New to all this and would love to connect with others!

[MariyamaDamba]

I am a healthy and active 55 year old who has just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I can count on one hand that number of times I have been sick… so this is a total shock to me. One doctor said (after seeing my T-score) that my spine is akin to an 85 year old smoker! Now, frankly, that scares me. I have no idea what I will be dealing with in the future and would love to connect with others who understand this “silent” disease.

[Maverick2015]

I totally totally understand. I am 56 and have the same story as you but for several years. I am very healthy eater and cycle 150-200 miles a week, hike, and some running. I would love to share any thing I have learned. Good luck

[KiaMarie]

I know your shocked feeling! I personally decided to try the natural way. The side effects of those meds are terrible. This is what I’m doing.. I take a supplement Grow Bone, extra vitamin D, and now collagen with the X factor .. it’s for bones. Grow Bone is a system with other nutrients in it. Exercise regularly.. weight bearing is important, walking also.

My advice to you is do whatever your gut tells you to do! I don’t know if in the future I may need meds but my gut told me try this! It’s scary! Be strong and positive . Be safe and always think I don’t want to fall.. I live my life thinking that..if you have a YMCA nearby they offer balance, strength and cardio classes look into it. My instructor focuses on safety for us..

keep in touch

Happy Healthy New Year

[Grandk23sc]

OH it is shocking isn't it and very frightening but there are things you can do and treatments are available. I had a parathyroid tumor so my osteoporosis was secondary. I have been on Prolia for over 5 years now. I suggest you do the research and get a good endocrinologist who has the expertise to answer your questions and provide you with what you need to make an informed decision before you start a medication regime!

[Met00]

I remember the shock of being diagnosed 9 years ago at age 58, having thought this is something that only old people get! But I'd like to reassure you if I can. I don't know your t-scores or your fracture risk (you should have been given both), but I do know that it's very common for doctors to exaggerate the risks and imply that our bones are in a much worse state than they really are. My doctor told me that if I didn't take the medication I could end up in a wheelchair or worse, but so far I've remained fracture free and, even with fractures, most people don't end up in wheelchairs! It's also possible, and not that uncommon, for there to be errors in DEXA scans, so I would personally see it as far more relevant whether or not you've had a fragility fracture. If you have, then that alone is some indication that your bones may not be as strong as they should be, but if you haven't, even if your bone density is poor, your bone strength may be very good. I also like to turn round the fracture risk score I'm given, so that, for example, if I have a 10% risk of fracture in the next 10 years, that's actually a 90% chance that I won't fracture.

One advantage of having an osteoporosis diagnosis is that you are now aware of the risks and can take action to reduce these - eat healthily, take a few supplements and get as much weight-bearing and resistance exercise as is possible for you. In addition, take a few simple precautions, like avoiding walking on ice and wet leaves (or taking extreme care if unavoidable), remove trip hazards from your home, hold the bannister when going up and down stairs, and do balance exercises. Most fractures occur as a result of falls, not as a result of low bone density, so if you don't fall, you're far less likely to fracture.

[Sch614]

that was a helpful and caring response! I really appreciated it because it’s so easy to feel defeated after a diagnosis without any real answers. I’m 58 and have run for a while and eat healthy and all that and almost felt a sense of shame at the diagnosis like I’m more fragile and don’t want to accept that. But this board really helps and responses like yours provide a reality check that it’s not all doom and gloom!

[Aloha55]

I am also 55, active/healthy and was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis in the lumbar spine with t-score -3.4. I have a history of breast cancer though and chemo/meds most likely ruined my bones. Doctor wanted me to start Fosamax or Reclast, but I am not convinced that’s the right choice. Fosamax only give 1-2% absolute fracture risk reduction, Reclast 4%. According to my doctor my fracture risk is low. Why to take medication with potential serious side effects for such low fracture risk reduction? Also, those meds can be taken forever, but doctors don’t give you a plan for the next 20-30 years. Will try to eat more protein, supplements and workout with more weights. Fingers crossed

[Jjvvvl]

hey there I’m not saying your condition isn’t serious but believe it or not if you haven’t had any breaks yet in your spine we should take these numbers and these doctors with a grain of salt. I mean my spine is 4.3 my hips 4.2 and my neck is 4.3 and thank you God I have not broken anything but I mean maybe these numbers are just a number ,,our grandmothers didn’t know their numbers you know maybe we’re getting too wound up in medicine Dr. BS ,,I’m serious just thinking ,, I’ve done it all shots in stomach, pills ,never did a thing ,I’m doing nothing and praying!!