MNHQ here: Got questions about osteoporosis? AMA with Royal Osteoporosis Society specialist nurses Kirsty Carne and Julia Thomson, Thurs 26th Feb @ 7pm

[RhiannonEMumsnet]

Hi there,

We’re delighted to announce an AMA with Royal Osteoporosis Society specialist nurses Kirsty Carne and Julia Thomson on Thursday between 7 and 9pm.

Kirsty and Julia have worked as specialist nurses for the Royal Osteoporosis Society for over 20 years, both managing the Specialist Nurse Helpline Service and providing support and information on osteoporosis and bone health to enquirers. They can provide up-to-date information based on the latest medical research to help you feel more informed, but they cannot give you direct advice. Information given by them is not intended to replace the advice that your own doctor can provide.

The Royal Osteoporosis is the UK's largest national charity dedicated to bone health and beating osteoporosis which affects over 3.5 million people in the UK. By working with healthcare professionals they are driving research and developments of new treatments while supporting those living with osteoporosis, often known as the 'Silent Condition'.

Please post your questions for Kirsty and Julia below, and join them on the thread on Thursday evening to hear the answers.

As always, please remember our guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil.

Thanks,
MNHQ

Hi @Tryonemoretime It's good to hear you are doing what you can! You are right - it is all about adapting what you can do to still make sure you are being healthy and active in ways that suit you.

Hi @Wellthatsjustfuckingpeachyinnit HRT can be a useful treatment for protecting bone from fracture and is a useful option for many women. Click here for more info about the connection between HRT and bone health https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/treatment/hormone-replacement-therapy/

Hi @MySpiritAnimalMustBe It sounds like you are doing all the right things to help your bone health. Although we would usually say the more impact you put through your bones the better, in this case you need to balance the two things. If your specialists have said don't put too much pressure on that joint, then I would be guided by them. Plenty of low impact exercise along with some weights or other muscle resistance exercises is a good strategy. Damaging your hip is likely to significantly reduce what you can do which would then have a negative effect on your bone health as well. If your hip replacement was years ago, it is possible the advice might be different now. Maybe your GP could contact the specialist team to ask their advice now.

Hi @Ownedbykitties HRT is most commonly considered as a useful option for bone in women in their 50s/60s. This is because other issues such as breast cancer and thrombosis risk need to be considered alongside the benefits as we get older. Having said that some women in their 70's who feel well on HRT will sometimes be considered suitable after a conversation re risks v benefits with their doctor. The non-hormonal treatments such as the bisphosphonates are usually considered the treatment of choice for osteoporosis as we get into our 70's. You are right to be thinking about all this as steroids, although a crucial part of the management of conditions such as asthma, are not good for bone. So thinking preventatively is really sensible!! https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/causes/steroids/

Hi @summerjumper It is good to hear that they are keeping an eye on her bone health. We don't reach our peak bone density until around 30, so at 17 a score in the osteopenia range is likely. Good nutrition will help as this is the key to the body functioning normally and good hormone levels and all that goes with that. Obviously correct nutrition isn't a simple step, and may be a long journey, but any improvement helps. We have some useful info on this on our website here https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/causes/anorexia/ and we have a video of an interview with a specialist on 'Eating disorders and bone health' on our Bone Matters page here https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/support-for-you/bone-matters/ (scroll down to the risk factors section).

Hi @Indiannadreaming The diary intolerance doesn't necessarily need to impact your bones negatively as long as you get enough calcium from non - dairy sources such as fortified plant milks, calcium‑set tofu, leafy greens , tinned fish with bones, and fortified breads and cereals. https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/calcium/

You do not mention your age and if by 'complete' you mean you had your ovaries removed. If you did and had your surgery before the age of 45 and you didn't use HRT, this is something you might like to discuss with your doctor.

Carrying a bit of extra weight is not going to be a problem for your bones as long as your BMI is within an acceptable range. In fact, having a bit of extra weight may be be a good thing for bone as you are putting more weight through them - which they like! This must of course be balanced with the adverse risks associated with excess weight

Hi @RomanyCream It is possible to see an improvement in bone density on any of these medicines, but bone changes slowly, so any changes are likely to be small changes each time, rather than anything big. Most osteoporosis medicines are slowing the natural bone loss that is happening. So even if your scores stay the same as before, this means the medicine has stopped the deterioration that would have happened if you weren't taking it, and is ultimately strengthening your bones so they are less likely to break, which is the most important thing.

Hi @Homebird8
Generally either HRT or alendronic acid are used to treat osteoporosis. There is little evidence to suggests that there is an added benefit to taking 2 treatments together. The exception to this would be if you are taking the HRT for other menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and using the alendronic acid as a treatment for bone. If this is not the case, either one or the other would generally be recommended. They are about the same in terms of their impact on bone

Thanks you for a some great questions. We're signing off now

Thanks everyone. Sorry if we didn't get to your question. You may find the answers to your question on our website https://theros.org.uk/ where you can find loads of health information, our forum, helpline and other services. Bye.

Thanks for your answers , that was a very interesting thread .

Thank you for this.