Osteoporosis

lynn57buckingham

I have just been diagnosed with the beginnings of osteoporosis - diagnised by bone density scan this morning, because some months ago I broke my metatarsal bone in my left foot & didn't have any idea how I did it. I have had osteoarthritis for some years now. Lovely woman who did the xray. She tells me I will need to see my GP in approx. 2 weeks so he can prescribe me a tablet to be taken weekly, which I assume is Calcium. She also handed me a leaflet with info on weekly exercise classes at the local leisure centre specifically for people with this condition. My good friend who has had rheumatoid arthritis for many years assures me it's all ok & says I might be wise to take fish oils & glucosamine too. I am not sure about these, I have taken them in the past, but can't tell if they really make a difference. I take a Turmeric capsule daily which I also can't say for sure works in any positive way. Any experiences or thoughts on this anyone? Hope your day is good & not too snowy. It's sunny here in East Devon. Lynn 8)

dreamdaisy

Hello Lynne, that is a blow isn't it? Osteoporosis is not good news for anyone. As you probably know it can affect either gender but women are more prone thanks to the declining levels of oestrogen after the menopause. Other causes are meds-related, some stop our bodies absorbing sufficient Vit D and others cause it as a side effect.

I suspect the weekly tablet is going to be alendronic acid. I was on this for a while whilst I was taking prednisalone (an oral steroid) and it was a faff. It has to be taken on an empty stomach and you have to remain upright (standing or sitting) for thirty minutes. I struggled a little with nausea but found that sipping a full-fat cola helped to ease matters. I'm no longer on it as I weaned myself off the steroids but I still take (when I remember) calcium tablets with added Vit D. I remember reading somewhere that skipping is a good bone-building exercise - not that good for those of us with arthritis-affected lower limbs!

Fish oils and glucosamine are supposed to help 'oil' the joints whereas osteoporosis is to do with bone thinning, a different problem altogether. We use skimmed milk because it has added calcium and I try to get regualr doses of gentle sunlight to help build the Vit D levels. (Over-use of sunscreen is also leading to this trouble in younger women.) Cheese is a good source of calcium and I alwyas eat the bones in tinned salmon and mackerel (but that's just me!)

The good-ish news is that you are in the early stages so hopefully some remedial bone-building can be done to help matters. Good luck with it, chat through the options with your GP and I hope you get on OK. DD

stickywicket

I'm sorry about the osteoporosis but I hope the meds and exercise will help. If you don't get plenty of fish oils in your diet then cod liver oil tabs might help. I don't do any supplements so can't help on that front.

lynn57buckingham

Hi stickywicket. Thank you. Kind regards, Lynn

wall1409

Poor you. I agree with sticky though, if you can swim then do it with floats to ease the joints.

Wendy x

bubbadog

Hi Lynn, I to have Osteo-porosis, mine we are not sure when it started or why started. The density scan was a shocker for myself & my OH and when they explained my bones where black as they where so bad and where more like a 80yr olds bones not a 28yr olds it broke my world. Now it's effecting both my hips and lower back. I have also been diagnoised with Osteo-Arthritis which is another body blow and I'm about to turn 40yrs old in a few weeks! I don't take any vitamin tablets as I don't believe they do any great job. And I've recently started a steroid injection that has helped alot. It's a case of what works for some may not suit others. I do have little accidents I've broken my big toes several times and have also broke my metatarsal. I hope you find things that work for you. If you ever wanna chat just PM (personal message) me!

lynn57buckingham

Hello bubbadog. Sorry to hear you have problems so young. I am 57 so not so early to start all these issues. Thank you for your info. I hope you can manage well in this cold weather. Everything seems so much easier in the warmer times doesn't it? Keep warm & well, Lynn

barbara12

Hello Lynne
I am sorry you have been diagnosed with OP, there are quite a few new drugs for around, and apparently you have to find what suits you.
I know that our elnafin has just come off one drug and is waiting for the new one to start.
Then there is our Joan..dachshund...she is on one of them.
Its good that they have done the bone scan and found it early, I have been asking for one of these scan , has I worry about this.
I do hope you get your appointment soon and then you can start on some meds.
Please let us know how you get on, I am sure others will be interested, has well as me.
You take care x

LolaCrayola

I have Osteopenia and OA. Mine was diagnosed after a DEXA scan. I requested it when my specialist asked if I had Osteoporosis while looking at my x ray and MRI. My local Osteoporosis society runs cheap classes for weight bearing exercise by qualified physio. Because I have lower bone density I just take a calcium and viamin D supplement and have a rescan in 5 years. I am 42.

ShulaArcher

Hello

Sorry to read of your diagnosis but you're obviously going to do all you can to deal with it. There is a booklet, produced by Arthritis Research UK called "Diet and arthritis". This has loads of information, including detailed info about calcium, vitamin D and osteoporosis, amongst other things. It's important not to take too much fish liver oil and there are also possible side effects of omega-3 fatty acids. This is too complicated to go into here but the booklet explains it clearly.

All the best
Shula

bubbadog

Hey Lynn, I do prefer warmer weather, and I'm hating this weather at the moment! Hibernation time for me!! Though with warmer weather I have my problems with ankle and feet swelling. You can't win really so make the best of what you can enjoy!