Osteoperosis

[PerkyOchrePeer]

I've\n Got Osteoporosis. And I ve had it for some year, On a scan 5 years ago, my bones had improved Because\n I was taking calcium and alendronic acid. Because of the improvement, they took me off the drag. I had a scout last week and my bones have gone back to square one so I need to go back on the drug.. I was then told that because I didn't take hrt. When I went through the menopause. I have Osteoporosis, and they said that if I had taken hrt, I wouldn't have Osteoporosis now.. I did ask at the time if I should take ht and the doctor at the time said no it can cause breast cancer. I've had 2 falls recently and not broken anything, so I didn't realise that my bones were still very weak. I thought they were stronger because I should have broken bones.\n And the doctor today said you Ve just been extremely lucky, but you might not be lucky next time.. Has anybody else heard of Hrt causing osteoporosis and I honestly think the doctor at the time should have warned me about this

HRT actually protects your bones against osteoporosis.

I decided not to take HRT because of risk of breast cancer and guess what? I still got breast cancer and got osteoporosis as well.

If you've had another dexa scan showing osteoporosis is your doctor putting you back on alendronic acid? Calcium isn't enough on it's own. You also need to increase protein intake and try to do some impact exercise.

I'm back on alendronic acid and do regular exercise and est a lot of fish

As far as I know - HRT is recommend for all with early menopause - before 50 -because it protects against osteoporosis unless there is a specific contraindication

What exercise are you doing? You need to be lifting heavy weights according to studies

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6279907/

Also look at nutrition

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7400143/

I do dancing. I'm not doing weight lifting. I'm quite confused because I was on the alendronic acid 5 years ago and had a scan which showed an increase in density by 4% so I was taken odmff the drug. I recently had two accidents. One was I bashed my wrist on a door and the other I fell onto concrete ground. If my bones are as weak as they sat surely I would have broken bones but I did not and so naturally I thought my bones were still stronger as according to the increase in density. Little did I know that by coming off the drug, it made my bones weak again so why didn't I break bones during these accidents. It doesn't make sense to .me. I've been kidding myself I am better than I am and when I was told today I had weak bones it was a total shock. I'm nu.mb and upset. The doctor is blaming HRT or lack of it as the cause so I'm seeking a second opinion.

I’ve recently been put on alendronic acid and adcal d3 following a dexa scan but noone has mentioned hrt . Is it too late, contraindicated or something I should ask for? Had a mirena until last year.

Ideally you need to have a gap in bisphosphonates when you've been taking them for a few years as whilst they increase bone density by decreasing resorption of bone, they eventually, counter intuitively make it weaker by slowing bone remodelling.

I don't understand that

I was told not to take a break from alendronic acid because in my case coming off it caused the reverse effect and my bones become brittle again thus me being at more risk of a fracture than if I syay on it

Information about bisphohonates and Tx breaks here:

https://www.derbyshiremedicinesmanagement.nhs.uk/assets/Clinical_Guidelines/Formulary_by_BNF_chapter_prescribing_guidelines/BNF_chapter_6/Bisphosphonate_length_of_treatment_in_osteoporosis.pdf

But you should really include weight-bearing/resistance training in your exercise regimen. Consult with an experienced personal trainer and check out Caroline Girvan and/or Heather Robertson.

I was advised by my GP to buy a skipping rope and skip

These are the exercises you need to do https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/exercise-for-bones/

Have you looked into nutrition?

The Royal Osteoporosis Society have a very good helpline if you want some individual advice.

As a child I did scottish country dancing which was a lot of jigging. Maybe that is a good idea or line dancing or English folk dancing

How about this for strengthening bones

I always thought you don't keep any gains made once you come off any of the drugs treating osteoporosis but maybe that's not the case for all of them.
I refused HRT - already had osteoporosis - when first offered it when my periods ceased because the health study supposed link to breast cancer hadn't been completely discredited at that point and my mam had had hormone+ BC twice so thought it was too much of a risk. Very big regret of mine not to have started it back then

I do babysitting and I'm always running after the toddler which is good exercising

I was told not to take alendronic acid by an orthopedic surgeon as he said it would make my teeth fall out. That it causes necrosis of the jaw.
And the other one where you have an injection once a year is worse?

I'm worried as my bone density is -4.7. that was when I was 41. I haven't had a bone scan since but hoping it's better as I have a better diet and take calcium D3.

It's quite weird how little support I'm getting for it. Like they don't even acknowledge it as a disease?

And that's why it's always problematic if you need a tooth extraction whilst taking alendronic acid. The necessary healing doesn't take place effectively.

I started it after a dexa scan and about 5 years after menopause. I asked for it after reading about it being effective in delaying the progression of osteopenia. I have the hrt patches. My last dexa scan showed no progression in my osteopenia from the first scan. I've got Adcal as well. So worth asking your GP about it.

Following this - I’m not currently on HRT at 57 should I be on it to avoid osteoporosis?

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is incredibly rare as a side effect of osteoporosis treatments and they do not make your teeth fall out. That was irresponsible advice as the risk of a fracture with a T score of minus 4.7 is likely to be high.

Have you had a dexa scan? It's worth getting one to find out what your bone health is like. You might get a referral from your GP if you have any risk factors or alternatively you could pay for one privately if able yo.