Osteoporosis, anybody?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis - if you have it too (or perhaps are at the osteopenia stage), I wouldn’t mind swapping stories/experiences here.

Naturally, I’d rather not have it, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I’ve been expecting it for years as I have many risk factors (petit aging Caucasian female with an exceedingly fine bone structure). I have always maintained a high calcium diet, never smoked, and been quite good about exercising through the years, but my teeth started fracturing in my early 30s and I was pretty sure it was only a matter of time.

That time is here. My PCP says there is a drug I can take, twice yearly injections, that is effective in building bone density. She warned me that not all insurance covers it and that it’s expensive, but I’m lucky enough to be able to afford it even if my Medicare drug plan doesn’t pay much. So that’s on order now and I’ll be starting that soon.

She also said to take calcium supplements, at which point I said, “I thought that doesn’t build bone density post-menopausal women.” To which her response was, “that is true, but it sure can’t hurt - just do it.” (I have been, off and on, for years, so now I’ll make sure I stay “on.”)

I’ve been trying to maintain habits that offer some protection against falls. I love being active, but even though I don’t really need them, I use walking sticks for all my hikes/walks if the terrain is going to be at all uneven. I always grab handrails when negotiating steps. I never attempt to be too “macho” by carrying precarious heavy loads. And of course, I don’t have to worry about ice and snow where I live.

So, I’m hoping I can minimize the consequences of this diagnosis. But we’ll see. I’m 65 and generally in good health, so with luck I’m going to have lots of years ahead.

How about you?

2

Until her cancer diagnosis, my Mom got Prolia shots. I suspect that’s what you are talking about. It seemed to help her. Hopefully it’s covered for you, and also works well.

3

I am 66. Was diagnosed last summer and started with a Reclast infusion in October. My doctor advised that after 5 years of this once a year infusion along with taking calcium everyday I should be much improved.

I don’t know if I will last another five years. If I do I guess I’ll have strong bones.

4

Male, 62 here. Longish story leading up to this, but about two years ago I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. That was dealt with successfully via surgery, but one of its effects is osteoporosis. So six months ago I started the twice-yearly Prolia shots; my second shot is coming next week. After two years they’ll check my bone density again to see how it’s working.

5

Kidney function also has to be evaluated before each shot, and if your GFR is less than 30, they can’t administer it. Or at least it was that way when I practiced.

6

I’m a 59 yo male. I was diagnosed in my early 30s and was on Fosamax for awhile. Eventually, the doctors decided to treat me with testosterone (my free and total testosterone numbers were inconsistent). Ultimately, I was diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism due to damage to my pituitary from a couple of head impacts.

Over time, supplemental testosterone took me from T-scores of -2.7 in the femoral neck and -3.5 in the lumbar spine to normal bone densities. My endocrinologist said he’s never seen anything like it. I have not taken Fosamax or any of its relatives in at least 20 years.

Do be aware that bad side effects of alendronates are very rare, but they do happen. My aunt was just treated for osteonecrosis of the jaw a couple of months ago. She’s pretty frustrated with her (former) dentist, who didn’t take her complaints of pain seriously. Earlier treatment probably could have prevented so much damage.

I’ve heard recently that the fears of estrogen therapy in post-menopausal women were overblown, so you might want to ask your doctors about that.