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Osteoporosis

(50 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Wed 23-Oct-24 12:36:10

Just been diagnosed with osteoporosis following a Dexa scan.
Treatment will be either Alendronic axid tablets or a twice yearly injection of denosum. This is a bit of a shock especially as the Dexa result showed on line as normal! The
GP surgery requested that I made follow up appt with a GP which I have just come back from.

Anyone take either the tablets or an injection. I am 75 and I walk a lot, take extra vit D and eat cheese etc. So am surprised. Apart from a blood cancer and chemo treatment, I am in relatively good health. Any information will be very welcome. Thank you

HelterSkelter1 Fri 14-Feb-25 08:45:43

I had my check up with the dentist and he was very thorough. No dental problems currently. He has noted I will be on Alendronic acid and AdCal.
I also have had a telephone appt with the GP who originally referred me for the DEXA. She recommended I start the Alendronic acid and the ADCal.

I started the AdCal 2 weeks ago and it gives me constipation. My vit D and calcium blood levels were normal so I have stopped the AdCal and will continue with Vit D3 which I have been taking for years. I eat a good calcium rich diet.
This morning I took the 1st Alendronic Acid tablet. Followed the instructions and will see how I get on for the next 2 months. Fingers crossed.

This morn

BlueBelle Wed 15-Jan-25 06:02:32

Things have moved on with me
My dentist has told me I have a ‘crumbling jaw’ (doesn’t feel any different to me 😳). but now I m concerned that the infusions I ve had have caused this !! Although rare

Paloma18021 Wed 15-Jan-25 05:10:09

Morning all. Trying to come to terms diagnosis Osteoporosis, after call GP, following Dexa. Only due to hurting foot on holiday, alerted him! Had no fractures, age 64 very active petite. Prescribed Alectronic, calcium tabs twice daily. Taken second Alectronic, aching mainly joints but manageable at present. Bit shocked simple as call GP meds prescribed get on with it! Been advised should get referral Rheumi about 3 months? Any thoughts much appreciated. Best wishes to all.

cc Sun 03-Nov-24 14:27:06

I should have said this is following an X-Ray for lower back pain which revealed the problem.

cc Sun 03-Nov-24 14:23:11

I've just been told I need to go for a scan, not a surprise as both my other and sister have the same problem. My mother was on a drug trial some years ago which is think was for the drug mentioned, once she was taking it her bones stopped thinning.
I don't have the risk factors either I don't think, but I do stay out of the sun as I've had a minor skin cancer and burn easily.

MissAdventure Sun 03-Nov-24 14:18:55

grin

Marydoll Sun 03-Nov-24 14:16:33

I wish I had trained as a stunt artist Monica, it would make life safer!

M0nica Sun 03-Nov-24 09:36:26

Marydoll

^I trained myself to relax into my falls, so that I do not damage myself.^
Sometimes, you don't have time to relax into falls, as your are hurtling down icy stairs. It is over in seconds! wink

Marydoll I quite agree. I fractured 2 vertibrae in my upper spine when my feet went from under me on a grassy slope and I landed flat on my back with an almighty thump that completely winded me. It took me a minute or two to recover from that and get up (I was alone).

However, usually I fall forwards and forward falls you can collapse into, not always, but most of the time. The main thing is I do not put my arms out, as I did as a child and end up with sprained wrists and broken arms.

Jane43 Sun 03-Nov-24 00:07:45

I developed osteopaenia after being on oestrogen blockers after breast cancer. This developed into osteoporosis in my left femural neck. I had annual infusions for three years until June this year and will have a Dexa scan next June. I take calcium tablets plus vitamin K2 to help calcium absorption. I also take boron and vitamin D.

Marydoll Sat 02-Nov-24 23:44:59

I trained myself to relax into my falls, so that I do not damage myself.
Sometimes, you don't have time to relax into falls, as your are hurtling down icy stairs. It is over in seconds! wink

M0nica Sat 02-Nov-24 22:30:59

Well, it does stop people fussing around me, because I am usually back on my feet before anyone can reac me to help me.

Thankfully usually I am at home or inthe garden when I fall, but my biggest problem is downhill surfaces with a camber. I think my ankle goes, on a flat surface I can regain my balance quite quickly, but downhill and a camber, and I am over.

HelterSkelter1 Sat 02-Nov-24 21:12:35

That sounds like the Norman Wisdom method!

M0nica Sat 02-Nov-24 21:07:23

I usually have at least one bad fall a year, caused by my dyspraxia, but back in my 30s, I trained myself to relax into my falls, so that I do not damage myself..

I went base over apex in the Waitrose car park earler this year i rolled over, rolled down and unrolled and was back on my feet in about 30 seconds.

Marydoll Sat 02-Nov-24 19:20:19

Not such fun to live with though, I'll bet. Despite his many faults and failings wink, he is still my Mr MD No-one else would would put up with him. 💕

I, on the other hand, am perfect.

MissAdventure Sat 02-Nov-24 14:56:51

Good job you have neighbours, Marydoll.

It does make me laugh, though, when you tell us about Mr. MD's hearing, and missing things.

Not such fun to live with though, I'll bet.

Marydoll Sat 02-Nov-24 14:50:17

MissAdventure

Oh that makes me cringe at the thought.
The idea of slipping on icy steps. Ouch!!! 😖

It was midnight, I ended up under DH's car. He was oblivious and snoring, without a care in the world.

It was my neighbour, who heard me.

MissAdventure Sat 02-Nov-24 12:12:58

Oh that makes me cringe at the thought.
The idea of slipping on icy steps. Ouch!!! 😖

Marydoll Sat 02-Nov-24 12:08:40

MissAdventure

I was told to make sure I never fall over.

I was a bit late for me, I broke my back in two places, when I fell down icy steps one Christmas day. It took six months to diagnose it! It is now held together with cement.

You don't need to fall over to break a bone. I have had umpteen stress fractures in my foot, the latest one happened, getting out of bed!

MissAdventure Sat 02-Nov-24 11:45:40

I was told to make sure I never fall over.

theworriedwell Sat 02-Nov-24 11:10:58

I wasn't prescribed any med, just told to carry on with what I'm doing which is mainly a vitamin D tablet a day and at least 3 long walks every week.

theworriedwell Sat 02-Nov-24 11:08:06

It seems to be dealt with differently where I am. I asked GP for referral and got my scan. Got a full written report from the Consultant in the Osteoporosis service at my local hospital with all my results and explanation of what they meant. GP probably got the same but I had no contact with the GP. Five years later I asked to be referred for my 5 year check up and the same procedure again.

I feel like I was lucky to get the full written report which explained about where the scan looks and the five different results, I have one hip which is just into osteoporosis and the other 4 areas were osteopenia. Encouraging message at the end of the report saying although things had got worse over the five years it had deteriorated at a slower rate than expected which was nice.

Franbern Sat 02-Nov-24 11:04:22

I had been on one Vit D tablet a day six years ago when I had a fall which resulted in a stress fracture to my back, only discovered via MRI scan four weeks after fall. GP told me to double taking those tablets and also put me on Alendronic Acid.

Never had Dexa scan although have requested one of several occasions. Each time I get told not necessary as when a 78 year old woman has such a stress fracture it can onlyb mean she has osteoporosis.

I obey what they say, but (Like Bluebelle), although I have had several other spectacular falls, no other bones broken.

I was originally told Alendronic Acid tabs should only be taken for five years, when that time arrived, I asked my GP to take me off them - and was then told that 'at my age' it is recommended staying on them for seven years!!!!

Calendargirl Sat 02-Nov-24 10:46:07

I also did the online test after reading that MOnica had done one.

It said I was at risk because of family history (my mother had OP).

But it did say at the start the test wasn’t for anyone already diagnosed with OP, which is me.

BlueBelle Sat 02-Nov-24 08:25:01

Out of curiosity Monica I too did the online test with the Royal Society and also got the ‘great news your answers show you don’t have any main risk factors
I answered totally honestly
So either the test is nonsense or we are being given unnecessary meds !!!

HelterSkelter1 Sat 02-Nov-24 07:39:17

I contacted the Royal Osteoporosis Soc by email with some questions and received some useful information.

The Dexa scan only looks at the lower spine and pelvic hip area. The GP told me I had osteoporosis in my neck, spine and hip. ROS say neck is not the bit near my head but the neck of the femur. They also said it was unusual for the Dexa result I can see on the NHS app to say "Normal No action" when action is required and for me to ask for the full Dexa report which I will do. It's very unlikely but I wondered if the report attached to my GP notes was actually my report.
Its all so vague. I will try and get an appt after my blood test with the GP, female and knows me, who originally referred me.