Osteoporosis tips welcomed

Thank you all you amazing gransnetters for the information and support you have shared. My mother and grandmother had osteoporosis so I should not have been surprised. I have taken on board what you have written. What sings out is the positive attitude of so many of you which is of great help. Thank you. Dogs.

I started my periods at I think nearly 15 and my periods stopped at 40. At 50 I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and with further tests coeliac disease was also diagnosed so it could have been a combination of everything. We aren’t sure how long I’ve been coeliac. They don’t know how long I’d not been absorbing nutrients.
I refused aldrenic acid. It was just my choice not to take it. I take calcium and vitamin D everyday, eat healthy and do yoga Pilates and go to the gym. I have no aches or pains so assume everything is fine. Fingers crossed. ?

As Farmor15 says there does seem to be a strong hereditary side. I read recently that sometimes coeliac disease can be involved as it stops the proper absorption of food. This may only apply to a few people but just a thought.

Dogsmakemesmile I discovered I had osteopenia after my left ankle was shattered in 2009.

It is just below osteoporosis and I was told as my blood levels were so low it would take around 6 months for the drugs to kick in and my blood levels to be normal so I had to be extra careful and not fall. I fell down 2 stairs at home re my pinned and plated ankle.

That stopped me from working but I was a pensioner and trying to fill the coffers with extra work. It could have been worse.

There is a strong genetic component to osteoporosis, as far as I know. My grandfather, mother and aunt all had it, so I was aware of it from a relatively young age.

There was a clinical trial going on in the college where I used to work, involving the effect of weight bearing exercise on bone strength. I signed up for it and had a Dexa scan at the beginning and end of the year long programme. The exercise was quite intense - 2 supervised sessions per week and one done independently. Some involved steps, jumping etc and some with knee problems dropped out early. (Definitely wouldn't suit anyone with prolapse). I stuck with it and in the end, the Dexa showed my bones had improved. However, I didn't keep it up, but asked my doctor to refer me for scans every 2 - 3 years. I took the aldronic acid for a few years, with no problems, but read it was not good to continue long term. I've managed to maintain my bones reasonably - some osteopenia, but not getting worse.

I'll have another scan shortly and depending on results, might opt for the 6 monthly injection - denosumab, brand name Prolia. I also take calcium+vit D.

My story shows that weight bearing exercise can improve bones for some people, but if you've inherited the tendency for osteoporosis, get regular scans and take whatever drugs are offered!

Thanks Espee - I'm definitely more easily confused in my old age. Just turned 86.
I've had 2 bone density tests and both showed that my bones are strong. Thank God.
I was late with puberty and early with menopause.

trisher I started on oestrogen 33 years ago. My oestrogen is made from yams and always has been. I would never have accepted Premarin on ethical grounds or any hormone in pill form.

Fennel It is premature menopause which is linked to osteoporosis, not late menopause.

I am still reading...Thank you everyone for taking the time to post. Greatly appreciated.

Esspee

My sympathy, my mother suffered from osteoporosis and I made up my mind it wouldn’t happen to me.
It happens from peri menopause when your oestrogen levels drop. Your bones are continually being absorbed and reformed but without oestrogen the replacement is less efficient so the bones become porous and are easily broken.

I took the decision to replace the missing oestrogen and have been doing so for over 30years. My bones are very strong and instructions are that future bone scans are unnecessary unless I stop taking oestrogen.

It will depend on what age you are and your family medical history as to whether your doctor will agree to put you on HRT.
There are other treatments, none as effective as HRT and some rather unpleasant to take. Research treatments online then see your doctor.
? for you.

I wouldn't take HRT 25 years ago because of the way it was manufactured and the mistreatment of horses. Which turned out to be quite fortunate because 10 years after I would have started taking it my mother had a DVT and a couple of years later her sister had a pulmonary embolism which would have meant me giving up HRT anyway. That's the problem sometimes you don't know your family history or it doesn't happen until after your menopause.

My comment above -osteoporosis is linked to EARLY puberty and LATE menopause ie ?longer time with oestrogen, without testosterone?

Pepper59

Im amazed you all get sent for this scan, that scan. My health centre sends you for nothing, you are usually fobbed off with excuses and shown the door.

Time to change to a different practice I suggest.

Im amazed you all get sent for this scan, that scan. My health centre sends you for nothing, you are usually fobbed off with excuses and shown the door.

My sympathy, my mother suffered from osteoporosis and I made up my mind it wouldn’t happen to me.
It happens from peri menopause when your oestrogen levels drop. Your bones are continually being absorbed and reformed but without oestrogen the replacement is less efficient so the bones become porous and are easily broken.

I took the decision to replace the missing oestrogen and have been doing so for over 30years. My bones are very strong and instructions are that future bone scans are unnecessary unless I stop taking oestrogen.

It will depend on what age you are and your family medical history as to whether your doctor will agree to put you on HRT.
There are other treatments, none as effective as HRT and some rather unpleasant to take. Research treatments online then see your doctor.
? for you.

Weight bearing exercises. And even a little bit of weight training is supposed to be useful. You can’t go wrong with walking ( unless you fall over )
Good luck.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my 50s I asked for a bone scan because my mother had advanced osteoporosis. I spent several years on medication mostly alendronic acid and changed it once because of surprising effects on my skin. Second lot was fine. About 10 years ago I was put on a drugs holiday and my osteoporosis was down graded to osteopenia. I now take a calcium/Vitamin D supplement but no other medication. My last scan- about 4 years ago gave normal results for my age. (I'm 76).
I did take up tai-chi and I have always walked a lot. During lock down when my tai-chi stopped I took up pilates via Zoom. Some weight bearing excersise is advisable (not swimming it isn't weight bearing) because the actions of the muscles on the bones help to build density.
My mum lived to 93 although she had advanced osteoporosis and had numerous fractures including 3 in her spine. She had the injections as she grew older.
Good luck. You can improve your bone density but it takes a combination of things.

I am the same as Luckygirl, I have the 6 monthly injection and also take a calcium and vit C tablet twice daily. Only ever broke a rib when I fell off my bike

Evidently osteoporosis is linked to late puberty and early menopause.
One bit of advice I read weightbearing -good to walk home from the shops carrying heavy bags of shopping!

Many, many thanks for all the above advice and kindness. I had a DEXA scan a couple of weeks ago and GP assured me the results were not too bad (not his exact words!). Really appreciate people taking the time to write. Feel I have woken up in a different world but obviously I will get my head round it. Waiting for hospital appointment now. I will keep coming back to read posts. I knew Gransnetters would help me! x

I have had osteoporosis for 9 years now. I’m 69.

I take daily vitamin D and calcium tablets, and alendronic acid once a week.

Had my 3rd bone scan last week, they are supposed to happen every 3-5 years I am told.

Touch wood, have never broken a bone. My late mother had osteoporosis which is why I was tested initially. She died at 92, her death certificate said ‘old age’ and ‘osteoporosis’. Don’t think they knew what else to put.

I walk, go to aquacise several times a week, and try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of milk, yogurts, cheese, green veg etc.

My back sometimes aches, I was 5 feet, 3.5 inches last week when they measured me, I used to be about 5 feet 5 inches.

I have had no issues with the alendronic acid so far, when I go to the surgery for my scan results, I will check if it’s ok for me to be taking it for so long as there are conflicting reports about it, not least on GN.

Eat healthily and avoid anymore falls at all costs. You will also be prescribed medication that is supposed to help slow down (and sometimes reverses) the severity of this condition. Weight bearing exercises are recommended as well to strengthen the bones.

Dogsmakemesmile have you had a bone density scan? My late mom had one when she was in her 50's due to pain in her ribs which was classed as a sign of osteoporosis. She was put on cycle of tablets . She had to take one lot of tablets for 3 weeks and then another lot of a week. I remember the weekly one had to be taken hour before a meal and couldn't eat anything for 2 hours afterwards. Can't remember what they where called. Luckily she never broke any bones but did shrink in height . She had a bone density scan every 5 years she was 90 when she died in 2017. The tablets must have been very high in calcium and vitamin D because her nails grew and needed cutting every week. She had to stop drinking coffee but that's all she was told.

I could not take the alendronic acid tabs, so have 6 monthly Denosumab injection plus twice daily calcium and Vit D. I have not idea whether it is doing any good or not.

My DH was diagnosed with osteoporosis in France last summer after suffering a second bout of severe backache which was caused by two collapsing vertebrae. He receives his medical treatment in France where he has his main home and pays taxes, etc.

He is on a daily VitD and calcium supplement and was given an alendronic infusion in February which will be done annually, I believe. His rheumatologist decided against daily doses of that due to his “itinerant lifestyle”. i.e. he travel over to England regularly to be with me!

It was a shock at first but he’s very well now (out mowing as I type) and more flexible and nimble than me, due to osteoarthritis! Good luck with your treatment, Dogsmakemesmile.

My last Dexa scan showed some osteoporosis in the left femoral neck so I will have to have the annual infusion as I hated the tablets. I have started to do some reading and am going to do some exercises for bone health, there are lots on You Tube. I also have daily supplements for bone health: calcium magnesium and zinc, boron, vitamin K2 which helps the body to absorb the calcium,Vitamin D3 and Omega 3. Other than a daily walk and foods rich in calcium there is not much else to be done in my case. Weight bearing exercise is supposed to be good for the bones but I have a prolapse so am restricted in what I can do. It was a shock to me to be told I was osteopenic three years ago as I am/was tall with a medium build and only ever broke a bone in 1979. I have lost 2.5 inches which was also a shock as I was always 5’ 8 inches and liked being tall. I agree it is hard to come to terms with but best if it is identified early. Are you on any medication that may have contributed to the osteoporosis? I was on Anastrozole for 2.5 years when I decided to stop taking it, it does adversely affect the bones hence the regular Dexa scans. I found that the Anastrozole only decreased the chance of the cancer recurring by 7-10% and since it was only a Grade 1 cancer and only 4mm in size I decided I would accept the increased risk and safeguard my bone health.

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it is a shock when you are first told specially if you can't think how you got to this. I did take the Alendronic acid tablets recommended for nearly five years with no side effects until right at the end, when they played my throat up and I stopped. You will read all sorts of things about them but needs must. There are other treatments, so make sure you get to speak to somebody about it.
Otherwise I am sure you will settle down and it just becomes part of life, I try make sure I have foods with calcium and Vitamin D.