Symptoms of osteoporosis

Sometimes there are no symptoms. I was active, a runner, I exercised, and the first symptom was that I twisted my back the wrong way one day and suffered a compression fracture. Until then, I had no idea there was a problem. I never had any joint pain.

Thank you
Has it healed? What treatment?

A fracture heals in a few weeks on its own. I didn't have a bone density test until afterwards. In fact, the orthopedist who treated me didn't even mention it! Maybe because I'm a man, who knows. You'd think a 64-year-old man with a compression fracture that wasn't from a fall might raise suspicion, but apparently not.

It wasn't until I went to my primary doctor that he suggested a bone density test... and his recommendation for treatment was terrible. Primary care doctors don't know anything about osteoporosis.

Long story short... it took a few months to get a phone consultation with Dr. McCormick and to see an endocrinologist for meds, but I am now on Tymlos.

@snowmass I have been told many times by doctors that osteoporosis does not have symptoms or cause pain. I have 7 spinal compression fractures and yes they hurt. Many of us over 29's also have arthritis which would cause joint pain- osteoporosis wouldn't.

My fractures stabilized but they never "heal" in the sense of going back to what they were before. Compression fractures change the structure of the spine, can cause long term pain, leave less space inside for GI/lungs/heart and affect ability to lift, open windows and other activities of daily living.

@snowmass. I had my first bone density scan when I was in my mid-40's and it showed osteopenia. I did not have any symptoms but I knew I was at risk because my mother had osteoporosis.

Osteorarthitis showed up in my lower back and I had a congenital hip problem (I've since had total hip replacement).

I'd never had any symptoms until I had a sacral fracture in late 2022 that was likely due to pelvic radiation for a recurrence of endometrial cancer. Prior to that fracture I've been active with hiking, x-country skiing, aerobics, and weightlifting. My endocrinologist said I did everything I could possibly do until that sacral fracture occurred. At that point with that one fracture I decided to follow my endocrinologist's advice and started on Evenity a year ago. I will get my last injections at the end of this month and in mid-November I'll have a bone density scan.

Endocrinologist treats osteoporosis? Dr McCormick?

Thank you.
Has the injection helped? Do you feel better and less pain?

Endocrinologist, yes.

Dr. Keith McCormick is actually a chiropractor who became, from his own experience with osteoporosis, an expert on the subject. He does phone consultations. He also wrote a very popular book on the subject.
https://www.osteonaturals.com/about-osteonaturals
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Bones-Taking-Control-Osteoporosis/dp/B0BS8RJ2V3
There are many people here who have consulted with him. It does take some time to schedule with him - he's very busy. Initial consult is, I forget, $300? But then the follow-ups can be for as short as 15 minutes and are much cheaper (e.g. you want to review some lab tests, etc.)

Some people (like me) consult with him, but also use an endocrinologist to order bone scans and lab tests, prescribe meds, etc. Dr. McCormick cannot prescribe meds in NJ, NY, and CT; those states do not allow chiropractors to do so. The other 47 states, no problem. He is not one to push medication, but he does advise it depending on your condition (to "buy time", as he calls it.)

Thank you for all the information. Appreciate it very much. I am in CA. What does he mean by “buy time”? What do the meds do?

And that’s great that you were proactive. I tried to but my primary at the time said no need for me yet because I am not the age for covered by insurance. ..