Hi people, I was just diagnosed last Friday with OP of the spine.
I have really enjoyed reading this site and am finding loads of information from the Inspire and NOF sites....thanks to all who have responded thus far :-)
One of my many questions is: Can I really THAT easily fracture my spine doing everyday things? Should I completely quit bending over at the waist now? Are compression fractures that easy to get?
I'm a 48 yo, 4 yr breast cancer survivor, who was treated aggresively for a small tumor with AC and T, (so I went into chemically induced menopause) and radiation. I have a family history of OP (Mom), I'm not a drinker but am STILL trying to break a 30 year addiction to nicotine (God help me that THIS will finally be the year!!!). I have a VERY stressful life right now (working 2 jobs, property in forclosure, struggling to pay bills, unexpected deaths of several close loved ones this past year).
July 21st I just tripped on the sidewalk and did a FOOSH fall in which my right wrist took the weight of my whole body. It turned out to be a Colles fracture....very painful. I ended up having surgery, becuase the Ortho Dr. agreed I would lose less mucsle mass and get back in the game faster (I am a piano teacher, and church pianist--If I don't work I dont get paid!!!).
So anyway, after doing all the physical therapy for the wrist , I'm doing MUCH better now, and back to tinklng the ivories.... BUT am very upset about my very first ever DEXA BD scores, and shocked frankly!!!
T-Score Spine: -3.7 (report called this markedly low)
Neck:-1.8
Troch (what is that?) -1.2
Femurs -1.1
Ortho DR. gave me a free sample of the monthly Boniva......but after everything I've read I'm scared to take it!!!!!!!!!
Guess I'll call my GP and see what he says......he knows me better. I now know why I've had intermitant low back pain.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Blessings,
Diana
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Just diagnosed, loads of questions and apprehensive
- By dionkeys
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 11:11 pm · 9 replies
- In Osteoporosis/Osteopenia treatment
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Back pain Meditation Anxiety Menopause Osteoporosis Acupuncture Stress Fractures Physical therapy Fosamax Breast cancer Pain Spinal fusion
9 replies
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- Newest first
- By lilrayosun
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 12:07 am
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Hey, Diana:
Wow! What a year you've had! Big hug.
Should you quit bending over? I think most people would tell you to err on the side of caution. Bending and twisting are definitely things to avoid, but there is such a thing as "hinging forward from the hips" rather than bending at the waist. Also, you can do a search for "how to pick things up." there's a funny thread on here where people talk about all the creative ways they pick things up off the floor since their diagnosis.
Will you fracture? Who knows? DEXA doesn't measure bone quality, only quantity. But with chemo, radiation, smoking, stress and the emotional turmoil of having lost family members, it sounds as if your bones need some extra love (and caution) right now.
The good news is that with the exception of your spine, the rest of your scores don't seem that bad ... to me. I'd kill to have scores like that in my legs.
Troch is short for trochanter. There's a greater trochanter and a lesser trochanter. They're both located at the top of your thigh bone and are knobby things to which your muscles attach.
So the troch -1.2 means the BMD in your thigh is -1.2. Mine is -3.0, so like I said, I'd kill for your scores.
As for the spine -3.7. You should be concerned about that.
Check with SaraMeeks, who's a PT on this site, and see if she can recommend a PT near you. Since you're recently injured, you might even be able to get insurance to pay for it. A PT can help develop a safe and effective workout to build up your muscle strength (and ergo bone strength) in your back, plus an overall fitness plan.
Hang in there! I was floored after my diagnosis, but I've made so many positive lifestyle changes since then, that it's almost hard for me to see it as a bad thing.
Best,
Raye
- By lilrayosun
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 12:09 am
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And just so you don't think your scores today have to be your score forever (or that they'll only get worse), here's a positive post:
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/r egimen-that-is-working-for-me/
- By millie123
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 9:24 am
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I'm with lilrayofsun here (great user name, isn't it?). No bad scores there but the spine. Insist on testing for vitamin D levels and other secondary causes. Just start doing a semi-squat when you want to pick things up. Don't lift anything over 20 pounds. Just be conscious of it, and you probably won't hurt yourself. Keep us posted.
- By Marlys
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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My spine is -3.8 and I also was diagnosed within the last few months.
I am taking strontium citrate and have also eliminated caffeine and colas and have increased calcium foods and supplements. I did not take extra calcium before and ate poorly before the diagnosis,..
I was terrified re my spine initially but now I am wearing a backpack (when I walk my dogs) with about 7-8 lbs on my back.
I also have multiple pets so do a lot of bending and lifting ,
The change in my dietary habits have caused me to feel a lot stronger than I did previously and I also work out some with weights. it is way easier for me to do my work now.
So I would learn everything that you can, try to change bad habits and be careful with what you do. ;you have to listen to your own body and start out exercising correctly and slowly
maybe I am a fool but i am no longer worried about fracturing my spine and if I did I would still feel that i did everything possible to correct it.
and and i won't take the biophophonates either.
- By dionkeys
- Posted October 18, 2009 at 10:54 pm
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Thank you so much ladies for the detailed replies.......
The real challenge for me now will be not to "catastrophize" the situation and freak myself out too much.
I'm trying real hard not to worry about bone mets (I had an very good prognosis 4 years ago for my Stage 1 Breast Cancer), but as all of you know, who have had cancer.....it can be a dark cloud of anxiety at times, where your faith, friends, prayer and meditation can be your best ally!
Ok, yes! So I've got a lot of stuff to check out! (stronium, vit D levels, secondary causes, Sarah Meeks PT sfuff, dietary changes...)
I'll give an update after my GP appt. this Friday.
In gratitude :-)
Diana
- By Marlys
- Posted October 18, 2009 at 11:09 pm
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I was very upset for a long time after I was diagnosed. my doctor just told me to take fosamax and take calcium and that was it...
i joined this site immediately and started to learn about diet, exercise, supplements and the biophosphonates; then i asked my doctor if i could have physcial therapy.
Since i had a spinal fusion when I was 16 yr old I have no flexibility in my spine although my back never bothered me at all from the fusion.
I do a lot of work in my home caring for a whole houseful of pets ; since I have changed my diet , exercise and included supplements i am feeling a lot stronger and am better able to do the work.
I am not thinking so much about the T score number anymore but just focusing on trying to do things correctly and at at least stop the progression of the bone loss.
It takes time to get used to the idea of this diagnosis but the more that you learn the more that you will feel that you have some control over the outcome.
- By dionkeys
- Posted October 18, 2009 at 11:32 pm
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Thanks Marlys,
I guess I'm still in the shock phase a bit (it's only been a week).....I'm still stunned :-o
Yes, it's helping a great deal to read all these posts.
So a couple of questions for you: What was the biggest change to your diet?
And do you sleep on a firm mattress for lumbar support?
Thanks so much and have a nice evening! Off to bed for me.
Diana
- By petplant
- Posted October 19, 2009 at 2:17 pm
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Hi dionkeys,
I found that most Medical Doctors recommend medications, first.
I did find an Dr. who practices Integrative Medicine (can recommend medication or can recommend diet or acupuncture or more "natural" things to try). He is the first Dr. to think of testing my Vitamin D (which turned out to be low), and other levels in blood tests.
Besides taking supplements, I am also going for acupuncture, which might keep the osteo. from getting worse; not sure if it will make it better - they can't make claims because clinical trials have not been done.
You have to decide for yourself, what is best.
After my initial diagnosis, I thought about it & decided that it must have taken a while to lost bone, so I probably had some time to try natural methods to gain it back, before I decide to try medications (IF I ever need to).
Good luck!
- By millie123
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 8:50 am
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Wondering how that doctor's appointment turned out.
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