Osteoporosis and CKD 3

[sukki]

Hi everyone I’m 70 years old and have ckd3a. I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I had to have a DXA Scan as I broke my arm nearly six months ago and it’s not healing: double fracture of the humerus, very painful. They haven’t operated as they hoped it would heal naturally, but it hasn’t. The consultant will decide in another 5 weeks whether to operate or not. I wondered if anyone has osteoporosis with CKD and how they manage it, i.e. diet, exercise etc. When I was in hospital I became very ill as they promised me a nutritionist as I had CKD but it didn’t happen, so afraid to have to go back into hospital after my terrible experience there. They just don’t know how to handle patients with CKD. Feeling very low after this news 🙁

[jaykay777]

Hi Sukki - Go back to the hospital and do whatever it takes to have them put you in touch with the nutritionist. I'm an 87 year old American woman with ckd 3b and osteoporosis. I am sorry to hear about your fracture. I am very short, which, I have read, may be why I was not injured seriously in my two falls in 2016 when I landed on my face, right shoulder and right hip. I have regular visits to a kidney specialist, although my primary care doctor and the specialist don't think I need a specialist. In Great Britain, is there an organization like our National Kidney Foundation that can address some of your concerns? They may offer nutritional advice and have booklets for you. My renal specialist has a nutritionist on staff. She emphasizes reducing intake of red meat and suggests eating eggs at breakfast and/or lunch to have adequate protein. I no longer make my own meals because I live in an independent living facility, but I'm sure people here can tell you what they eat.

[sukki in reply to jaykay777]

Thank you jaykay. We have the national osteoporosis society who I will now be getting in touch with. I don’t eat red meat, only fish and occasionally chicken. I haven’t eaten red meat for over 30 years. I have been advised to only eat the white of an egg and not the yolk with CKD, don’t really know why we can’t eat the yolk, it’s the best part of the egg 🙂 The NHS won’t allow us to see a nephrologist until we are at Stage 4!! Crazy. Thank you for your reply, I will now be getting in touch with the National Osteoporosis Society

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi sukki,

You might find this document helpful, which explains the role of the kidneys play in regulating minerals and hormone in the body such as calcium, phosphate, Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Diet, lifestyle, and medications are important in managing these. It would be helpful to be referred to a CKD/renal dietician, as well as discussing this with your GP/ nephrologist. Osteoporosis is a common disease, not only for folk with CKD, and in CKD it is called Mineral Bone Disease (BMD). It is managed through specific medication to stop calcium leaching from the bones, which phosphates increase in CKD, as well diet.

Kidney Care UK - Mineral Bone Disease: kidneycareuk.org/documents/...

National Kidney Foundation:

kidney.org.uk/help-and-info...

Patient Info. Diet in CKD:

patient.info/health/chronic...

Do discuss with your doctors how concerned you are after your poor treatment in the hospital, and ask for their support and advice.

Don't forget to use the services of NHS PALS (Patient Advice & Liason Service) who can advise and support you too:nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

Hope this helps. Keep in touch.

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[sukki in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thank you MAS_Nurse

You have given me much advice and information here. I am so glad I asked for help today from Health Unlocked as this morning I was feeling very low when I received the news I have osteoporosis. Trying to cope with a badly fractured arm and today’s news became a bit too much. I will look up the links you have given me and let you know how I get on. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to sukki]

fractures of humerus are unusual. Have your labs been studied for any underlying disease process. You said you are being sent for dexa scan so how did they dx osteoporosis? Non healing fx of humerus could be other things going on. I would press hard on that one. I was a disability examiner so I have seen it all.