THORASIC SPINE COMPRESSIONS AND ORGAN CROWDING

I believe kyphotic changes (hunching) do cause the abdomen to protrude... It might help if you could improve your posture. I know, easier said than done...

I might have shared this before, but after my thoracic compression fractures, I used a brace called a Spinomed. It’s very specific for helping with and even preventing kyphosis. You wear it twice a day for an hour each time, and I’m doing well. The best part is it was fully covered by Medicare.

I had a fracture T12 and 2 compression fractures L1 & L2, in July. My stomach protruded out severely...now with good PT, and Osteo Strong, bracing, my stomach has flattened some. As the spine hopefully is healing, (lost 3 inches of height since July)..the pain is still rough. They put me back on Evenity (have rashes) for 6 months, then follow with Prolia is the plan at this point. I am only 68 years old and wish to God I never ever took Evenity. But now there is no alternative. I never saw an actual Doctor at UW Madison only a PA who did not give me follow up Prolia, and I lost my gains and my bone density, 2.5 times faster than I ever would of naturally. I have always exercised daily, lifted weights, never overweight, did everything right, until I got the wrong PA. Careful out there. Really investigate before you start any drug, no matter how bad they tell you you are.

PS demand to see a Doctor first as well.

@bones1957 Did you lose all your gains and then some after Evenity? It's terrible they didn't give you a follow-up drug. Fyi: Prolia can't be stopped abruptly or the same thing will happen. If you go off Prolia make sure you start a new drug! Best wishes in your recovery.

Have you considered kyphoplasty to restore bone height?

I did considered it. I talked with my Spine Surgeon. He gave me a lot of information. He does not recommend it for me. He said often times due to the cement, puts me at risk for more compression fractures . He said it can work for some people. He also says a lot of times the procedure needs to be done again. He said I could likely not do well due to the condition of my bones
Not having it.

geeze... I too, am 68, always exercise, eat healthy, do all my maintenance testing, keep doctor appointments, etc., and here I am on this forum talking osteoporosis and spine health....thanks to a PA who told me to hold off on my next dose of Prolia until my dental work was complete. Within two weeks, my bones were...as the surgeon said...so soft, he could move them.

So, I will vent. Why are we trusting Doctors and PAs who have no clue how to safely treat Osteoporosis, or all women's health, for that matter? How do we demand thorough testing?, more than 15 minutes of the Doctors time, to address, explain, draw pictures or whatever it takes, to understand our bodies and our health?
I read folks on here who get all kinds of tests that I have never heard of or been offered, which may or may not have prevented this trauma.
So why, is women's health such a low priority? There is an overwhelming need for specialists who concentrate exclusively on women's health beyond the OB/GYN. Very frustrating.

I also have stomach protrusion, due to losing 3". It has pushed everything down. Now I have a muffin top, or should I say mega muffin top.
I have difficulty breathing because my back is so hunched over that my spine is pushing on my lungs from the back and pushing my lungs against my ribs...this is from a pulmonary specialist.
Always constipated and I think it's because everything is now so compressed. Two colonoscopies show nothing.

OK...I've vented....for now, anyway.

I just have a few months left on Tymlos. I do believe it is working well for me.

@gowalking Very good vent, I thought and questioned everything you wrote about. I just wasn't sure how to voice it all.
Thank you for your candid note. I am sure many women here would say Yeah Yeah Yeah! Me too!

It sure is frustrating. So much MIXED information. The Doctors and PA's have only some knowledge of Osteoporosis, but only the basic information.

I too believe that women's health is a low priority. When you think about it, it goes way back in time where women weren't valued. I bet if the tables were turned, and Men were the majority with Osteoporosis, things would be so different.

It is so frustrating when you feel you did everything right, like you did, and myself and then you are diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis. I am 71.

You are one of the first ones relating to my problem regarding compression fractures which
can lead to organ compression. Since my thoracic compressions everything changed ( I lost 4 inches in height.) My stomach protrudes outward. Hard to look in the mirror, When I wore my brace in the beginning (had unstable fractures) I was short of breath also. Now it is definitely my abdomen. Now I am super constipated, Never was before my injury. Sometimes I get this awful sound-like water sloshing around in my gut. Its loud! Not sure what that is.

When I talked with a spine surgeon and PA, telling them about my concerns with this and the organ compression, they looked at me like I was nuts.

I have been on Tymlos for 6 months now. Everyday I feel nauseated. Every day I think of stopping. My body just doesn't feel right. I kind of don't trust the manufactures. They only know so much. When I have called them, there is never is a RN, PA ,NP available. Found out they don't have any Health care providers, only Pharmacist. Anyway, If I ask a question, they never have an answer.

Now look who is venting...haha. It feels good. Thanks for listening

@harryboy7