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[Astagirl]

Hi all. This site seems to be a great resource of information. My head is swirling with the mostly unexpected diagnosis I got yesterday. Although I do not have details yet, the labels were osteoporosis in the spine and ostopenia in the hip. I was in a high impact bike accident in August and to no ones surprise, I shattered my shoulder. I had surgery with plates and pins which has still not fully healed, so I asked for dexa just to see if that explained the slow bone growth. I guess it does and I guess I am glad to have this information now instead of later, but it really is throwing me. I just turned 61 (menopause at 55). I have always been extremely active, fit, and healthy. I mostly hike and walk - used to run more. The pandemic and then this injury impacted my gym going and yoga practice, but those have also been important, as have swimming and rowing.

My doctor referred me to a rheumatologist who I will see in early April. At this point I am trying to learn all I can and arm myself with the questions I should be asking. My doctor is sending the dexa report but other than getting numbers, what questions/answers do I need. Because of the injury I have been attentive to calcium, K, and vitamin D.

My injury really impacted my sleep and anxiety, and I have found great help with both from melatonin. I am intrigued with the research that melatonin can be beneficial to bone growth. Does anyone have any further thoughts/research on long term melatonin use with this diagnosis? It has been life changing for the past few months.

Thanks.

[Weightrun]

Hi Astagirl. Firstly, sympathy for what you’re dealing with. Hope you are able to get some rehab for that soldier and are able to renew your fitness efforts when feasible. Given your somewhat late menopause and previous activity level I’m only a little surprised about your diagnosis. I’d been running and weight training for a couple decades and 10 years away from menopause when I was told I had osteopenia. Your prior running, hiking, yoga and rowing should all be counted as helpful to bone maintenance. Swimming, less so due to being non impact or weight bearing. I would refer you to the British equivalent of Health Unlocked for some discussion of melatonin because I know it’s on that. Unfortunately, doesn’t help my sleep so don’t take it. Are you a shorter or lighter sized woman?

[Astagirl in reply to Weightrun]

thanks for your thoughts. I’m definitely not shorter or lighter sized! Tall and sturdy!! Thanks for the melatonin thoughts. I had only ever hated it until the last few months. I also gave up caffeine and the combination has been very helpful. But with this new information I do t want to do anything stupid.

[wellness1]

I'm sorry you had such a bad accident, Astagirl. Commiserations on your shoulder injury. When you say it's 'still not fully healed' and refer to 'slow bone growth', do you mean non-union of the fracture? Or that it's not coming along as quickly as they would expect? Hopefully your orthopedic surgeon is continuing to follow you with scans to assure a good blood supply to the area. That's really important. I also hope you have an excellent PT, one with a special interest in shoulder rehab.

In addition to your medical care, some people are interested in treatments or supplements they might benefit from. For example, some people have laser therapy or low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to promote bone healing.

I read this article some time ago. It's by a Functional Medicine/Chinese Medicine practioner who experienced fractured ribs. I can't vouch for any of his recommendations but for someone pursuing conventional medical treatment who is also interested in other potentially helpful approaches, it might be of interest.

chriskresser.com/my-healing...

You're probably aware of the COMB study which included melatonin in combination with other things. Regardless of whether melatonin helps with bone growth, having good quality refreshing sleep will certainly help with healing and quality of life. It sounds like you've discovered that. It's so important to address pain that interferes with sleep, so I'm glad to hear you have.

[Astagirl in reply to wellness1]

thanks for your thoughts. My fracture is healing slowly. I had a ct scan a few weeks ago and there is substantial callus and some bridging. I started using an exogen bone stimulator last month so we are very hopeful it will progress. My PT is excellent and I am almost back to full ROM and beginning to get some real strength back. I have almost no pain and no limitations.

Thanks for the link. And yes the melatonin results I have seen seem a bit mixed. Good sleep and dreams have been amazing.

[wellness1 in reply to Astagirl]

Brilliant, sounds like you have it well in hand.

Good luck with your ongoing recovery.

[eianda79]

You might want to discuss melatonin use with your doctor. I was taking melatonin for sleep but my nutritionist said it wasn't a good idea to take it long term. Here is a link to one article on the issue: sleep.com/sleep-health/long..., and I am sure you could find others as well. I am now taking magnesium before bedtime, both to help with sleep and cramping, at my doctor's suggestion.