It is interesting to see how a diagnose can change our view of life. I was happy, relaxed, and healthy before they found my osteoporosis -3 on my spine and also low everywhere else. I got upset for a few weeks, and then I looked at the whole thing under a different glass..... Nothing changed I had osteoporosis before they tested and gave me the “number” and I was having a great time before that, it is just a number that calls for some healthy changes in your life. The required life style modifications are good for you regardless of osteoporosis. I am eating better, exercising a lot, my numbers are better the spine number is now in the osteopenia range and the rest improved too. I am happier and healthier. Do I still have osteoporosis?, yes I do but there is no reason to stress out - There are several definitions of osteoporosis if you have no fractures and you are otherwise healthy go out enjoy life. Life is to precious and short Get yourselves informed, work on your overall health and have fun! Don't let numbers rule and spoil the fun.:-)
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Should a number rule our life?
- By LRFL
- Posted September 2, 2009 at 8:28 am · 11 replies
- In Diagnosing osteoporosis
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Osteopenia Actonel Pain Fractures Osteoporosis Stress
11 replies
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- Newest first
- By Mrs_Thistlebottom
- Posted September 2, 2009 at 3:48 pm
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Very, very good points, LRFL. I was extremely stressed out after my diagnosis and felt like I should walk around like a fragile china doll, even though I've not had any fractures. My feeling now is, while it's good to know where we stand against a given norm, we should not let any number rule our lives--not the T-score, the scale number, the BMI number, or even the number of dollars (euros, etc.) in our bank accounts. Progress, not perfection, is my new mantra.
I've come to see this diagnosis as a wake-up call because I'm not sure I would have become so vigilant about a healthy lifestyle without it. It's not that my lifestyle was unhealthy before, but I was very lackadaisical about taking calcium/mag/D and getting enough sleep (a biggie!). I was working too hard, letting exercise slide too often, and had no idea I was so low in vitamin D. Now that I've been on the megadose for three weeks and exercising more regularly, I'm feeling on top of the world.
So, even if I didn't have osteoporosis, this is a very healthy way to life. :-)
- By LRFL
- Posted September 2, 2009 at 4:01 pm
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I think we all do the "china doll" routine. :-) I am just glad did not last long
- By Loods
- Posted September 3, 2009 at 9:25 am
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I was born with brittle bones so you would think the addition of osteoporosis wouldn't have affected me, but it did! Being told I had -6 T score made me feel I was about to shatter into thousands of pieces any minute. Of course after the initial shock you realise it's just a number and you get on with life as you did before. It's purely a number, not a death sentence!
- By LRFL
- Posted September 3, 2009 at 9:38 am
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Before the testings there were many women walking around, twisting and bending, and having a great time - Some of them had low or high density and fragile bones and their lives were disrupted but many had low density and flexible bones so they never knew they had a problem. Modern diagnostic gives us the tools to understand our bodies and do things to improve but these tools should be use for the positive not as declaration of failure or reason to stop living with joy
- By Loods
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 9:12 am
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"Well said LRFL" Let's keep feeling positive.
- By OWIE
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 10:35 am
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How did you know that is exactly what I needed to hear today? Thanks!!!!!!!!!
- By DBM
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 10:49 am
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LRFL I agree it should not change your life except for the better. More discipline is always good. Works for me but this may not work for those who are prone to fractures and live with pain.
- By LRFL
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 11:24 am
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I agree DBM, my message if you those like us who got the diagnose during a routine checkup and were devasted by the numbers.... numbers that were there before we got our first test. I know I was shock and for a few weeks walked on egg shells.... and there was no need for that
Best Regards
LRFL
- By Eamenard
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 12:13 pm
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Dear LRFL:
So glad you got the "message". Most people don't. The DEXA machine is only good for a "wake up" call and not much else. It has little real measure of bone quality or future fracturablity. But how to get your "message" out there? That is the problem. Need better training for our MD's who only hear the Rx pitch from their drug company reps. Love your thoughts.
- By sdivas
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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Aha! But getting that wakeup call at age 50 turned me in the direction of a healthy lifestyle. I started to exercise, take calcium and Vitamin D, stopped drinking the cola, worked on reducing stress .... and maybe saved myself from fracture. I learned that I should not twist or touch my toes. I learned simple, yet effective ways for daily movement that may be saving my bones that are in the minus -3 range; now at age 62. Yes, I am on weekly Actonel, but at least I had the option because of the dexa to make an informed opinion. Wake-up calls can be beneficial. Sandi
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