 Posted 04/01/2012 14:29:57
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| Hi. I am new to this site and am looking for advice about osteoporosis. I am 44 and for the past year have had suspected menopausal symptons. While on holiday in August I slipped on a step and broke my wrist ( right in front of the colloseum in Rome! ). I have never broken anything before. Just before Christmas I was confirmed as being menopausal and have started taking HRT due to my age ( I also take thyroxine due to having my thyroid removed ). I am now wondering whether my break could be anything to do with all this and if it would be advisable to get this all checked out. Any advice would be really welcome!
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Posted 04/01/2012 14:54:49
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Hello
I hope you enjoyed your holiday in Rome though! After a certain age the 'silver surfers' who break wrists are automatically referred for a DEXA scan to assess whether or not they have OP.
As you are young you probably were not sent for a DEXA scan, but if I were you I'd ask my GP to refer me and then you can see if you are osteoporotic or if you have osteopeneia (thinning bones but not osteoporosis).
What I found out after I came on this forum was that there is huge amount that you can do for yourself - not that the doc will tell you this - as the NHS attitude appears to be 'take the pills and go away'.
I recommend the book by Dr Marilyn Glenville 'Osteoporosis How to treat, prevent and reverse it' as the one book needed to get an overall picture of how your body works and how you can help yourself - mainly through diet and exercise. The other book which I find very helpful is Lara Pizorna Your Bones, Lara P had OP and was appalled by the side effects of some medications so went on and exercise/diet/supplement regime and is now OP free.
The other book I was recommended is Dr Holick - the Vitamen D solution. If your body is deplete of Vit D you end up not being able to absorb calcium. I found out that my OP was caused by taking Anti epileptic Drugs (AEDs) and after the menopause women on this drug must be prescribed Vit D as the AED's prevent absorbtion of Vit D.
Most of this info was given to me by AnneB on this forum, and thanks to these books I have been able to improve my health.
Good luck.
SarahW
Tscore Lumbar spine -3.3, Femoral neck -2.6, Hip -2.2
Alkali diet (+ no caffeine/sugar/salt/rhubarb/spinach) and exercise and supplements of Vit D (2,000IUs daily), Vit K2 as MK7, vit K2 Menatetrenone, Cod liver oil.
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Posted 17/01/2012 12:59:01
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Dear Sarah
I am new to the forum and have just a a long and helpful chat with one of the nurses on the helpline,having little or no help from my GP.
I was interested in the books you mentioned and will get a hold of them. I would also like to know more about the regime you follow which is free of alendronic acid.
My risk fracture rate is high and the nurse suggested the 6 monthly injections. Do you think that is better or worse than AA?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Joyce
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Posted 17/01/2012 13:58:50
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Joyce
On this forum we cannot tell you what you should do. All we can do on the forum is share our experiences.
All our medical histories are different and what suits me will not suit everyone. So I read up on internet and in books all the prevailing thoughts on treatments for OP.
Changed my GP to one who knew about OP - and discussed the options with her.
That is why I am now happy with the fact that I take a variety of supplements/have an alkali diet and exercise.
But my doctor does help me by arranging a bone turnover test every 4 months, and checking my Vit D levels,
Diet - I stick to 80%alkali/20%acid - basically think 'would a monkey like this food?' Loads of veg and fruit, and protein from nuts/seeds/lentils with a bit if fish and meat. I do try and stick to it - but if I am out with friends I may 'go of f the regime' slightly and have a lasagne (meat/cheese/cowmilk/processed pasta -all of which are acidic) but I will never go REALLY off and have Ice cream and chocolate sauce as this is really acidic and completely uneccesary. Instead I will pass on the dessert and ask for a herbal tea instead. People do not notice the details of what you are eating when you are in a restaurant - but they will notice if you are happy and enjoying yourself.
I love my breakfast - a veg/fruit smoothie made with raw beetroot/ginger/half apple PLUS bit tofu, 5 almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, tablesppon flax, wheatgrass, goat yoghourt and Water.
I test my urine (too see whether my gut is alkali or acid) with PH strips every morning, sometimes its 7.00 (good) and other times it varies between 6.25-6.75.
Exercise - walking, not strolling, is done everyday and three times a week a visit to the gym (weights).
Supplements - before taking supplements I did talk to my doc and had a Vit D test - it was VERY low. My doc does test my blood every 4 months. |i take Vit K because takes calcium to your bones, fish oil for suppleness, ditto glucosamine. Vit D I take alot because of the epilepsy drugs I am on - but I do get tested for Vit D by the doc.
Like you I am at risk of fracture so I do molly coddle myself abit and take care when bending not do do it quickly and bend at the knees if poss, avoid twisting and turning movements. I used to do everything very fast, but have stopped and now do things much slower. A couple of years ago I broke a rib getting something out of oven quickly, so now I open the oven door, bend at the knees and pull out the shelf if its safe and then get the thing out the oven!
Hope this info helps.
Sarah
Tscore Lumbar spine -3.3, Femoral neck -2.6, Hip -2.2
Alkali diet (+ no caffeine/sugar/salt/rhubarb/spinach) and exercise and supplements of Vit D (2,000IUs daily), Vit K2 as MK7, vit K2 Menatetrenone, Cod liver oil.
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Posted 17/01/2012 15:31:41
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Sarah - I love the sound of your breakfast smoothie, I think I'll get what ingredients I don't have already (tofu, wheatgrass) & give it a try. 
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