1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Osteoporosis and lower back pain

Posted by kdickerson @kdickerson, Dec 23, 2024

Hi everyone and thank you for taking time to read my post. I am 58 and healthy- retired teacher and now teach 3 days Reading Intervention. Here is my issue- I have severe osteoporosis and, to be honest, I’m scared. My hips are mild to moderate but my spine is in the range 3.2 to 3.4. I love my doctor and trust him completely. His plan is to start Evenity then Prolia. Can someone share experience with pain? My lower back hurts off and on all day but worse in the mornings. Thank you all so much.

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pamela | @pamela1685 | 2 days ago
In reply to @windyshores "@pamela1685 I would think that they would want you on Tymlos to strengthen bones. I am..." + (show)
@windyshores

@pamela1685 I would think that they would want you on Tymlos to strengthen bones. I am not sure dentists know that Forteo and Tymlos are different in this regard, from other meds that do actually have a risk for jaw necrosis. It's not new information!

https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/osteoporosis-medications This article only mentions anti-resorptives as risky for jaw necrosis: bisphosphonates, Prolia and Evenity. Online I cannot find any reference to Tymlos causing this. Jaw necrosis is "rare" even with the anti-resorptives so maybe that word "rare" the dentist used was referring to anti-resoprtives.

Maybe you can ask the dentist to research or talk to your endo.

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Thank you for taking the trouble to send me the link. I read it, along with other online sources that state, as you did, that anabolics do *not* cause jaw necrosis.

I had specifically asked my oral surgeon why I can't go on Tymlos right away, if building more bone in my jaw is the goal of waiting another 2 months for follow-up oral surgery. He replied that "it's safer to leave things alone and let it heal without intervention." My endocrinologist knows about my oral surgeries, and he, too, seems to think it's a good idea to wait. Since all three docs are in agreement, I figured they must know something that I don't, but am no longer sure. But I'm also not sure if I have the energy to fight all three of them just to speed things up by 2 months. But thank you for your concern and good information, which I really appreciate!

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mundy | @mundy | 1 day ago
In reply to @njx58 "One thing to keep in mind is that back problems are very common, and some of..." + (show)
@njx58

One thing to keep in mind is that back problems are very common, and some of them require a MRI to be diagnosed. You could have, for example, both osteoporosis and disc issues. Backs are complicated.

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Thank you, I did have an MRI after the fracture and the only disk issue was directly due to the one L3 fracture. I did learn from the report how complex it can be. I think that overall I was fortunate with this fracture although I could never have imagined the discomfort and physical restrictions I experienced from it. I expect to continue to get better with time. Looking forward to physical therapy in the future. I see a doctor this week.

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mundy | @mundy | 1 day ago
In reply to @gravity3 "Hang in there. There are lots of good here and in the same boat. Perhaps our..." + (show)
@gravity3

Hang in there. There are lots of good here and in the same boat. Perhaps our voices can sound the alarm that there needs to be more money for research and training for doctors.

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I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis. I have found this surprising and disappointing. If anyone knows of one please share.

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3 replies
gravity3 | @gravity3 | 1 day ago
In reply to @mundy "I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis...." + (show)
@mundy

I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis. I have found this surprising and disappointing. If anyone knows of one please share.

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Check out the group Osteoboston. They present great speakers on topics about osteoporosis. Presentations are posted on their YouTube channel. I am confident you will get referrals from the women in that group. Osteoboston.org

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windyshores | @windyshores | 1 day ago
In reply to @mundy "I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis...." + (show)
@mundy

I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis. I have found this surprising and disappointing. If anyone knows of one please share.

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@mundy sending you a private message...

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1 reply
gravity3 | @gravity3 | 1 day ago
In reply to @windyshores "@mundy sending you a private message..." + (show)
@windyshores

@mundy sending you a private message...

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Wrong recipient. Sorry

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jennirdh | @jennirdh | 1 day ago

I was started on Prolia in my late 50’s after Fosamax and after deciding to go back to oral drugs had a horrible rebound which I now know is from stopping Prolia. You basically can’t stop it once you start unless you have the BEST most informed osteoporosis specialist which I did not! Three vertebral fractures later I am on Tymlos and reading Dr. McCormick’s book Great Bones which I heard about on this site, thankfully!
Just be aware of the Prolia effect and starting it so young. I am currently searching for a new doctor but the ones that really know about our disease are few and far between, or not taking new patients!!

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JT | @jtrehub | 1 day ago
In reply to @mundy "I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis...." + (show)
@mundy

I am in the Boston area and have not found an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis. I have found this surprising and disappointing. If anyone knows of one please share.

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Thank you so much for this recommendation! I just checked out the site, it looks great!

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lesliehawkinson | @lesliehawkinson | 1 day ago

I have Osteoarthritis. How do I get into that group?

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