1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

STOP! Don't do this if you have osteoporosis

Posted by isabelle7 @isabelle7, Jul 7 8:35pm

I am starting this thread hoping people will post things they've done that they have regretted, for one reason or another, when suffering from osteoporosis.

I'm going to start the conversation with a list of things we've learned already, and we are newbies!

1. Lift objects heavier than recommended by your physician (for my husband, that means nothing heavier than 5 pounds right now, with 3 fractures).

2. Don't bend at the waist! He got a fracture bending to empty the dishwasher.

3. Be cautious when driving - avoid rough roads, bumps, and go very slow over speed bumps.

4. We had planned to go on a boating tour (on a commercial fishing boat) on the ocean. After seeing a boat rocking and bouncing over choppy water we decided not to go.

5. Do not slouch when sitting in a chair or couch. If you're going to rest for any period of time on a couch elevate your legs (per our physical therapist).

6. Do not try any exercises until you have cleared it with your doctor, especially before your doctor confirms your fracture is stable.)

Please add to the discussion. I think this could be useful to people, especially people new to this.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Jul 9 9:34pm
In reply to @laurie22 "I recently learned that a high salt consumption interferes with calcium. In a study in Alberta..." + (show)
@laurie22

I recently learned that a high salt consumption interferes with calcium. In a study in Alberta it was discovered that when sodium leaves the body in the urine, it takes calcium with it. I was a salt-aholic, and have the beginning stage of osteoporosis, rapidly getting worse, despite a healthy diet, mineral supplements and anti-osteoporosis meds. It took a little while to get used to not adding salt, but I enjoy my food more now without it. My last DEXA scan showed no worsening, which can also be credited to the meds. But if I didn't need so much salt, it won't hurt to cut way back and may be really helpful if not preventative for younger people.

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@laurie22

I've also heard that about salt. So we have definitely been limiting the amount we put in foods. I do most of our cooking and we don't eat out too much. We do some take-out but way less than we used to. Most restaurant foods have a lot of sodium.

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thxgod4life | @thxgod4life | Jul 9 9:51pm

This is good to know about salt and calcium. I didn't know that.

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1 reply
mjacobs3 | @mjacobs3 | Jul 10 12:15am
In reply to @isabelle7 "@mjacobs3 I like your attitude!! You're too young to give in. And you're very fortunate that..." + (show)
@isabelle7

@mjacobs3

I like your attitude!! You're too young to give in. And you're very fortunate that you're able to do these workouts. Some people, like my husband with fragile back fractures, can't do them for now. He can't bend and he can't lift anything over 5 pounds. Everyone is on their own journeys with the same end goal - to better health and wellbeing.

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So true Isabelle7. Everyone has their own journey. I just caught my issue early and feel grateful that I did. I pray for you and your husband that you both can meet your goals, stay as active as you can, and prayerfully progress daily.

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1 reply
recordm | @recordm | Jul 10 7:20am

I am 77 year old female and ( should not have been )was surprised by my recent osteoporosis/osteoarthritis diagnosis. Xray read advanced osteoarthritis in right hip with bone on bone content, mild osteoporosis changes left hip and lumbar spine. Never a symptom prior to this past February.
Have had Bone Scans yearly, reveled osteopenia and was taking Vitamin D and calcium.
My doctor has added Alendronate Sodium, oral, once a week.
I am using extra strength Tylenol , and one Alevee every 12 hours.

I am going to P T twice weekly rebuilding lower body strength and targeting all muscles involving hips.
Everyone is different, but at this time, I seem to be responding well to this program.

So happy we have this thread.

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rola | @rola | Jul 10 9:05am

This is not a "STOP don't do this," comment 😉, but a MUST do this!!!

I found that *mindfulness is one of our best weapons we can employ. You really have to train yourself to be in the moment at all times to avoid possible falls.

Stepping off a curb, step stool, etc... be mindful.🥰

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1 reply
vmcd | @vmcd | Jul 10 10:01am
In reply to @babbsjoy "I just went on a short trip. I only took a carry on. I am ok,..." + (show)
@babbsjoy

I just went on a short trip. I only took a carry on. I am ok, but I am sure I should not have lifted it up and down to and from the overhead compartment, since you pretty much have to bend and twist due to limited room!

I just purchased a grabber to get clothes from far back in my (new, but purchased before I was diagnosed) front load laundry machines.

I second the boating, jet ski, bicycle, scooter hesitancy…..

While on my vaca, we started up a hiking trail that became very rocky and steep. A no go/fall risk. Had to go back down and find a more sedate trail elsewhere.

I have a very boisterous, 85 pound lab that I don’t try to walk anymore (think “squirrel!” —with him giving chase and yanking hard on one arm). We throw the ball in our fenced back yard A LOT though! But I no longer play tug of war with the poor guy.

I don’t go up onto the roof to blow out the gutters. I don’t go up tall ladders to pull the Spanish moss from my trees.

But I do walk a lot! And since I am out so much I have time to enjoy sunrises and bird song and meeting other walkers!

I do not go to Costco and buy the giant crates of bottled water. I don’t babysit the baby next door (she is now over my 20lb limit). I just generally try to use good sense, but it’s definitely hard to remember caution!

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Walking has been my salvation - the one thing I can do that gives pleasure and a much needed distraction - I need to get a grabber - right now I’ve been using the long handled broom & dust pan ~ sweeping the object into the dust pan and raising it up to retrieve the item

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3 replies
ldg001....Laurie | @ldg001 | Jul 10 11:31am

I refuse to take any of the drugs for osteoporosis . I joined a gym, took supplements and reversed my osteoporosis in a year and a half. My doc said "whatever you are doing, just keep it up."
Thank you Lord!

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5 replies
isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Jul 10 1:13pm
In reply to @rola "This is not a "STOP don't do this," comment 😉, but a MUST do this!!! I..." + (show)
@rola

This is not a "STOP don't do this," comment 😉, but a MUST do this!!!

I found that *mindfulness is one of our best weapons we can employ. You really have to train yourself to be in the moment at all times to avoid possible falls.

Stepping off a curb, step stool, etc... be mindful.🥰

Jump to this post

@rola

Great reminder!!

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isabelle7 | @isabelle7 | Jul 10 1:16pm
In reply to @ldg001 "I refuse to take any of the drugs for osteoporosis . I joined a gym, took..." + (show)
@ldg001

I refuse to take any of the drugs for osteoporosis . I joined a gym, took supplements and reversed my osteoporosis in a year and a half. My doc said "whatever you are doing, just keep it up."
Thank you Lord!

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@ldg001

Can you share what level of osteoporosis you have? Did you get DEXA scores? Did you have fractures?

For some people like my husband with -3.4 scores and three fractures, exercise is completely off the table for now and meds are the only things that, in his condition, will rebuild bone.

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3 replies
rola | @rola | Jul 10 1:17pm
In reply to @vmcd "Walking has been my salvation - the one thing I can do that gives pleasure and..." + (show)
@vmcd

Walking has been my salvation - the one thing I can do that gives pleasure and a much needed distraction - I need to get a grabber - right now I’ve been using the long handled broom & dust pan ~ sweeping the object into the dust pan and raising it up to retrieve the item

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🤣 Never thought of that, but if it worked! I need a grabber, too. I've been using tongs to get my laundry out of the washer.

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