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Osteoporosis Drugs - Managing joint pain side effects
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jun 30 1:05pm | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
@sharon31 and @edwinabutterfly that is a lot of work you are doing and admirable! Just two comments, though, respectfully. I have kept a chart of my DEXA's since 2001 and the scores jump around a bit, for a variety of reasons (including positioning, "areas of interest" covered, wedge under knees or not, etc.). I was told any change less than -.5 was not yet significant but another doc said -.3, so the change from -4 to -3.6 may or may not be meaningful. I look for trends over the years. I certainly hope that improvement is true and holds!
The other more important question is, do you feel in danger of fracture with severe scores, whether -3.6 or -4? I had three lumbar fractures at -3.7 from one unwise movement. At the time I was healthy and felt strong and was even doing sword tai chi. My fractures were very painful, disabling and even threatened my independence for a few months. I still cannot lift much.
I am a proponent of holistic approaches, for mild osteoporosis, and during and after medications. But to get to a safe place from a risky one, I am also a fan of medications used judiciously. I adjust doses and work with doctors to make medications work for me, not the other way around (so to speak). I think we can continue to work hard in all the ways you have described and, again, admire and respect your efforts.
Replies to "@sharon31 and @edwinabutterfly that is a lot of work you are doing and admirable! Just two..."
Hello Windyshores,
There probably is not a day that goes by that I can forget this condition, especially since the hip fracture which took a long time to heal but I attributed much of the discomfort to having a rod and screw. It woke up my eyes to look down constantly when walking because falling is not an option. I hope I either have the courage to go on an anabolic or that increasing exercise will help increase bone density which at this point I doubt will happen. I'm trying to do the Onero Program starting next week and I had my evaluation yesterday but my back is sore so much of the time that I'm not sure I will be able to do it. I'm hoping that I can keep up the good diet and the supplements I'm on right now. I'm not advised to go on HRT by my doctor because of my age and I had a blood clot. The fact that you went on a couple of the anabolics with good toleration and such good results is helpful to know and has been encouraging to me. But I'm sorry to hear about the spinal fractures and all the pain you experienced in the healing process. Hopefully you will get total restoration. Blessings.
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Thank you Windyshores for your input,
Yes, it is scary dealing with this, trying to improve strength etc, to improve scores, with a background fear that something could go wrong.
Only yesterday near my local supermarket I avoided a mishap/serious fall, in contact with raised paving brick. They know about it and are waiting for repair, no barrier though in meantime.
So yes, it's a case of fingers crossed, and being as sensible as possible.
I did tai chi for a while, just given up, I could see I could easily hurt a knee, even though it's meant to be good for bones. I've chosen to do yoga at home instead.
I take your point about scores, supposedly the dexa scan not accurate for small boned short people. I will have to readjust my thinking if I get a less favourable score in the future.
I am really sorry to hear about your experience, and I hope you recover well, it sounds very difficult. In fact it is difficult to hear about any bad experience, I wish everyone well, life can be so difficult and unfair.