National Osteoporosis Society - Osteoporosis Forum / Osteoporosis Forums / About Osteoporosis / General Confusion / Latest Posts

RE: General Confusion

Kelly Ton — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:32:47 GMT

Hi Emmera

The back isn't totally flat, it has natural curves. If you think your back is too curved then it would be worth talking to a qualified physio to get a professional opinion

RE: General Confusion

SheilB — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:43:46 GMT

I have only just seen these responses having logged on daily looking at posts since my last visit so not sure why I haven't seen them before. Sorry my reply is so delayed! I was on bisphosphonates (which I hated) for over five years and when I broke my wrist last August was called in to the Orthopaedic hospital to reassess. They talked about giving me the yearly infusion (which I really didn't want) and I asked about the Strontium Ranelate after reading about it on this forum. I have now been on SR since February with no side affects and hope that the exercises I am doing in Pilates and the gym will help me build bone as well as improve balance. I have always been active although not sporty and am told I look younger than my 65 years so the diagnosis was a shock. I also have osteoarthritis in my upper back and neck which has hurt for years now but I am used to it - not sure if the upper back and neck exercises are good for it but until I hear different I will keep on with them. I also fractured a bone in my foot about 10 years ago so know how painful that can be and it took me a long time to become confident of walking without a stick. It must be very scary to break bones while dancing! I do hope they heal soon.

RE: General Confusion

Jilly Mayhew — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:22:48 GMT

I ditto Sheila, pilates is great, the sports instructors can train you up on particular exercises, and the incresing of bone density is a common theme. Take care, J x

RE: General Confusion

katy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:11:42 GMT

Hi I am new and was told a few weeks ago I have Osteo and was wondering Sheila what meds you were on for 5 years before you broke a bone and what you did after as a result of that......did you stay on the meds or have you taken the alternative route?
Its nice to meet you all and I have been reading for a few weeks before joining.:)

RE: General Confusion

LW — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:44:48 GMT

Hi there emmera. You must be feeling fed up with all this hassle...

I have had severe osteoporosis for several years now plus 2 vertebral fractures. About your feet - Why not make an apt to see a chiropodist with a bio-mechanic qualification who will assess your feet properly & give you professional advice on what you can do & what not to do. Feet problems can & will cause back trouble too. Also as SheilB posts, stay attached to this Forum. There's much good support here that will give you options. Age is on your side & you seem to be doing all the right things. Cheers LW

RE: General Confusion

emmera — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:41:46 GMT

Thank you so much, Sheila. I'm still very scared and unsure and I have (I hope) many years ahead of me living with this condition. I do belong to a gym, but was just told today my exercise habits have likely caused foot fractures and are contributing to my back pain. I've been instructed to stay off my feet as much as possible, which is very frustrating because I not only like to be active, I know that weight-bearing exercise builds bones while being sedentary just lets them dissolve. I was given a tincture of Vitamin D to take and some other supplements as well. It was a very nice sliding scale naturopathic clinic where I went. My feet are severly hurting today after a week of trying different dance and exercise classes to see if anything would make me feel less fatigued and stressed and in pain. Now I think I've made things worse! Thanks for your support and for sharing your story, as well. It's so hard to do this with little emotional support, and with no job or health insurance. My options for getting care are so limited!

RE: General Confusion

SheilB — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:26:41 GMT

Hello Emmera, it is very frightening being diagnosed with something like Osteoporosis and difficult for others to understand as nothing can be seen until you break a bone. However I would suggest you take it by the horns, find out all you can re what suits you and take control. I was terrified a couple of years ago and then broke my wrist last year after taking medication for 5 years and became very down. I found a lot of advice on this forum and have worked on it by reading books, talking to people, getting advice about safe exercises, good diet, medication etc. and think I have got to a place where I feel I am doing all I can and that makes me feel great! I love my pilates class but will not do anything I feel would be harmful, my figure has toned up and people tell me I look good (65yrs) and my new medication seems to suit me. I eat a healthier diet of fruit,veg and nuts but have not given up on the things I like too. Good luck - join a gym if you havent already - they usually have free exercise classes too. Make sure though that you know what equipment you can and cannot use.

General Confusion

emmera — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:46:35 GMT

Hello all. I am a 35-year old woman diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have had absent periods for 10 years. I have never had the root cause of that explored, and I'm not sure why I have the OP either, but I'm guessing it's related. My question is: can/does this disease cause a curvature of the lower back (I have a really hard time holding a flat back/plank position in exercise classes) and if it does, does this mean I have broken my spine, but didn't feel it? I don't have any pain in that area. My other question is more general: to those who have been living with this disease for a while, do you recommend anything to me knowing I'll have to live my life with it? I have no primary care physician and no health insurance so for the moment I have to just sit around in fear and wonder if there's anything I can be doing on my own. Thanks so much.