Several fractured vertebrae with little guidance - where do I start?

Idylvasroses, I'm sorry to hear about the fractures.
It would be good to schedule with an endocrinologist. You'll be able to have a bone scan on your wrist or ankle. It seems that you must have osteoporosis. It could be age related and/or caused by a secondary condition like hyperparathyroidism. I wonder that your physician hasn't referred you.
You might ask your physician to order the bone scan, refer you to and endocrinologist and ask if he could recommend medication.
A blanket suggestion I would have for anyone with fractures is Forteo because it speeds healing.
Tell us a little more about your situation.
I hope your aren't in pain. Welcome to Connect.

If there are large medical centers near you, see if one of them has an osteoporosis program. You can Google things like "osteoporosis doctor near me."

Which kind of doctor are you seeing? Is this your primary care physician? With that many fractures, you definitely need more comprehensive care than you've been getting.

Please see if you can get your doctor to refer you to a rheumatologist or endocrinologist specializing in osteoporosis. The suggestion above about looking for a bone clinic/osteoporosis program at a large medical center is a good one. Call them up and inquire what is needed for a referral. I just went through this process and had to ask my PCP to submit a referral with my medical records. It took a couple of weeks but they accepted my referral and I see an endocrinologist in April.

That would be ideal but even a referral to a rheumatologist would be a good start.

Sometimes we need to insist on advocating for ourselves. My PCP didn't really do much for me until I fractured. Them she referred me to a rheumatologist who was very busy and didn't have much advice other than to put me on another drug with no explanation or discussion on lifestyle changes.

Good luck, I hope you can find someone to help.

I am glad you find this Mayo Clinic Connect resource! You have already been given some good suggestions. I too started here and have branched out to other sites, books and research to help me understand my particular needs. It is important to talk with a doctor that understands bone health. If your fractures are due to osteoporosis, I found googling US Health News was a good resource in finding a physician that specializes in osteoporosis (there are very few in Houston). I am currently seeing a rheumatologist until my appointment with an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis and has done research in the area. I wish you luck and be sure to keep asking questions...

Hi 2reddogs,
I've learned that even in a large city with a supposed good medical center, finding someone knowledgeable about the latest treatments for osteoporosis in Houston is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I wanted to get a second opinion from a supposed osteoporosis endocrinologist and her NEXT appointment was for
February 19, 2026! I hope she's worth the wait. If you find someone in the Houston area, let me know.

Good afternoon everyone,
I am new to the group. I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. I have had several epidural injections to help with the pain, physical therapy, 2 spinal procedcures; 1 opening up the canal to relief pressure on the nerves and the other ablation to nerve endings. All said and done, still feeling like I did from day one, including extreme pain in feet, while lying down for sleep. I have been on Prolia injections for osteoporosis for a couple of years now, every 6 months. I have seen neurosurgeons, even was encouraged to go to vascular facility, as far as pain in feet, which I did. There had an ablation done in one leg. I need relief. I am in pain, basically 24/7. Any suggestions where to go from here, at this point?

Pain in feet is a common side effect of Prolia. Pain anywhere, but pain just in feet has been reported
What is the timing on the pain Prolia initiation and the procedures? And what does your latest MRI tell you.
And welcome to Connect, pas071.

Hungrybirder, I’m wondering if we have appointment with same Endocrinologist. My appointment is also scheduled for 2/26. The doctor is Laila Shaheen Tabatabai.
I am due for 2 more Prolia injections before I see her. I wish I could talk with someone before my next injection is due, someone that could offer me researched guidance as to what direction to go in. Stay in touch, I’m rooting for you and your bone health!

Hey 2reddogs,
Well we may cross paths in her waiting room!!!! I know you'd like to pull your hair out having to almost manage your own treatment since it's so difficult to find someone here that is on top of current treatment. I see now that the current consensus is to start with a bone building drug. Wish that would have been the option 25 yrs ago.
I have an Endocrinologist at Methodist Willowbrook that I like, not that she's on top of the current thinking on treatment. Seems that this is the best place to get treatment advice, unfortunately. Anyway She had me scheduled for a second Reclast infusion in January. I told her I would be traveling and would get back to her on my return. She is convinced I have osteoporosis but I'm not totally on board. Yes, my arm comes in at a -4 but 25 years ago it was a -3.6 with no measurements in between and numerous ski and bike falls with no damage. She also freaks out at a -2.5 in my spine at L2 which just happens to be the kink in my spine due to 64 yrs of scoliosis (the rest of the spine looks pretty good). My last scan in November gave TBS numbers which were much more positive at least on my spine. I read the package inserts which indicate Reclast should be biyearly in an osteopenia diagnosis. I'm holding out on Reclast until late this year (the 2 year mark) and would like to wait for a 2nd opinion from our busy endocrinologist. My first endo moved to west Texas, the 2nd failed to mention Reclast side effects (I had none) but more importantly that the protocol beforehand is to be well hydrated which I learned from a friend in Ohio, not to mention the benefit of a Tylenol or 2. The hydration is mentioned in the package insert which I received from the nurse who handled the infusion. The infusion center at the Woodlands also failed to mention hydration. So now I'm on endo #3 who hasn't mentioned Prolia since our first meeting. Let's try to keep up on each other's journey. Maybe one of us will find someone less busy.
By the way next month I turn 79 and until recently was pretty active. When my husband broke his arm in Ecuador last month, I became the luggage pack animal and pinched a nerve. We are both now the walking wounded or we would have been skiing last week.