STOP! Don't do this if you have osteoporosis

@mlwh

Absolutely!!! Not everyone is in the same boat when it comes to osteoporosis. Some are prone to fractures while others aren't. This list was started for people to share what has worked for them and what doesn't work. The knowledge from people on this site is so valuable and I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

My husband would love to be doing all those things. I wish he could! But for now that's just not in the cards for him. I love hearing that other people who have this disease don't suffer from fracturing like he does. And that they can continue living life doing things they did before.

Thanks for your suggestions about bending and keeping the back neutral. I watched a video about that today and will share it with my husband. He's not got the best knees so he's not the best at this but I think we can work with the physical therapist so he can do this safely. He needs to be as active as he can with the limitations they've given. For now.

As for the position on the couch. He's definitely not recommending an L-shaped position. That would be awful. He's talking about a reclined position with the back down so he's more like lying down. If he's going to sit with his back up straight then he doesn't recline the couch. Also he is spending less and less time on the couch and more time moving around and sitting in different chairs. Also I should add we purchased a very expensive and supportive couch because I had low back pain some time ago and was not able to sit on a regular couch, or one that was too cushy.

Any thoughts about a rocking chair?

I am no expert, but it seems to me that in any chair, perhaps a little lumbar support might be helpful, and bent knees would always help when bending near the waist. Many recliners offer a gently bent knee when reclined.
My sister broke so many bones I lost count, and I know how challenging that can be. Still sending support and best wishes. ♥️

@cehunt57

Do Prolia and Forteo do the same basic thing? My husband was recently given a prescription for Forteo and he will need daily injections for two years followed by a few years on Reclast, per his endocrinologist. A shot every six months sounds heavenly in comparison. Just wondering if we could have done that instead of the Forteo.

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!

@isabelle7 I also wonder if your husband's prognosis might be better because he is not female/dealing with the loss of estrogen-?

It is hard to believe he fractures just sitting. The thing about slouching makes sense while he is recovering. Does he wear a brace at all? I wonder if it was the act of getting up, or twisting while asleep. Hard to know!

So glad he is doing Forteo. The shots are nothing!

@ldg001

Thanks for sharing what you’re taking. My husband is the one with osteoporosis from taking prednisone for over a year. He didn’t have a choice and is still on it trying to taper down. Steroids can cause bone issues but no one told us. So by the time we found out it was too late for any hope of treating his with alternatives. Which is my preference.

It’s been a rough year. He first developed PMR in May 2023 and just when he was doing well tapering down the prednisone he developed giant cell arteritis in Feb 2024. He’s been on high doses of prednisone for over a year and it’s taken a toll. He’s 75 and before this he was so healthy. He had the stamina of a 45-year old man. Now he is covered in bruises from the prednisone, he can’t bend down or lift more than 5 lbs until his fractures stabilize and he’s constantly exhausted and falling asleep. The one good thing is he’s no longer in constant pain. Thanks to the prednisone he didn’t develop more serious consequences. So we have to be thankful.

I wish you the very best!!

I have osteoporosis, previously to taking Reclast it was "severe" after three years of Reclast infusions it improved somewhat. I had spine surgery in March for Stenosis which caused me to have throbbing calf muscles that prevent me from sleeping. A pain management dr gave me a Dospak of Methylprednisolone, 4 mg to tak for five days. I didn't take it because I thought it would have a negative impact on my Osteoporosis. The Dr said if I only take it once it won't be bad. I don't know if I should trust him or not. I am continually shrinking. I was 5'1 " twenty years ago, now I am only 4' 9 in. I don't want to keep getting shorter and shorter. No one I know has shrunk as much as I have. What do people think ?

I have osteoporosis, previously to taking Reclast it was "severe" after three years of Reclast infusions it improved somewhat. I had spine surgery in March for Stenosis which caused me to have throbbing calf muscles that prevent me from sleeping. A pain management dr gave me a Dospak of Methylprednisolone, 4 mg to tak for five days. I didn't take it because I thought it would have a negative impact on my Osteoporosis. The Dr said if I only take it once it won't be bad. I don't know if I should trust him or not. I am continually shrinking. I was 5'1 " twenty years ago, now I am only 4' 9 in. I don't want to keep getting shorter and shorter. No one I know has shrunk as much as I have. What do people think ?

@isabelle7

I am in the same boat as @isabelle7s husband. I broke a rib in my sleep .... and my femur bending over to pet the dog .. .and my vertebrae from coughing while putting on deodorant.

And I am on the same restrictions. I manage short walks and do my PT. Likewise, I pull forward in parking lots and go to great lengths to avoid a left hand turn so I don't twist my spine at all. And 5 lbs? Geez ... that's less than a gallon of milk, not to mention a full coffee carafe.

BORING!!! But ... better safe than sorry.

In the meantime, I am taking my Evenity shots and hoping that within a few months my bones will be stronger. I can't wait to 'live dangerously' and buy a gallon of milk all by myself.