My Osteoporosis is leading to Broken Bones

Posted by susandockter @susandockter, Jul 21, 2016

Hi everyone. I haven't posted very much lately because I have been healing from a shattered ankle!

I broke it in March, and had surgury and harware put in on both sides. 8 weeks later I am finally walking wihout an assisted device, and it will take another 4 months to get my foot back to almost normal. I found out last weekend that my Dr. was worried about my healing at all because of my Osteoporosis.

In the past two years I've put my back out twice, fractured a rib, fractured an elbow, and now my ankle. I don't tell you this to complain, but to remind you how serious Osteoporosis really is. I am not 70, I am 50. I am not unhealthy, this is genetic. We only figured out the Osteoporosis because my Mom had it so badly, we decided to test at such a young age just in case.

So after loading up on calcium I was cleared to start Proleia in March. Didn't get to take it until April because of my fall. It takes 3 years for the Proleia to reverse the Osteoporosis. I am praying I don't break my hip before then.

Please Please Please take Osteoporosis seriously and find a way to fight it with everything you have. Exercise and medicine are both very important! Your ability to walk (and therfore your ability to live independently) is on the line!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@sallyj2

Water therapy! Walking in pool and pt guided exercises in water. Super helpful! Builds muscle and balance and flexibility without injury!

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And it feels so good!!

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Thank you so much Susan for that dose of reality. I have another Dexa scan in January. I’m pretty certain I will be in the osteoporosis range since I was so close 2 years ago. When discussing treatment options with my Dr. I found myself skeptical and worried about side effects from medication. I’m almost 69 - and active. If medication is indicated and recommended I know I will struggle - but I will remember your generous plea to take it seriously and I’ll do what is recommended. Thank you.

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@waxpainter

Thank you so much Susan for that dose of reality. I have another Dexa scan in January. I’m pretty certain I will be in the osteoporosis range since I was so close 2 years ago. When discussing treatment options with my Dr. I found myself skeptical and worried about side effects from medication. I’m almost 69 - and active. If medication is indicated and recommended I know I will struggle - but I will remember your generous plea to take it seriously and I’ll do what is recommended. Thank you.

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I am also struggling with the idea of taking medication.
I have osteoporosis and I am 74 years old.
I have already had several fractures, due to lifting a heavy object.
From what I’ve been reading, and listening to others, the side effects of taking these medications is just as serious as osteoporosis, scary.

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@caress

I will try the miselie and bran cereal.

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Can you tell me what is miselie?

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@tilou

Can you tell me what is miselie?

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I think they mean muesli cereal.

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I had a T-score of -5.1 on my spine last year as a baseline before starting Tymlos injections. Will soon have results from one year on Tymlos. I consulted with Dr. Keith McCormick (osteonaturals.com) and he convinced me medication was essential. I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 50 and opted not to take medication. 20 years later I fell and several compression fractures were discovered. I had been fracturing and didn't know it; they can be silent and painless. I am confident that Dr. McCormick has me on the right path to strengthen my bones. It is also helpful to work on your nutrition. Dr. McCormick's book "The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis" is excellent; everyone with this condition should read it. And although we flew to Massachusetts from Texas for a consultation, he does phone consultations after you get lab tests, bone density results, etc. and send them to him. They are not video calls, like Zoom, but phone consultations.

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@caress

I wish I could do pool too, love swimming, but allergic to chlorine

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Not only is Chlorine bad for the skin it is also very bad for your lung health. Especially in enclosed environments like a Y.

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I don’t love chlorine either, but it’s a trade off, exercise or no exercise. I have benefited greatly from the water exercise, regaining strength, flexibility, and balance. Luckily, the indoor pool I use is very well maintained as is the outdoor pool I use.

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@kathleenintexas

I had a T-score of -5.1 on my spine last year as a baseline before starting Tymlos injections. Will soon have results from one year on Tymlos. I consulted with Dr. Keith McCormick (osteonaturals.com) and he convinced me medication was essential. I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 50 and opted not to take medication. 20 years later I fell and several compression fractures were discovered. I had been fracturing and didn't know it; they can be silent and painless. I am confident that Dr. McCormick has me on the right path to strengthen my bones. It is also helpful to work on your nutrition. Dr. McCormick's book "The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis" is excellent; everyone with this condition should read it. And although we flew to Massachusetts from Texas for a consultation, he does phone consultations after you get lab tests, bone density results, etc. and send them to him. They are not video calls, like Zoom, but phone consultations.

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May I ask which medication Dr. McCormick recommended for you?
Thanks

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@kathleenintexas

I had a T-score of -5.1 on my spine last year as a baseline before starting Tymlos injections. Will soon have results from one year on Tymlos. I consulted with Dr. Keith McCormick (osteonaturals.com) and he convinced me medication was essential. I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 50 and opted not to take medication. 20 years later I fell and several compression fractures were discovered. I had been fracturing and didn't know it; they can be silent and painless. I am confident that Dr. McCormick has me on the right path to strengthen my bones. It is also helpful to work on your nutrition. Dr. McCormick's book "The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis" is excellent; everyone with this condition should read it. And although we flew to Massachusetts from Texas for a consultation, he does phone consultations after you get lab tests, bone density results, etc. and send them to him. They are not video calls, like Zoom, but phone consultations.

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Kathleen, I'm thinking of consulting with Dr Mc., for a second opinion. Can you brief me on how you obtained labs before the visit, please? Ty

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