Soft bones?

Could it be a post menopausal symptom? Can I increase my bone density at my age?

I don’t know if a blood test would show anything bone related. I now have osteopenia,( a kind of osteoporosis lite), and took Alendronate for a number of years. Now I take Vitamin D and calcium tablets and was advised to do weight bearing exercises.

You will benifit from a Bone Scan, you will then know what extra supplements you might need. You GP should be able to arrange it?

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

Sorry to hear about your wrist, sounds like a really painful accident. It's good you're taking vitamin D now, but I agree with others here that it might be worth asking your GP for a bone density (DEXA) scan. That would give a clearer picture of whether it's osteopenia or osteoporosis and help guide any treatment.

'soft' bones sounds like old fashioned doctor speak for osteoporosis.

I would be asking for, no demanding, a DEXA scan to show exactly what my bone density is.

I thought DEXA scans were offered routinely after breaking a bone, but perhaps it depends on age (and possibly location).

M0nica

'soft' bones sounds like old fashioned doctor speak for osteoporosis.

I would be asking for, no demanding, a DEXA scan to show exactly what my bone density is.

Yes, so would I.

I had an unexplained, quite severe fracture, then a DEXA scan but apparently no osteoporosis so it's a mystery. I was advised to take over-the-counter calcium tablets anyway.

If you have osteoporosis there are treatments available.

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!

I was found to have soft bones during my TKR about 9 years ago.
The Consultant told me afterwards and arranged a DEXA scan.
I have been on Calcium and Vit D since.
I have had two DEXA scans since and have lost more than 2 inches.

More abbreviations!
TKR is apparently total knee replacement.

Thank you for your comments. I will ask my GP if a DEXA scan is possible. Not looking forward to losing height, I'm only 5ft nothing to start with!

Allira

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!

That I have osteoporosis, was found purely by chance. I am a member of th UK Biobank reaerch project and I was asked to come in for a baseline review, including a DEXA scan.

This discovered I had osteoporosis and I was referred to my GP who sent me to the local hospital, who retetsted me and prescribed for me. I too had shrunk 2.5 inches without comment, but as I enjoy general good health I rarely saw a doctor, so there had been little opportunity to measure me.

M0nica

Allira

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!

That I have osteoporosis, was found purely by chance. I am a member of th UK Biobank reaerch project and I was asked to come in for a baseline review, including a DEXA scan.

This discovered I had osteoporosis and I was referred to my GP who sent me to the local hospital, who retetsted me and prescribed for me. I too had shrunk 2.5 inches without comment, but as I enjoy general good health I rarely saw a doctor, so there had been little opportunity to measure me.

This was found when I went for the DEXA scan, M0nica which - apparently - brought up no red flags!

Hi all, I'm new to posting, exploring the site and came a cross this post. After a complicated ankle fracture 12 years ago dexa scan showed I was in the osteopenia range- just below normal. Have since been taking ad kal to maintain fit D levels and focussed on keeping fit, weight within normal range, pilates for balance, lots of swimming and I've lucky to enjoy good health and fitness since. Until his spring when had a back injury. Did all the usual things to manage conservatively but requested an Xray when wasn't making progress as expected- that showed some wedge fractures in lumbar spine. Then requested Dexa scan which now shows have slipped into osteoporosis stage despite all keep fit and strong efforts. Gp has been supportive but delays in NHS appointments can be frustrating. Such is life and as Mum and sister had osteoporosis at much earlier age I consider myself lucky in a way, I accept the family risk factor and feel its best to focus on coming to terms with osteoporosis and all that entails to manage going forward. If anyone else has advice how to manage, adapt etc I'd very much appreciate hearing your story.

Due to medication I was on for years I was told ages ago that I had ostoepaenia following a routine DEXA scan. I can't even remember how long ago that was, because I am lucky in that I have never broken a bone.

I was also told that most women of a certain age will have deteriorating bones and that it will go undetected until a fall and a break. Neither does it always develop into full blown osteoporosis.

Your post has prompted me into asking whether a scan might be beneficial for me- though there is something in me that doesn't need to know? I will just carry on living my life, though I don't have anything to do with horses...

I did the same. Had a calcium blood test. Turns out I had hyperparathyroidism. Recovering from surgery. I'm 69. Worth checking

Definitely worth checking with your GP. Blood test and DEXA scan. I’m 64 and always been active but found out I had osteoporosis 4 years ago after an X-ray for constant back pain showed compression fractures in my spine. Quite a shock!! I am now on Calci D tablets and yearly Zoledronic acid infusion. I’m surprised you haven’t been referred automatically but don’t leave it until you suffer from more complications. Once you know you can deal with it. Good luck and hope you’re healing well.

Weights. Good for bone density. Never too late to start

I have heard of Brittle bones and glass bones but not soft ones.
Would agree with weights, nothing too major, but you can get weighted things to strap on wrists or ankles or use a tin on beans in each hand.
Will check out soft bones, like you Foxglove I am 5’ nothing so understand, and out of interest I will google soft bones.
I have never had a bone scan, but assume you must have pain or accident to trigger a check.

I have just checked soft bones. Had a bit of a shock. I actually had this as a baby due to lack of food in post war Germany.
It’s called rickets in children. I wonder if I shoukd ask for it to be checked.

First of all, sending best wishes to Foxglove and hopes that the wrist causes no more trouble.
But this thread has made me think. I was 5 foot 5 when I last looked about 20 years ago. But recently I took part in the national Our Future Health project and was measured at 5 foot 3.
Others have said they'd lost two inches and I'm wondering if I should ask for a bone scan. Or would that be a waste of NHS resources?

I used to be 1.5” taller too……which I tidied up to 5’2” of course.

I requested a DEXA scan after a minor trip resulted in broken ribs. I had previously cracked a bone in my wrist in my early 60s and already knew I had osteopenia, but had not had the then recommended 2 year follow-up due to Covid delays. I too am petite so I guess it’s harder to use body weight to keep bones strong. Small women are more at risk of bone thinning perhaps in part due to having smaller thinner bones to start with. Iwas put on medication in my 50s to protect my bones whilst taking long term corticosteroids ( which can thin bones) but unfortunately could not tolerate it.
There was a study reported on TV recently (but I don’t remember the program!- sorry) that monitored bone thickness changes with weight bearing exercise ( in this case the exercise was one sided hopping so that the other leg for each participant acted as the control) to assess the effect of weight bearing exercise on bone improvement and the results showed improvement, suggesting weight bearing exercise should help!