How is everyone going with their osteoporosis?

Mary, I think bending is not a good idea. Exercise is good but not all exercises! Too much walking can affect as well. It is a bit of a juggling act.

We need exercise but not if it has the opposite effect it needs to have.

I do not walk much and use a walker when I do. I imagine running could be risky too for some people at least. One size does not fit all and if it causes you pain then it is a warning.

Hopefully, the pool will be enough and time will tell I guess.

 

I cannot decide for you but I could not bring myself to start any Meds either!

I do not know yet if what I am doing will help but I am trying

I use a walker so as to avoid falls because that is the key apparently...don't fall!

I am sorry that it is pressing on you. Perhaps delay taking until you are sure?

Are you having vitamin K2 as well as magnesium and Vitamin D3 and calcium?

I go to the pool rather than walk high can cause fractures as I discovered when a friend fractured her foot walking.

I do step ups in the pool which I think would be weight bearing.

All the best and let me know what you decide.

 

Hi kippy, You spoke of whether to "try and control things by diet and exercise" and if this  would work.  While some types of exercising and a diet with calcium and vit D can ony be beneficial for someone with OP, I am not aware of any evidence that these changes can be equated with a 'treatment' for the condition. As I'm sure you know, there are numerous treatments for OP and some of these would be suitable for you. The aim is to prevent fractures occuring and, if they have happened already, to prevent further fractures. And all have a RISK of side-effects. . . . 

You asked how does one cope emotionally? Well, everyone's different here. For myself, when I pretty distraught with my diagnosis at first, my sister (a doctor) told me to (quote) ' get over myself' as there was a LOT worse diagnosis I could be given, that OP was treatable, and that most people are never diagnosed until they have had serious fractures first. That worked for me anyway (!) but I don't want to be harsh and say this should be enough for you. I had many 'down' days but then a close friend was diagnosed with a really aggressive cancer and it gave me some perspective and I realised that I was lucky really.

SO, I took the treatment (Forteo) and got on wIth it. Happily my bones have improved a lot over the past 2 years. For exercise, I walk briskly each day for 25 mins., I climb stairs instead of taking the lift - and not much else really. A physio. (who specialised in OP)   suggested ' light jogging' but when I mentioned this to my rheumatologist, she was horrified and said definately not. . . . !     

Advice:

Bending forward from the hips is NOT good for the spine.

Twisting the torso from left to right is NOT good for the spine. 

Sit-ups are NOT good for the spine.

Stair- climbing (using the rail) is good (but very boring).

Dancing is great for balance- and enjoyment!

Upper body light weights is good (I should do these).

Hope this helps, even a bit.

Kind regards,  J

 

Thank you for your help. I will 'look up' forteo. I do excercise about 3 times a week

Tania

Kathleen, I just realised that I never thanked you for your kind New Year wishes to us all. So - thank-you! - . I hope that 12016 is a really healthy and good year for you also.   J x

Thank you Juno. 2016 is going to be great. We celebrate our golden wedding anniversary on 22nd this month so that makes a good start!

i have a good feeling about this year.

You are very welcom Kippy. I hope you are able to relax and not worry too much.

Don't rush into making a choice on going forward.

All the best.

Hi

Thank you for your kindness. I just hate all the possible bad side effects from the drugs, the decision to take them is so hard

I was where you are at last year and did not start taking them.

So I hear you.

Do some more reading and research until you feel comfortable with your decision.

all the best, Kippy!

Aristotle, I am not a doctor, just a patient like yourself but I do read as much as I can about osteoporosis.

Two ladies with opposing views are excellent sources of information, namely Juno and Allison who have written a lot on this subject.

I like that they show both sides of the argument of whether to take drugs or not to take them.

People just need to make an informed decision after doing lots of research and listening to opposing arguments.

I also think as far as exercise is concerned it varies from person to person as people are often juggling a range of conditions that impact on their ability to do certain exercises. 

I hope you gain benefit from joining in discussions here and let us all know how you progress with your treatment and your experiences with the drugs.

Whereabouts are you Aristotle? I am in Australia.

Hi Kathleen

Thanks for replying.  I am in Scarborough in the United Kingdom and have lived here for most of my life except for the time that I spent in the merchant mavy as a radio officer.  Never got to Australia or anywhere east of iran.  Did get as far west as Hawii.  Generally been fairly healthy and even halfway intelligent, hence the interest in treatments etc.  This is probably going to be a long haul  and so far all I have to report is a little vertigo during the day following the taking of my 'pill' and a little flaring of itchy eczema which I had some long years ago.

I shall just view some of the other posts daily and may find out more about a fairly common problem which seems to be mainly feminine. My wife says that I should get in touch with my feminine side more often!

Hi Kathleen, thank you for the compliment re. being an "excellent source of information". I really don't think I am. I't's just that, when working, I  spent 37 years reading and evaluating medical and presenting some psychological research papers (mostly in the area of Cardiology).  You then get used to fast reviewing and moving on . . . 

Added to that then was the personal impetus, which I never had before, of my own diagnoses of severe OP two years ago. I can honestly say that some of my reading here was with my hand over my eyes - not wanting to see the bad bits!!  OP hit me really hard indeed as I was a very active soul and for a while I felt so vulnerable and afraid that my bone structure (esp.spine) was going to collapse in on itself leaving me in a pitiful heap! May sound funny now - but not then. So the reading continued.  . . 

My husband was hugely critical of this. He has had a number of health issues, goes (eventually) to the doc., takes the treatment and that's it. The fact that someone (me) would want to research in detail about a condition TO HIM smacked of a person having to be in control all the time and is a more than a bit pathetic.  His attitude is that life throws you the odd curve ball, you get some help and then just deal with it. It's what makes your short life varied and exciting. Nothing is certain.  (He is a very gifted artist and his head works very differently to mine).

Anyway, funnily enough, after all my reading,  debating on this forum, and above all worrying I concluded that the best approach is the following: 1) 

See a recommended specialist (after physical tests are done) and listen to advice about treatments. 2) Think it over for a little while and write down questions. 3) Back to the specialits to discuss. 4) If unsure, get a second opinion. 5) Start treatment and get reviews every 6 months or so. 

Boring, I know.  And STOP WORRYING. Isn't that what I'm paying my specialist for? 

So now I find myself in a much better place. In essence,  I have stopped trying to be my own doctor and it's a big relief. .  . . . The bones have improved after a year of Forteo and I'm now on my second year of this and I feel positive enough. Above all, I realise that I could have been diagnosed with a far worse condition and feel lucky also.

Kind regards Katlhleen,  J

 

 

Hi Juno-lrl-Dub

Read your post and like your almost laid-back approach.  You almost convinced me that as long as you're careful, there isn't too much to worry about.  It seems that patience is the answer - just give the tratment a chance to work.  Reading all these posts from hopeful people sure works well for the blood pressure.

All the best

Aristotle13

Ah, that is my evolved view . And by no means would everyone agree with it nor may it even BE the best approach. You could call it the result of Aristotelian deductive reasoning perhaps . . .  J

My feelings exactly

! I know my osteoporosis is quite advanced (spine was -5.2 but after medication for four years (now denosumab after trial and error with other drugs) spine now -4.9, hips  no longer osteoporotic). The trouble is apart from giving up horse riding (which I miss greatly) and making sure I go to the gym on a very regular basis  I forget I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

 So because I am in no pain whatsoever, I do bend from the waist, I do sit ups (because I can). I do side way twists with a medicine ball - oops I think I'll have to do some research on what exercises to do and what not to do! 

I am a great believer in a positive attitude. There are far, far worse diagnosed problems out there and I am also a great believer that stress kills so I shall continue to take a leaf out of your book and think positive. Thank you 

Mary, DO be careful of bending from the waist, sit- ups, rotating your torso, touching your toes or lifting objects without keeping your spine alligned (as opposed to bent).  Not a good idea as it really does increase your risk of fracture. It's good that you feel you are able to do so but ,as you know in life,  there are many things that you could do "because you can" that REALLY wouldn't be a good idea.  ( The mind boggles!!).  I just wouldn't take the risk. Like yourself, though having very poor scores (spine now -4.0) I haven't had any fractures and have no pain.  I hope to keep it that way if possible. You really do have to think first. Finally, think ahead also of trying to prevent falls. Sounds simple but there's a saying in the field that is mostly true -"no falls, no fractures". From what I've read on this forum and others fractures are extremely painful and debilitating. So  - apart from the above, enjoy your life, just take reasonable care - and then what happens, happens - at least you won't have been the culprit! 

Kind regards,  J

Thanks Juno, I really must be careful, I guess I'm a bit ' head in sand' , which really isn't very sensible! I think I thought giving up horse riding was my contribution to accepting there were things I shouldn't be doing. Oh well, at least I've been fortunate not to do any damage and now have an excuse to get a gardener!!!

Depends on whether you LIKE gardening! I love it. I mow, clip, plant, rake, and, instead of bending over when eg. weeding, I get down on the knees and pull away until I'm done and then get up. No problem. 

Think of it this way, if you damaged a disc you wouldn't do all those sit- ups etc. that you described. You're not an invalid now either - just a bit more copped on!!

Also you could check in with your local OP asociation. The're a mine of information as is the US national osteoporosis foundation (NOF) online.  J

We lived in a place called Scarborough in Queensland, Australia, for over twenty years. My husband had his bones checked at the same time as I did and he has the bones of a young man. Lucky him! So, yes, more women seem to have osteoporosis.

Aristotle, do you know your t scores?

I love gardening, and I like digging even more but last year I battled with a particular difficult bush that wasnt performing well so it HAD to come out. I persisted in digging it out and ended up with knee pain - it's fine now but this year I will be sensible so get a gardener to do the really heavy work whilst I act my age! !!!

It's snowing heavily here now so will be very careful when I take my daily walk tomorrow and wear my snow boots with sole spikes .

Happy days!

Juno, it is because you offer different views but argue them with integrity which gives people varying ways of looking at this issue.

Allison does the same. She shows the polar opposite of your position and gives people encouragement to research and know what they are taking may not be the best way to deal with this at least for now.

I find you both equally convincing which allowed me to make up my own mind.

Hi Kathleen,  have heard of Scarborough, Queensland and even considered visiting some years ago but the 24 hour travelling put us off and we went to the USA instead.

Regarding t scores, yes I have some figures but it will take me a couple of days to find them having filed them in a box file  which is now within another box with all the clutter moved during the pre-christmas clear-up. (I tend to have piles of papers & magazines 7 etc and these grow over the year.  I'll find them and let you know.  You can tell that I'm a fairly recent OP recruit because I am only on my tenth tablet which is nine weeks into the program.  I hadn't been warned about the bending and the rotory torso, both of which have been part of my exercise regime until today.  I read your posts to Juno and Mary and now realise that to avoid exacerbating the OP I need to be careful and examine my actions with a more jaundiced approach.  Thanks for the info

Most of us also take vitamins such as vitamin D3, magnesium and K2 which puts the calcium onto the bones and, of course, calcium.

A friend of mine also broke a bone in her foot with walking.

I only do pool exercises and use a wheeled walker to guard against falling.

Link to Strong Bones support group 2

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/strong-bones-support-group-2--513840?page=0#2121360

I thought that it may be useful

Should that be Hawaii