National Osteoporosis Society - Osteoporosis Forum / Osteoporosis Forums / General Chat

Just had my bone scan results

SarahR — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:09:52 GMT

Hi,
I am 57 and have just had the results of my bone scan which were -2.5 for my spine, so my GP has started me on Alendronic Acid. I took my first one yesterday absolutely as prescribed and this morning i got up with a stiff back and chest, feels as though i have lifted something heavy, which i havent. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the pills or not, but i'm very weary of them as they seem to be a very strong drug and have loads of side effects. Has anyone had similar feelings as this, should i be worried?
Sarah

OMG

GIna — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:44:29 GMT

Hi
Spoke to my GP this am and told him about the severe joint pains,nausea, feeling awful and abdominal pains and he said he had never heard of anyone reporting severe joint pains with Alendronic Acid before. He said why did I think they were related to the drug?. When I said they started the following morning after taking it he said wel I could have something else wrong with me like a virus/cold. He said I could leave it off for a couple of weeks and try again. I said no I felt so awful and won't take again. I felt he didn't really believe me. I asked about Strontium Ranelelate and he didn't exactly say he had never heard of it but said he had never prescribed it and didn't know about it so no he wouldn't prescribe it.he said he would contact my Endocrinologist for advice but from previous history the letters never get sent!.
I have decided to buy Strontium Citrate as I understand the Ranelate is the compound that can cause the side effects.
I have found a good article on Strontium which is tahomaclinicblog.com/strontium/#art if any one wants to look.
Gina

Teriparatide

Honey — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:31:47 GMT

I was wondering if Sarah, or anybody else knows anything about Teriparatide, it's a 2 year injection course that my consultant is trying to get funding for me to have. I am not a fan of medication due the side effects. Has anybody got any personal experience from taking it?

Many thanks

Sue

Help please!!

Sieglindec — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:42:11 GMT

Hi, I have 3 fractures right now of which 1 is in the T region with 1 rib affected. This morning I had such severe spasms that I did not know where to put myself. Back in bed now and its eased a little, but still painful. Had to take a Diazepan 5mg (which I hate doing) to get the muscles to relax a little.

I started 4 days ago on Protelos and seemed to feel a little better each day. I am still taking vits K2, D3, zinc, magnesium and the super osteofood from Higher Nature.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? Could it be the Protelos or lack of water? I drink between 1-2 l per day each with a slice of lemon added and plenty of herbal tea.
I would be really grateful for some help - tried to post on the Nurses questions, but no facility to create a new post - maybe cause I am new here?

CHOLECALCIFEROL

Judith Heaton — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:21:22 GMT

Having been diagnosed with OP nearly 3 years ago, I have just been advised by the specialist to take cholcalcferol for low vitamin 3.....anyone any info??

Who's On

Sieglindec — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:56:18 GMT

Dont quite understand - there is someone looking at all user profiles this morning - all from same ip address it seems and Anonymous????

Zoledronic Acid Injections

JoanM — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:42:04 GMT

I recently paid over £1000 for a private injection. Does anyone know of a clinic or hospital that offers the injections cheaper in England?

A Christmas drink that's good for osteoporosis ?

AnneB — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:48:51 GMT

[b]A Christmas drink that's good for osteoporosis ?[/b]

On the side of my son's carton of goat's milk (he drinks goat's milk - I eat goat's milk yoghurt) is a recipe for Christmas: Mulled Milk. So this evening we tried it and I had some on the premise that I appear to tolerate goat's milk better than cow's milk and on the premise that goat's milk is on the alkaline side of things and rich in calcium. Here's the recipe for two servings:

500 ml goats' milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons sugar - I chose xylitol because I'm diabetic

Heat the milk until hot but not boiling
Stir in sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger
(Whisk up with an aerolatte if you have one to make it frothy)
Serve in mugs and sprinkle with the nutmeg
Add some brandy to taste !

It is really, [b]really[/b] good :)

Osteoporosis in your Fifties

khackwood — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:36:33 GMT

Hi, is there anyone in these forums that have broken bones and had a diagnosis in their fifties? Everything seems to be about the elderly:exclamationmark:

Doctors

AnneB — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:21:25 GMT

My son has severe acne and it's getting worse. His doctor has been prescribing him a skin medication called Duac for the past 7 years. I just looked on the leaflet that comes with the cream and it says "Do not use for more than 12 weeks at a time" ! So why has my son's doctor continued to prescribe this medication year in year out for the past seven years ?

Several people on this forum have commented that they have bad advice from their doctors and now I am experiencing this from my son's. How can we think that doctors are always a reliable source of information ?

Sorry I need to vent about this.

London 10k

jillybee — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:43:55 GMT

Am power walking the London 10k, end of May. last year I did it in 1hour 40 minds, needless to say Paula Radcliffe and Mo were finished before we all started! But hey in good company. I raised money for our local support OP group, and will do the same this year. anyone care to join me? A great race, lots to see, as you go along the embankment , and round, ending up along the Mall. Jilly

Risedronate

northernlass — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:11:56 GMT

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis a year ago although I kept begging the doctors to test me as my mum and sister had suffered from it very badly.

I've been reluctant to take anything due to the numerous side effects I'm now on Risedronate and feelt fine, but after taking 3 I have suddenly developed excuritating pain in my left hip down my leg, I could barely move for 4 days I exercised gently which relieved the pain alot, but my left leg and knee have gone numb and still painfull.

Does any one know whether this is a side effect of the drug or the symptoms of Osteoporosis.

I've feelt quite lonely with this disease as I don't know anyone who is suffering from it., my sister and mum have now passed.

One more question I keep reading there is no pain with Osteoporosis yet Im in pain most days especially my legs shoulders and fingers.

Sore under breasts

ellanvannin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:19:20 GMT

There has been an item on the letters page in the last two Osteoporisis Society magazines about soreness under breasts caused by curvature of the spine, which is allowing the skin under the breasts to become very hot and sweaty resulting in a sore rash. The first lady said that she had got some cream from the doctor but that the problem kept recurring. A follow up letter said to try tea tree cream, which is an antiseptic.

I just wanted to post that I have had a similar problem and have both treated it and kept it at bay with a regular dusting of Cuticura talcum powder, which is mildly medicated. Also works well on the feet!!

Hope this is helpful to any fellow sufferers:)

Need some advice

Hound dog — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:36:42 GMT

Hi new to this forum and wondered if someone could give me some advice.

My grandmother in her 80's has had a fall and fractured two bones in her neck, what's the chance of the bones healing as her osteoporosis is quite bad. Not sure she is strong enough to withhold an operation either. Worried what the future will hold for her. :(

A very happy new year to all for 2012

yawn — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:42:21 GMT

[size=4]A very Happy New Year to all who visit the site, their families, friends and work colleagues.

May 2012 bring health, happiness and prosperity for all.

Thank you for this site, those who moderate and those wonderful nurses who help us when we reach out for good advice.

bren
x[/size]

Walking Wounded

Lyn — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:32:06 GMT

Hi All

A few days before I was due to go on holiday in Spain I twisted my ankle rushing to the supermarket and it came up like a duck egg on the side of my foot. I hobbled to the chemist and got a tubi-grip bandage and thought that would be enough and set off for my holiday. The swelling didn't go away so thought better check it out when I got back to UK. X-Ray showed nothing broken but had torn the tendons which they said would take 8 weeks to heal. Also cracked a rib on a post as I fell which they said there was nothing you could do about and just had to wait for it to heal. Didn't realise a cracked rib could be so painful.

Just wondering if any forum members have torn tendons or ligaments in their foot and how long it took to repair. Also were you told to do any exercise for it as nobody has mentioned getting my foot more mobile during or after the healing process. The rib I will just have to put up with.

We were due to go on an organised mountain walk in Spain but I wasn't capable of doing that but I am hoping to do another one when out again in February.

The moral of my story is 'slow down' nothing is worth the rushing around for especially at this busy time of year. You still get things done even at a slower pace. It's very frustrating for me now as I can't do my walking or Zumba and even worse I have two Dinner Dances to go to soon and I won't be able to do any dancing either!

Take care and remember, don't rush - even to get that last Xmas present!

Lyn C

Pacerpole

Nimrod — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:29:44 GMT

Reading in the latest Osteoporosis News,
an interesting letter extolling the virtues of Pacer Poles, caught my attention.
I certainly need something to make me attempt to stand up straight.
So I wonder, does anybody have further thoughts on on these walking poles?
Nimrod.

Welcome to General Chat

James — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:17:09 GMT

Hello everyone,

We've created this new 'General Chat' forum, as there wasn't anywhere on here before where you could chat about non-osteoporosis-related topics.

Feel free to talk about anything you like, and please let me know via this topic if you have any problems.

Thank you.

Who does your doctor treat?

Kelly Ton — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:29:51 GMT

Not who are his other patients, but who / what is he treating when he treats you?

You as a person with a life and family, and a living to earn, and interests
Your illness
Your age
Your gender
Some stereotype he thinks you should conform to
Something else.

I've already seen a few posts to the effect that the medical profession, and the rest of the world tend to think that OP stands for Old People.

I'd be interested to hear what people think from their own experience.

Day Break

jillybee — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:12:04 GMT

Did anyone watch ITV this morning, with Dr Hilary??

Clothing tips and advice wanted for new leaflet

Dom — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:49:48 GMT

Hi all, the National Osteoporosis Society is working on a new clothing leaflet and we’d like to ask for your help and input.
Finding both comfortable and stylish clothes can be a problem for people affected by osteoporosis and spinal fractures, because of the height loss, curvature of the spine and widening of the girth that sometimes accompanies these fractures.

If you have any hints and tips or personnel experiences you would like to share, we would love to hear them – that goes for all of the men out there too!

Thanks in advance

Best regards

Dom
--------------
Dom Hall
Senior Communications Officer
National Osteoporosis Society

Scrat

AnneB — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:52:43 GMT

I was just about to reply to the scrat spam post with a picture of my favourite Scrat when it was deleted by the moderator....still since this is the section to discuss anything not related to osteoporosis I'll still post a picture because I think he is sooo cute:

[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/Shortround841421/scrat.jpg[/IMG]

How can you delete PM's

Sarah W — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:05:55 GMT

Help! Having just spent over an hour trying to delete my PM's nothing works - there is not deleet button. If I do manage to delet it just goes into the Delete File - I want them OFF the page as it's nearly full.

Please can someone give me an idiot guide as to how I can delete Private Messages. Thank you

Sarah

Exercise with Kettlebells

midge — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:44:41 GMT

Does anyone exercise with Kettlebells?

I have used them for the last two years with good results but now have a diagnosis of OP.

Alendonic Acid or Strontium?

SarahR — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:58:01 GMT

Hi
Well I've taken my 2nd Alendronic Acid pill and have again had chest pains and the feeling all day of having swallowed a brick! I just can't decide if Strontium is a better choice even if my Dr will give it to me or not take anything and take a chance. Help! Is anyone else having the same dilemma?
Sarah

Shocked

kazz — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:49:16 GMT

Hi every one, well i still can't get my head around the fact i have osteoporosis, my doctor says i only just dip in to the osteoporosis as two years ago i was osteopenia, Im 52 and had been on the contraceptive Depo Provera from the age of 43 until i was 50, i wasn't aware of the risks of bone thinning being on this drug, i felt absolutely fine, brilliant having no periods, thought it was the best thing ever, don't even know when i had my menopause, if only i knew what the consequences were i could have perhaps come off the drug earlier or taken calcium supplements, the only reason it was picked up was the fact i had two fractures within 6 months of each other, but then it is an occupational hazard working with horses i thought nothing of it, but my doctor was concerned so sent me for a bone scan two years ago, and well here i am feeling quite confused and bitter

kazz

Boots

jillybee — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:47:50 GMT

Where can I buy some boots with sensible soles. Why does sensible equate with frumpiness???Saw some fab patent leather ones in Clarkes, but soles were not exactly safe......:( Any ideas? Jill

Algaelcal and Strontium Boost

SarahR — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:25:41 GMT

Hi,
Has anyone taken this bone supplement?
I have stopped taking Alendronic Acid because of the side effects it was giving me and have been doing a bit of research on the subjec before i see the Dr again. The Strontium Boost appears to be Strontium Citrate.
Sarah

Strontium Ranelate

Brenda64 — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:03:52 GMT

I have been reading the forums on and off to gather some information how others cope with taking medication and it's been so helpful. I was given to try Strontium Ranalate by the hospital I gave it a try but taking it at 11am and full cup of water I was in and out the loo at 3 times at night after 3 nights felt exhausted as I already have an illness. I stopped just to get some sleep. I see one lady takes half a dose and some take it during the night I tried that and it seemed to lay heavy by the 3rd night. I like most people like just to have a small snack about 8.30 otherwise I wake hungry, I suppose that's counts as food. Would taking it every other night still do it's job. It's a pity it has to be taken at night as most seem to get on with it and I'm frightened now after a scan to let things go too far. Any feed back would be helpful.

Brenda

Trouble taking calcium supplements

Jayne — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:17:46 GMT

Hello,

I have just registered and would like some advice.

At the age of 46 I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. This was after having early menopause at 42 ish.

I went to the doctors with a bad back and was sent for a bone density scan as a precaution. They told me that I had a bone denisty of -1.8 in my hips and -2.5 in my spine. I think that i fall into the category of Oseopenia in my hips and Osteoporosis in my spine.

As I was still relatively young they did not want to prescribe biphosphonates so gave me a calcium and vitamin d supplement and told me to come back in 5 years for another bone scan. The supplements I was given was Adcal-D3 (i think). These didn't agree with me so I was put on Calcichew -D3. I have been taking these for about a year when I started having symptoms of bloating, wind, belching and stomach pain that seemed to move around. My doctor advised me to stop taking them and I felt much better and back to normal. I was then asked to give them another go, which I did for 5 days and the bloating, wind etc came back straight away. I have stopped taking them again and booked to see my doctor.

I know that I need to take calcium supplements but is there anything else I could try. I have read that there are two types of calcium supplement, one being calcium carbonate and the other being calcium citrate. I think both of the ones I have tried are calcium carbonate.

I would appreciate any advice you could offer.

Thanks

Osteoporosis News article

AnneB — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:22:29 GMT

Is it our forum Sheila B interviewed by Dom the Autumn Osteoporosis News ?

Preparing for the winter - This O.P sufferer has just purchased a Ski Helmet - Has a certain irony eh?

Ned51 — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:29:00 GMT

Greeting fellow O.P. Troopers - Well, fresh with all my recently gained knowledge from reading my Osteoporosis Book in my local cafe in the spring followed in the summer by my point blank refusal to Mrs Ned51 to participate in the 'Low Impact' Austrian summer exercise regime of Stomping about dressed in Lederhosen's whilst slapping ones thighs to dodgy Ziller Music.....My thoughts have turned to my favourite time of the year, Yup the winter. For those O.P sufferers that are lucky enough to have participated in skiing and plan to still carry on (Yes, I know it seems strange - Why would we subject ourselves to this after getting diagnosed with the dreaded O.P !) I have now run the gauntlet of those trained 'Stasi' interrogators working for the Insurance Health Questionaire Dictorate. To my surprise after being quite honest in answering their probing questions I have the 'All clear' to hit the piste for 2011/2012 !!!. Skiers will understand the next bit - I went thru the annual searching questions to myself re the Shall I, Shan't I do the helmet thing. Anyway decision made, off I trot to the local ski centre to end up talking to the local 'Yooof' who was masquerading as a skiing expert but really I knew he was (Dare I say it...) a snowboarder - Ughh all that gunge thing going on. I recall thinking would he even know what O.P. was?, would he think it was some sort of Fast Food or even some exotic Sexual disease ?? I decided to keep stum. After all, why would someone suffering from O.P. want to take on the risk of skiing. How could I possibly explain.!!! Anyway, you may have guessed- Yes, I am now the owner of a bright Red Ski Helmet although I am not sure if the 'Red' thing should be interpretated as a Danger issue for myself or others as I take on 'Black'. I wonder if they do a whole body suit thing for O.P persons ........... - If you are still capable 'Enjoy Life' Troopers ! and PS: Dont forget to wear your Osteoporsis Society 25th Anniversary Badge as you do !!

CONSULTANTS

daisynook — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:56:55 GMT

By chance reading on the NHS website I discovered that I had been sent to the Rheumatology department after my bone scan and did not see an Osteoporosis Consultant. I was given the drugs and told to come back for another scan in 4-5 years. I see now that my immediate hospital does not have an Osteoporosis Consultant and I would have to travel further afield. Should I have been offered the option, am I getting the best treatment and should I insist on seeing a 'proper' Consultant

Bees and OU

Janpinf — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:26:50 GMT

Well it does say you can post here about things other than osteoporosis :D

Apart from joining this forum this evening (but I've been a NOS member for a very long time now)...

I've started Beekeeping this year.

And I've only got a couple more years with the OU before I get my BSc (Hons) Life Sciences :) specialising in genetics and molecular biology (very tiny things biology) rather than pretty flowers and fluffy animals (big things biology) :)

It's so quiet

Amelie — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:56:20 GMT

Where are you all? It's so quiet and lonely on here. Is everyone on holiday? If so I hope you are all enjoying yourselves - don't forget to take your pills. Hope to hear from you soon.

Amelie :unsure::crying::)

SPAM advertisements.

vimaxpills — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:29:40 GMT

Spam advert deleted. User banned.

How do you delete messages from your Inbox?

Sarah W — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:17:13 GMT

There is no 'delete' button in my PM folder. I cannot work out how to permanently remove old PMs. Help? Thanks.
Sarah

Moved on from Strange looks in Cafe - Trying to avoid strange looks in Austria !

Ned51 — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:03:47 GMT

Greeting fellow O.P. Troopers...... Ah well, fresh with my new found knowledge of O.P Matters gained whilst at my local cafe (See earlier forum entry 'Strange looks....') off we trotted for an overseas break in Austria. Upon arrival in the Tyrol summer walks ensured Mrs Ned and myself were on a nice break with the added benefit of good low impact walks with great views whilst soaking up Vit D (not to mention the Apple Strudel/Ice cream!). Great days......and all doing 'ma bones' some good as well. Then Mrs Ned observes some strange older men dressed in Leather Shorts (Lederhosen) carrying out a variety of moves to slap their thighs and ankles in time with the local Brass Band. She 'suggests' that if I was taking my O.P. seriously that it may be appropriate for me to make a purchase of said Lederhosens and participate in this strange ritual as it was clearly low impact !!!!. Well what could I say. I had observed the Austrian/German engineering appeared to provide lovely lifts to speed us around the mountain should our legs lets us down and the local Austrian/German middle-old age-ish persons also seemed to specialise in not only wearing traditional clothing but also can be dressed in a variety of high tech Gortex and Lycra high performance products to assist their mountain walking, in-line skating and biking activities. Maybe these Austrian Middle-Old aged Outdoor Warriors dont suffer from O.P due to their mountain activities and dancing methods ???. I had to make a choice...... I decided to ignore Mrs Ned re the Lederhosen thing (Probably best I didnt expose my typical English pastey white legs to the Austrian public without a health warning!) and just continue to make use of my Boots (which probably cost more than a years NHS supply of Alendronic tablets for me) to plod the paths to those high mountain Holy Grails of Apple Strudel (Carpeted Mountain Huts). A great week was had and I would throughly recommend this area for a nice summers break for fellow O.P Troopers keen to get some lovely easy high level 'low impact' walking, great hotels, great food and provided you are careful all at a great price! - and - Lederhosens optional !!!

APPOG

Nimrod — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:01:51 GMT

Just browsed the APPOG report. It was rather like a lot of TV programmes supposedly of some intellectual base, that could be presented in half an hour instead of an hour.
The report which must have taken many hours and lots of jollies ,at our expense,waffled on about observations from all sorts of bodies enjoying wages from our taxes.But apart from the occasional reference to milk and marg., failed signally to offer a detailed list of food stuffs which should make a well balanced diet. Still perhaps that's for another jolly or a wage increase for our hard working doctors?:hehe:

Bursitis

OJ — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:26:29 GMT

or Inflammation of the hip Bursa.

Any one else have this? Is there a connection with osteo does any one know?