Shock diagnosis

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Friend's retest showed improvement to 4.5, so still just under the perfect 5. She has always walked regularly, as she doesn't drive. I must have walked more than 5 miles every week, too, with dogs and horses. I am blaming the menopause, although I am lactose intolerant and have to be sparing with even lactofree milk.

Eta, I also blame NICE for not having a screening protocol for peri/menopausal women.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Spent yesterday afternoon in the local library, and brought home a book called Osteoporosis by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD. Some detailed information, well researched facts, and evaluations of her own caseload. She reckons that a calcium citrate/vit D3 supplement taken with magnesium citrate and zinc will give similar results to the medical offerings in early cases. Supplements duly ordered - I may as well be doing something whilst waiting for my GP to call.
Thank you for all your input. It is reassuring to know I am not the only one, and this condition can be held in check.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Spent yesterday afternoon in the local library, and brought home a book called Osteoporosis by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD. Some detailed information, well researched facts, and evaluations of her own caseload. She reckons that a calcium citrate/vit D3 supplement taken with magnesium citrate and zinc will give similar results to the medical offerings in early cases. Supplements duly ordered - I may as well be doing something whilst waiting for my GP to call.
Thank you for all your input. It is reassuring to know I am not the only one, and this condition can be held in check.

A similar supplement is probably what your GP will offer you, anyway. They don't usually offer a more 'serious' treatment unless you are diagnosed with osteoporosis

 

[Reacher]

Just to say sorry for your diagnosis - at least it is early stages. My great aunt had osteoporosis and had crumbling vertebrae causing her to loose height and have a dowagers’ hump (and a lot of pain).

It’s a useful kick up the bum for me as I am slight build and have an office job, main exercise is playing with ponies. I CBA with the gym but skipping is something I could do.

Can anyone advise how much it costs to pay privately for one of these dexa scans?

 

[Rumtytum]

Just to say sorry for your diagnosis - at least it is early stages. My great aunt had osteoporosis and had crumbling vertebrae causing her to loose height and have a dowagers’ hump (and a lot of pain).

It’s a useful kick up the bum for me as I am slight build and have an office job, main exercise is playing with ponies. I CBA with the gym but skipping is something I could do.

Can anyone advise how much it costs to pay privately for one of these dexa scans?

I had a private Dexa scan last Friday, think it’s going to be £250-£300 but haven’t had the invoice yet, will let you know as soon as I do

 

[Reacher]

I had a private Dexa scan last Friday, think it’s going to be £250-£300 but haven’t had the invoice yet, will let you know as soon as I do

Thanks - that’s better than I expected

 

[HorsesRule2009]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis hope you can halt/slow the progression.

I am finding this thread really interesting though as I have been considering asking about testing for Osteoporosis.
Was unsure though as I am only 35, but both my mother and grandmother have/ had bad Osteoporosis so my thinking is early detection/possible prevention.

I may start taking a good calcium/ vit D supplement though.

Thank you and good luck

 

[maya2008]

I probably should have added earlier, but my mum died this year, aged 77. No broken bones or issues from the osteo issues diagnosed in her late 50s. What the GP gave her worked. She’d had dementia for the last 12 or so years, so for sure no exercise beyond daily walks.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I probably should have added earlier, but my mum died this year, aged 77. No broken bones or issues from the osteo issues diagnosed in her late 50s. What the GP gave her worked. She’d had dementia for the last 12 or so years, so for sure no exercise beyond daily walks.

Thank you for that info, it certainly has been worrying me that I could find myself breaking more bones as I get older. It's very good to hear that the meds are effective. I had a brief phone conversation with a GP that I have never met during lockdown, after my diagnosis and that was that.

 

[Red-1]

I am menopausal, nearer 60 than 50, but have not been offered a scan. For other reasons though, I am already on high dose Vit D. This comes after feeling awful, exhausted, putting weight on, joint pain etc. My Vit D level was too low to give a figure when a blood test was taken by my Dr.

I did a whole load of reading, I just wanted to say, to take K2 with the D3. It helps the calcium go into the bones. The Dr did not tell me that, I had to find out myself. Some tablets have these two as a combination, this is what I buy. I take 5,000iu a day in summer, 10,000iu a day in winter. I take regular (private) blood tests and this level of supplementation keeps me on the high side of normal. I am also out playing horses in the sun, but have cr@p skin and have factor 30 on. My diet is excellent. I still need heavy supplementation to feel well and be slim and fit.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

I am menopausal, nearer 60 than 50, but have not been offered a scan. For other reasons though, I am already on high dose Vit D. This comes after feeling awful, exhausted, putting weight on, joint pain etc. My Vit D level was too low to give a figure when a blood test was taken by my Dr.

I did a whole load of reading, I just wanted to say, to take K2 with the D3. It helps the calcium go into the bones. The Dr did not tell me that, I had to find out myself. Some tablets have these two as a combination, this is what I buy. I take 5,000iu a day in summer, 10,000iu a day in winter. I take regular (private) blood tests and this level of supplementation keeps me on the high side of normal. I am also out playing horses in the sun, but have cr@p skin and have factor 30 on. My diet is excellent. I still need heavy supplementation to feel well and be slim and fit.

Which vitD supplement do you use please?

 

[Red-1]

Which vitD supplement do you use please?

If you look at the Vitamin D wellness page on FB, they have the best ones listed. I don't buy the best ones, I just go onto Amazon and see what is cheapest. They say the softgels are best. However, I will ahve something like this... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetarian-Cholecalciferol-Menaquinone-7-EVO-Nutrition/dp/B08WHK73WM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1KT2LBH363TXA&keywords=Vit+D+K2+soft+gels&qid=1688061765&sprefix=vit+d+k2+soft+gels,aps,66&sr=8-5


4,000 would be OK for this time of year.

As an aside, the Vit D is fat soluble, not water soluble. It will only be absorbed if eaten with fat, such as 2 eggs. My Dr didn't tell me that either!

I have these in the morning and then Magnesium with the Calcium and Zinc at night (all in one tablet). I also have B12 and folate.

It is the top set for menopause, according to my reading.

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

All the " good " stuff you are doing has failed you so that would shock me more than the diagnosis - its all a farce.
Its like non smokers who get lung cancer - life sucks and thats how it is.
Use your justified anger and science background to look more into all this.
Two 10lb babies has nothing to do with it.Some women have 6 kids and no bone problems develop later on in life.

 

[Highmileagecob]

It would appear that genetics and menopause play a big part in the osteoporosis lottery. Looking back, most of the female relatives on both sides of the family would have fitted the criteria. Slim, light framed women who became frail and lost height as they aged. No broken bones, so no diagnosis though. After the menopause, the ability to replace bone, and build bone density reduces year on year. HRT may well change this, but family cancer history advised against HRT. At least I have time on my side to start to turn things round before it morphs into osteoporosis, assuming all goes to plan. This thread has given me hope that it can be held in check.

 

[Kunoichi73]

If you look at the Vitamin D wellness page on FB, they have the best ones listed. I don't buy the best ones, I just go onto Amazon and see what is cheapest. They say the softgels are best. However, I will ahve something like this... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetarian-Cholecalciferol-Menaquinone-7-EVO-Nutrition/dp/B08WHK73WM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1KT2LBH363TXA&keywords=Vit+D+K2+soft+gels&qid=1688061765&sprefix=vit+d+k2+soft+gels,aps,66&sr=8-5


4,000 would be OK for this time of year.

As an aside, the Vit D is fat soluble, not water soluble. It will only be absorbed if eaten with fat, such as 2 eggs. My Dr didn't tell me that either!

I have these in the morning and then Magnesium with the Calcium and Zinc at night (all in one tablet). I also have B12 and folate.

It is the top set for menopause, according to my reading.

If you buy softgels, keep them in the fridge as it helps prevent the oil going rancid.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

If you look at the Vitamin D wellness page on FB, they have the best ones listed. I don't buy the best ones, I just go onto Amazon and see what is cheapest. They say the softgels are best. However, I will ahve something like this... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetarian-Cholecalciferol-Menaquinone-7-EVO-Nutrition/dp/B08WHK73WM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1KT2LBH363TXA&keywords=Vit+D+K2+soft+gels&qid=1688061765&sprefix=vit+d+k2+soft+gels,aps,66&sr=8-5


4,000 would be OK for this time of year.

As an aside, the Vit D is fat soluble, not water soluble. It will only be absorbed if eaten with fat, such as 2 eggs. My Dr didn't tell me that either!

I have these in the morning and then Magnesium with the Calcium and Zinc at night (all in one tablet). I also have B12 and folate.

It is the top set for menopause, according to my reading.

Thank you ill take a look at the FB page.
With your B12 are you taking tablet/liquid form or self injecting B12

Thank you

 

[Red-1]

Thank you ill take a look at the FB page.
With your B12 are you taking tablet/liquid form or self injecting B12

Thank you

I started off with melts (tablets don't absorb well) and a separate folate, plus B complex.

I new jumped down the B12 rabbit hole too and am self injecting. It is better. I still take folate and b complex daily but self inject whenever I notice I lost my sparkle, usually when I stop dancing to the radio when I am making breakfast. It makes me feel well again as opposed to managing.

 

[MerryMaxmas]

I have just been diagnosed this week with osteoporosis, I'm 56 and up until 3 years was fit, healthy and active (I was a professional dog walker so walked for 3-4 hours a day), unfortunately I got Covid in March 2020 and have had Long Covid since, so my life has changed a lot, I am no longer active, although I am gradually starting to add in more activity. I have been getting really bad lower back pain when I walk or stand for more than 20mins, I had an xray a few weeks ago which showed possible Osteopenia, so had a Dexa a couple of weeks ago, the results have shown Osteopenia in my hips and osteoporosis in my lower back, which came as a bit of a shock. I have been put on calcium and Vit D. I have been reading about yoga for osteoporosis, particularly Dr Loren Fishman, so am going to start doing that 3 or 4 times a week, has anyone found yoga helps?

 

[Highmileagecob]

It's quite shocking that so little inactivity can cause such major changes. I'm ten years older and to be honest, I don't really want to briskly walk for miles, especially now the monsoon season is upon us again.

 

[MerryMaxmas]

It's quite shocking that so little inactivity can cause such major changes. I'm ten years older and to be honest, I don't really want to briskly walk for miles, especially now the monsoon season is upon us again.

It really is, in just a few short years I've gone from knowing my body is working for me, to feeling as though its working against me I know walking is meant to help, but not when that's the thing that's causing my back pain, so I'm hoping just doing a little bit of yoga every day will help

 

[Highmileagecob]

Lucky you - I've been recommended to start skipping or star jumps......like that is going to happen! I've already got arthritic knees from riding. No hope for us is there? And the calcium tablets are like half the size of a AAA battery and I have four daily. I've had to start crushing them on a honey sandwich.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Lucky you - I've been recommended to start skipping or star jumps......like that is going to happen! I've already got arthritic knees from riding. No hope for us is there? And the calcium tablets are like half the size of a AAA battery and I have four daily. I've had to start crushing them on a honey sandwich.

I take mine with thick yoghurt! I definitely won't be doing star jumps either I do make sure that I walk at least 5 miles each week but I always have done that. I am absolutely convinced that even with a lactose intolerance, my downfall has been hormonal.

 

[Rumtytum]

Lucky you - I've been recommended to start skipping or star jumps......like that is going to happen! I've already got arthritic knees from riding. No hope for us is there? And the calcium tablets are like half the size of a AAA battery and I have four daily. I've had to start crushing them on a honey sandwich.

The calcium tablets . I swallowed one lengthwise but it rotated and very nearly choked me. Will swap to chewable but I bought two jars so have a few hundred to go before then.

 

[windswoo]

Talk to your GP about HRT, asap

See I'm another one of these that at the mo if I am going through the menopause then it doesn't seem that bad.
Didn't want to go on HRT unless mentally I feel I need too! I've had back issues for nearly 10 years due to a prolapsed disc, but in the last year my pain has been different and did think it may be my hips.

 

[billylula]

Following a fall on ice before Christmas, which resulted in a cracked radius, I was referred for a DEXA body scan to check the state of my bones. Criteria being that I am over 60, and have sustained a fracture. Shock, horror the result is that I have osteopenia, which is a thinning of bone that will result in osteoporosis if left untreated. I have always had an active, outdoor lifestyle, eat a properly balanced diet, kept my weight pretty constant, and generally do all the things that are recommended to keep bones healthy - lifting, carrying weight, stretching, load bearing, walking etc..
Apparently, small framed women with low bodyweight are more susceptible than larger frames as we are not under the same load bearing properties. You just can't win can you?

If it makes you feel better my physio says that pretty much everyone who has a dexa scan gets diagnosed with osteopenia!

 

[Rumtytum]

If it makes you feel better my physio says that pretty much everyone who has a dexa scan gets diagnosed with osteopenia!

I read somewhere that women’s bones start to weaken after age 30 so that makes sense. However, unlike the olden days when it was just accepted that old ladies broke bones, with so much more info available now I feel we can do a lot to improve ourselves.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

The calcium tablets . I swallowed one lengthwise but it rotated and very nearly choked me. Will swap to chewable but I bought two jars so have a few hundred to go before then.

I use a yogurt drink to take tablets, nice and slippery, helps them go down.

 

[Rumtytum]

I use a yogurt drink to take tablets, nice and slippery, helps them go down.

Thanks, good idea!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

See I'm another one of these that at the mo if I am going through the menopause then it doesn't seem that bad.
Didn't want to go on HRT unless mentally I feel I need too! I've had back issues for nearly 10 years due to a prolapsed disc, but in the last year my pain has been different and did think it may be my hips.

I felt that I had an easy menopause but look at the state of me now!

 

[HeresHoping]

It would appear that genetics and menopause play a big part in the osteoporosis lottery. Looking back, most of the female relatives on both sides of the family would have fitted the criteria. Slim, light framed women who became frail and lost height as they aged. No broken bones, so no diagnosis though. After the menopause, the ability to replace bone, and build bone density reduces year on year. HRT may well change this, but family cancer history advised against HRT. At least I have time on my side to start to turn things round before it morphs into osteoporosis, assuming all goes to plan. This thread has given me hope that it can be held in check.

HMC,

You say that family cancer history advised against HRT, but there have been a number of revisions since the initial scare, and particularly in the last five years. Given that, even if you are through perimenopause and definitely post menopause, you can still ask for HRT, I thought you might like a read of the information on this page: https://www.balance-menopause.com/?s=cancer.

I think I mentioned previously, though, that this book offers a huge amount of advice for active people, including supplements and adaptogens that can help with achy joints, etc.