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Recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and I am terrified

Posted by drterri @drterri, Nov 3 9:03am

Hi, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my spine and hips about a month ago and I am now living in fear. I feel like I'm made of glass and I'm afraid to move. I walk around stiffly, afraid to bend, afraid to twist, stepping carefully to avoid falling, scared to drive or ride in a car in case I get in an accident. Note that I am actually doing everything I need to do (taking care of myself and my house, working full time, going out with friends) but I am doing it all in a constant state of anxiety. Every so often I go down a very dark path, mentally, and decide it would be better to just end it before it gets worse. I have been able to talk myself out of it every time, thankfully, by thinking about how sad my family would be without me. Will I be able to get past this and live my life without fear again? I'm 62 and figure I have another 20+ years on this earth. I have been looking forward to spending my final years peacefully, enjoying life but at this rate, that isn't going to happen. Any positive stories or encouragement would be much appreciated!

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bocabird | @bocabird | Dec 7 10:29pm
In reply to @vagirl57 "@glnamcgr I asked AI to find this article. It found it in an article from a..." + (show)
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@glnamcgr
I asked AI to find this article. It found it in an article from a medical magazine. I get the gist, so didn't ask for it. AI is sending me an article on DEXA scans and alternatives to meds. I am using resistance bands, go to Pilates and take calcium & magnesium glycinate. I've just had it with side effects. My friend's doc told her, "If you're not going to take my medicine, then you don't need a bone density scan." My specialist said essentially the same thing to me. I told my internist and he said he could order it for me.
I just came off of Prolia after 1 injection. I had really bad muscle cramps afterwards.
Thanks for your input.

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@vagirl57 I had terrible experience with Prolia one injection- terrible muscle cramps-bleeding gums and hair loss. Then I was put on actonel WORSE -to this day I have severe reflux- cannot swallow some foods. Had to go to ER- thought I was having heart issues- but severe gerd which I NEVER had in my life. SO now I am off osteoporosis drugs. Will look into algae cal.

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soggybones | @soggybones | Dec 8 7:41pm
In reply to @bswpb "It is scary at first. This is my second go round with osteoporosis. I did forteo..." + (show)
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It is scary at first. This is my second go round with osteoporosis. I did forteo the first time followed by a round of reclast. Then I went 15 years with vitamin d and mg because reclast was a no go for me due to side effects and I refused Prolia. This time it’s Prolia. One thing that is true for me, the more careful I try to be the more accident prone I am! I had several fractures before Forteo. Since then I have had a few falls with no broken bones. I believe that is all God!

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@bswpb So you did Forteo, 1 round of reclast and 15 years of no meds? Did your bone density plummet in those 15 years?

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bswpb | @bswpb | Dec 9 8:03pm
In reply to @soggybones "@bswpb So you did Forteo, 1 round of reclast and 15 years of no meds? Did..." + (show)
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@bswpb So you did Forteo, 1 round of reclast and 15 years of no meds? Did your bone density plummet in those 15 years?

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@soggybones my bone density was stable until the last 2 years. I suspect it has a lot to do with being really inactive during that 2 years!

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maziefd | @maziefd | Dec 10 6:28am

I was diagnosed a year ago and also went into complete panic. I was shocked at the diagnoses. However, after speaking with a few women who we're taking different medications and getting a positive response, I've started to relax. We do have bright futures heading into our older years.

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osteopatient2026 | @osteopatient2026 | Dec 10 7:08am
In reply to @maziefd "I was diagnosed a year ago and also went into complete panic. I was shocked at..." + (show)
Profile picture for maziefd @maziefd

I was diagnosed a year ago and also went into complete panic. I was shocked at the diagnoses. However, after speaking with a few women who we're taking different medications and getting a positive response, I've started to relax. We do have bright futures heading into our older years.

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@maziefd
What did you do and how are you doing now? Always like to hear from others.

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maziefd | @maziefd | Dec 10 7:46am
In reply to @osteopatient2026 "@maziefd What did you do and how are you doing now? Always like to hear from..." + (show)
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@maziefd
What did you do and how are you doing now? Always like to hear from others.

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@osteopatient2026 I told my Doctor I wanted to do nothing for 1 year so that I could do my own research. Then I would do another bone scan and be prepared to accept medication.

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osteopatient2026 | @osteopatient2026 | Dec 10 8:33am
In reply to @maziefd "@osteopatient2026 I told my Doctor I wanted to do nothing for 1 year so that I..." + (show)
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@osteopatient2026 I told my Doctor I wanted to do nothing for 1 year so that I could do my own research. Then I would do another bone scan and be prepared to accept medication.

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@maziefd
What are your T Scores right now? Just curious if “severe risk of fracture” comes into the picture

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Dec 10 9:15am
In reply to @maziefd "@osteopatient2026 I told my Doctor I wanted to do nothing for 1 year so that I..." + (show)
Profile picture for maziefd @maziefd

@osteopatient2026 I told my Doctor I wanted to do nothing for 1 year so that I could do my own research. Then I would do another bone scan and be prepared to accept medication.

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@maziefd

Wish you well. It is all about our individual bodies.

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mcchesney | @kathleen1314 | Dec 11 6:02am

I tried pharma drugs years ago; I had side effects with which I did not feel that I could live. I did my research and began strontium citrate and BHRT, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. My dexa scores began to improve for the first time. I am around 17 years down the road of using strontium citrate and BHRT. I am now in "normal" bone territory, no side effects, no fractures.

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dailyweights | @dailyweights | Dec 11 8:07pm

Like you, I was terrified. I was afraid to move, twist, bend etc. My doctor immediately rec. Fosamax. I had taken it 10 yrs. ago and got severe reflux. But it worked. I went back to osteopenia. Then I had got an osteoporosis diagnosis again. This time I took it seriously. I'm in my late 60's and watched my mother become bedridden with osteoporosis. I was facing some dental work, and opted to try to naturally increase my bone mineral density. I joined Osteostrong (osteogenic loading) and began doing strength exercises. 1 year later and I'm back to osteopenia. I'm thrilled. I also take AlgaeCal as a calcium supplement and increased my Vit. D supplement. But mostly I try to get my calcium through food, which is better absorbed than supplements. I worked hard, and educated myself. There are sites like this one, as well as some great people with Bone Health practices that share on You Tube. (Sarah Mapes, Dr. Doug are my 2 favorites). The more you learn, the more motivated you will become.

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