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Alcohol & Osteoporosis

Posted , 4 users are following.

kristin20459
kristin20459

I originally posted this in the Alcohol Consumption group, but this is probably a better forum for this question:

I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis at 27 years old. My numbers were actually in the mild osteopenia range, but I have stress fractures so the endocrinologist said that it's clinically considered osteoporosis. 

The doctor told me to limit myself to 1 alcoholic drink a day, which is fine. However, I have friends coming over next weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I don't need to drink more than one drink, but I would prefer to have 2 or maybe 3. If I don't drink at all that week, would it be OK for me to have a little more on that one day? After all, 3 drinks isn't considered a binge. But I don't want to do anything that'll hurt my body. Just thought I'd ask!

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 kristin20459

    Posted

    I would not worry. Consistent drinking would be a problem but not one day of celebration.
  • Hayley_Rabbit
    Hayley_Rabbit kristin20459

    Posted

    I'm sure one day will not make a difference, in fact, alcohol, unless it is a problem for you, was unlikely the main contributing factor in early onset osteoporosis.  Do you know why you have osteoporosis?(illness, medication, genetics, malnutrition)  Taking care of that is probably a bigger concern than having 3 beers once a year.  That said, you should consult your doctor, you should have time to call before the holiday.

    • kristin20459
      kristin20459 Hayley_Rabbit

      Posted

      Hi Hayley, I don't know yet why I have it. I'm waiting to hear back from my endocrinologist about some recent blood tests. It's been a long diagnosis process, though. I've had knee pain since last August, and because of several misdiagnoses I was sent to physical therapy, which made my entire body feel worse. Finally an orthopedist ordered an MRI, which revealed a stress fracture in my femoral condyle, but I hadn't fallen or suffered any injury. Because of this, he ordered a bone scan, and my hips lit up. An MRI of my pelvis revealed tension-side stress fractures on both of my femoral necks, which is apparantly unheard-of without some underlying disorder. Hence the bone density test and the visit to the endocrinologist. I'm otherwise almost perfectly healthy, and like I said before, my numbers are very mild even for osteopenia, so I don't have traditional osteoporosis. The doctor just said that my stress fractures make my condition clinically considered osteoporosis.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga kristin20459

    Posted

    I bet the mix you have with the alcohol is more damaging to your bones, (assuming you drink in moderation normally).
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