor who was unfortunately going into labour so it wasnt the best of timing . I live in Scotland Ayrshire but have no idea if there is a local support group…this is something i shall definitely look into👍
i will also try to read as many leaflets etc as possible to help me physically and mentally
once again i cannot thank you enough for your kindness i hope we can keep in touch and hopefully i will one day be strong enough to offer some tips on how better to live with this disease.
Fetlock, so sorry to hear that you had to wait so long for diagnosis, however it could be the fall that has caused the damage and not osteoporosis at all, it would be difficult to tell from an x-ray as far as I know, only the Dexa scan will give that answer. However on the bright side, I do believe Scotland has a pretty good network of fracture clinics, I'd definitely check out the ROD website, they have a list of support groups there. Good luck x
X rays do reveal compression fractures, and if u have compression fracture u have osteoporosis regardless of the Dexa results. It wld be helpful for u to know if they are mild, moderate or acute. and where they are.
You are a person who likes to be busy and v hands on active, (me too) but it will be useful to you to know if you need to protect your spine more and how to do it.
Understandable that you catastrophise given yr childhood, totally get it, and this is a big discovery but turn it to good.
Yes my doctor didn’t feel it was necessary to send me for an X-ray as the fall had been some months back, the in house physio is a waste of time , nice guy , but seriously told me to lift my knees several times a day, i do more than that walking up the stairs🤷♀️. yes i too was thinking the same re the fracture , so i am hoping im not badly effected and its been caught early so new life style and meds supps etc will indeed help me .
how are you coping , do you have to limit any activities and do you recomend any supps, im told many are full of fillers so be careful what i buy
yes i do intend to join the ROD website and find all the positive info i can …it will be mind over matter and stop me worrying and hopefully get back to a full life
i dont know how long i will wait for the dexa scan but will push my doctor where i can although its maybe out of his hands knowing the NHS has long waiting lists. If i need to pay for one i will as i dont want this left untreated indefinitely
well up here its blowing a gale and drizzling rain so the perfect weather to take the girls out for a sunday walk lol
once again i cannot thank you all for your e mails, the difference they have made is undeniable and given me much food for thought that’s positive rather than the negative spin i was suffering from
I am definitely slower than I used to be, I do find my back aches, but my disc got trapped in the fracture. I've started taking tumeric with vitamin D, I was prescribed Alendronic acid, but after researching it I've stopped taking it, only my worst fracture had a Dexa score -2.5 so going to try exercise and diet for the time being. My physio at the Dr was useless, just 6 weeks after fractures told me to do planks to strengthen my back! Said he'd send further exercises via email, but after 3 reminders to Dr, still didn't get anything through.
lol sounds like you use the same doctor surgery 🙈. i will look into the turmeric i have seen it has many benefits on you tube . I definitely need to diet i eat at the wrong times and love different breads …..something i must reduce or cut out … i am going to look into a class for my age doing Pilates or buy a book and do it at home , i have every intention of loosing the weight i have put on ….im now fully into a 14 2 sizes above what i should be for 5’7
lol might be shorter these days 🤷♀️
i have become quite lazy and need to get back into a routine , recently i have been in limbo waiting to sell and buy a smaller place and that has played heavy on my mind
God willing it shall sell soon and i can really pull myself back up even with this dreadful back pain
did you find the exercise helped your back and would you recomend hot and cold therapy or deep heat etc
do you still have a full life even though at a slower pace
Yes definitely full life, just returned from a holiday to Iceland, though did take extra care on the icy bits 😆. I do find exercise helpful in the longer term, though sometimes it aches while I'm doing it, but don't wake up as stiff in the morning. Not tried hot/cold therapy. xx
It’s not nice to discover you have osteoporosis but there are loads of people out there with osteoporosis who are carrying on and living a very good life.
Read all you can about it, make sure you are eating foods that will help your body, get lots of weight bearing exercise avoid junk food and fizzy drinks and if you smoke then stop.
Use the ROS website for reliable information on everything to do with osteoporosis - from exercise to diet to drugs and how they work plus you can email or phone and speak to someone. theros.org.uk
I also really like this lady she is a physiotherapist who has an interest in osteoporosis and she has a calm sensible approach to life with osteoporosis melioguide.com/health-guides/
I walk for about an hour every day - sometimes with Nordic walking poles and I do two one hour Pilates classes every week with a teacher who is a physiotherapist and who has a special interest in patients with osteoporosis. We do a lot of work on balance and stretching and strengthening muscles.
Try not to worry too much - and definitely ignore any comments you see about life expectancy - once your doctor has got the follow up scans etc done you will know more about what is going on.
Fantastic advice from telling me loads live with this to exercise and foods to avoid , im as I’ve said already totally humbled by the amount of people who have taken their valuable time to write to me . How lovely you all are , what a fantastic forum.
I dont smoke and eat quite well lots of salad veg and fish cheese and eggs , my passion is unusual breads which i must cut out or ill need to buy a new wardrobe.
I will definitely look into Pilates and start walking more , after my doctor telling me to stop lifting twisting or bending i feel I am seizing up so getting back to doing things will ne a god send , i also have 2 Labradors that love the walks so ive every reason to resume that.
Promise , I will try not to worry too much and after such positive info i have had from all of you i really think that is something i can conquer .
I hope you keep well Fruit and once again you are all the best⭐️🌟
That’s the spirit. You sound much more cheerful about it all now. I’m glad you are getting back out with your dogs. I can see where your doctor is coming from but there are safe ways that you can be taught to bend - twisting is a different matter though.
One of the things I remember from when I was first diagnosed was my husband saying that I was exactly the same person I was before I was before I was diagnosed and when I thought of that it was true I hadn’t been anxious then so why was I anxious now?
I am much more ‘sensible’ though than I used to be, I move well and I don’t anything ‘stupid’ like silly stretches to get things out of cupboards etc. I lift things correctly and I would get a proper ladder out rather than stand on a chair or a bed to reach for things - for example I would no longer stand on my bed to change the lightbulb like I did in the past!
Margaret’s MelioGuide books and videos show the types of movements you need to avoid which is helpful.
If you try Pilates (or even yoga) look for a teacher who has experience with osteoporotic clients, we are so lucky with our teacher and while she works us hard, our class moves at a totally different pace to her younger fitter groups, I’m 76 and I am one of the younger members of the group. No legs up behind our necks or strange body positions for us. She is really careful with us, being a physio she has an endless number of very subtle ways to adapt exercises to suit our bodies, she really is amazing, I’d say she knows our bodies better than we do ourselves.
She also tells us not to do anything that causes pain, even if it is a movement she has told us to do and even if it is something we have done lots of times before - if something causes pain then we need to stop it right away. So that is something to remember. Finding something ‘hard work’ isn’t quite the same so we work hard but it is such a fun class.
You also want someone who asks about your medical history - some don’t! You also want to be in a very small group where your teacher can keep a close eye on you and guide everything you do. There are only six of us which is perfect.
Big hugs to you too, good luck and keep in touch to let us know how you are getting on. 😊
Once again all fantastic info, i wouldn’t have thought of all those pointers , small class, physio knowledge etc,
Yes joining you guys has absolutely and totally turned me around from sleepless nights howling and totally broken having read this is a death sentence …….again OTT as always …. But seriously, the information, the speed you all comforted me telling me truths and quashing the death sentence nonsense has been life changing . I am now willing to change my life style in any way i must to stay as healthy as possible .
I just need to stay away from the what ifs etc
Certainly going to get Melioguide books sounds the perfect must have
I have always been reasonably fit indeed considered taking horse riding up again , however, no i shall not be doing that just in case . Pilates was something i thought i might try and as you say i thought i might see if there are any classes i could join , if not ill again invest in a book for the late starter😆
At the moment i am selling property and wanting to move to a smaller place , having people put offers in and then not being able to get the money is also stressful so the sooner i can move to my last home the better .
i will not look back on 24 as the best year of my life. also i have a second grandchild due in a few weeks so that is something i can look forward to even though they live many miles away i can always Skype , oh listen to me sounding all tech ….lol im actually hopeless but my son has sorted that out for me so all i need to do is press a key🙋♀️
There was one thing i wanted to ask Fruit, you had mentioned fizzy drinks, we I absolutely loathe fizzy drinks of any kind or even cordials , I'm French juiced fruit or water however, i do love plain sparkling water ….do you think i should i stop taking this?
I wondered if you had a link to horses with your choice of name 😉
I was brought up with horses and ponies but I haven’t ridden for many years. I always had a hankering to ride side saddle but I’ve now decided to give that idea a miss. You can never tell with other people’s horses not to mention the fact that I might break easily. So alas my horse riding days are over.
Same with cycling, I love my bike but I am famous for falling off - usually in car parks while waiting for my husband to get himself organised, I had one spectacular fall a few years ago when we were on the Ile de Re in France - my tyre slipped as I was going up on a kerb and next thing I knew I was on the road, in the rain looking at a car coming towards me - that was scary.
So although it didn’t put me off I haven’t cycled since I broke my wrist in 2020. The thing is, I fell off so often and didn’t ever break anything that it was quite a shock to be told I had osteoporosis. Just goes to show you never know.
I use FaceTime to speak to a son who lives in New Zealand, it is free and he often phones when he is going out for a walk with his dog, I have been on some lovely walks with them.
I’ve just googled about sparkling water, looks like we are safe enough. ‘Sparkling water has no negative effect on bone health. The only drinks that cause bone loss are dark colas, which have phosphoric acid that leads to losing calcium in your bones.’
I don’t drink much so I have sparkling water or t9night water and lime when I go out or I do love an odd glass of Prosecco or Cremant every now and again.
🤞 for your house sale, moving is very stressful. Ideally we should move somewhere smaller and with a smaller garden but thinking about where to move to is stressful enough without even doing it.
When you get round to it try googling for ‘physio led Pilates ‘ and add the town where you live. Then speak to whoever looks interesting. You can always arrange a one to one season to see if you think you would like to work with the teacher.
Most of the teachers I’ve worked have been fine. One I reallydidn’t like was an American who had been a ballerina in NY and who told one girl who said something hurt just to do it! I couldn’t believe my ears.
I didn’t go back to her, then there was another teacher who had a class of about thirty ladies all lying on mats, they obviously had a different method to anything I had ever come across before or since because there was a lot of weird grunting which I had never come across before 😱
That teacher didn’t do more than take my money at the door, there was another one lot of wild swinging around of legs and I ended up having to go to a physio to get straightened up - she looked at me when she came into the room and said ‘goodness, what have you been doing ?’
Fortunately that was pre-osteoporosis but it does go to show you really need to be careful to find a well qualified, sensible teacher. A good teacher makes all the difference though and it’s my Pilates that keeps me moving.
Well, I got out for my walk, it was dry, temperature was 13C which was ok but it has just started to rain and get a bit chilly. Good luck with the house sale. xxx
ha ha yes i could ride before i could walk apparently, my Father had a stud farm. I went on to do 3 day eventing travelling Europe back in the day…wanted to be a vet but couldn't hack the cruelty i saw , i think i may have been up for murder the state i saw some animals in. Left horses behind many years ago and went on to do architecture although they are in my blood through and through.
I will indeed try to find a decent instructor because as you say the wrong exercise can do more damage
Well done you re the walk and thank you re the house sale , cannot come soon enough
So glad you reached out to people on here as they are excellent with advice and reassurance!I am 80 ,have had osteoporosis for the last 20 odd years,brought on my steroids since 2001 for rheumatoid arthritis.I have never had a fracture at all,in spite of risky moves like decorating up a ladder,and digging the garden etc !I have a Prolia jab at my local g.p. every 6 months,with no side effects,and dexa scans regularly show it is holding it at bay.My spine is -3.3 which it has stayed at for last few years,and hip reading is -2.3 which is pre osteoporosis reading.I must admit I don’t even think about it at all,just keep the injections up.The rheumatoid arthritis is the nasty thing ,but even with that the new meds are amazing.I am the worlds worst at trying anything new,and can easily think myself into all the side effects listed,but,usually they don’t happen and I wondered what I was worried about.I am primarily on the r.a. Forum and they are fantastic and have always allayed my fears.also the phone line people are brilliant,and never mind how many times you phone them.So,you are not alone,rant on here as often as you want and someone will hear you xx
Oh my , well if you have had this for 20 years then that puts to bed the web site telling patients may have 5 to 10 yrs ….AS EVERYONE HAS NOW KINDLY ASSURED ME IS ABSOLUTE RUBBISH 🥰
The shock i got was undeniably the worst shock I have endured. 😱
I am absolutely blown away by the kind and caring people, like yourself, who have taken the time to reply to me , it absolutely reinstates my faith in our fellow man ….im so so glad i decided to join the channel and deeply grateful for all the info,tips and advice ive already received.
You sound very like myself decorating up ladders , digging the garden, yet worried what will or could happen if i take this or that….lol. 😆.
i occasionally suffer from painful knees and as crazy as it sounds i use pure castor oil , i sometimes massage it deep into the skin or use a poultice , why or how it works is beyond me but it does
i truly hope you are able to keep your pain under control, i believe no one should suffer pain in 2025 with all the knowledge we now have , but sadly some doctors dont seem keen on giving people the drugs required.
once again a huge thank you for contacting me you cannot begin to understand how much this has affected me in my outlook, no longer thinking there is no hope.
Hi Fetlock. I can see you've had loads of brilliant replies. Just one thing I found was that my Dexa gave a high fragility score based on a fractured humerus and a fractured vertebra (12 years before). When I had a REMS scan I was told they were definite trauma fractures as yours sounds to be, not fragility fractures. All the best, ROS have so much info and a help line too, hope your mind has been put a bit at rest now.
oh thats interesting to know very interesting…..maybe something i should have done , that would certainly answer the question about my spine fracture.
Fantastic info , yet more I didn’t know.
Yes I've had amazing reply’s help and positive feedback and cannot thank everyone enough, i was in one huge mess mentally and physically being literally sick..I'm the worst when i think all is lost , but now I am much calmer and able to move forward with a plan to do all i can to live as normal a life as possible and manage the situation.
The positive e mails have been a life saver, i need serious help with my debilitating health anxiety and also intend to seek counselling for this.
What a mess 🙈
many hugs , i will be asking for the REMS scan indeed👍
Yet another piece of information that I didn’t know, thanks so so much, i will definitely asking for a private referral to see if I can get this scan , yet another thing to help answer needed questions, before you mentioned it i had never heard of such . I think its very important to know when my fracture has happened going forward whether from trauma or fragile bones
If you look up Osteoscan, it's one orthopaedic consultant working from his base near Daventry but he also does clinics in other parts of the country. I wanted to be seen quickly so opted to go to Daventry so booked thru his secretary and had a night away as it's quite a long distance. There may be others but I certainly recommend Dr Nick Birch. It gives a much better idea of actual bone strength. There are podcasts on his website which are really worth listening to. With ROS as well, there's loads of valuable information. 🤗😊
Again great info, such things would take months maybe years to find out , joining this forum has definitely been my life saver for sure.
today the scan department contacted me to let me know i am on the list and shall take aprox 12 weeks to be called for my appointment. At least i now know things are moving
However, i am going to google Doctor Nick Birch and see if he has a clinic i could travel to.
Will keep all my new found friends up dated as i do things and get new information
Out today walking the labs and pelted with huge hail stones it came from nowhere no warning but went away just as quick……i was nervous walking on the slippery pavements going home but thankfully no accidents 👍
Don’t be scared, just learn how to manage it and contact the Helpline with your questions. The more information you can get about it the easier it will get. It’s called control!
The Helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.00pm. (Our service is aimed at UK residents.
Find the details from doctor who should discuss treatment, don’t be rushed, find out the side effects of the treatment offered. Consider carefully anything that involves infusions that stay in the body for a year. I was diagnosed last year, I’m still deciding if I want to take anything and I’m still here! I’ve never heard of anyone being told they have five to ten years, again ask!
I thought i was seeing things, i saw that after googling it was the first page that came up. To say i was shocked as I’ve admitted is an understatement. Thank the Lord i have found this forum, its been a total life changer, instead of planning how to cease, im now planning on how to live with it .
I openly admit my health anxiety is out of control over the top🙈
thank you for the info, i am planning on contacting the helpline tomorrow and request as much info as possible.
i love the fact you are still deciding, now that’s certainly control…..i will think on and consider all carefully
i will keep in touch with this amazing group and hopefully can look back on this in time and blush at my ignorance
thank you so much for taking the time to contact me a total stranger to offer your kind support and information. none of you will really know how much this means to me and given me the hope and strength to get up and as you say TAKE CONTROL
We just wanted to drop in to wish you the warmest welcome to our community It's so great to see that you've been connecting with our wonderful members - there is such a wealth of experience and support to be shared here
When we find out we may have a health condition, it can understandably bring up lots of worries and concerns for us, so it makes sense to have been feeling overwhelmed by it. As others have kindly mentioned, there is lots of information and support around bone health and osteoporosis available on our website that might feel helpful to have a look at: theros.org.uk/
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
It's so great to see that you've been connecting with our wonderful members - there is such a wealth of experience and support to be shared here 
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