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Can long term medication have contributed to DDD and osteoprosis

Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 18, 2023 | Replies (13)
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@alexis7

Hi Axeddie. I too have DDD which is due to a very athletic lifestyle my entire life, lots of pounding and stress on my body. After experiencing bilateral hip pain while skiing I went to the doctors. First to a hip doctor that said it wasn't my hips, it was my back and I ended up with L4-5 fusion at 68 yrs old. When I had hit menopause (no more bone protecting estrogen) at 53/54 yrs, my gynecologist told me to do weight bearing exercises, biking and swimming didn't count (not weight bearing). I had started running marathons at 52, which he greatly supported. My additive personality had me running 4/5 a year when everything says to only run 2. I was told to avoid carbonated beverages, especially dark colored ones (Coke, Pepsi etc.), quit smoking. which I had a few years prior and limit alcohol consumption, which I also quit. I did all these and the osteopenia has not progressed. I also started taking Calcium as instructed at 35 and continue to do so. Thankfully there are meds to arrest the osteoporosis and I'm guessing you are taking them. We are 29 yr olds trapped in aging bodies. I wish you the best.

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Replies to "Hi Axeddie. I too have DDD which is due to a very athletic lifestyle my entire..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 13, 2023

That gave me a laugh..."We are 29 yr olds trapped in aging bodies..."
My body is protesting today from 2 separate adventures with grandsons this week. Both involved scrambling on rocks - we had to take separate adventures with the 7 year old, who is very agile and does intermediate to hard trails from the 4 1/2 year old who tries to keep up.

I had to give up running at 54 when I had my first 2 hip replacements (worn out by running all my life) but substituted walking and gardening. Now 12 years into my second set of hips I am gratified to find I can still climb up rocks, down into creeks to wade and almost everywhere else. I draw the line at climbing the "spider webs" at the park although I am about the size of some of the kids - can't you just see a call to the fire department to "rescue an old lady from the playground equipment"?

And my DEXA scores have remained the same for over 10 years. I too began Calcium in my 20's because I had a family history of osteoporosis and DDD.

I want my obituary to read "she died to soon while rock climbing at the tender age of 90"
Sue

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axeddie | @axeddie | Aug 31, 2023

Hi alexis7,

Thank you very much for your informative reply. I've also led a very physical lifestyle but I always thought that is what would keep me healthy and mobile into my older years. This is probably why I keep looking for possible reasons - such as long term use of omeprazole - for what might have caused my DDD and osteoporosis.

Did you get the fusion done very long ago? I am from the United States and I came to understand that it is no longer done there. Were you (or do you) living outside the US when you had it done?

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