New diagnosis

Sorry for all the typos. I'm tired. It's been an emotional day. I was basically saying my bloods show menopause. And my rib pain came on the other side too.

Hope that makes sense.

Couldn't work out how to edit my post

I can't believe your doctor hadn't seen Tscore results lower than -2.9, Many on here would think that is a relatively low score.  I personally have a score of -3.5 and others have scores of -4 to -5.

Worrying about this illness won't help.  I know you are very young but the more scared you are, the more danger you are in of tripping up.  Read as much as you can.  There are many natural ways of helping to keep bones healthy, but it is possible you will eventually need drugs.  Many, many people are helped with these drugs, not everyone has side efffects.

I am sure there will be others along soon to give you more advice/help.

Hope you can learn to relax a little.

All the best.

Hi, I too am recently diagnosed although the doctor just said I had Ostoporosis and didnt tell me my T score and I didn't think to ask at that moment. I have been prescribed Alendronic Acid one tablet a week and like you having read the leaflet am scared to take it, it has possibly some of the side effects you mention.  I am already on a steroid for Polymyalia Rhuematica so dont really want to take more drugs.  I am going to try and increase my calcium intake which on reading about it is probably low, together with adding Vitamin D and Vitamin K2 both said to be useful.  Also do some exercises.  I already do a lot of walking as my husband is in a wheelchair and I push him around a lot.  Probably not helping my back much, but can't be helped. Try not to worry, I'm sure you will get some good support from this site.

Your t-score does show you in osteoporosis range.  I am surprised that at -2.9 you would have fractured ribs from coughing.  Osteoporosis isn't even a diagnosis until -2.5 so your aren't that deep into the range. 

Only you can decide whether taking the drugs is less risky for you than trying a natural method.  Either method will take a year to show results.  In the meantime you'd have to be careful no matter what to avoid further fractures.  If it were me with a t-score of -2.9 (mine is -2 so easy for me to say) I'd go for the natural method, but would also consult with a physiotherapist about the best ways to protect the pack, as well as strengthening core muscles which support the spine.  Taking up safe exercise which improves blance (like tai chi) is a good idea.  Also weight bearing exercise, even just walking a goodly distance each day if you can.  I have a step counter and my daily activity usually gets me up to about 11 or 12,000 steps, most of which are from walking.  I've recently started using Nordic walking poles which increase upper body strength, and can also be helpful for people who are worried about losing their balance and breaking a bone.

Good luck!  Do keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

I can relate to your anxiety,it's such a scary moment when your Dr tells you your DXA results ...I felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights ?? However, thanks to advice from people on this site I took some time to read as much as I could about treatment options and looked at lifestyle factors such as diet and types of exercise that i could do before deciding what route was the best for me. I have just visited my Gp today and told him that I have decided alendronate is not the treatment for me at this stage ( t score spine -3 ) instead I have opted for  adjusting my diet to help with the absorbtion of calcium into the bones and avoiding calcium 'zappers' also working on balance using wobble disc and muscle strength using resistance exercise bands. Also walking in the sunshine ( gym cross trainer, recumbent exercise bike and cross country treadmill if it's raining!) I did discuss hormone therapy with him ( as it's thought to improve bone density in spine and hips by 5% in post menapausal women) I also have the added risk factor of 8month corticosteroid therapy for polymyalgia and although I no longer take these tablets there is no guarantee that I won't need them in the future. He is willing to continue to support me and agreed to another DXA scan next year just to check that my bones aren't deteriorating and has also referred me to see a rheumatologist just to make sure we have considered all treatment options.

take care and keep in touch

Hi

just to let you know I'm in the same boat as you, age 54 and spine -2.9  and don't know what to do.   I was also prescribed prolia and didn't get the prescription as I had read so much  about side effects and was nervous about the idea of it being in my system for so long if it didn't agree with me.   I've  opted to take  stronium ranelate  as I felt I needed to do something  but  am still not sure I've made the best decision. It's so hard to decide the best course of action and so frightening to get the diagnosis.   You are dfinately not alone, I too have spent so much time worrying about this.   Sorry I'm not much help but I do empathise with you. X

Thanks everyone for your replies. I feel very relieved that you don't think the score is too bad. I had nothing to compare it to. I don't know why my doctor said that. It really upset me.

I have decided to do a lot more research and discussion with my doctor before deciding on a treatment option

-2.9 is not that bad! Mine is a lot worse. I sneezed and instead of breaking my back like it felt like two discs were herniated. 

I was terrified at the time until an X-ray was done and no fracture was present thankfully.

Are you in much pain?

I am trying the natural route which means I am taking vitamin k2, magnesium, zinc, vitamin d3, and calcium if not having enough in food. There are foods that are also good like prunes and avocados.

I wish you well.