Newly diagnosed with Osteopenia

Melissa, have you any idea why you have osteoporosis at your young age?  Google osteoporosis combination of micronutrients for an article describing research which proved that nutrition can improve bone density.

Hi. Yes, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome which is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Then I had an accident and have disabled for the last 5 years with prolonged periods of being bed bound so I developed osteoporosis. Unfortunately my scans show it's getting worse. My blood tests show I'm making bone normally but my reabsorption rate is high. We are avoiding fosamax for now as I'm having a surgery in two weeks that should help me weight bear more. My endoncronologist is monitoring everything.

I've had two fractures so far. One ankle and one snapped rib in November last year. I was leaning on the couch and twisted accidently and it snapped. It was missed on X-ray in A&E despite the pain, worse on breathing in, swelling and bleeding under the skin. A bone scan in March showed it was still broken but healing. 😢

I'm so sorry you have such a diagnosis at such a young age.  Are you on a diet, exercise  and supplement regime to help control things?

I broke my hip tripping over a chair leg as I was clearing up in church after a service, thankfully there were a couple of other people there at the time so they sorted me out, took me home and I lived with it for a couple of days as gp said it was just soft tissue injury!   The pain level was quite high but I'm also waiting to have a total knee replacement on the opposite leg so I think the pain killers I was taking for that masked some of the pain.

Went to A&E and they x-rayed and sent me straight to hospital, fixed with a dynamic screw and non weight bearing for 6 weeks, then supported weight bearing and I'm now walking without sticks over short distances.

Sue

 

Hi Susan. Oh, your hip must have been so painful! I'm glad you're improving 😊. Yeah, I was shocked when they told me! Yes, I'm calcitriol which is a form of vitamin D that is active. Also, I weight 36 kgs so they want me to put on weight so my bones are stressed a bit more. Being underweight is a huge risk factor for osteoporosis. Until my left leg improves, weight bearing is impossible for me though. I'm awaiting to have a spinal cord stimulator inserted to help my nerve pain in my leg. In time, I should be able to weight bear and hopefully help my osteoporosis 😊.

Oh bless you, what a journey you're on.    I haven't heard about putting weight on but I can see where they're coming from.   I took weight off to help take the strain off my knees which worked well and it should hopefully make my total knee replacement last longer.   If I'm told to put weight back on I think I will consider putting weights in my pockets!   It's lovely to see your smile at the end of the message, so many health issues yet there you are, still smiling :-)    

I'm on Calceos which is a Calcium and Vit D supplement, is that similar to Calciteraol?

Sue x

Good idea to avoid the drugs as long as you can considering they can't be taken indefinitely and you are young.  Did you find the article I suggested you look for?  It will give you a bit of ammunition when talking with your doctors about how to proceed with managing your bone health, that there is proof that nutrition can improve bone density.  I know your circumstances are exceptional, but the more you can do to improve your general health the better off your bones will be too.  All the best.

I think they may be taking a better safe than sorry approach - they were unable to do a full dexa scan of my spine as I had a riding accident in the 1990's and there is quite a bit of metal work in there!  What with that, the total knee replacement on my left side, the pending one on my right leg and now the screw fix on my hip getting through the airport scanners should be fun!

Oh my goodness, you poor lady!

Are you mobile?

I am Kathleen, I'm quite mobile, and my back has healed so well with the metal work in it that I can bend down and touch my toes . . . .it's just years of horse riding that's caused problems with my knees - that an osteoarthritis!   The tkr has made a huge difference to my mobility, hoping the other one will too when I get permission from the hip doctors that it's ok to go ahead/

Oh ok, all the best with that then.

Thank you Kathleen

I think that Kathleen and my suggestions to go natural is more the better safe than sorry approach than the meds are!  A different point of view.

My hubby is in total agreement with my taking a diet, exercise and supplement approach having read the potential side/long term effects of taking AA!

So just researching appropriate supplements that have everything in the right ratio!

😊

All the best!

Let us know how you go with this.

Thank you Kathleen, will do

susan

Hi Susan, did you get. T score, if so can I ask what it was please