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Anyone got any advice about osteoporosis?

(54 Posts)
Dollymixtures Wed 11-Oct-23 20:59:45

I’ve just been today for a bone scan and I’ve definitely got osteoporosis. I had no idea obviously, it was just advised by a doctor as a general thing. I’ve lost over three inches in height and I’m suddenly a stone less than I was as well! I’ve got to be careful walking about in slippy conditions and don’t stand on stools etc in the house! Frightens you to death, seeing as I hadn’t the faintest till this afternoon!

On this same doctor’s advice I’ve started taking vitamin D each day but I’m told my GP will probably give me calcium as well and maybe another medicine as well. Anyone with a similar story?

jasknight Fri 13-Oct-23 18:59:12

It doesn't sound like it applies Dollymixtures but my advice about osteoporosis is to make sure that's what it is. I was diagnosed with it about 5 years ago despite having no risk factors other than being past menopause. I lost height, had vertebral collapses and lost weight. I had blood tests to rule out cancer but it turned out that's what it was. It didn't show up in the blood tests but only on a bone marrow biopsy. Fast forward a few years and I have bone strengthening infusions which seem to be working and I feel fine.

LJP1 Fri 13-Oct-23 19:30:01

The calcium and vitamin D in full cream milk & yogurt is much easier to absorb than in pills - the more the better. Grass fed cows are best sources and sunshine for vit D. sunshine

Good luck!

M0nica Fri 13-Oct-23 19:56:08

Unfortunately I am mildly lactic intolerant and cannot consume either full cream milk or yoghourt, although it doesn't actually make any difference what milk you consume. The calcium is not in the cream so skimmed milk is just as good.

However, as I have said several times, babybels Lite are a wonderful way of consuning extra calcium. Each one contains 20% of your daily calcium requirements and are less than 50 calories. Fortunately, while i cannot consume milk or yoghourt, I can consume hard cheese and I have added 2 babybels a day to my diet.

HeidiJoy2u2 Sat 14-Oct-23 15:16:11

Just google rebounding and how it improves bone density. I bought a cellerciser and one for my 90 y.o. mom and we are all into doing our rebounding daily. Health is wealth, and by the way we are both vegans. Dairy is one of the worst things you can eat as it actually leaches calcium from the bones. We were all sold a lie by the dairy industry. Google it. Good luck!

Sparklefizz Sat 14-Oct-23 15:38:20

Rebounding is very bad for your pelvic floor so on the advice of my doctor I avoided that.
Amazing that your 90 year old mum is doing it!

M0nica Sat 14-Oct-23 17:18:31

HeidiJoy2u2 What you say about dairy products leaching calcium from our bones is nonsense ww.osteoporosis.foundation/sites/iofbonehealth/files/2019-03/2015_ServeUpDairyProducts_FactSheet_English_0.pdf

M0nica Sat 14-Oct-23 17:20:55

Sorry, the link should be www.osteoporosis.foundation/sites/iofbonehealth/files/2019-03/2015_ServeUpDairyProducts_FactSheet_English_0.pdf

lemsip Sat 14-Oct-23 18:47:33

so, a cellerciser is in fact a small trampoline, used to have one of those for keep fit. I will buy another one but with a rail to hold if needed.

lemsip Sat 14-Oct-23 18:58:24

I do ten little jumps on the spot most days, just randomly when I think of it. If I've been sitting for long time

DG45 Sat 14-Oct-23 22:57:33

Last year I was sitting teaching the Piano to a 10 year old
when there was an audible 'Crack' the child heard it as well as me. It turned out to be 2 hairline fractures to my pubic bone.
I couldn't walk for 4 and a half months with out agony. It wasn't anything to do with Osteoperosis because I had a Bone Density scan. Now it seems my Calcium level was high and I might have to have treatment for Hyperthjyroidism.
but I'm told I don't need surgery. but they have taken away my vitamin D3 and some of another tablet I take and I need to do a blood test! They are also saying to eat as normal!
I'm a bit confused, but I can walk now sometimes with a stick (outside) I'm 60...confused

Seabreeze Sat 14-Oct-23 23:39:45

DG45. Could you make an appointment to see your Doctor and ask for some explanations. I would do this. My sympathy is with you. You are very young to be going through this.

mumofmadboys Sun 15-Oct-23 06:46:37

'Dairy is one of the worse things you can eat as it actually leaches calcium out of bones' This is absolute rubbish HeidiJoy and so unhelpful. The Osteoporosis society link Monica gives is a sensible read

Marydoll Sun 15-Oct-23 08:50:13

mumofmadboys

'Dairy is one of the worse things you can eat as it actually leaches calcium out of bones' This is absolute rubbish HeidiJoy and so unhelpful. The Osteoporosis society link Monica gives is a sensible read

I despair when I see false claims like Heidijoy's on a public forum.
I prefer to take my clinician's advice and hope no-one on here is foolish enough to believe such claims.

Dollymixtures Sun 15-Oct-23 13:09:42

I really can’t believe that dairy leaches calcium from our bones! It’s one of the building blocks of our bodies surely? I will try the Babybel cheese, thanks for the suggestion.

jasknight that’s a very worrying post. I have a blood cancer already so I imagine I’m being very well controlled. I’m advised to wait 3/4 weeks before seeing the GP so he’s got the results and I will ask all about this obviously. I’m honestly torn between wanting calcium tablets and refusing them now due to the opposing viewpoints!

M0nica Sun 15-Oct-23 15:44:49

Dollymixtures Click on the link I give further up the page. It directly contradicts the myth that dairy leaches calcium form our bones.

Barmeyoldbat Sun 15-Oct-23 16:30:51

I also have it, been just five years now and have 6 monthly injections. So far I have fallen off my bike twice and only broken one rib despite the heavy bike landing on to; of me. Lost a couple of inches in height but otherwise I don’t really notice I have ig

M0nica Mon 16-Oct-23 09:49:17

Mine has only just been diagnosed, but it is likely that i have had it for 15 years or more.

I fall over regularly, a combination of dyspraxia and a weak ankle and I have never broken a bone - except for the fractured vertibrae that were evident on the scan. That fall, one when I slipped on a wet grassy slope and landed heavily on my back was nearly 15 years ago, and apart from the excessive pain and discomfort for about three months after the event has never troubled me since.

Long before I had osteoporosis, I taught myself how to fall to minimise injury, but in the last 10 years I can remember exceptional falls, that did me no harm at all. I am always very quickly back on my feet and on my way again.

annodomini Mon 16-Oct-23 10:41:26

A Dexa scan diagnosed osteopenia in my left hip and I have CalciD tablets daily. A further scan was cancelled during lockdown and since then, as I have moved to a different area, I haven't been offered another scan appointment. I have evidently fallen through a net. However, I've managed to fall over a couple of times in that period and so far nothing has broken. Fingers crossed!

Margiknot Mon 16-Oct-23 11:27:08

How long are people in England waiting for a Dexascan? I’ve been waiting for a rescan that should have happened in 2020 and now been re- referred, ( several risk factors and can’t take oral alendroic acid) but heard nothing.

M0nica Mon 16-Oct-23 15:47:32

I was referred for mine in may 2022. It took place at the end of November 2022.

Margiknot Mon 16-Oct-23 16:36:35

Thanks Monica.

M0nica Tue 17-Oct-23 08:54:06

Margiknot you need to chase your GP.

I find that nothing routine happens in the NHS these days, unless you are on to them all the time.

I was originally told I would get my scan in July and when that didn't happen I rang my GP and she gave me the hospital number to ring, and i rang them and again in September and that produced an appointment in November. Had I not done that I suspect I would still be waiting.

Gigi33 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:58:04

I have been taking Algaecal supplements for Osteopenia (they also have a facebook group) and also take BHRT to help keep bone strength. Strength training is important for bone health too.

Rosamund45 Sat 11-May-24 15:50:10

Fell and broke a vertebra in 2011 scan showed osteoporosis.....after 8 or 9 years a dexa scan showed T score no worse.....despite refusing alendronic acid.
However, February this year has shown spine T-4 although other readings not a lot worse.....x ray had shown multiple broken vertebrae, which scared me a lot.
Have been on alendronic acid 10 weeks and even though back pain from fractures is gradually improving, overall I feel terrible......Constipation, bloating, excessive wind but even worse, pain and aching almost everywhere and feel as if legs weigh a ton......plus crushing fatigue most days.....not to mention the giddiness as if can't walk straight.
Is it the a acid? Have read that people sometimes show no increase in bone density after taking it for 2 years or more?
Afraid of the reports on femur breaks and jaw problems but g p advises to take it to help lessen breaks if I should fall.
I am 78 so wouldn't bones be weak anyway? At my wit's end.

RedRidingHood Sat 11-May-24 16:18:00

I have been on Alendronic acid for three years. I had a repeat scan after two years and there was an improvement especially in the femur.

I have had no side effects at all, I don't recognise any of the things you mention @Rosamund45. Are you taking any other new tablets?
It's worth knowing that the infusions are stronger and have higher risk of jaw problems.

I've had some really good advice from the ROS and you can ring them and speak to a specialist nurse.

Do your best to include more calcium rich foods in your diet rather than just relying on tablets. I don't like dairy but make myself have a drink of milk and some greek yoghurt every day.
Also eat more protein. Women with osteoporosis are advised to increase protein intake.