Osteoporosis

It's an example of the NHS/GP service working in a co-ordinated way, combining a history of diabetes, cancer and physio.

MissAdventure

I'm not being picky, but... how can exercise help with the pain when medics tell us osteoporosis doesn't cause pain?

I asked about the pain in my hip while I had the GP on the phone. She told me it wasn't related (as you say). However, it's a problem because I already have diabetic neuropathy in my feet and lower legs and (after a referral to a physio) I now know I have gluteal tendinopathy in my hip/buttock, which has caused muscle wastage. The reason they're connected is that both the latter cause me to have poor balance, pain and numbness, which mean I have a higher risk of falling, which is a problem with osteoporosis. The exercise is supposed to build up muscle and make falling less likely.

I received notification I had osteopenia following Dexa scan last week. I’ve been asked to make a gp appointment. It’s in my lower back which is perhaps the only part of my body which isn’t currently painful. I requested the scan as my younger sister, has quite severe osteoporosis and is already already hunched over. Every time I stand from a sitting position it sounds like I’m in a shooting range.

I'm not being picky, but... how can exercise help with the pain when medics tell us osteoporosis doesn't cause pain?

My daughter had quite bad bone pain with letrozole for the first few months, but it seemed to get better with time.

dragonfly46

How long do you expect to take Letrozole Growstuff? I have been told 5 years.
Unlike you I do not read up on my chances as every case is unique and these percentages are based on generalisations.

Five years.

My consultant showed me my results using the Predict tool, which allows for variables. I'm also taking part in a trial for genome testing, so they know what's been "feeding" my cancer and which meds are most appropriate. It's highly sensitive to oestrogen.

I do accept that my cancer is less likely to return with letrozole, but at the moment I'm struggling with the side effects. I already have pains in my legs and feet from diabetic neuropathy and my balance is poor, so I'm concerned about more pain, which can be a side effect of letrozole. I have other side effects too. Osteoporosis is one of my biggest worries.

At the moment, I'm carrying on taking it, but I think I'm going to have to make a decision in the New Year. Quality of life or a couple of extra years cancer free?

How long do you expect to take Letrozole Growstuff? I have been told 5 years.
Unlike you I do not read up on my chances as every case is unique and these percentages are based on generalisations.

It is catch 22. I took HRT for 5 years then in my late 60s was diagnosed with breast cancer. I take a tablet to reduce oestrogen now and a daily tablet to strengthen my bones. One works against the other. I will be stopping the bone strengthening one in March as it is only given for 3 years. I also was prescribed calcium and vitamin D tablets.

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia and do Pilates and weights.

It is hard to know if the HRT caused the breast cancer but it is not as easy as you say Espee.
Growstuff the Letrozole could be causing your pain.

I've followed this thread and have now been fast-tracked for a physio appointment, which I have this week on Thursday. I should get a thorough examination with the possibility of a referral for an MRI. I've already requested some exercises which I can do safely to strengthen my hip, thigh and lower back. Fingers crossed!

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis over 60 years ago. Just told to take more calcium and was on Alendronic acid for 6 years. Hubby and I still went dancing over the years although we both started with arthritis.
I have during my life broken at least 12 bones which includes both hips and just given painkillers to get me through. I also suffer with Epilepsy and Asthma and I have a pacemaker.

In 2015 I broke my left hip in three places which never healed and I now have to wear a built up shoe because the left leg is 4 inches shorter through the hip never healing properly.
Since 2018 I have also broken three vertebrae just by turning awkwardly and cracked two ribs when laughing heartily plus in 2021 I spent another month in hospital with a fractured coccyx. Unfortunately I cannot straighten up now nor can I grip anything.
I can only be grateful that I can still type any replies out with the middle finger of my right hand.
I am 92 and live on my own although I am housebound and very disabled now I pull myself about with my trolley in my home. When in hospital I was told that I may benefit from bone infusions of Zoledronic acid .
So far I have had two but I cant say that they are doing much for me with all the ruddy pain I am getting now. I seem to be getting TOO many side effects from it and to be honest I cant see the point of it at my age.
It would be better used for a younger person who needs it rather than me.
I did ask the consultant if he was trying to make me the fittest corpse in the burial ground.

Having said that I think I am a VERY lucky lady to still be here so I try to see the funny side of life which helps me through.

I am saying not exercise will help with the cause BUT it definitely will help with the pain. My weight bearing with cycling comes from lifting my 24kg bike on and off the cycle rack, wheeling up a steep slope and getting it indoors. I. Do this about e times plus a week

From the Versus Arthritis site
One of the Causes
Lack of weight-bearing exercise – Exercise encourages bone development, and lack of exercise means you'll be more at risk of losing calcium from the bones and so developing osteoporosis. Muscle and bone health are linked so it's also important to keep up your muscle strength, which will also reduce your risk of falling

Men as well tend to have better bone density before any serious bone loss develops possibly because they are more physically active.

argymargy is incorrect. Inactivity is most certainly NOT the main cause of osteoporosis in women.
Two minutes on Google will make that abundantly clear to anyone.

I have had diagnosed osteoporosis for about 10 years and taken calcium, alendronic acid for 5 years etc. It seems hereditary as both my mother and grandfather had it. I have recently tested positive for coeliac disease and that is a reasonable explanation of why I have osteoporosis as it can cause malabsorption of food. Is osteoporosis painful? I would have said not in itself, have you considered, or has anybody mentioned, that you might have arthritis alongside, hips are notorious for it. Keep exercising, if I do nothing else I walk a good distance most days.

I'm not disputing that exercise is good, but lack of exercise isn't the main cause of osteoporosis.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society doesn't recommend cycling or swimming as beneficial because they're not weight bearing, although they're good for you in other ways.

We don’t say inactivity is the main cause, i and others, are saying that exercise helps ease the pain. In fact I am all geared up to do a long bike ride today despite the pain and lack of sleep due to pain. I will sleep like a baby tonight and tomorrow will be a good day

Sorry, I'm too lazy to look for a source. I thought you might have a direct link.

Since I was told I have osteopenia, I've spent hours looking for information from various websites and have never come across one which claims that inactivity is the main cause of osteoporosis.

growstuff

argymargy

Esspee

My mother SUFFERED from osteoporosis, truly suffered.
That is why I decided not to go through the menopause, the main cause of osteoporosis in women.
I am so sorry MissAdventure that you too are suffering. Treatment will help prevent it from getting worse but if you have daughters or granddaughters please make sure they know they can avoid the condition thanks to modern medicine.

The main cause of osteoporosis in women is inactivity.

Do you have a source for that claim?

Vast body of evidence supporting weight-bearing exercise to prevent osteoporosis. Try Cochran Library, NHS Choices etc etc

argymargy

Esspee

My mother SUFFERED from osteoporosis, truly suffered.
That is why I decided not to go through the menopause, the main cause of osteoporosis in women.
I am so sorry MissAdventure that you too are suffering. Treatment will help prevent it from getting worse but if you have daughters or granddaughters please make sure they know they can avoid the condition thanks to modern medicine.

The main cause of osteoporosis in women is inactivity.

Do you have a source for that claim?

Esspee

My mother SUFFERED from osteoporosis, truly suffered.
That is why I decided not to go through the menopause, the main cause of osteoporosis in women.
I am so sorry MissAdventure that you too are suffering. Treatment will help prevent it from getting worse but if you have daughters or granddaughters please make sure they know they can avoid the condition thanks to modern medicine.

The main cause of osteoporosis in women is inactivity.

MissAdventure

It's very complicated, this cancer stuff.

I used to be amazed at my daughter's knowledge about it all, but she said "well, when your life relies on the decisions made, it's as well to be informed.

Exactly! From the moment I was diagnosed until my treatment started, I must have read literally hundreds of articles about risk.

In my case (using the NHS Predict tool), I have a 9% chance of my cancer returning and dying from it in the next ten years. Blocking oestrogen reduces that risk to 6%, so it's statistically significant.

At my age, I'm well aware that I'm more likely to die from something else anyway and I'm quite keen to reduce those risks too.

I also know that blocking oestrogen increases my risk of osteoporosis. My risk for a hip fracture over 10 years is 2% with oestrogen blocked and given that I already have osteopenia, which is less than the risk of the cancer returning, but is marginal. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether I'll be one of the 2%, 3%, 6%, 9% or whatever. I'll have another bone density scan in two years. If my quality of life is reduced from blocking oestrogen, I might have to reconsider.

I'm keen to do what I can to reduce osteopenia from developing into full-blown osteoporosis. Apparently, one of the biggest determinants is your nutrition as a child, when bones are being formed. Maybe people of our generation should be grateful of the milk we were made to drink at school.

I have osropaenia, too, in my "good" hip.
It is severe and widespread, so the report says.

It's very complicated, this cancer stuff.

I used to be amazed at my daughter's knowledge about it all, but she said "well, when your life relies on the decisions made, it's as well to be informed.