Osteoporosis and fracture

A couple of years ago, I fell and broke my right elbow but apparently healed very quickly "for a woman of my age!! thanks to an excellent Physiotherapist and daily adcal tablets (As above I can tolerate the daily tablets but not the big one to be taken standing up without any food for 30mins.
Two months ago< I fell and fractured my left wrist - arm in a sling and later a plaster cast or "stookie, now just a brace. Can't drive, or put on a bra, shower or wash hair. Haven't taken the prescribed pain killers, as they make me constipated. 1st Physio appointment this week and results of blood tests back showing low levels of calcium, which is not surprising as I have a severe intolerance/allergy to all the cheesy family, including yoghurt, creme fraiche, etc. though I can drink milk.

PS I have also been banned by my DDs from using a step ladder, washing windows, or hanging out washing, etc.

Thank you all for the kind thoughts. I have got myself a ‘grabber’ and I have a heated pad. I have e mailed gp for appt for help with pain and maybe physio.
The morning is terrible it takes about 3 goes to wash and dress (have to lay down in between). It really is exhausting. As someone who is usually fit and active and walks a lot I am finding it really hard. I am also not very patient!

Poor you. I hope you feel better soon.

DH ended up buying an infrared lamp and lies in bed on his side with the infrared lamp on a stool, positioned to where his pain is. He uses it twice a day and after a few weeks use, and perseverance, it is starting to ease his pain. Everyone is different though. What works for some may not work for others.

Best of luck with whatever treatments you use.

I’m sorry to hear about your predicament. I have had a crush fracture in my back and multiple low impact fractures. Have u had ur vitamin D checked? Skimmed milk is higher in calcium than other milk as it’s fortified. I used a heated wheat sack and a tens machine as well as painkillers. Time will heal but be kind to yourself.

I don't have exactly your problem, but a fall in a badminton game that smashed a vertebra brought a diagnoses of osteoporosis and osteopoenia.

My daughter found an excellent physiotherapist. I had been taken to hospital in an ambulance because the pain was so bad my brain cut off and I collapsed and the paramedics couldn't revive me.

I visited the physio every week for a long time and carried out her exercises and general advice until I have achieved a reasonable standard of what I would call "normal life". I am still not perfect but I am a damn sight better than I was.

Most important of all in this recovery business is to keep moving. Every day.

I have two slipped/bulging discs and my spine is crumbling. (Yes, I know!) I had a stupid fall and landed flat on my back. Long story but eventually had a scan and an x ray, and it showed a fracture on my spine. At first I was devastated. Walking on eggshells, terrified I would fall again. The pain was horrific, too, but like you, I was told to rest and take pain killers. Now, 18 months on, the fracture has healed and I am walking normally - well, normally for me. That's to say. not very far and not very fast. I bought a sturdy walking stick which is great for balance. I'm back to do everything I usually do - gardening, driving and even lugging bags of logs. You will get over it, honest. I know it's frightening, but give it time, lots of rest and plenty of pain relief. Stay strong xx

Had a fall from a stepladder last year. Fractured ribs, sacrum and pelvis. Oops! Recovery took about 3 months, though I was walking reasonably after about 8 weeks. Had marvellous metal aid attached to side of bed to aid getting out, supplied by NHS physiotherapy, as mentioned
by a previous poster. Couldn't have managed without it. Also used the grabber I had acquired after hip replacements. Walking with frame was much easier than sticks I found. Didn't realise at the time, but was later diagnosed with osteoporosis after DEXA scan. However I have now made a full recovery from the fall and can do everything I did before, though I am now banned from ladders by my family 😂. I do hope that you start to feel better soon.

I haven’t any advice really, except these things take time and you will be fine. However I do know about being housebound without company
during lockdown when I had various problems with a broken foot and torn rotor cuff, seeing a doctor was so difficult as was getting treatment. I really thought I was finished, but eventually albeit late, I got the medical help I needed, It’s taken time and I’m now able to resume life as it was before just a bit slower. Sending you 💐

I have spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, osteopoenia and osteoporosis, I had a fall last year and sheared the ball of the top of my femur, resulting in a hip replacement. Unfortunately I can't take the biphosphonates or any of the alternatives that were offered as I suffer with horrendous side effects. The only thing I can say is that although it feels like fractures/breaks are never going to improve the day will come when you realise that the pain has actually subsided and you can do more. I try to keep as active as I can and even went on holiday less than 2 weeks after the fall. Things will improve. Good Luck.

Oh memories of torture!
I tied cords to my bedroom door and after a long wriggle to get my feet off side of bed, pulled myself up enough to stand. One of your earlier replies said it took circa 6 weeks to get past this stage and up to 4/5 months to get over near enough completely. That’s about my memory, too I no longer suffer so badly but still hope never to go through such a painful experience again.
Was eventually given tablets to take weekly to stop bone deterioration but couldn’t cope with having to take on empty stomach and without bending my body. Couldn’t do it. If there’s others with this prescription then ask to see the specialist at hospital. S/He can give you injection which lasts either 6 or 12 months.

Thank you all so much for your replies which are very helpful.
I have had Osteoporosis for about 8 years and take Alendronic acid but I have never thought much about it as I had no problems, walked a lot and
Exercised.
I will contact the Osteoporosis Society this afternoon.
Once again thank you all.

I have osteoporosis, my spine is completely fractured top to bottom, resulting in significant height loss (above my waist only).

To feel comfortable: weekly physiotherapy, exercise, walk many times a day (dog needs), and pain killers. I wake up stiff, exercise helps.

Many people with osteoporosis cannot tolerate biphosphonates. I had a very bad reaction to Zolendronic acid. I am better on Prolia (denusomab) but many GPs in the UK are not well informed on this and it can be hard to get. I would ask for repeated bone density scans every 3 years and suggest not staying on any medication for more than three years unless significant other issues develop. Finding out why acid produced in the stomach inhibits calcium absorption for me was key: I now eat more full fat cheese and if I use milk, use whole milk and full fat yoghurt. People often think it's all about calcium levels in food, but it isn't - it is how your body can absorb calcium from different foods. With more info about a better diet for osteoporosis and what to avoid or not have too much of (asparagus, sadly, for one) and switching swimming to walking, 3 years on Prolia, I have managed to stem and even improve from osteoporotic to osteopeanic. Exercising with weights, reformer equipment, rubber bands etc is also really important. You have to be proactive with osteoporosis - GPs won't recall you for bone density scans etc. It's hidden under the carpet.

There are metal bed aids that help
Mine is metal, has a large grab handle at either side and the metal bar that fits under mattress can be adjusted to fit most beds.
I have osteoporosis and find in invaluable

My sister recently had a fall resulting in fractures of the hip and arm. The hip was operated on but they told her the arm should heal by itself. In the meantime she has been diagnosed with osteoporosis but she has been given no advice on how to deal with it. I don't live in the UK so don't know the usual procedure there but here biphosphonates would almost certainly be prescribed to prevent further deterioration of the bones. Is that not the case in the UK?

I do not know whether this will be helpful or not with regards to getting out of bed, and you may already know about it.

I was advised, after an abdominal operation, to roll onto my side in bed and swing my legs out of bed then slither sideways until my feet were on the floor. I found it tricky to manage, but it was said to be better than trying to sit up in bed.

Having a solid nightstand you can hang onto while getting out of bed might help too.

I would also look online for aids to help one get out of bed, raised toilet seat( which I swear by) , litter picker grabbers to help pick up items off floor etc. These things can really help

A few years ago I was diagnosed with Osteopenia, then developed into Osteoporosis. I highly recommend the ROYAL OSTEOPOROSIS SOCIETY. You can call to discuss any concerns, extremely informative website.
Many many years ago ,I had a very painful sledging accident, my tailbone was hurt. It took a good 2 months, to feel better. Hope you find this helpful, get better soon.

I fell down 3 stairs in 2009 and had a fracture dislocation of my L) ankle which needed to be pinned and plated. The diagnosis was osteopenia which is the stage before osteoporosis. I was told to be very careful for 6 months while the drugs worked. I was non-weight bearing using a Zimmer frame and found it so difficult. Anyway, it took about 3 months to heal and I have had to use a walking stick ever since. I had not long stopped HRT so I have no idea why my levels were so low

Thank you for taking the time to reply Monica.

I am pleased that you recovered from your fall. It’s reassuring to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am not very patient and sitting around doing nothing is not something I want to do for too long.

I did something like this about 12 years ago. I didn't then have a diagnosis of osteoporosis and I never went to the doctor, on the basis he would merely prescribe rest and painkillers, which was what i was doing.

So it was only last year I discovered I had osteoporosis and was also dignosed as having had an injury sometime similar to yours.

It took me about 3 - 4 months to recover. The first 6 weeks were the worst and then I gradually got back to normal.