I’m just so lost. Glad I found this site. I’ve been searching info non stop for a few days and have more questions than answers. I had weight loss surgery 10 years ago. Not your traditional surgery, I had a duodenal switch. 80% of my stomach was removed then my intestines were rerouted. Malabsorption is part if it and I’m guessing this contributed to my condition. I’m 53. I lost over 230lbs. So in some ways it saved me. I’ve lost almist two inches in height, and I have a slight rib hump when I bend over which is scoliosis. I’ve been hit with both this week, I’m just scared. I still have teens at home. I have appointments set next week for more x-rays but I’m sure I’ve have fractures. From what I’ve read it seems it’s better to start with a bone building drug first (Evenity, Tumelos) then follow up with recast. Due to my stomach issues I’m assuming pills will not be tolerable. I’ve always taken many supplements since my surgery but I guess it just wasn’t enough. I had labs every 6 months for 10 years and made adjustments. I scheduled two endocrinologist visits in case I did not like one. Can’t get in till August with first choice. Im curious if anyone has experience with trying the bone building drugs first? Im sure my insurance will be a bear to deal with. I also want to see a spine specialist about the scoliosis. I’m hoping my bones are able to tolerate the procedure to help the scoliosis. I could go on and on, I think I need to visit a counselor too, I have Bern walking on egg shells afraid to fold laundry even.
Newly diagnosed along with other issu... - Osteoporosis Support
Newly diagnosed along with other issues. Due to weight loss surgery.
seems wise just you are working on healing and I agree lying around and time passing does help heal fractures . Have you tried ice packs to help heal fractures too?
Your Endocrin dr or none dr works to let you know what activities you can do each day or ask your doctor’s nurse.
I know you have done all you could and this is a blow. I hope the physician you see is able to help, taking your ability, or not, to absorb nutrients into account. I know the issue probably is mainly around nutrition and I'm sorry I dont have the training to offer advice, but I wonder if seeing a registered dietitian could help?
For what it's worth, and in the context it may not help much, here is my story. I should add, which is not in my story, that my physiotherapist said I had mild scoliosis, which I didn't know, and gave me more exercises to add to ones I'd done for years. I do not actually have osteoporosis, but have lost inches of height.
Exercise is as important as nutrition when it comes to keeping bones healthy, so there may be some helpful little hints in my story after all.
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Also this, in case there's something else the doctors should be checking:
osteoporosis.ca/medical-con...
Thank you for the reply, I’m still trying to understand all of this. I want to be prepared as possible when I go for my visit. I want to make sure she orders right imaging and I don’t want to just accept any Dr she refers me to. I did read where physical therapy can help with scoliosis if the measurements don’t meet the requirements of surgery. In addition it zooms there are so many different things out there for us to try/not try for strength and weight training I think a visit for guidance would help me. I’ve always walked. This site has helped with lots of info. I do want to try all remedies, does my age account for them not wanting certain drugs? I have always taken 2400 mg calcium a day. Vit D along with several other things. It was suggested to me by someone that I should take Evenity first then follow up with reclast. I know this is a slow process my mind wants to fix it tomorrow and of course can’t. I’ve been venting here, my mind is still jumbled. How do I get over this feeling of like my life is just done? I’m just scared and nervous. Thank you all for listening in a way!
The thing about bones is they change relatively slowly. It's not like you're dealing with, for example, an acute cardiac condition where treatment has to start immediately. You do have time to weigh all your options and even time to try something more conservative before starting medication right away. So-called natural means are good even if you do eventually decide you need to take a medication. The difficulty with the newer meds, not so much the traditional bisphosphonates, is one is really committed for the rest of life to some form of bone medication so you are wise to be doing all the research before taking the plunge.
Yes that makes sense. It will be nice to get that first visit started, I’ll feel like I’m trying something. These last few days I feel at a loss but I keep telling myself things could always be worse. There’s lots of information here, thank goodness. The internet is just full of so much good and bad. I’ve watched some videos on nutrition and trying to adapt. I’ve always been low carb high protein as this required based on my surgery. I’m working on tweaking my diet. I know strength and weights important too but want to get some direction on that. I’m thankful for these replies, I feel not so alone. I’m a side sleeper, read that it’s not good, I try to be mindful of my posture and try to walk as straight as possible to maybe start building up strength. It just seems overwhelming. I’ve already had talked with my 16 ye old about her bone heath, stop the diet sodas. Again, sorry for all the questions, it helps to write all this out.
I am on Tymlos first...from my "sudden" dx of severe OP. I've had 4 spinal fusions, and my last one, Oct 2022, neurosurgeon mentioned he had to add a couple extra screws, the bone seems osteopenic. That was not good info I wanted to hear. In that time period, the pain in my back, that was discounted as post-surgery related, was really a fracture at T7. Then fast forward to now, #8 fracture was just diagnosed. My neurosurgeon demanded the Tymlos, insurance approved and had it sent in under a week. I am not certain about the "next steps" after Tymlos...but the first two weeks were rough with side effects. Then I took a 2 day break, started again, and most of the side effects were greatly reduced. I do not like the other meds at all, the side effects, but mostly the risks of fractures in the legs! My legs are in great shape and strong...the rest of me is a mess, why risk the legs!? Great Bones is a book I recommend for the best information out there, by R. Keith McCormick, DC. I am so sorry you are dealing with this...my girls are off on their own, and that's good at this point.
Wow sounds like you have been through a lot. I will definitely check out the book, I’ve seen it mentioned a few times here. It’s just a helpless feeling waiting and not knowing what to do next. I just want to try and do all I can to help my body not deteriorate and try to maintain if possible. I’m still hopeful for grandchildren once my babies are grown and travel with my husband. It just seems impossible right now but I’m trying to not think that way. Wednesday is a visit with my Dr and hopefully get the testing and scans started so I can get help asap. It’s been helping hearing from you all.
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