Osteperosis and early menopause any advice?

[maidenvoyage]

Hi

I have been on here but quite a while ago now. I was diagnosed with menopause at 38 (Im now 44) Last week i was also diagnosed with osterperosis. Basically the doctor has said i have the bones of a 56 year old. I am trying to do the right thing and the main one is giving up smoking. (into day 3 and have had 3 ciggerettes, which isnt bad considering that I usually smoke 20 a day). I would love to hear from anyone in the same position and hear the good side of this and how they are improving thier situation

well done on the smoking. What where you told about diet and excersise to try to improve things?

Yes I have been but by the time i get home from work and have a shower etc its gone 8pm so I'm really struggling exercise wise. I have tried to improve my diet but obviously not quick enough i suppose lol. The not smoking is killing me (shock)

green vegtables,
shellfish
oysters
fresh fruit
milk
brazil nuts
sardines
salmon
chicken
tuna
drinking tea
almonds (also v good for cholestral)
cereal
tofu
walking - hiking
dancing
lifting weights
aerobics
legumes
orange juice

avoid

fizzy drinks
caffeine
sugar
salt
smoking

Big question- WHY were you not offered HRT when you had meno at that young age?

Have you not been offered any treatment? There are bone-building drugs such as Fosomax, but they do have sidde effects and I for one would be wary of taking them unless it was absolutely necessary.

anyone with premature meno should be on HRT unless there are strong reasons not to- and it is safe to stay on it until 50-ish- age of normal meno.

I have low bone density and was at the stage before osteop. last bone scan( I am a lot older than you but was not through the meno at the time)- I referred myself for the scan even though I had no risk factors except being small boned and light-weight!

I havenow started taking lots of steps to try to stop the rot and suggest you do the same.

*Stop smoking- you are killing yourself in every way!
*See your GP again, or ask for a referral to a GYNAE who knows about osteo and hormones etc etc. You really should be on HRT.
*contact the national OSteoporosis Society for advice and leaflets.
*take weight bearing exercise at least 3x a week - Jogging/walking/tennis etc) and do other resistance type exercises ( free weights or gym machines)
*Take a good calcium/magnesium/Vit D supplement such as Osteoguard.
*eat plenty of dark green vegs such as kale, borccoli, cabbage etc and other fruits and veg.
*Eat some dairy for calcium, but not too much.

I know all of this takes an effort, but having my bone scan gave me the shock of my life.

I know you are busy, but your health has to take priority.

okay don't know if this helps.. but I have Osteperosis on my knees ( apparently down to a lot of damage caused years ago). I'm 34

But I don't have any issues with it.. yet I do: walk / jog .. don't smoke.. eat plenty of veg/fruits and a glass of milk everyday

HTH

BCNS- are you sure? is it not arthritis? I have never heard of ostepo. affecting the knees-or just the knees- uaually it is the spine, hip and wrists that fracture.

The very best thing you can do is weight-bearing exercise eg walking, running
Could you build this into your day?

well I'm only going by what surgeon said after he had a good poke about etc. something about ostio and bone desisty being pretty bad on my knees.. but this was due to constant and long standing damage resulting in muscle weakness and bone damage.

not from menopause.. but genetic thing and major injury years ago.

I never really thought much about it tbh. just do what docs and physio said to do.

That sort of damage you are describing is localised bone damage, due to all kinds of wear/tear and not the same as osteo. that affects the whole skeleton.

• HRT unless contraindicated
• Bisphosphonate drugs
• Calcium/Vitamin D supplements
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alocohol consumption
• Keep BMI >20
• Regular weight-bearing exercise

I would advise speaking to your GP- its the kind of thing that we can easily help you out with.

I'll stand corrected

( sure they called it post traumatic osteo though)
anyway.. upshot is though.. weight bearing, no smoking calcium etc.. all helps

Thanks everyone for replying. I have started most of the above. Starting with the tablets for the osteperosis they are ALENDRONIC ACID and they are to be taken once a week I started two weeks ago. Does anyone know of this tablet. Have also been prescribed HRT now and this one is CLIMOPAX Does anyone know if this has side effects at all? I have had the bone scan already thats how I found out. Must admit my doctor gave me a complete MOT and she does specialise in early meno and osteperosis so think im in quite good hands there.

Google Fosomax- that's the trade name for what you are on for your bones.

thank u now im afraid lol x