Osteoporosis and want more children

• By litltopaz
• Posted January 22, 2009 at 12:36 am
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Hello, I'm 26 years old and was also diagnosed with sever Osteoporosis (check out my journal if you'd like the full story-been waiting on my new density scan before I send out an update). I'd also recommend reading the journal and discussion called "Pregnancy-Associated Osteoporosis" as there are tons of responses that I found really helpful and applicable to our situation.

Now for my two cents - if your doctors rule out the common secondary causes of osteoporosis, you may want to just wait and see what your body does. There isn't a lot of information about osteoporosis in women our age - and I couldn't find any studies that proved that any medication was completely effective or safe for future pregnancies.

I was tested for every possible cause they could think of and all tests were negative. Multiple doctors wanted me to take medication (Actonel was what they recommended) but I was very hesitant despite them trying to convince me otherwise, I read the data and knew that there was no proof that it would be safe if I wanted to have future children, or even that it would really help me at such a young age considering all the possible side effects. In desperation they referred me bone metabolism specialist from UCSF in bone metabolism (who ironically helped write the study that got Actonel approved for pharmaceutical use). The specialist said that he had no evidence that taking any medication would help me. He said if I really wanted to take medication I should consider Forteo, but there is so little research on this condition that it is just as possible that my body might heal itself.

From everything I've read, i've found that doctors don't really understand why this happens (if all known causes are ruled out). They know that bone density loss occurs naturally when you breast feed but that it usually it isn't enough to cause the kind of trouble we have. They also don't understand how the body seems to miraculously increase bone density during the weaning process (the reason why all those breast feeding pamphlets say it actually prevents osteoporosis). When I found out that your body does increase bone density during the weaning process I decided that the last thing I wanted to do was take any medication that might impact what my body was trying to do naturally.

I weaned my baby 4 months ago and have been wearing a back brace for 5 months. My pain has improved, my last bone turnover test came back normal, and I'm scheduled for a new density scan. My doctors finally okayed physical therapy which I think will be one of the most important steps I can take towards recovery. I will be very surprised if my numbers haven't improved. I'm confident that with the right diet, vitamins and weight bearing exercise I'll be able to heal myself without medication and hopefully have more children. The best but also hardest thing I did to help myself was wean my baby which it sounds like you've already started to do.

It's a personal choice obviously, and I wish I could tell you that I know 100% that I'm healing. . but I can tell you that I am very grateful that I took the time to research my options instead of just blindly doing what my doctors recommended. I've been very disillusioned during this whole experience and realized that you can't necessarily trust your doctor to know what is best for you.

There are a lot of women on this forum who are taking medication and have had good results. There are also a lot of women who've posted that they've improved without medication. If you are interested I could share with you all the books/articles that I found helpful in getting myself better educated.

Maybe someone out there can give you the flip side of this argument - but I wanted you to know that there are some of us out there trying to heal without medication. Good luck to you - I hope this forum helps you as much as it has helped me. Never forget that you are not alone and that you have tons of women on here who understand and empathize with what you are going through.

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• By Wendyday
• Posted January 23, 2009 at 6:47 pm
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Thanks litltopaz! It is nice to know I'm not the only one going through this crazy shock so young! I feel so blessed to have found out early, before any fractures. The only reason I went in to the doctors about this was because it seemed to me that my bones LOOKED skinnier. I am glad I did!

I also am not a fan of prescription drugs. I hate the side effects!!!

I'm not even sure if I have Pregnancy induced osteoperosis yet, I haven't been able to see a doctor about it. How do you know if that is what you have? Is it by elimination of other things?

I'm glad to find someone that also struggles giving up breastfeeding. It's amazing how special it is, I took it for granted!

Keep me updated!

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• By litltopaz
• Posted January 24, 2009 at 12:11 am
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That's so amazing that you knew that your bones looked skinnier! I'm impressed. If you'd like I can provide you with a list of all the tests I took in case the doctors you see have trouble thinking of more options (now that were "friends" I can send you a message). I went to four different specialists before they all finally gave up on finding a reason. They probably would have given up earlier if I wasn't so against curing the symptoms rather than the cause.
I totally know what you mean about breastfeeding! I felt so robbed that I had to work so hard to get it right (she had a latch problem) and convince all my family (and myself) that it was 100% worth the trouble and pain because it was the best for my baby . . . only to have to quit once it finally got easy and natural. It may sound crazy but I haven't given up hope that I might nurse my future children as well - though I'm sure the doctors would definitely disagree. Something about becoming a mom has made me lose all common sense when it comes between my health or the health of my baby. But who knows - maybe in the long run breastfeeding again might increase my bone density when you factor in the miraculous weaning process. Anyways - keep me updated when you go to the doctors. I'll let you know how my new density scan goes.

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• By Wendyday
• Posted March 18, 2009 at 5:20 pm
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Litltopaz,
Do you have your new scan results yet? I wanted to let you know what the Endocrinologist said about my results. My worst number was a -2.88. All my blood/ urine tests came back normal.

He told me that your bones don't stop growing till age 35! He said that my numbers can be so low because I have not hit my highest point age (35) and because I have not been taking calcium during pregnancy or nursing.

He recommended daily walking, 1500 mg calcium, and 4000 IU daily Vit D (that's a lot isn't it!) He told me to get another scan in a year, and that will tell us a lot. If it hasn't improved he wants to think about drugs. I pray that it will improve.

Overall, I feel really good about the visit. Glad to know that our bones are still growing and building. Oh, one other thing, he said that during pregnancy you should take an extra 500 mg of calcium a day and keep up the vit. D.

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• By SaraMeeks
• Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:24 pm
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Wendyday:
Your doctor said your bones don't stop growing until age 35 and, technically, he is right. However, between 90-98% of bone mass is accrued by age 19 and we reach peak bone mass between 30-35.
Before you were pregnant, did you have an eating disorder or any medical condition that would be a risk factor for osteoporosis?
Exercise is so important for building stronger bones but you need to be cautious and not do the type which will result in an injury. You need to see a physical therapist, health professional, or exercise professional who really knows what to do for osteoporosis. Many say they do but they really don't--be careful, check credentials etc.
I can send you a list of people trained in The Meeks Method if you contact me privately. My email is listed on this listserv.
Hope this is helpful--no time to waste!

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