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.

@activebcgal

Hi @maggie25. I've been told that both flexion and extension are risky as they put extra load on the spine that can lead to fragility if done too often. Ideally, we want to build strength and endurance in the muscles that support the spine, so we can hold it in "neutral" position while doing everyday activities as well as sports. The approach is suggested by Stuart McGill, PhD, a Canadian researcher who studies biomechanical forces on the spine. He wrote book called The Back Mechanic. I found the book useful for learning how to move more safely. Perhaps you would like it, too.

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Thank you. I’ll look the book up.

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I too am not taking any medication for my bone loss.
I’m 74, active by doing Pilates and Yoga 3-4 x week, garden, started intermittent gentle jogging wearing a 4-8 lb weighted belt or vest on land and in pool, eat lots of greens daily , lots of protein, take red algae calcium 600 mg daily, extra magnesium, vitamin D3, and B complex. I recently started taking Bone Health Peptides with FORTIBONE. I’ve been to two endocrinologists.
My t-scores aren’t outrageous except for my Femoral Neck is -2.5 .
So far the Dr.s say without taking meds I will NOT gain any bone density.
I’d like to prove them wrong!
I will retest in early spring if 2025 to see if I have improved.
Reading Bone Health guide by Lani Simpson, DC, CCD

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@meri8181

I too am not taking any medication for my bone loss.
I’m 74, active by doing Pilates and Yoga 3-4 x week, garden, started intermittent gentle jogging wearing a 4-8 lb weighted belt or vest on land and in pool, eat lots of greens daily , lots of protein, take red algae calcium 600 mg daily, extra magnesium, vitamin D3, and B complex. I recently started taking Bone Health Peptides with FORTIBONE. I’ve been to two endocrinologists.
My t-scores aren’t outrageous except for my Femoral Neck is -2.5 .
So far the Dr.s say without taking meds I will NOT gain any bone density.
I’d like to prove them wrong!
I will retest in early spring if 2025 to see if I have improved.
Reading Bone Health guide by Lani Simpson, DC, CCD

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@meri8181 if femur neck at -2.5 is your worst score, then your spine and hip do not have osteoporosis- is that right?

For those of us with more severe bone density loss, the activities you list are scary 🙂 I cannot do yoga (twisting), garden and the thought of jogging is laughable. So I hope you can continue as you are.

I took a master class with Lani Simpson in 2021 when she was about to go on Tymlos. Keith McCormick, another expert n holistic approaches, took Forteo and Fosamax.

You are 74 and doing well and fingers crossed you never need meds!

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@windyshores

@meri8181 if femur neck at -2.5 is your worst score, then your spine and hip do not have osteoporosis- is that right?

For those of us with more severe bone density loss, the activities you list are scary 🙂 I cannot do yoga (twisting), garden and the thought of jogging is laughable. So I hope you can continue as you are.

I took a master class with Lani Simpson in 2021 when she was about to go on Tymlos. Keith McCormick, another expert n holistic approaches, took Forteo and Fosamax.

You are 74 and doing well and fingers crossed you never need meds!

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Thanks for the encouragement. I also do weight bearing exercises.
My other numbers are in osteopenia I believe.
Cool that you met Lani Simpson. I might order McCormicks bone peptide with Fortibone too.

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Do you know how heavy a 22 lb dog can make herself if she does not want to be picked up to have her nails trimmed? ( I weigh less than 100 lbs myself.)

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L2 spine compression fracture healing well. My biggest fear with severe osteoporosis is turning over in bed can cause fracture if not done correctly!! According to my doctor

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@paulinea

L2 spine compression fracture healing well. My biggest fear with severe osteoporosis is turning over in bed can cause fracture if not done correctly!! According to my doctor

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@paulinea Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I also have osteoporosis. It's good to know that your L2 spine compression fracture is healing. I'm curious what your doctor told you. How are you supposed to turn over in bed so as not to cause another fracture?

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@paulinea

L2 spine compression fracture healing well. My biggest fear with severe osteoporosis is turning over in bed can cause fracture if not done correctly!! According to my doctor

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@paulineae we are sometimes told that we can fracture hugging someone or doing something like turning over in bed. This is indeed scary but I personally don't worry about turning over in bed. Getting out of bed, for awhile after my fractures, I was careful to roll before sitting up. Getting out of the tub I also kind of roll before standing. It is certainly valuable to learn the best ways to move, often from a PT and/or OT.

I think that doctors are trying to help by communicating risk but in the end being that scared is not helpful! As long as we are being treated, I like a more positive message!

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@meri8181

I too am not taking any medication for my bone loss.
I’m 74, active by doing Pilates and Yoga 3-4 x week, garden, started intermittent gentle jogging wearing a 4-8 lb weighted belt or vest on land and in pool, eat lots of greens daily , lots of protein, take red algae calcium 600 mg daily, extra magnesium, vitamin D3, and B complex. I recently started taking Bone Health Peptides with FORTIBONE. I’ve been to two endocrinologists.
My t-scores aren’t outrageous except for my Femoral Neck is -2.5 .
So far the Dr.s say without taking meds I will NOT gain any bone density.
I’d like to prove them wrong!
I will retest in early spring if 2025 to see if I have improved.
Reading Bone Health guide by Lani Simpson, DC, CCD

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Meri8181, Which brand red algae calcium are you taking? Also regarding magnesium - how much do you take daily and also which brand? Do you take any other supplements like a multi, K?

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@windyshores

@paulineae we are sometimes told that we can fracture hugging someone or doing something like turning over in bed. This is indeed scary but I personally don't worry about turning over in bed. Getting out of bed, for awhile after my fractures, I was careful to roll before sitting up. Getting out of the tub I also kind of roll before standing. It is certainly valuable to learn the best ways to move, often from a PT and/or OT.

I think that doctors are trying to help by communicating risk but in the end being that scared is not helpful! As long as we are being treated, I like a more positive message!

Jump to this post

Certainly agree about the positive message! I, too, don't worry too much about turning in bed, although on nights that I can't sleep and find myself turning over multiple times, I am more careful. As far as getting out of bed, my PT taught me to roll on my side then push up using my arm/elbow to propel myself upright to a sitting position. I also use a variation of this technique (without the rolling) to get out of the car: I use my arm to push my body out of the car. I am also mindful of my movements although I know it takes just one careless misstep that can result in pain or worse, a fracture. We learn to adapt to a new way of moving (and living) and move on . . . because we really don't have much of a choice.

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