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Anyone else notice their spine cracking with osteoporosis?
I've lived with osteopenia for the past 6 years. A year and a half ago I started having disabling back spasms. I mean, I was barely able to get out of bed for a week. While the severe muscle spasms ended, I have to use a heating pad before I can get out of bed in the morning. I walk a half hour/day. By noon I seem to be okay.
But I noticed about the time that the muscle spasms started I feel (and hear) my spine cracking. Just rolling over in bed! I was a person who practiced yoga. I know my spine! Could this be because I've crossed over into osteoporosis this year? My doctor wants to discuss osteoporosis meds now,
I'm bringing this to the discussion because my doctors (internist, rheumatologist, pain management) dismiss it when I've told them. Like I might be out of my mind! And that is not helpful.
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@maymore
Thank you for your comment. I'm thinking about how we are often ignored when we have pain...and have to wait until an ER visit to be heard. Is this the best delivery of care for women, or anyone? You write, "but the pain became so intense." If you had been taken seriously you might not have had to experience intense pain! I'm glad to hear the MRI finally happened "confirming the fractures" and I looked "kyphoplasty' up because I've never heard of it.
You've helped me learn more about the spine and compression fractures. You might notice there are other posts telling me about this after I described my experience. I've lived with chronic disabling autoimmune illness(es) for 30 years. I really have to advocate for myself; it has never gotten easier because doctors see my long medical history and make assumptions that (what?!) I've been faking it half my life?? Or I can't possible have all these medical diagnoses?
But what I've really gained support with on these Mayo Clinic Groups is seeing how so many others have struggled to find diagnoses and care. I was an RN in oncology and hospice. This did not prepare me for chronic and disabling illness. I have seen how my experience is not uncommon!
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1 Reaction@jw9 Thank you again for your comment. It’s so encouraging to hear someone acknowledge that our medical system has problems. We know our bodies better than anyone, and yes, advocating for ourselves is essential because nobody else will. I completely understand where you’re coming from. My osteoporosis isn’t age-related. I had rheumatoid arthritis when I was young, and back then, they gave me all kinds of terrible medications, which was the standard treatment. It wasn’t until I was older that I learned about inflammation, diet, and how lifestyle changes could improve my condition—something I achieved, as I no longer have rheumatoid arthritis. But no one told me this was even possible, so I had to figure it out on my own. The problem is the damage has been done.
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3 ReactionsRegarding pain, there’s an excellent new book on the subject. I find it helpful…’’It doesn’t have to hurt’’, by Dr.Sanjay Gupta…. Common sense and understandable, but thorough explanations of all kinds of pain and meds, procedures, etc…i like how he helps empower us with the ways we can help dealing with our own pain.
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