So tired and osteopenia

Posted by dianel44 @dianel44, May 29, 2023

I always feel so tired. It's hard to exercise because I have osteopenia in my shoulders and bad hips. I just feel like resting for an entire day. I work and walk a lot during the day. When I get home , I am done

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@fourof5zs

@dianel44

Mostly likely not osteopenia causing your fatigue or pain.

A few things to consider:

Shoulder pain: You may have a rotator cuff problem. I have a torn labrum in mine. I cannot reach comfortably with that arm nor sleep on it. You need to have the shoulder checked by a good orthopedist. An MRI might better tell what is going on with it. An injection could help with inflammation.

Fatigue: are you sleeping less because of pain? Are you eating well? Are you exercising enough.

I have bad feet .. bone on bone arthritis and the surgery to fix would be a hard recovery .. and cannot walk long at one time. I bought a cheap fitness tracker (Proyoo brand ..I replaced the silicone band with a mesh one for comfort .. bought both on Amazon). There are many other brands out there in same price range. Most fitness trackers are not very accurate on sleep and blood pressure measurements. More expensive is not necessarily better. They can help you set a goal of how many step you take in a day and track other exercises. Most days I get 4000 steps instead of my goal of 8000. I have had the tracker for a couple of months. I have got to work harder .. but fighting sacroiliac pain too. Hopefully will get an injection soon.

Vitamins and hormones: Have you had them checked? If you are taking high doses of Calcium and Vitamin D they can make you feel fatigued and hurt all over. Low Vitamin D, Iron, B-12 and Magnesium can make you tired. Have your Thyroid checked too.

Medications: Some medications can also make you feel tired. Go over your medications (including over the counter medications) with a pharmacist. .. believe me better than talking with your doctor. The pharmacist can give you information of concerns about you medications to talk with your doctor or they can talk with the doctor about them for you. A statin caused me pain.

I am one that has the odd-ball reactions to medications. I tried Prolia .. one injection. Within two hours I felt like I had a stomach ulcer. Nothing I have tried with medication has helped my bone density number .. so I am doing my best with food and vitamins. The medications have helped many with no side effects. So don't be discouraged.

When you have pain what will make it worse is inactivity. I use my arm despite the shoulder pain. I don't lift anything heavy with it and I do not strain to lift with it. You will know your limit of movement. I did physical therapy that helped me find my limit with with my shoulder and exercises to do. … with my sacroiliac too. It is holding me back on my walking more than my feet. I use a TENS Unit to help with both of those areas when the pain intensifies. .. usually when a low pressure weather front comes through. I think my husband paid less that $50 for the TENS Unit and extra electrodes.

Sorry for the too long post .. maybe something in it will help you.

ZeeGee

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I have shoulder pain too. I'm 71 and was raising my arms above my head to cute back a hedge and that did it. It's a month now and it is slowly getting better. However, as you said, I can't sleep on my side but I did find that putting a small pillow under the damaged shoulder makes sleeping a bit easier...good Luck !

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You might consider seeing a hematologist to check your iron level, an related blood markers.
Regarding exercise: at this point, you know your own body, still ramp up your exercise as your body allows.

Good luck

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@cpd54

Have you been tested for others things besides osteopenia? I have Sjogerns syndrome as well as osteoporosis and arthritis. It’s hard to tell which one is causing my hurting!

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I have Sjogrens and osteoarthritis. It was confirmed via x rays thanks for the thought

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@windyshores

Osteopenia is not causing your pain. I had severe osteoporosis with no pain or other symptoms and I have read and been told it does not cause pain. I hope you pursue other explanations for your pain!

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Thank you. It cracks and hurts moving my shoulders. I assumed it was the osteopenia who knows. Just know it hurts. Thank you for the info

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Sitting still, even though you work and walk ) is the worst thing you can do. I had osteopenia at age 49. Because of my age, no one read the bone density until after the fall and a fracture in the thoracic area putting me in a body cast.
I am now in my 70’s, and the best thing I do for me is exercise more even though I have osteoporosis. Yea, it can flare up and slow me down. But just sitting, as example in winter makes it worst.
Please continue to ask question to find out “the why”

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@casey1329

I have shoulder pain too. I'm 71 and was raising my arms above my head to cute back a hedge and that did it. It's a month now and it is slowly getting better. However, as you said, I can't sleep on my side but I did find that putting a small pillow under the damaged shoulder makes sleeping a bit easier...good Luck !

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Exactly trying to raise my arms up is killer! I'll try the small pillow. Thank you and take care

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@dianel44

Exactly trying to raise my arms up is killer! I'll try the small pillow. Thank you and take care

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@dianel44

I have rib pain from an open abdominal surgery so I cannot place the pillow under my shoulder. .. it hurts my ribs. So I have to place the pillow on my hip. Sometimes it takes me awhile to find the “right spot” to keep my arm in. It can change from night to night .. I don't know why. I'm just weird 😁.

It is important to keep moving your shoulder to keep it from being “frozen”. That is more painful. If you haven't had it evaluated by a doctor you should do so.

Best of luck,
ZeeGee

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@dianel44

Thank you. It cracks and hurts moving my shoulders. I assumed it was the osteopenia who knows. Just know it hurts. Thank you for the info

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@dianel44 osteoarthritis can cause pain, of course. If you have Sjogren's you may have other autoimmune issues causing inflammation, and you could ask for more testing. But many of us with osteoarthritis have pain and stiffness.

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