Chest X ray fear /low bone density in spine

I'm just continuing to eat as healthily as possible, and garden for exercise (I would like to do Pilates or Tai Chi if I can find a class). I have dug out a book I forgot I had about bone-strengthening exercises, so I'll make a start on doing some of those. I'd prefer to have a teacher though to ensure I'm doing them correctly. Maybe You Tube has something :-)

I was diagnosed with osteopenia in my spine and hips after I broke my wrist and prescribed Accrete D3, I had a follow up dexa scan after 2 years, my osteopenia is no worse.

Yes, it may not be ideal, Anja. They don't have all the answers yet, unfortunately.

I think that is the problem SueDonim ie that rather than building up new bone to replace the old (part of the natural cycle) alendronic acid retains the old. This may not always be the best option.

I've taken Alendronate acid for osteopenia for almost five years with no side effects. Better that than another fractured leg!

I quite agree, SueDonim ... definitely better than a break.

Sorry, didn't mean to worry anyone who is going to take the drugs just because I am very "anti" after my own experiences. Sometimes needs must!

I've taken Alendronate acid for osteopenia for almost five years with no side effects. Better that than another fractured leg!

As I understand it from the bone clinic information, the drug and supplements don't so much build up your bone density as prevent your body from losing more bone. As you get older your bone density will hopefully match your chronological age so say at 60yo you are found to have the bone density of a 65yo. The aim of treatment is to prevent any more bone loss so that by the age of 65 you will still have the bone density of a 65yo and not a 70yo.

Rowantree I don't think you will be given the 'nasty' drugs for Osteoporosis as at present you don't have it but as I said the GP should give you at least the Calcium and Vitamins D3, the Vitamin K is supposed to be help too and possibly Magnesium. If you do have to take the Alendronic Acid not everybody gets bad side affects.

Hi Rowantree I'm not sure how long it took me last time to raise my bone density because they don't keep giving you DEXA scans all that often. I might have raised it within 18 months but did not have a repeat scan for 3 years, when I discovered I was into the osteopenic range and out of the danger zone.

Yes, I am raising it with supplements alone because the side effects from the drugs can be horrendous, and the reason I have been in this mess is that I had breast cancer twice, and the 5 years of various drugs gave me a horrible time and messed me up in a number of ways including contributing to wrecking my bone density. I am not going to take drugs again unless I really have to, which of course I may in the future.

I take all the minerals individually in order to get higher doses and in order to separate them as I've read that calcium and magnesium can compete for absorbency. Not sure how true that is but I take them separately just to be sure. I vary the brands I use as well.

Magnesium is very good for Restless Leg Syndrome and also Insomnia, so I take Magnesium Citrate at bedtime with some supper. I take some decent Wholefood Calcium which is made from calcified seaweed and isn't as cheap as the Calcium Carbonate tablets, (which is another name for chalk, and not absorbed well by the body so in my view it's pretty useless.)

I also take Vit K2, high doses of Vit D3 (have not had a single cough, cold or 'flu since taking a lot of Vit D3 despite all around me catching viruses, so it's helping in more ways than one), a good multivitamin which also contains Boron, extra zinc, and high strength Omega 3.

I am juggling 8 illnesses and have multiple food allergies and intolerances so have to eat a very restricted diet. I hope to be able to tolerate more foods in the future, but have to supplement to compensate for not getting the basics from my food like so-called normal people would hence this sounds like an overwhelming list of extras but to my mind it's worth it.

I am desperate to avoid taking the drugs and have not been able to have a holiday for 9 years because of my food problems, so I spend every penny on my health in the hope of being able to eat away from home more easily in the future.

Hope this info helps.

Oh, Sparklefizz, that sounds awful but well done for overcoming osteoporosis. You do sound very determined and strong! When you say you're going to get the BD up again, are you doing it with supplements alone and if so, which? How long did it take before?

I reversed my osteoporosis to osteopenia with supplements, then developed a completely separate pancreas illness whereby my pancreas stopped making digestive enzymes, and I ended up suffering with malnutrition which meant I lost a lot of hair and my nails, and my bone density deteriorated again back down to osteoporosis.

However, I'm now prescribed replacement digestive enzymes and am working hard to get my bone density back up the scale. I've done it once so I know I can do it again .... it's hard, of course, but I'm a very determined person and it will be worth it.

It's not easy.

Jalima Yes, you're quite right, it could. I am trying hard to lose weight, but progress is slow.

Gonegirl I take a multivitamin plus extra vitamin D but you're right, also SParklefizz, I do need to have a look at specific supplements for helping bones. I wouldn't have trouble remembering to take them - I already have a cocktail of pills each morning, so a couple more won't be a problem (though I need to make sure I'm not overdosing on anything).

Rowantree, I'm very overweight and have struggled with my weight for years Could that be contributing to your breathlessness?

As for the problem with your bones - your GP will surely be prescribing medication to help with this. Would exercise not help both with weight loss and with helping with the osteopenia?

I have Osteocare tablets. They include magnesium and vit D and calcium
We take those Gonegirl, not regularly. but I did take two a day for months after I had a fracture. Now I take one when I remember.

Panicking can cause breathing problems so that may be a conributing factor. that could be a cause, the more anxious you get (don't Google!!) the worse you may feel.

I could not run up our hill even if someone offered me £1m.

Rowantree the osteopenia is not too bad. You need supplements and excersise.You also need monitoring to make sure your condition does not deteriorate. But even if it does there are excellent treatments now. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis about 15 years ago. I had drug treatment, calcium and Vit D and do tai chi and walk. My condition has improved and I now have osteopenia and I am on a drug holiday. So your GP is wrong you can build bone density. I hope your X ray gives you a positive result. Panicking can cause breathing problems so that may be a conributing factor. Hope all goes well.

Rowantree I think your GP was just covering all eventualities and it will turn out to be something minor. Other posters have given you good advice. I too have osteopenia for which I'm prescribed AdCal tablets - VitD and Calcium - and try to walk for half an hour everyday.
I've sent you a pm.

I have Osteocare tablets. They include magnesium and vit D. Remembering to take them is the hard part. And they are very big, and you have to swallow two!

I guess it's why people use walkers.

My weak back makes me get puffed out easily. Takes a fair bit of energy to keep upright. Can be very tiring.

There's been some good advice on here. You also need Magnesium for your bones, plus make sure the Vit D is D3. There are plenty of bone support supplements available containing everything you need but you get what you pay for so cheapest is not best.

Add Vit K2 into the mix of Vit D and calcium.

I expect the weight and feelings of panic are causing the breathlessness, as soon as it happens you panic and it get worse. The GP does seem to be taking action, they always go seem to go for the easy option first visit and then the onus is on you to go back which you did and you now have the Xray to come. Dear old NHS it all takes time. Meantime while you wait better to do something than nothing so why not start in a gentle way to tackle the weight side of things. I think you should be taking Calcium and Vitamin D for the Osteopenia which is a different issue to the breathing, have a look at the Royal Osteoporosis website for exercises.

Rowantree I find that we are never happy with the doctors. If they don't seem to take much notice we are convinced they'll miss something important and if they do take us seriously and refer us, we are equally convinced that they are going to find something even an incidental finding and whish we never mentioned it!

You cannot change your past so no regrets! Plan on smaller portions and some daily exercise. Make small changes to improve your health. If you do little exercise at the mo ,
then start with 15-30 minute walk a day. Try and do it every day regardless of the weather. The CXR may be partially to rule out heart failure. Wishing you all the best

MissAdventure That'd be a turn-up for the books, me running anywhere!