L3 Compression Fracture - Osteoporosis Male - Discussion - National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Community

Good Afternoon, I am new to the discussion board but unfortunately not new to Osteoporosis. I am a 53 year old male who fell off a ladder 2 years ago resulting in a L3 compression fracture. Diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis and went on Forteo for a year prior to having a Lumbar Fusion January 2009. Operation was a success at strengthening my back but the chronic back pain and leg/foot pain continued. Two weeks ago had a slip and fall and wound up with yet another compression fracture, this time L1. Pain was excruciating. Neurosurgeon just performed Kyphoplasty and got some nice relief from that intense pain but remain with high level of pain in back and now a sciatica feel type of pain in right leg/foot. Not doing anything right now for the Osteo, having tough time of it mentally but wanted to through a discussion out there to see if I am an anomaly because I am male and what treatments/medications/relief some of you experienced sufferers might offer. Thanks, LumbarLoser

By iola
Posted October 30, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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LumbarLoser, I do Hope U are on calcium & Vit. D . If U took Forteo, shirly the Doctor put you on Cal. and vit D. But you said u doing nothing now. See a Osteo.
Doctor right away. Iola

By SequoiaHealth
Posted October 31, 2009 at 6:46 am
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Hi LumbarLoser:
Here is a general outline for you. Lifestyle is very important for treating and preventing osteoporosis. Osteo is less common in men so it is important to find out if you have any secondary causes first. While you are waiting for test results, start cracking on your lifestyle improvements. That is where you will get the most bang for your buck. I am listing the recommendations that I give to my clients and support group members below.

There is a definite protocol for strengthening your bones. Osteoporosis is very much a lifestyle condition. Based on recent research it is a condition that is affected by both physical and mental factors. I recommend 5 important lifestyle changes for my clients who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia before they set off on medication unless their case is extreme.

These are:

1. A daily stress reduction program. This helps lower inflammation caused by high cortisol and homocysteine levels reducing calcium loss. Also normalizes bone building cells (osteoblast) function.
2. A diet that contains 50% fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies contain greater amounts of water and minerals with generally lesser amounts of
animal protein.
3. Adequate water intake for maximum hydration. Water is very important in helping the kidneys regulate pH and detoxify the body.
4. Year round vitamin D3 levels in the 50-80 ng/mL (or 125-200 nM/L).
This should be confirmed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing.
5. Sufficient weight bearing exercise to stimulate balance and muscle growth which is essential for bone strengthening determined

I also suggest Dr. Cannell’s site and recommendations for vitamin D that are top notch www.vitamindcouncil.org.
Dr. Lee’s book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause http://www.johnleemd.com and
Dr. Holick has a great website and book called The UV Advantage. Worth a look http://www.uvadvantage.org
Gillian Sanson has a great book called The Myth of Osteoporosis. She presents some compelling reasons to pay less attention to DEXA scores and move to a healthier lifestyle. http://www.gilliansanson.com/

If you have further questions or if you want to join our osteoporosis support group please feel free to email me at bebonestrong@sequoiahealth.com.

Woody McMahon

By millie123
Posted October 31, 2009 at 8:10 am
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Hiya, LumbarLoser: Sorry to hear of your troubles. I certainly hope your doctors have tested for all secondary causes. Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Vitamin D deficiences, parathyroid problems. All of these ( and more, I'm sure) could be the culprit behind your problems. I hope Tom weighs in with you as well as drizzit and nathji. All are men and could probably give you good advice and support.

By jmodwyer
Posted October 31, 2009 at 8:38 am
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LL, sorry to hear of your story. Like you, I'm a male in my 50's with 3 compression fractures -- going on 18 months of Forteo; with some improvement. Good advice and references from Woody and Millie that are worth pursuing. In my case there is a strong genetic component, but improving nutrition and Vitamin D levels can improve the odds. I also found physical therapy helped with the consequences of the compression fractures -- no silver bullet, but it all helps.

By SaraMeeks
Posted October 31, 2009 at 9:35 am
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Dear LumbarLoser:
First of all, I'd like you to consider changing your name--especially when you begin to feel better. Sometimes our thoughts affect how we feel and you are no loser as you are reaching out for help--very important. We are all in this "boat" together but we are not alone.
No-one has mentioned site-specific exercise for your back yet. I have a program for osteoporosis/posture management and routinely send people the beginning of my exercise program. It is a simple set of 4-5 exercises I call the Re-Alignment Routine and, if you contact me at sara@sarameekspt.com, I'll send it to you.
It is important that you get on a regular, safe exercise program and include all the daily good habits mentioned above to get started down the healing road.
Exercises such as forward bending, side bending and twisting would be contraindicated for you but there is much you can do. These type of exercises place too much compression on the vertebral bodies and can cause fracture. The "bottom line" is prevention of the next fracture. Vertebro and Kypho-plasties relieve pain but do not get to the root of the problem; in fact, they often cause more problems.

By rlavay
Posted October 31, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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You are not alone. There are several million of us that have osteoporosis. Most don't know it. Ididn't till I fractured a vertebrae which was just one of many breaks. I was fortunate had a good doctor. Doing better know little pain but a lot of Boniva and calcium. Hang in there it does get better. Took me three years.
Ray

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:11 am
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Thanks for the reply - you were right I have received many encouraging comments and responses! Thank you very much for taking the time to reply! LL

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:14 am
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Hi, thanks for your reply and concern. YES, I was not clear in my original post that I am and always have been supplementing with Calcium and Vit D but what I meant was that I am not doing any type of prescription medications for the Osteo since finishing the Forteo. Yes I have been seeing and Endocrinologist and am actually starting with a new specialist in November as my Dr retired.

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:17 am
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Dear Woody, thank you so much for your detailed and specific response. I truly appreciate your thorough reply and will be following up on each of your suggestions. It is a very positive feeling to have received such tremendous support in the the very first few days of joining the post! Thank you very, very much. Bob

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:19 am
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Millie,

Thanks for your response and concerns. Yes I have been followed up for the diseases mentioned and looking forward to my new Endocrinologist appointment mid - November to have a better handle on my situation. Thanks so much again! Bob

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:22 am
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Hi, amazing we share such common issues! Thanks for your reply and taking the time to share with me. I was doing pretty well prior to falling again and fracturing L1, and you are absolutely right, the PT made a world of difference in my pain, attitude and overall lookout. Looking forward to getting back to a regimen after seeing neurosurgeon this week following up on the Kyphoplasty of L1 last week. Thanks again so much for taking the time to check in with me and provide such a nice reply. Bob

By LumbarLoser
Posted November 1, 2009 at 10:26 am
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Thanks for the very encouraging response. As you know better than anyone the ups and downs of how you feel and the pain the dictates so much of the mental health challenge! It is so refreshing and encouraging to have received responses like yours! Thanks again and look forward to conversing more with you as time passes. Warm regards, Bob

Welcome to Inspire!

L3 Compression Fracture - Osteoporosis Male

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