Anyone get a PT or dietary consult when diagnosed with osteoporosis?

Hi @fieryrn, oh golly, you’re one heck of a trouper. I was just reading your other posting about extreme exhaustion after cancer/radiation and now possibly returning to work with 12 hour shifts. One of the most difficult lessons I had to learn as a cancer patient was drilled into me daily by my nurses… Listen to your body!! That means when you’re tired, you need to rest. Even if it’s a cat nap. Your body has been pushed to the max, assaulted on all sides to eradicate the cancer. It’s one formidable foe and unfortunately can’t be brushed away with a feather duster. The brutal chemo and radiation are required in order to accomplish this goal. Some meds can also cause calcium to be lost or not being able to be absorbed by our bones.

Unfortualtely there is collateral damage, one of them being severe bone loss. Of course it’s not just all the meds, chemicals and radiation treatments at fault. Some of the depletion is also from the impact of nausea and not eating well for a year. You may be finding the same thing with your treatments. When we’re that nauseated, the last thing we worry about is how to get enough calcium in our bodies.

When I entered my chemo for AML and subsequent analogous stem cell transplant, a recent DEXA just prior to my diagnosis showed a healthy bone density. A year later, my exit testing required a DEXA scan and I was shocked to find out I had osteoporosis! My doctor wanted me to take medication to reverse this but because I was on a gum ball dispenser full of delightful meds already, I begged for a year to get this under control myself. He gave me one year!

I was referred to a PT. She was amazing in providing me with targeted exercises to strengthen and increase hip, leg and spine bone density and core muscles. Along with calcium supplements, magnesium, Vit D3 (I wanted to add strontium but that interfered with one of my meds) and finally being able to eat healthy meals and add milk back to my diet, we were all rejoicing at my last DEXA which showed I reversed osteoporosis to mild osteopenia. My doctor was ecstatic.

So I heartily suggest a couple of sessions with a PT. I know there are a lot of instructional exercises for osteoporosis online. But there are also some detrimental exercises which can do more harm that good. The value of a PT is to minimize any damage to your spine while learning how to build up the bone.

Most of the exercises are done in bed before I get up in the morning or right before I sleep at night. They’re very calming and the rhythmic counting of seconds as I’m holding a position quiets me down before sleep. So this won’t be adding any more stress to your day. We’re not talking heavy aerobics. You already have a huge burden of just getting through each day as you heal mentally and physically. Along with the Reclast you’ve been given I think adding PT and talking with a dietician will give you another level of protection. I know it sounds like a lot to take on, but honestly, it will come to be a daily part of your life and will actually enrich your feeling of strength and vitality.

I don’t believe you’re over reacting at all. You are tired and can’t fathom adding more to your plate with taking on a PT and diet consult. But your bone health is vital to keeping the rest of you going. Does this make a little more sense now?

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@fieryrn I agree with everything @loribmt has said. Now, from the point of view of someone who still hasn’t fully recovered from her disease, ill tell you what i do. Unfortunately, the prednisone I’ve been on for 3 1/2 years really hit me hard and i felt like i got osteoporosis overnight. I just started going to a personal trainer at the recreation center. I wanted specific instructions on strength and resistance exercises and safe ways to move my body. He was very good! I think one more meeting and then I’m on my own.
You’ve said that you’re a nurse in L n D. (I was an oncology nurse) That in itself can be exhausting and hard on your body. You need to learn how to twist, turn, bend and move heavy patients .
Can someone in the PT department do a safety assessment while you are working?

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I guess since I didn’t have chemo and all that brings, it feels like I should be recovered fully. But, everything you said makes me feel less like I’m crazy 😜. I appreciate your words enormously! Thank you!

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I am sure someone can advise me and do a work assessment. That’s a good idea!

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Hi @fieryrn, oh golly, you’re one heck of a trouper. I was just reading your other posting about extreme exhaustion after cancer/radiation and now possibly returning to work with 12 hour shifts. One of the most difficult lessons I had to learn as a cancer patient was drilled into me daily by my nurses… Listen to your body!! That means when you’re tired, you need to rest. Even if it’s a cat nap. Your body has been pushed to the max, assaulted on all sides to eradicate the cancer. It’s one formidable foe and unfortunately can’t be brushed away with a feather duster. The brutal chemo and radiation are required in order to accomplish this goal. Some meds can also cause calcium to be lost or not being able to be absorbed by our bones.

Unfortualtely there is collateral damage, one of them being severe bone loss. Of course it’s not just all the meds, chemicals and radiation treatments at fault. Some of the depletion is also from the impact of nausea and not eating well for a year. You may be finding the same thing with your treatments. When we’re that nauseated, the last thing we worry about is how to get enough calcium in our bodies.

When I entered my chemo for AML and subsequent analogous stem cell transplant, a recent DEXA just prior to my diagnosis showed a healthy bone density. A year later, my exit testing required a DEXA scan and I was shocked to find out I had osteoporosis! My doctor wanted me to take medication to reverse this but because I was on a gum ball dispenser full of delightful meds already, I begged for a year to get this under control myself. He gave me one year!

I was referred to a PT. She was amazing in providing me with targeted exercises to strengthen and increase hip, leg and spine bone density and core muscles. Along with calcium supplements, magnesium, Vit D3 (I wanted to add strontium but that interfered with one of my meds) and finally being able to eat healthy meals and add milk back to my diet, we were all rejoicing at my last DEXA which showed I reversed osteoporosis to mild osteopenia. My doctor was ecstatic.

So I heartily suggest a couple of sessions with a PT. I know there are a lot of instructional exercises for osteoporosis online. But there are also some detrimental exercises which can do more harm that good. The value of a PT is to minimize any damage to your spine while learning how to build up the bone.

Most of the exercises are done in bed before I get up in the morning or right before I sleep at night. They’re very calming and the rhythmic counting of seconds as I’m holding a position quiets me down before sleep. So this won’t be adding any more stress to your day. We’re not talking heavy aerobics. You already have a huge burden of just getting through each day as you heal mentally and physically. Along with the Reclast you’ve been given I think adding PT and talking with a dietician will give you another level of protection. I know it sounds like a lot to take on, but honestly, it will come to be a daily part of your life and will actually enrich your feeling of strength and vitality.

I don’t believe you’re over reacting at all. You are tired and can’t fathom adding more to your plate with taking on a PT and diet consult. But your bone health is vital to keeping the rest of you going. Does this make a little more sense now?

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Hi @loribmt 🙂 Thank you so much for joining this discussion! Can you tell me in detail about one or two of your favorite osteoporosis exercises that you do In bed? I think I would benefit too!

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😂 By popular request, here is my daily, sometimes twice daily hip/spine workout. Most of these are done in bed before getting up or going to sleep. They’re quiet and repetitive so they have a really nice calming effect before bed.
Also, they are not strenuous but require strength so work up to them. They look easy but are deceiving if you’re doing them correctly.

HA! For disclaimer, the super fit, young woman in the photos is not actually me but image of me in my head!! They’re stock photos from the internet. More accurately, picture a matronly grey haired lady, with saggy body parts trying to retain her dignity while going through these exercises. (The photo of the exercises is at the bottom, under the videos)
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I begin by lying on my right side for side leg lifts. Bend the lower leg, with top leg extended straight. Flex the thigh muscle tightly and jut the heel down tilting toes more upward. Now hold that position. You’ll feel it in your hip, thigh and glutes. Slowly count to 10 while holding. Then rest. Repeat 10 more times.

Then switch to Clams. Again, lying on your side, both legs bent with ankles touching. Keeping it bent, raise the top leg as far as you can while keeping the feet touching! Think of the feet touching as a hinge. Hold the upper leg raised for a slow count to 10, then rest and repeat 10 times.

Roll on back and do the pelvic tilt and bridge exercises. Same thing. Slow counts to 10, rest and repeat 10 times. There are more of these exercises with raising legs, alternating them, etc. look online.

At that point, I switch to the left side to do the leg lifts and clams.

Then I hop out of bed and hit the floor! Not from exhaustion…but to get the planks completed. They are my favorites!! They can be done in bed but it’s more difficult with the ‘give’ in the mattress. A firm floor is better. The planks strengthen everything, improving core strength, your spine, arms, butt, legs…

Also, here are some links to Silver Sneakers. They have a ton of videos on youtube for seniors which take into account people with osteoporosis who should not be doing any exercises which can be detrimental to their spine. No sit-ups or crunches.

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