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Osteoporosis advice needed


learning123
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:grouphug:

 

I have no advice, except to suggest seeking PT.  What did your Dr suggest?  I know there is medication, and I know that strength training is suggested.  But it will really depend on the extent of your osteoporosis and what the doctor says you can and can not do.  Proceed carefully, but do find out what you can do. 

 

Maybe a specialist is needed?  I don't know.  

 

:grouphug: again.  

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There’s a lot of information - and mis-information - out there! Do your research carefully. Diet, supplements, and exercise can be very helpful. Many people have taken the “big drugs†successfully, although I think that should be approached with great caution. You’re very young for this, so I would absolutely seek out an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis!!

 

I have it, but I’m almost 20 years older than you are. Eeek

 

Anne

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I don’t know your fitness level but bump it up and include medium/high impact activities. Like jumping in place. Lift weights but start with a trainer.

 

My mom has kept her osteopenia pretty much stable for 20 years. She has used all the drugs, taken all the supplements, adjusted her diet and exercise. She’s very active. She liked Reclasse (spell check that) best.

 

Also do fitness aimed at fall prevention. This generally is core strength and balance. My MIL 85+ swears by her weekly Tai Chi class for seniors.

 

A last thing to look at: maybe adding estrogen temporarily to get your bone density significantly back up. You are young enough that it might be ok.

Edited by Sandragood1
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  • 1 month later...

My relative is doing very well now, but it wasn't always that way.  At one point she received some bad medical advice to take meds that were contraindicated for her, which led to severe problems.  PLEASE do your own research on any meds and possible interactions or contraindications.  Don't count on your doctor to know! Talk with the pharmacist, read package inserts, search online, etc.  

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On 3/23/2018 at 9:13 PM, texasmom33 said:

My Mom has it and a good friend about your age ended up with it from the Depo shot. Both are doing the yearly infusions, and that has helped tremendously. I was a little skeptical for my Mom because the side effects were scary for older patients, but so far so good, and her bone density is better than it's been in decades. They had her initially on Fosomax, but it caused a lot of issues with reflux and joint pain. She's switched to the infusion (I can't remember the name but can find out after the boards are back up if you want to know) and quit the Fosomax two years ago and it's been a much better fit with no side effects so far. 

I am seeing an endocrinologist but I don't know if she specializes in osteoporosis. Right now she is telling me to gain weight so that I am as heavy as I can be but not be technically overweight as bone density tends to correlate positively with weight (did I say that right? The obesity paradox that obese people tend to have great bone density.)  

I'm seeing her next week. And it is true that I don't want to make even more mistakes than I already have!!!

I need to ask her what the plan is for meds. The infusion is just yearly??? Weightlifting guidelines. I plan on walking when I can...

Right now I am resting and eating to get over this (fyi. hypothalamic amennorreah- serious business if not taken care of...too stupid of me...)

Is there ANYBODY who has not lost much bone density without meds? I'd rather not be on meds for 40 years (that is, if I'm lucky enough to live into my eighties). I know I'm grasping for straws...

And thank you again....A really heartfelt thanks!

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6 hours ago, texasmom33 said:

I hope you get some answers and some relief though! I know that has to be stressful. (((Hugs)))

Thank you. Your information is very helpful already- information wise and support-wise. 

I kinda tend to feel alone in this bucket...so your response really helps.

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My mum has osteoperosis. She's had so pretty nasty issues with both having it and also treatment. She had a very bad reaction to alendronic acid which landed her in hospital with extremely low kidney function. It's known to have bad gastrointestinal side effect which she put up with for a few months not realising they were connected until she was keeping nothing down and it ended up screwing up her kidney function. She recovered to about 50% function after being taken off it and a stay in hospital. Now she has a Prolia injection every 6 months without any side effects other than some treatments she gets some bone pain for about 24hrs. I would just be very aware of the possible side effects of anything you take. Since being on Prolia she doesn't seem to have had any deterioration or side effects. 

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My mother had it starting at a fairly young age, although I can't tell you exactly when.  She was in a research study of some sort for quite a few years.  She has a done a lot of things over the years to try and help it, mostly involving shots (giving herself shots).  She did end up increasing her bone density.  She was always very petite and thin, and I've always wondered about whether just being so thin can increase your chances, so it was interesting to hear you say that putting on a little weight is probably good!  My mother is 90 now, and I suppose she has been on meds or shots for years and years now.  She does have some trouble -- she is quite frail now, but of course part of that is just age.  But she never broke a hip or anything!

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6 hours ago, lailasmum said:

My mum has osteoperosis.  on Prolia she doesn't seem to have had any deterioration or side effects. 

5 hours ago, J-rap said:

My mother had it starting at a fairly young age, although I can't tell you exactly when.    She did end up increasing her bone density.    But she never broke a hip or anything!

Wow.  A lot of food for thought.  I'm really glad to hear that there are positive stories. The meds. do concern me for the length of time I would have to be on them, so I'm glad to hear of your mom, J-rap. And I'm glad to hear that Prolia is not harming your mom, lailasmum.

 

 

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1 hour ago, Fifiruth said:

I was talking to a woman in her 70’s-80’s while working on a project together, and somehow we got to talking about osteoporosis. She told me that she had been diagnosed with it, and her doctor told her to walk barefoot (no socks, no slippers) on her hardwood and tile floors for 45 min. a day. Her bones eventually strengthened to the point where she no longer had osteoporosis.

 

Good idea. I'll be happy to live barefoot from now on! Do you know if she was also on meds????

 

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On 3/23/2018 at 10:17 PM, Sandragood1 said:

 

Also do fitness aimed at fall prevention. This generally is core strength and balance. My MIL 85+ swears by her weekly Tai Chi class for seniors.

Also have your gait analyzed. My mother had an issue where she wasn’t picking up her feet all the way when she walked. I realized I had the same gait and went to work on correcting it. My mom tripped and fell very easily because of this. More falls means a higher risk of broken bones that may not heal properly. A PT can help you improve your gait. 

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On 3/23/2018 at 7:13 PM, texasmom33 said:

My Mom has it and a good friend about your age ended up with it from the Depo shot. Both are doing the yearly infusions, and that has helped tremendously. I was a little skeptical for my Mom because the side effects were scary for older patients, but so far so good, and her bone density is better than it's been in decades. They had her initially on Fosomax, but it caused a lot of issues with reflux and joint pain. She's switched to the infusion (I can't remember the name but can find out after the boards are back up if you want to know) and quit the Fosomax two years ago and it's been a much better fit with no side effects so far. 

Do you know how long your friend was on Depo?

I was on it for about 2 years and that concerns me. 

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1 hour ago, sassenach said:

I bet yoga would be a good idea, too. Not so much for bone density, but to help with posture. IMO, the scariest part of osteoporosis is the spinal changes, but body posture goes a long way to support your spine. 

That is a great idea. My posture is horrid and the osteo is far worse in my spine than anywhere else.  And I know vertebral fractures can throw off a person's balance really easily with the hunched posture they cause...Can you tell I'm scaring myself?! 

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I think you have received some good advice. There have been some studies that indicate that prunes can help with bone density. I usually eat them (I have osteopenia) daily. They don't bother my tummy, and they aren't going to hurt me so I figure why not?

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