Should people with severe osteoporosis take a different view and path than those dealing with osteopenia or borderline diagnoses?
For a start, my results make me anxious about falling and shape the way I live my life.
People with multiple diseases are also affected by a severe diagnosis because it is just one more issue to deal with!
I would like to have comments from people who are dealing with severe osteoporosis and especially those with multiple health issues to see if our problems are different from those with borderline osteopenia/osteoporosis.
Hola Kathleen.
Como sabes, estoy en -2.7 con mi puntuación T y mi vida ha cambiado desde mi caída y el golpe en mi tobillo. Tengo una placa y tornillos en la fíbula, una placa en T con tornillo en la tibia y 2 tornillos largos en el hueso interno del tobillo. Estaba caminando 5 MESES después de la operación sin ninguna ayuda. Ya no puedo hacer lo que estoy entrenada para hacer y perdí mi trabajo. Todavía tengo dolor, no puedo caminar o estar de pie por mucho tiempo sin sentir dolor. No sabía que tenía la enfermedad antes de mi caída. Solo me torcí el tobillo al bajar una colina en el campo inglés. Ahora estoy aterrada de otra caída, así que te entiendo. A veces ni siquiera quiero salir de mi casa. A veces estoy deprimida pensando en romper otro hueso. No creo que muchos entiendan lo debilitante que puede ser esta enfermedad. No necesitas una puntuación T alta para causar daños debilitantes. Te deseo lo mejor, Kathleen 🙂
I don't know if you can go back to see previous posts, so this is a good time to mention that I reversed osteoporosis to osteopenia in a previous post. I went to the endocrynologist thinking the osteoporosis was causing my pain so I went through the bone density test and she said I reversed it and all I had done was put myself on supplements for bone health which included calcium, magnesium, D3 and zinc in one tablet. I also take joint complex with hyalauric acid and MSM. I take it consistently every day and my doctor's don't mind at all.
I know my situation is not as serious, and that's because I decided to fight it when I got the initial diagnosis of osteoporosis. I saw what it did to my mother and I needed to learn from it.
Trying this even while under doctor's care, is worth the effort.
I also deal with other chronic diseases so I do understand how you feel. Anxiety mode is not the state we need to be in. I cannot put a time on how long it will take because we are all different.
My T-score is also -3.5, but as I have not broken anything yet I tend to ignore it. OP doesn't hurt until there is a break, so why worry?
Of course I take care. I never go out of the house without my rollator (walker), I excercise when I can - very carefully - I walk up and down stairs when I am able, I swim.
I also have PMR, severe OA, Tendonitis and occasional Gout attacks, so I certainly know what pain is, also the fatigue, but I am nearly 77 so I don't expect any of these illnesses to disappear. However, I have a marvellous husband and he certainly stops me from being depressed (it's amazing what a really big hug will do when you are feeling low).
Keep your pecker up. I am here if you need advice or to talk/moan.
Regards from Constance. 💐
Hi Pam,
really interesting to find you managed to improve your t scores with supplements. I am also taking calcium vit d etc in one supplement but interested in finding out more about your reasons for taking hyaluronic acid and what is msm ?
You and I are very similar. I have a great husband too. I also use a wheeled walker. My worst t score is -4.3 lumbar section.
I have arthritis, Crohns, diabetes, diverticula, gallstones, LS, and am prone to depression.
I am 71 so similar age to you as well.
I have refused medication but cannot remember if you are taking any of the drugs.
I have herniated discs which cause back trouble by a nerve going down into the sacroiliac so that is the most debilitating for me.
My exercises are in the pool because of this but the step ups are at least weight bearing.
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for the feedback. I am doing the natural way until it becomes unwise.
You did not mention vitamin K2 ; are you taking that as well?
I am
I am prone to anxiety and depression so I just monitor myself for that. I am not on any medication but have been in the past.
My initial diagnosis was severe at age 70. In Australis, people are not checked before 70 unless they have broken bones which is a shame.
Thanks for your response.
It is odd that people with really bad osteoporosis diagnosed but have broken no bones.
I have been told I could easily break my back. I therefore take no risks.
It has affected the way I live my life but my herniated discs stop me from taking any risks anyway as I have pain in my sacroiliac if I try to do much.
When I sneeze now I open my mouth and throat because I had pain when I sneezed once and my husband said to do this. I think that is when I caused the herniated discs.
Bone strength also factors into how good our bones are!
Yes, I take drugs. I can't see the point of suffering if you can ease your pain by taking a tablet or two.
I take a tablet for BP, Lodotra for PMR, Cocodamol for pain, Vit D and magnesium. I may rattle but who cares?
BTW I use Aqua-weights in the pool - good for weight bearing.
Hola a todos
El año pasado me fracturé la vértebra T8 en una clase de pilates. Tras esto, el médico me envió a hacer un escáner Dexa, donde me diagnosticaron osteoporosis y unos T-scores bastante altos.
Empecé un régimen de calcio, vitamina D, vitamina K2, magnesio, alimentación saludable incluyendo higos secos y aceites de pescado. La próxima Dexa será dentro de 2 años.
Hace 4 semanas me fracturé otra vértebra, pero el médico dice que no me moleste en hacer una radiografía porque son demasiadas y no es bueno. Extrañamente, el dolor de esta fractura (parece que es más abajo) no es tan doloroso como el de la primera fractura???
He estado leyendo sobre los beneficios del aceite de lino y la cúrcuma, ambos parecen reducir el dolor y la inflamación en todo el cuerpo. Tienen muy buenas reseñas. Mi pregunta es: ¿alguno de los contribuyentes regulares de esta área del foro toma estos suplementos y cuál es su opinión?
Saludos a todos, Evelyn
Hi Handbrake, I too am now taking MSM. Just 1/2 tsp at this time. I probably heard about it from Pam or someone else here. I'm using it to heal my stomach from the Prednisone, I think it's working. I believe it has other benefits as well. I Ordered high quality (so it says) flakes. It disolves very well and I put in 8 oz water. No taste.
Yes, lots of us are doing exactly what you are. So you have refrained from taking the drugs? Is your doctor okay with your decision?
Sorry you have had fractures. I have not and hoping that will continue.
I don't know about the flaxseed oil and turmeric though!
It sounds like you are following the same protocol as others who read a certain book and follow a particular writer doctor.
Do you know your exact tscores or just that they were quite bad results?
You can check out other forums on this topic which deal with all this too.
Hi Kathleen
Do try and remain positive - I realise that's easier said than done, particularly if one has more than (dare I say just) osteoporosis.
I've recently started a yoga class again after many, many years of Pilates (Pilates teacher changed and although "qualified" was not aware of positions//moves to avoid for those of us with osteoporosis).
My current yoga teacher also has osteoporosis is highly qualified and experienced - Kathleen, if you can find a good teacher I am sure you will benefit from such a class - good for body, mind and soul!
Since beginning yoga again my balance has definitely improved and at the end of a class I feel refreshed and positive yet very relaxed.
i wish you well.
Hola a todos,
He leído todos los mensajes de esta discusión en particular y ahora me doy cuenta de lo afortunado que soy, hasta ahora. Tengo 71 años, padezco osteoporosis, principalmente en mi cadera/fémur izquierdo, que dio un resultado de -3.5 en un escáner DEXA. Mi médico me recetó inmediatamente ácido alendrónico, que tomé durante cinco meses. No tenía dolor con la OP, pero ahora tengo problemas regulares con una esófago quemado. Esto me decidió finalmente por el camino "natural", aunque no estoy seguro de que tomar todas estas pastillas sea muy natural. Sigo el camino descrito en El Libro, con variaciones de mi elección, pero principalmente apuntando a una dieta alcalina. Estaba bastante en forma antes de que se diagnosticara la OP y asisto a un gimnasio tres veces por semana haciendo bastante ejercicio de bajo impacto, además de dar dos paseos bastante largos los otros días. Tomo varios suplementos de nutrientes, incluyendo calcio, vitamina D3, K2-7, complejo B, ácido fólico, cobre, zinc y soy muy cuidadoso para no tener problemas de interacción. También uso semillas de chía remojadas con mis cereales y estoy trabajando en germinarlas, ya que aumenta los efectos diez veces. Solo espero que el sabor sea aceptable. Pruebo la mayoría de las cosas que he encontrado que la gente usa, pero solo si son apropiadas para mí. Tengo una variedad de otros problemas, aunque ninguno de ellos es grave. Tuve un problema cardíaco sospechoso con una de las arterias de la superficie del corazón, pero me deshice de eso usando el sentido común y no tomando los medicamentos que los médicos querían que tomara. La vitamina K2 debería poder encargarse de cualquier problema residual en ese sentido. Tengo la intención de usar mi condición física y determinación para vencer esta afección. No la trato como una enfermedad porque no hay bacterias ni virus involucrados y parece que la mayoría de las OP se deben a nuestra dieta occidental, que es realmente pobre en comparación con hace 60 años. Me mantengo alejado de los alimentos procesados siempre que puedo, pero a veces mis intolerancias alimentarias me dejan con poca elección. He escrito extensamente en los hilos de huesos fuertes y seguiré haciéndolo cada vez que sienta la necesidad de compartir información o necesite charlar.
He incluido un enlace y hay más enlaces en esa discusión y las otras vinculadas a ella. He llegado a la etapa en la que puedo responder algunas preguntas, pero aún tengo muchas a las que "no sé" las respuestas, pero estoy aprendiendo "sobre la marcha".
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/strong-bones-support-group-2--513840?page=0#2176090
Cuida bien tus huesos.
Hola Pam
No puedo ver dónde publicaste antes, aunque me interesaba leer tus publicaciones. ¿Te importa si te hago algunas preguntas?
1. ¿Tomaste medicación para OP o lo revertiste con suplementos?
2. ¿Tienes tus números de DEXA antes y después del tratamiento?
3. ¿Te hiciste el DEXA en el mismo lugar?
Organicé mis preguntas para que te sea más fácil. Apreciaría mucho si pudieras responder. Lo pregunté de esta manera porque en 10 años me hice 4 escáneres DEXA en 3 lugares diferentes. Tuve algunas experiencias desagradables, quiero decir que estoy segura de que al menos en un lugar no tuve resultados precisos. Muchas gracias por tomarte el tiempo de responder.
Mariana
Hola Pam
No puedo ver dónde publicaste antes, aunque me interesaba leer tus publicaciones. ¿Te importa si te hago algunas preguntas?
1. ¿Tomaste medicación para OP o lo revertiste con suplementos?
2. ¿Tienes tus números de DEXA antes y después del tratamiento?
3. ¿Te hiciste el DEXA en el mismo lugar?
Organicé mis preguntas para que te sea más fácil. Apreciaría mucho si pudieras responder. Pregunté de esta manera porque he tenido 4 escáneres DEXA en 10 años en 3 lugares diferentes. Tuve algunas experiencias desagradables, quiero decir que estoy segura de que al menos en un lugar no tuve resultados precisos. Muchas gracias por tomarte el tiempo para responder.
Mariana
Hi Layne, hope you are well🤗 Haven't heard of MSM what is it?
methylsulfonylmethane
MSM is used for chronic pain, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, bursitis, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, musculoskeletal pain, muscle cramps, scleroderma, scar tissue, stretch marks, hair loss, wrinkles, protection against sun/wind burn, eye inflammation, oral hygiene, periodontal disease, wounds, cuts, and abrasions/accelerated wound Healing, ....
Think it can be used externally and internally.
Received links you sent me ...🤔 thanks Layne
When I was first diagnosed I was taking myacalcin nasal spray. I helped with the pain I had a the base of my spine. In 2009 I went to an endocrynologist who also worked with esteoporosis patients because of pain in my hip. I thought the osteoporosis was getting worse but after the bone density test, I was told it reversed to osteopenia. I had been taking calcium/magnesium/D3/zinc all along, 2 in the morning. Well, she told me to space it out doing 1 every 12 hours, and to remain consistent with the same brand. She also took me off the Myacalcin. But I was still hurting in the hip and it was horrible.
I'm sorry to say, I don't have my numbers. This has been over a long period of close to 20 years. I'm 68 now. My insurance has changed several times because of Palm Beach County changing who they insured with and then retirement I got another insurance. I have been to several stand along imaging facilities and the only bad experience I had was that the table was so hard and unpadded. It really hurt my back and I was always in a hurry to get out of there.
As far as the hip pain went, I was referred to an orthopedic physician and had xrays, Well, I have seriously compressed discs with arthritis. Pain in the lower back can radiate into the hips. I am still taking the supplements plus a joint complex. Calcium can help with pain tolerance. The only time I take anything for actual pain is at bed time.
My neurologist recommended the Mediterranean diet which which stresses more fish, chicken, and the use of lots of fruits in which some have antiinflamatory properties my favorite being pineapple. Olive oil the oil mostly used in this diet.
If you feel like any of the facilities you have gone to wasn't accurate, I would consult with your primary physician. I do not mind answering your questions at all.