Just diagnosed with osteoporosis as well as RA

mylo

Hi everyone
A bit shell-shocked! Saw my GP yesterday following a bone density scan to be told that I have osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. He's started me on Alendronic Acid tablets (I think that's what theyr'e called) - I understood him to say that this stops the osteoporosis deteriorating further but can't reverse it.

Has any one else been diagnosed with osteroporosis as well as RA? I thought I was just beginning to get my head around the RA, and I'm now so frightened about the future all over again.

Help please!

woodbon

Hello Mylo, I am sorry to hear that you have had such a shock, it must be hard to get your head around,I have oa not, as far as I know, osteoprosis. I can understand how frightening it must be for you and send you an eletronic hug ((()))l. At least, now you know what it is you're fighting and the doctors can give you the best medication to help you, thats one positive thing about the diagnosis. Its easy for me to say, and I think that, reading this it makes me seem like some stupid Pollyanna person, always looking at the bright side, but thats not true, ask my husband, I diagnosed him with MS from the Web, when he had pins and needles in his leg :!: :oops:

I'm sure there are people on here with more experience than me, and I'm sure you'll get lots of help.

I know that there is an osteoprosis society and I think it is very active. They have a web site and here in Norfolk there are groups that meet often. They will also have lots of information.

I hope you give yourself time and be kind to yourself. Don't expect to just pull yourself together and carry on, you need to get over the shock. I'm sure you will. Love Sue. xxx

lindalegs

Hi Mylo,

You're bound to be shocked and frightened now but I'm sure you will get your head round it after the shock's settled down.

On a positive note, I see from your personal profile that you're around menopause age so I would think that's a good time to treat a condition like OP and stop it getting any worse.

I, too, am waiting for the results of a bone scan and as I have RA like you, we could be sharing the same boat - I think I'm at risk because my Mum had OP - still I shall just have to deal with it, if I am.

............ was it Pollyanna that used to say 'Life's s**t and then you die' :shock: :?

Luv Legs

colinone

Hi Mylo so sorry about your diagnoses I also take Alendronic along with calsychew. Some arthrits drugs can weaken the bones over long periods of time. I take prednisolone which causes this problem and have had RA and PA for nearly 30 years. Sad to say your right it cant be stoped as with the arthritis but yes it should stop it from deterioating. I do hope your feeling better soon
Colin

plmb48

mylo wrote:

Hi everyone
A bit shell-shocked! Saw my GP yesterday following a bone density scan to be told that I have osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. He's started me on Alendronic Acid tablets (I think that's what theyr'e called) - I understood him to say that this stops the osteoporosis deteriorating further but can't reverse it.

Has any one else been diagnosed with osteroporosis as well as RA? I thought I was just beginning to get my head around the RA, and I'm now so frightened about the future all over again.

Help please!

hi mylo i have RAand OP i take Alendronic my OP was caused by taking prednisolone for many years i feel medication is a hit and miss thing dont worry too much at least they found it and are doing their best to slow it down good luck pauline

airwave

Hi Milo,
Nothing to worry about I'm 53, male, with OA and osteoporosis, I gave up counting fractures at No. 50 and spent one day of last year without a fracture. OA has a much bigger affect on my life, believe me!

I have been taking the pills for two years now and am just about level with where I was when diagnosed three years ago. I have learnt to just get on with life and try to do as much as possible, now if we had a bit more snow I could get my old skis out........

Bravado? Maybe, but its another way of coping.

8) Its a grin, honest!

xxloulou

mylo wrote:

Hi everyone
A bit shell-shocked! Saw my GP yesterday following a bone density scan to be told that I have osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. He's started me on Alendronic Acid tablets (I think that's what theyr'e called) - I understood him to say that this stops the osteoporosis deteriorating further but can't reverse it.

Has any one else been diagnosed with osteroporosis as well as RA? I thought I was just beginning to get my head around the RA, and I'm now so frightened about the future all over again.

Help please!

I have JRA and was diagnose OP 20yrs ago at 22 with a femur fracture. Have been on alendronic acid since last fracture about 6yrs ago and my bone density went up a bit and I haven't fractured since. Yippee! Remember to try to take calcium in your diet and plenty of sunshine/vit D to encourage uptake of calcium. Alendronic acid stops the body stripping calcium from skeleton/blood when needed, which is the normal body process, so you need it in your diet.

mylo

Hi everyone, thanks for all the replies - very encouraging and reassuring! xx