Osteoporosis

Autumnrose

Last summer at the age of 77 I broke my foot and once I had recovered I was referred for a DEXA scan. I understand that this is routine for anyone over 65 having a fracture. Thankfully, my scan was clear with no evidence of osteoporosis.
I have also been told that when taking vitamin D supplements you should also take vitamin K2 as this is needed to direct calcium to the bones.

Which make of Vitamin K would you recommend Autumnrose?

Vitamin MK-2 is a good one. You must take Vit D when you have Calcium tablets. I’ve had loads of broken bones - the last,very bad fall a few months ago, resulted in many fractured ribs, a few fractured vertebrae & a broken coccyx. Not the first time I’ve broken my ribs & coccyx but not the vertebrae before. So now I can’t stand up straight & bone is growing over those parts of my spine, I think I’m turning into a hunchback!

I've had osteoporosis since I was at least 47. Was deficient in Vit D. Kind specialist referred me for a DEXA scan on hearing my father was osteoporotic. He remained so all his life, but thankfully had been in the parachute regiment on National Service and was a very good faller so his injuries were quite limited.
I took Raloxefene first, which was great, but had to come off after developing a brain tumour, which may have been oestrogen-sensitive. Then tried Alendronic acid infusion - ghastly side effects and it ruined the veins in my left arm which are now hopeless for blood tests or canulas. Never again. Denosumab injections were fine and may have helped stabilise the bone loss.
Now at 66, I am not on anything. I am at least a stone heavier - I was too thin in my 30s, 40s and early 50s - and more muscular, though it's harder to keep the muscle. I used to swim a lot - I switched to walking much more, and Pilates with weights or machines. I row or scull 2x a week. I still have osteopenia in my hip but my spine is just clear.
I had some subsidised and useful nutrition advice from Westminster Poly students - the students used to see patients under supervision. Worth looking into in your area. Avoid low-fat milk, yoghurt, etc and have full-fat everything. Avoid acid-producing foods like red meat and asparagus. I eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, sardines with bones in them, and other fish. An orthodontist told me the side effects of the bisphorous drugs are far more common than reported (osteocronosis of the jaw).
For the ladies with severe osteoporosis, my elderly neighbour has an injection each week provided by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore. This is rare, but seems to help. In my experience, hospital clinics are better than many GPs. We need national screening for such a common but potentially life-limiting condition.
www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/denosumab-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20074315#

I also have it and have the 6 monthly injections. I don’t really think about as I have other conditions which give a great deal of problems but I did worry about breaking a bouts but I have been knocked off my bike by a white van whilst cycling with me being sent flying onto my back with the bike landing on top of me and it’s a very heavy electric bike. Nothing broken.so try not to worry about too much

Thank you to all! I'm sorry if I seem to be a bit wimpish about it. Lots of other stuff going on in my family at present which makes this more difficult to get into perspective. I'm seeing the GP tomorrow afternoon to discuss treatment, so I'll take it from there. I'll feel better when I feel a bit more in control of things.

Rosa tree, get the injection if you can, the dr may not want to but my hospital recommends them. Dr not too pleased and asked if the hospital was going to do them. Said no he said see my GP about them, so I think they must be much more expensive. You are not being wimpish about it at all, it’s a shock at first, well it was to me, always walked miles and had a healthy diet. But in the it got me, think it was the steroid! In time you will get use to it. So good luck and just enjoy life.

barmy I was told the GPs can only prescribe bisphosphonates, and hrt for osteoporosis, the injections have to be prescribed by a consultant and the hospital pays the GP practice to give the injections. It may not be the same in your area.

That’s interesting Redcar, I do have an extremely good GP

I have also found the ROS very good although I was not over worried as my mother and my grandfather had Osteoporosis although mum wasn't officially diagnosed until she was over 90!
I was part of a very small trial of combining Vitamin K with Calcium, Vitamin D and Alendronic Acid and the conclusion at the end of the trial was that it didn't show much difference.
I knew the lady running the trial was a little puzzled as to why the Alendronic Acid hadn't done more for me and during the lockdown I had a good think about it and did a little research of my own. Because of that I have gone gluten free and drink full cream but lactose free milk. I have been so much better in myself with far fewer stomach problems. I don't take the AA at present but do take calcium, Vitamin D, magnesium and zinc.
If you want a DEXA scan go and ask and keep asking, I got one in the end. I think if you can afford it you can go privately and chat to someone about the result.

Barmeyoldbat

I also have it and have the 6 monthly injections. I don’t really think about as I have other conditions which give a great deal of problems but I did worry about breaking a bouts but I have been knocked off my bike by a white van whilst cycling with me being sent flying onto my back with the bike landing on top of me and it’s a very heavy electric bike. Nothing broken.so try not to worry about too much

I thought the injections were just a trial at the moment? One of our neighbours is going to start those but his wife said he will have to travel to another AHA because they don't offer them here because they are still being trialled, of which he'll be part.
I might have got it wrong.

Barmeyoldbat

Good heavens! What a shock.
I hope he stopped to help you and you've recovered now.

Look once for cars, twice for bikes!

I have 6 month injections & take calcium citrate with D3.

redcar I've now been told by GP that she's asking for advice. Unlikely to get a referral but rheumatologist will advise GP about treatment, probably biphosphonates. I don't know how to compare efficacy or downsides of various treatments but it looks as if I don't have the option unless I go private.

Allira and Autumn rose I've been taking vit d, calcium, vit K and magnesium. I'm concerned my antidepressants are affecting my bone density adversely as there's been research suggesting that but only a referral would settle that one.

Barmeyoldbat I've been hoping that my efforts to exercise more and eat healthily would slow down the previously diagnosed osteopenia but I was shocked it had got so bad so quickly. I am very overweight so maybe that makes things worse. Trying to lose the additional weight but my anxiety about family problems pushes me towards comfort eating in between meals even though we cook from scratch and main meals are healthy.

Rowantree

Allira and Autumn rose I've been taking vit d, calcium, vit K and magnesium. I'm concerned my antidepressants are affecting my bone density adversely as there's been research suggesting that but only a referral would settle that one.

Apparently a couple of medications I was and am on can affect bone density but no-one has ever suggested a scan before, or to take Vitamin D, although I do take it sometimes.

At the moment I'd have to order Vitamin K from Amazon and am concerned which makes are reputable from there.

Rowantree

Barmeyoldbat I've been hoping that my efforts to exercise more and eat healthily would slow down the previously diagnosed osteopenia but I was shocked it had got so bad so quickly. I am very overweight so maybe that makes things worse. Trying to lose the additional weight but my anxiety about family problems pushes me towards comfort eating in between meals even though we cook from scratch and main meals are healthy.

I thought being a bit overweight was better than a low weight but might be wrong.

www.healthspan.co.uk/vitamin-k2-75g/

Allira Healthspan have vitamin K2.

Thankyou V3ra

You have to avoid K2 if you're on blood thinners of any kind I believe. I take it along with Vitamin D3 but my partner can't.

Oh, thanks!

No, I'm not on them but it's worth remembering.

It's all very well taking supplements but they should have a warning on them for any contra-indications.

I'm in the US and have had osteoporosis for years. I've had spinal fractures. My neck has been rebuilt because of fracturing. I'm on Prolia injections every six months. I get yearly a dexascan to show if those are working.