Not even sure I know why I am writing this, but I guess I need to get it off my chest, perhaps then I can get my head around it all.

Seven years ago at the age of 53 I was diagnosed dwith osteoporosis, and when I got in touch with Osteoporosis Assn, I was told: 'oh you are one of our younger ladies!" I was put on medication to help prevent a fracture, but because I had not had a fracture I had to pay full price (around $50) every 4 weeks for it. OK, f I need it, so be it. I have also been taking extra calcium and Vitamin D pills as well. No worries - no apparent signs as such.

However, the last three years my bone density has been declining again, and this last twelve months, even more markedly. So basically, everything I have done, and been required to do by the doc has been for nought!! The calcium pills I have been on are not the ones that would give me high absorption rates, so they were a waste.

Doc decides to change my medication, but can't get them on the PBS unless I have had a fracture (I take them to prevent a fracture - go figure!) or I am over 70 (still got a way to go for that one! He ordered a thoracic and lumbar spine x-rays, and blow me down, I have a compression fracture in the top section of my spine. Doc not sure if he should congratulate me, I can now get the medication on the PBS. Then tells me not to fall off any ladders!!!!

Finally, this has sunk in to be serious, and although I don't have any pain etc, I know that now I have a fracture, I am susceptible to others. I should have known it was possible, my sister, my aunt, my cousin, and my grandmother all have/had osteoporosis, even though most were never tested, it was plainly obvious - but my mother?? Oh no, never had it (according to her), refused to have a bone denisty test - no need - wouldn't have it!! Guess what, if she had a fall in the nursing home, she would crumble something real bad.

OK, got to pick myself up, dust myself off, and find out what measures I cna take to minimise any further damage - damn! I only come up to Pete's shoulder now!!! Sorry folks, but I do feel a tad better now - Ta and thank you.

Yeah Pejay, know how it feels. My only fractures were 3 broken teeth, and apparently they dont count. (go figure, as you said) In fact it was my dentist who suggested having a bone density test.

The tests are expensive, and even when you finally get a pension card, you still have to wait till you get a "real" fracture or turn 70 before they are free. I'm glad to have found it earlier though. Having worked in Aged Care and seen how many old ladies break their hips, spines, or other bones scares the **** out of me. Yes I know men can get it too, but not nearly as many.

Vitamin D is something that you can overdose on, apparently, so I had to have a blood test for it, found that theres plenty of vit D in my bloodstream so now have to take the caltrate without vit D. Luckily I have only been prescribed caltrate so far, and even though its constipating, I'm glad I dont have to take Fosomax or Actonel.

Most gyms have special exercise classes, well worth going to at least a few so you know what to do when on the road with no gym. Theres a few things to avoid in your diet... carbonated drinks, or any sweet soft drinks, which means I dont have as much wine as I used to. Dairy is supposed to be good, but I cant take it, and I'm not sure how much calcium is actually available anyway from the highly processed stuff we get nowadays.

My very best wishes to you, stay positive, it can be scary if you let yourself think about it!

(edited to correct spelling)

Hi PeJay, sorry to hear of your osteo diagnosis and the stupidity of the oxymorons that sometimes make up our health & PBS systems, as if you were going to break something to qualify!

I believe that this forum of health and wellbeing is the perfect place for anyone to air their feelings on their health concerns. It's not having a whinge or complaining, its letting go or getting things off our chest in a nice friendly forum and dont worry, there are lots of blokes (self included) who find support on this forum.

cheers,

ozi2

Yep, me too Pejay.

My problem started with having to have lots of Prednisone for Ulcerative Colitis. Prednisone can leech the calcium from your body. My Gastro Specialist sent me for my first Bone Density Test about 10 years ago. I'm 57 now. It wasn't good, so I needed to go on Actonel too. My GP sent me for xrays on my back and found I had an old fracture in the middle of my back, and herniated discs in L2&3. I was already on the Disability Pension for the UC, so I was lucky that the Actonel only cost me the normal pension price. I also still take Caltrate.

I've had BD tests every 2 years since, and it has slowly improved enough that last year, my GP said the new findings are that if your BD has improved and you've been on Actonel for 5 years or more, you can go off it. So I have. (Still have the tests of course.)

I've has a couple of minor fractures,,still b.loody hurt though,, in the last few years...ankle and wrist..but I'm sure if I hadn't had all that Actonel and Caltrate, they would have been much worse.

Although the UC has been under control for quite a while now, I have several other ailments which keeps me on the Disability Pension.

Yes, I try not to whinge too much, but sometimes you just have to. Best wishes Pejay.

Pejay wrote:

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Thanks guys for your encouragement, won at lawn bowls this morning - that made me feel good.

It was Actonel (once a week) that I originally was on, and now I am on Protos (everyday). From what I have been told the Calcium Citrate is the better one over Calcium Carbonate to take.

I was under the impression once you were on this type of medication, you were on it for life - with the Doc's approval, I went off Actonel for 6 months, and that's where my bone density started to 'dive' three years ago.

Cheers
June

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 I thought so too Pejay, but this was new advise,,maybe a new study(?),,

Actually, I'm not on Caltrate now, I'm on Blackmores calcium & magnesium. Also fish oil. All supposed to help the joints, as well as the bones.

It was when I stopped the caltrate and went to dolomite and other supplements from the health food shop my bone density dropped again. So now I take it, plus "Calcium Complete" for the extra minerals.

The improved absorbtion of Calcium citrate sounds interesting, will do some research on it. Thank you.

Your comment about not falling off any ladders Pejay reminded me thats why we sold the camper-trailer... it was a very high step up to the bed (and down again during the night). Was scared I'd fall.

I also have that fear of falling, and I do, regularly. Hence the fractured wrist and ankle. 

You see I also have the dreaded 'unco' disease!

But I try to keep my sense of humour.

Ahh, Beth, thats got to be the last thing to go!  

Those plasters on your arm and leg were a great sympathy-getter, hope your family was kind and spoilt you? If only they didnt hurt so much at the time! 

My main concern was I live alone, down a whole lot of steps, so had to go stay with the daughter for while.

Sympathy?... if you call shaking their heads with 'not again!'

I know they really do sympathize though.

I broke a rib last week... quite easily, I just bent down and reached out, scrunching my ribs a bit too tight. Was worried that it might have been an effect of osteoporosis, so consulted a Dr today. Not my regular lady GP but a nice big strong young man, and he said he'd done the same thing in the same way. So comforting to hear! Ahh! Such a nice young man.

Now have to lie around and be a slob doing no work for a week or two.

Woo Hoo! Now I can get a free bone density test!!!

Wow ladies, you really have a lot going on with this and I just love all your outlooks on things.

I do so hope you all get along fantastically and it doesn't stop you from getting out there and enjoying what life offers. I don't know why I put that sentence in, you girls rock and nothing will hold you back x o x o.

Thanks Firefly!
Osteoporosis is one of those insidious things, most people dont know they have it until they have a fall/accident and break something. I'd recommend any woman who a.) has a low body weight, b.) has low dairy food intake, c.) has family members with osteoporosis, to have a bone densitometry test. The sooner it is diagnosed and treatment ongoing the better your chances of not having catastrophic fractures in a fall.

Gotta say when I was first diagnosed with Osteoporosis I told the doc how great that was - I could eat all the ice cream & chocolate I wanted as they contained milk etc that I needed for the calcium and stuff! Silly me, he looked at me as if I was stark raving mad - to be honest, I am only half way there, but it helped to cope with the shock of it all at the age of 52!! Still lke my chocolate (and ice cream!)