Osteoporosis Diagnosis

[MrTiddlesTheCat]

Just been diagnosed with osteoporosis at the grand old age of 52. I haven't even gone through menopause yet. I'm so worried. Anyone have the same? What's the prognosis.

Anyone?

I was diagnosed almost a year ago at the age of 54. It was a bit of a shock but not really a surprise as I have a strong family history. I take Calcichew twice a day and am on weekly medication. I increased my exercise and incorporate handweight exercises 3 times a week. I took advice from my GP re exercise and also paid a couple of visits to a physiotherapist.

All in all, I feel absolutely fine, it impacts my life minimally - I am conscious about not flexing my back while exercising, not bending / twisting and lifting heavy objects etc. Hoping my next DEXA will show some improvement or at least that things are stable but largely, although upset at the time, I rarely give it a moment's thought.

I have calcium supplements to take daily and have to have an annual medicine through a drip at the hospital. They say it's in my lower back and hips. Which I'm now wondering if this is ehy I get so much backache. I've had lower back pain for years but it's always been dismissed as down to my weight.

I was diagnosed following a fracture after falling. I don't think the fracture is a result of osteoporosis. I think even the strongest bones would have gone under the same circumstances. But it's quiet scary to know that it's purely by accident (literally) that it's been spotted.

I can only go by what my GP told me which is that, with no history of fractures, there is no reason for there to be any pain. I used to get occasional upper back pain which the physio reckoned was from sitting at my desk (I wfh) for long periods without moving. I now make sure to get up and do a few stretches every hour or so and that issue has resolved.

What led to you being tested?

Interested in following this. My DD is 26 and awaiting the results of a DEXA scan.
She needs to have surgery for scoliosis but is recovering from an eating disorder so is clearly at risk. At her age is there any hope of improvement if her results aren't great?
I feel we are potentially in a bit of a situation

Not an expert here, but I developed osteoporosis after chemo. Have been on a weekly tablet of alendronic acid, but after 4 years, not much improvement.
However, on the bright side, a couple of times i have fallen over a particular dense bit of air, and didn't break anything.
I also fell down stairs and broke ankle, but a very common break for that fall, and no worse than a 'normal ' person's. Healed in timely manner too.
However, treatment approaches will be relatively personalised given it can be caused by a variety of conditions, including anorexia, so it would be impossible and wrong to advise that aspect.
I hope your daughter's surgery goes well.

Also, the Royal Osteoporosis Society is a great source of info and support

Please go and read about vit K2 - you need to take it with your calcium (osteopenia, 46)

@MrTiddlesTheCat Both my mum and my sister have it so I have been planning on going for a routine DEXA ever since I turned 50! I finally got around to it at 53 and very glad I did as at least I am started on medication now.

@charitynamechange I do know that being (intentionally) underweight can be a risk factor but I have zero medical knowledge, only what I have gleaned from reading up on the subject after my diagnosis. I remember the pharmacist saying to me though "you're only a young woman now(!!), in time you will see the benefits of this medication", both he and my GP feel there is possibility of improvement. Hopefully, as your daughter is so young, if any medication is required it may be even more beneficial for her.

I think I might have been taking this by accident. My physiotherapist recommended vitamin D3 right back when I first broke my shoulder in February. I've just checked and the bottle says D3/K2.

Fractures due to osteoporosis are frequently missed IME.

My mum had broken ankles missed three times a broken femur was dismissed as hip problems until they went to give a steroid injection under xray and it was spotted. She's had multiple spinal and rib fractures. Most of her nasty fractures have been from innocuous things like standing up from a chair and turning around or being bumped into in a crowd....

My Dexa scan at age 38 was normal, but there's an enormous family history - every woman in my mums family has osteoporosis and several uncles had juvenile osteoporosis. I think it's only 1 of the 9 of the siblings who has a clean bill of health for this - he's in his 60s.

So the advice from my family is to insist on xrays when you suspect a break, especially if you heard a crack!

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteo, a strong family history and also took steroids.
The dexa scan gives details of the score.
I take alendronic acid and calcium. Tried K2 and it massively upset my stomach.
Agree the Royal Osteoporosis Society are great. You can speak to a specialist nurse there. Also look at the videos on the drugs etc.
The bisphosphonates come in different strengths. If you can tolerate alendronic acid the risk of side effects is lower. My dentist will still treat me on that but not if I move on to infusions.

I had been told the best outcome was to maintain the existing levels but I had a repeat scan after two years and was pleasantly surprised to hear there was an improvement in bone density.

I'm going to be given a drug called Aclasta (zoledronic acid). I'll be given it via drip once a year. First dose will be in Septembet.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my early 20s after taking long term corticosteroids for an autoimmune illness. I took a calcium supplement and was put on alendronic acid (fosamax) for 2 years. Mine gradually improved with each following DEXA scan and now it’s improved so much that it’s classed as osteopenia rather than osteoporosis. I’ve had babies since (after waiting for several years after treatment), and don’t really think about my bones now. Never broken or fractured a bone. So there is hope, but obviously mine is just my own personal outcome.

Everyone probably knows this but if you are going to be taking a bisphosphonate (alendronic acid etc) or having a drip like zolendronic acid , well before it starts can you see your dentist and get your oral health in tip top condition and tell your dentist you are on a bisphosphonate.

Unfortunately they make the chances of a really nasty problem called osteo necrosis , after a tooth extraction, much much more likely . So you need to get rid of any dubious teeth before starting as bisphosphonates stay in your system for a long time so you can’t just stop them for a while if you need a tooth out,

It’s a sad fact that every day dentists see people turn up either just about to start treatment or having been on treatment for a while with multiple teeth with problems . I have seen quite a few patients develop osteonecrosis (basically bits of your jaw bone dying off) and it is really very, very nasty.

OP are you on hrt? Might be something to consider.

No I'm not. I wouldn't even know where to start with that. I don't think I'm even at menopause yet.

At 52 you are perimenopause anyway. This article is quite comprehensive.

https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/treatment/hormone-replacement-therapy/

Anecdotally I've seen women say they got their osteoporosis down to osteopenia and reversed osteopenia completely after starting hrt. Dr Louise Newson's balance site has lots of menopause info. You might have lots of symptoms you don't realise are actually menopause related, I did.

Thank you. I'll have a read.