Since nothing was posted last week I have decided to ask everyone for an update on their osteoporosis.
I am still trying to improve mine with Aqua activities including step ups which must be weight bearing surely. I step out of th pool onto the steps and work up to 100 of those since starting back at the pool in the new year.
I hope everyone had a good Xmas and new year.
all the best, Kathleen.
Happy New Year Kathleen.
Its good to hear you are keeping active. 100 steps is quite impressive.
The weather here in the UK has been atrocious and really not at all conducive to walking, even kitted out in full wet weather gear! So before Christmas I started with a new programme of personal training at my gym and must say I feel so much better being active.
I do find, however, that bending for any length of time is not good for my back. After a prolonged spell of gardening last year I found my back really aching and now whenever I do any bending for any length of time, my back starts to ache again. I've never experienced any pain with my (quite advanced) osteoporosis before so wonder should I listen to my body???
Here's to a Happy & Healthy New Year to everyone.
Hi Kathleen,
I hope you are managing your orsteoporosis.
I am at my wits end not knowing what to do, wether to take medication or to try and control things by diet and excercise, and does that actually work do u know? Doctors cant seem to give me the info I require, and I'm due to go there this Wednesday to pick up medication. I cant take biphosphnates so will be given something else but the side effects scare me it can cause deep vein thrombosis. What are your views and how does one cope emotionally. I am in my own no partner to help with support.
Thank you
Tania
I cannot decide for you but I could not bring myself to start any Meds either!
I do not know yet if what I am doing will help but I am trying
I use a walker so as to avoid falls because that is the key apparently...don't fall!
I am sorry that it is pressing on you. Perhaps delay taking until you are sure?
Are you having vitamin K2 as well as magnesium and Vitamin D3 and calcium?
I go to the pool rather than walk high can cause fractures as I discovered when a friend fractured her foot walking.
I do step ups in the pool which I think would be weight bearing.
All the best and let me know what you decide.
Mary, I think bending is not a good idea. Exercise is good but not all exercises! Too much walking can affect as well. It is a bit of a juggling act.
We need exercise but not if it has the opposite effect it needs to have.
I do not walk much and use a walker when I do. I imagine running could be risky too for some people at least. One size does not fit all and if it causes you pain then it is a warning.
Hopefully, the pool will be enough and time will tell I guess.
Hi kippy, You spoke of whether to "try and control things by diet and exercise" and if this would work. While some types of exercising and a diet with calcium and vit D can ony be beneficial for someone with OP, I am not aware of any evidence that these changes can be equated with a 'treatment' for the condition. As I'm sure you know, there are numerous treatments for OP and some of these would be suitable for you. The aim is to prevent fractures occuring and, if they have happened already, to prevent further fractures. And all have a RISK of side-effects. . . .
You asked how does one cope emotionally? Well, everyone's different here. For myself, when I pretty distraught with my diagnosis at first, my sister (a doctor) told me to (quote) ' get over myself' as there was a LOT worse diagnosis I could be given, that OP was treatable, and that most people are never diagnosed until they have had serious fractures first. That worked for me anyway (!) but I don't want to be harsh and say this should be enough for you. I had many 'down' days but then a close friend was diagnosed with a really aggressive cancer and it gave me some perspective and I realised that I was lucky really.
SO, I took the treatment (Forteo) and got on wIth it. Happily my bones have improved a lot over the past 2 years. For exercise, I walk briskly each day for 25 mins., I climb stairs instead of taking the lift - and not much else really. A physio. (who specialised in OP) suggested ' light jogging' but when I mentioned this to my rheumatologist, she was horrified and said definately not. . . . !
Advice:
Bending forward from the hips is NOT good for the spine.
Twisting the torso from left to right is NOT good for the spine.
Sit-ups are NOT good for the spine.
Stair- climbing (using the rail) is good (but very boring).
Dancing is great for balance- and enjoyment!
Upper body light weights is good (I should do these).
Hope this helps, even a bit.
Kind regards, J
Thank you for your help Kathleen, I really appreciate it.
Tania
Thank you for your help. I will 'look up' forteo. I do excercise about 3 times a week
Tania
You are very welcom Kippy. I hope you are able to relax and not worry too much.
Don't rush into making a choice on going forward.
All the best.
Hi
Thank you for your kindness. I just hate all the possible bad side effects from the drugs, the decision to take them is so hard
I was where you are at last year and did not start taking them.
So I hear you.
Do some more reading and research until you feel comfortable with your decision.
all the best, Kippy!
Kathleen, I just realised that I never thanked you for your kind New Year wishes to us all. So - thank-you! - . I hope that 12016 is a really healthy and good year for you also. J x
Thank you Juno. 2016 is going to be great. We celebrate our golden wedding anniversary on 22nd this month so that makes a good start!
i have a good feeling about this year.
70 year old male. I Knew that I had osteopaenia for around 7 years. Recent scan showed that it had developed into osteoporosis of femur, pelvis and lower vertabra. Was already taking calcium supplement and this has been increased and weekly alandronic acid tablets prescribed.
I attend a local gym for 75 minutes three times a week and am now oncentrating on the weight machines and bikes along with cross trainer.
Been told to not expect too much inside five years.
Xmas & New Year wasn't affected by the new condition but the long break from the gym did - very stiff upon resumption. Interested in other people's experiences.
Being new to this group and having only just read a few of the posts, would I be correct in assuming that you are fairly knowledgeable about OP and its treatments?
Aristotle, I am not a doctor, just a patient like yourself but I do read as much as I can about osteoporosis.
Two ladies with opposing views are excellent sources of information, namely Juno and Allison who have written a lot on this subject.
I like that they show both sides of the argument of whether to take drugs or not to take them.
People just need to make an informed decision after doing lots of research and listening to opposing arguments.
I also think as far as exercise is concerned it varies from person to person as people are often juggling a range of conditions that impact on their ability to do certain exercises.
I hope you gain benefit from joining in discussions here and let us all know how you progress with your treatment and your experiences with the drugs.
Whereabouts are you Aristotle? I am in Australia.
Hi Kathleen
Thanks for replying. I am in Scarborough in the United Kingdom and have lived here for most of my life except for the time that I spent in the merchant mavy as a radio officer. Never got to Australia or anywhere east of iran. Did get as far west as Hawii. Generally been fairly healthy and even halfway intelligent, hence the interest in treatments etc. This is probably going to be a long haul and so far all I have to report is a little vertigo during the day following the taking of my 'pill' and a little flaring of itchy eczema which I had some long years ago.
I shall just view some of the other posts daily and may find out more about a fairly common problem which seems to be mainly feminine. My wife says that I should get in touch with my feminine side more often!
Hi Kathleen, thank you for the compliment re. being an "excellent source of information". I really don't think I am. I't's just that, when working, I spent 37 years reading and evaluating medical and presenting some psychological research papers (mostly in the area of Cardiology). You then get used to fast reviewing and moving on . . .
Added to that then was the personal impetus, which I never had before, of my own diagnoses of severe OP two years ago. I can honestly say that some of my reading here was with my hand over my eyes - not wanting to see the bad bits!! OP hit me really hard indeed as I was a very active soul and for a while I felt so vulnerable and afraid that my bone structure (esp.spine) was going to collapse in on itself leaving me in a pitiful heap! May sound funny now - but not then. So the reading continued. . .
My husband was hugely critical of this. He has had a number of health issues, goes (eventually) to the doc., takes the treatment and that's it. The fact that someone (me) would want to research in detail about a condition TO HIM smacked of a person having to be in control all the time and is a more than a bit pathetic. His attitude is that life throws you the odd curve ball, you get some help and then just deal with it. It's what makes your short life varied and exciting. Nothing is certain. (He is a very gifted artist and his head works very differently to mine).
Anyway, funnily enough, after all my reading, debating on this forum, and above all worrying I concluded that the best approach is the following: 1)
See a recommended specialist (after physical tests are done) and listen to advice about treatments. 2) Think it over for a little while and write down questions. 3) Back to the specialits to discuss. 4) If unsure, get a second opinion. 5) Start treatment and get reviews every 6 months or so.
Boring, I know. And STOP WORRYING. Isn't that what I'm paying my specialist for?
So now I find myself in a much better place. In essence, I have stopped trying to be my own doctor and it's a big relief. . . . . The bones have improved after a year of Forteo and I'm now on my second year of this and I feel positive enough. Above all, I realise that I could have been diagnosed with a far worse condition and feel lucky also.
Kind regards Katlhleen, J
Hi Juno-lrl-Dub
Read your post and like your almost laid-back approach. You almost convinced me that as long as you're careful, there isn't too much to worry about. It seems that patience is the answer - just give the tratment a chance to work. Reading all these posts from hopeful people sure works well for the blood pressure.
All the best
Aristotle13