Vibration plate machine

My t scores are quite bad. -4.5 lumbar and I had a fracture in November. But had to fight to get an x-ray, which took 9 weeks to diagnose the fracture and only got osteoporosis result in May. I have a lot of allergies, can't take most meds so refused the aa. I only saw a nurse in the clinic but she said just because I won't take it doesn't mean they won't treat me. My gp was useless and told me nothing I only learned about k2 etc on this forum.

Sometimes I wonder what they teach doctors in med school these days!  It will be interesting to hear about your experience with the vibration plate.  There are some contraindications for use, so make sure it is safe for you.  A bit of basic info on a site called vibration plate reviews (one word) are vibration plates good for you.  Gives a good overview, presents both the positive and negative sides.             

Unfortunately most GPs dont seem to have the time nowadays unless you go privately, but at least you had a nurse who did discuss your concerns. My fractures were not diagnosed and I too had to fight for x rays and scans. However after I was diagnosed, everyone has been fantastic.I will be interested how you get on with the plate. Never tried one myself. I would probably fall of and break something!!!

I asked if it would be safe and the nurse said a low setting for 5 minutes. I am also attending the gym using treadmill and some weight machines. Thanks for the support Anhaga and Alison

I have had one for a couple of years - low settings for 5 minutes (with a break in the middle).  My attitude is "it can't do any harm", so why not?

Have you had any improvement in your t scores?

Sorry Michele, I was only diagnosed with OP about 8 months ago so I have no idea yet whether anything has changed.  My scores were hips -3.5 but spine less than -2, so not dreadful (I suppose the hips aren't too good)!

Good luck with your research.

💐💐

Hi

My Dr was useless. Read my results and handed me a prescription for aa . I was in a state of shock, nothing was explained. T scores-4.6 lumbar so quite bad. I'd never heard of aa or anything relating to osteoporosis. It was a nurse at the osteoporosis clinic i spoke to yesterday, the only health professional who had spoken to me about anything with regards to the osteoporosis. This site helped me. Be careful with exercises as I know with my lumbar scores I can't use a trampoline.

Stephie, there is a technique whch I haven't done because I don't want to jar my arthritic spine, where you just do vigorous heel drops.  Safer than a trampoline, free, and takes up no space! I think if you look up heel drops osteoporosis you'll find some info.  

Poor you. The delivery of this news should never have been given like this. I lost my hearing and as I sat waiting to be told it was an infection, the consultant said its probably a brain tumour. I went alone and all I could think about was, its someone elses notes. No one said any more and I went out into the street and cried while I called my husband. He was convinced Id misunderstood. I have a brain tumour, on the balance nerve, lucky me!!! But the medical profesion need a good shake up as to how news is delivered to their patients. My osteoperosis, on the other hand has been a very different experience and softened the blow considerably. But so many people like you have not had this news delivered with any thought to how the patient may react or if they have any emotional support at home.

Alison, that was truly shocking!  Did you ever have a chance to tell the doctor how devastated and unsupported you felt?  When I discovered an enlarged lymph node in my neck (in my mid-thirties) I asked what it could be, and the doctor said it could be one of a hundred things, ninety-eight of which would be innocuous, and we would wait for the biopsy.  In the circumstances that was the best thing to tell me, because I thought any kind of lump like this would have to be dire.  In the end it was relatively innocuous (sarcoidosis).  My experience with the osteoporosis diagnosis was akin to Michele's. 

I was alone at Drs too and went back to work and burst into tears. I live alone too so had no one to discuss it with. I know people say you could have a worse diagnosis but I was still shook up

Yes Anhaga. I made a formal complaint because I kept thinking if I had no one to be with when I got home, how much worse it would be. I was a nurse and in my day, patients were respected, not an inconvienience. As I was diagnosed with OP and the brain tumour within 2 months of each other, it was chalk and cheese, the way it was handled. Great for OP and terrible for the tumour. I appreciate I was lucky with my medical support for OP and many others are not.

I was a nurse and I couldn't even think of anything to ask. Its the shock. You feel your life changes instantly, but you cant absorb the news. I know I was much luckier than most with my OP diagnosis and the professionals have been with me every step of the way. I was even given a phone number to call anytime. Perhaps this is why I feel more positive about my OP but I understand how isolated others feel.

It's very difficult to cope when you are alone - but, from now on, you are NOT alone.  There is always someone on the forum who will listen, commiserate, help.  Post whenever you are down.

Michele, I got support from my family, thankfully.  Not hubby so much, but my kids.  And social media helped me.  I reached out through facebook and that's how the friend who helped me so much with sharing her experience and advice connected with me.  But I know I was in shock, and it wasn't until I finally got my t-score (-2 femur) two months later that I felt so relieved, and actually only then did I understand how much pressure I'd felt.

Thank you. I truly appreciate the support and advice I received here. I had never heard of k2 etc and now am a huge advocate. The op nurse also said she had patients who this helped although I don't know scores. Thanks again ladues

The only support I got was you Anhaga! Your advice really made me believe it wasn't the end! I was really depressed. It made me do research which has made me more positive. I am still scared as -4.6 is bad for lumbar. My calcium and vit d levels are fine I guess it must be more menopause related so hope k2 will help.

It's odd that western medicine seems to have so much trouble grasping the importance of nutrition.  Our doctors are reluctant to recommend K2 along with D3 (with the caveat that ppl on some bloodthinners need to use caution).  This despite the fact that Japanese doctors have proven its effectiveness and recommend it.

K2 was recommended to me by my Dr in the osteoperosis clinic. They also have a walk in once a month where anyone who has been diagnosed and their families, can go along, ask questions and exchange ideas. I know I am luckier than most to have that facility. 

Yes you are lucky! What country are you in?

I divide my time between Portugal and Scotland. The great support and help I have received with my OP,  has all been from Scotland.

That's really interesting. My sister lives in Scotland. Must speak to her!

Does your sister have op?  My experience of my treatment for op in Scotland has been fantastic, but cant say the same about my fractures. It wasn't until I was eventually diagnosed, that everything kicked in and I feel I was well looked after and got the help and advice I needed. I had 3 fractures over a 12 year period and each one was undiagnosed, despite returning to GP and A and E several times. When I fractured L4 I was in Portugal. Several of us in the room heard the crack. I went to hospital on a board, in an ambulance and they put me in the room to have an x-ray. Told me I was fine so I asked to see the x-ray. They told me it was already destroyed. 5 minutes later!!! When I returned to Scotland, I went to A and E and stupidly told them I had had an x-ray in Portugal so they would not do another. I was told to rest for 2 weeks then go back to normal. Normal for me meant running. So, I did as I was told and was in agony, but stupidly, kept it up for 3 weeks before I eventually persuaded my GP I needed an MRI. After that, OP clinic, diagnosis then all the help and advice I could possibly want or need.

I think the Scottish healthcare system is far superior than the English 1. My experience has only been of London and Scotland (Inverness). Scotland beats London hands down. I know i shouldnt generalise but that has been my experince

I agree we should not generalise but we certainly can voice our own experience and my treatment and monitoring of my OP in Scotland has been excellent. I felt I was listned to and given all the facts. They listned to my moans and I never felt rushed when discussing anything. The walk in clinic has talks on nutrients, exercise, meds, life style, smoking, you name it, they cover it. It is also made to feel fun. Last time I was there everyone who was able to do so had to stand up and hold on to the back of their chair. We were warned not to do this if we had been in a bar for lunch. We then had to hold on but, lift 1 foot off the floor. It puts stress on the hip  and improves balance. With pratice you can stand for longer and without holding on. It works but, as the nurse said, don't do it if you have had a few.

My sister doesn't have op but has said how good care in Scotland is. And prescription medicines are free.

Yes they are but at my age, they would be free anyway. We also get free bus travel anywhere in Scotland after our 60th birthday. These perks don't make up for all the rain we have to put up with hence the reason for a house in Portugal. Not enough sunlight to produce any vitD except on a handful of days a year.

I'm 60 but don't get free travel. Free prescription now but had to pay for physio as the waiting list was so long. I live in Essex

Physio is so important so it is worth it. I hope you get good results in 18 months time at your next scan.

Thanks Alison