bone loss

Oh Andy what a blow when you were doing so well. Although your diagnosis of osteoporosis must be a terrific disappointment to you in spite of you having taken all the right(!) meds, it is so valuable that you have highlighted it on this site and especially the warning about the bike riding although being healthy not being a necessary weight bearing exercise for the bones.

One tip: if you don't already, do eat lots of oily fish (with its bones) which is excellent for our bones? My rheumatologist also recommended soya milk.

At least you say the weather is getting warmer for you in your part of the world so that means you are now getting the natural vitamin D into your body from the sun - that will help but unfortunately we're all sadly lacking it in this country after our long hard winter.

Very best wishes,

MrsO

Hi all!

It just so happens that last week's research project was \"Exercise and bone formation\", and this is what I found:

The exercise needs to be weight-bearing and done at a level which \"leads to bone deformation\" which, in plain English, means there has to be some \"movement\" of the tissue in response to the exercise. Brisk walking is the lightest form of exercise which will achieve this - emphasis on brisk - and for about 30 min at a time. Which for lots of us with PMR may well pose a problem I suppose. It has been established that skipping (jumping rope for all you the other side of the pond) is an ideal form of exercise to do that so maybe we should all join in playground games but hopping is also a good action! I have this vision of middle-aged ladies (sorry Andy - you're in a minority!) holding onto bars and hopping on first one leg and then on the other :-) !!!!

Consolation for the cycling - you've been avoiding the muscle wasting associated with steroids, so it was worth it.

By the way Andy - osteoporotic or osteopeneic? Osteopenia is a precursor of osteoporosis, the density of the bone is lower than normal but not yet at risk of fracture. The manufacturers of Fosomax created this as a state requiring treatment (with their drug, of course) by making sure all the research was done about it themselves - hope they made a big sign saying conflict of interest, but I bet they didn't!! There is also no unbiased evidence as yet that at that level of lowered bone density there is any benefit in terms of reduced fractures from \"treating\" using alendronic acid. Indeed, there are doctors who feel that it may actually be worse as the type of bone formed is different - I'm saying nothing pro or contra just saying what I found.

And a PS for when your computer goes awol - google patient experience uk and you should get a link which makes getting back here easier!

EileenH

Good research project Eileen! At the outset of my steroid treatment I had a DEXA scan which showed normal hips and spine. Three years down the line a further DEXA showed normal hips but osteopenia of the spine with a warning from the rheumatologist to be careful! I'm unable to take the bone protection meds because of the diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 at the end of the first year with undiagnosed PMR - apparently the supplements would put the kidney at further risk. So meanwhile trusting that the present very small dose of Prednisolone doesn't pose any further risk (fingers crossed); however anno domini looms - can't turn back the clock!

MrsO

Hi MrsO!

Time to start hopping and skipping maybe?? ;-)

I've been wondering if our dot and carry toddlers technique of getting down stairs with PMR might actually be helpful as weight bearing exercise - think how you go down with a bit of a bump! Catch the lift to the top and stump down to the ground floor using right leg first and repeat using the left leg first? :lol: Think what any onlookers would think - we might be committed somewhere before our feet could touch the floor.

EileenH

Best exercise as listed in GPs

Swimming burns more calories, exercises whole body.

Walking 45 minutes per day - and this also goes for people who have had coronaries, strokes, COPD etc.

Aqua Aerobics (tailored to fit PMR) talk to the instructor.

The guiding rule, is not as the physio's used to say, 'No gain without pain' the rule now is, if it hurts - STOP.

Eileen - your post really made me chuckle and, as for being committed, I think I'm already half way there having been in prison already (can hear you gasping at this point!) - no not behind the bars but working for HM Prison Service :lol: !

As you mentioned earlier that you found skiing comfortable for your arms, how about Nordic Pole Walking in Italy for those months when there isn't any snow - just wondering if using the walking poles would have a similar effect on you as the skiing poles. If there aren't any groups in Italy, perhaps you could buy some sticks and look up instructions on the net and have a go. I'm lined up for an 8-week course starting next month and will let you know how I get on. Meanwhile will stick to my weight bearing daily walk, as brisk and as long as my body allows.

[b:e2b8bc1ecd]mrs k[/b:e2b8bc1ecd]

I'm sure Nordic Pole Walking will be added to the best exercise lists soon as Help the Aged are recommending it as more beneficial to both the heart and lungs than either swimming or cycling - great for me as I can't do either - mis-spent childhood! The good news is that you're not supposed to notice how hard the heart and lungs is being worked. Just hope I can co-ordinate my arms and legs (hokey-cokey is coming to mind again...oh but we must not go there again must we!!! Watch this space!

MrsO

MrsO,

I was going to put \"to the local loony bin\" first of all but thought I should be a bit more PC! Now after a glass of wine I don't care! We're of an age that knows we're not being condemnatory :-)

There are indeed Nordic walking courses here and I have decided to investigate one asap though as they're aimed at the tourists I'm not sure if they have started yet. It's actually the leg/hip movement Ifind so good with downhill skiing but the allegation is that the use of poles reduces the impact on the joints (although the jury is still debating that one) so I might get less discomfort - I hope! We have fantastic walking tracks here with frequent watering holes :-) - which is the most important bit!

cheers

Eileen

Eileen and Mrs O

TV - Country something or other tonight, watching with half an eye.

Finnish lady, taking a Nordic Walking Class.

Nordic walking invented in her country as a summer fitness thingy for skiers who needed to keep fit for the winter.

Then they discovered all the benefits blah blah blah.

Summer Holidays either in Finland or with Age Concern and Help the Aged who have now amalgamated and 'CRAFTS' has set in. But they are starting classes - no not the Finns, the aged folk.

I think I could do the walking and some of the warm ups, but hanging onto the poles and putting your bum near the ground - not a chance in h**l.

:devil:

Hi MrsK!

You've got time to watch TV? At least it wasn't the election!

Yes - for skiers but the Finns used to be the cross-country champions (no longer much to their disgust!) and that's the hard work variety of skiing in my book. I much prefer the hard uphill slog to be done for me by the lift while I look at the view of the mountains. :D Added to which, the downhill skis are wider so it's easier to balance. I tried cross country a long time ago - the most bruises I'd ever collected in a week! Size of a teaplate one was Putting your bum near the ground? No - doesn't appeal to me either!!!!

Enjoy your soggy, cold Bank Holiday, it's wet here but a bit warmer (not a lot!)

EileenH

mrs k

Oh I wish I'd seen that programme especially about putting your bum near to the ground. Surely they don't do that in the classes run by Age Concern :shock: I know if I tried that I'd be on the floor and that would be the end of my lesson 'cos there's no chance I'd get up again.....unless the teacher was a strong young man :wink: !!!

Happy Bank Holiday - where's the sun?!

MrsO

MrsO - please!!! It's Bank Holiday - of course there's no sun!! Remember driving into Grimsby one May Bank holiday. It had been quite nice in Durham where we lived and I was dressed appropriately - in Grimsby it was raining and 6C. I was frozen as we visited an elderly relative.