For the last six weeks, I’ve been adjusting to a new reality. Nothing life-threatening, but certainly life-altering. I’d heard of osteoporosis, but never knew what it was or thought about having it myself. I have four older sisters all of whom have the bones of a twenty-year old;
I hesitate to offer medical advise in this format but.... I also have osteoporosis and actually had an improved density test last year! My doc said it was because of pilates and taichi. Both weight bearing and the pilates offers resistance as well. I don't do bone densities often as I refuse to take the meds that are out there so what is the point. It was 8 years between my last tests. My mother was on the clinical trial of Fosomax (decades ago) after falling off her bike and fracturing her hip. After being on Fosomax, she experienced a spontaneous femur fracture standing at the sink. This is because these drugs build brittle bone, often empty in the middle. As with many things related to women, the medical science is weak and driven by drug companies for the most part. A few friends are on an newer med, Prolia, that is an injection. So far no problems reported but I still believe the bone built is brittle. I am still trying, at 77, to avoid anything but calcium/magnesium supplements, Vit D3 for absorption and exercise (squats are great but don't forget your upper body too). So far so good. I have been working this diagnosis for 15 years and have had a couple of solid falls with no consequence. Keep researching!
After Larry's mother found out that she had severe osteoporosis she refused to take the meds for whatever excuse she could come up with each time we pleaded with her to comply. Within a couple of years her spine collapsed and she needed surgery and an extended rehab. But she still refused taking the meds. Just as we warned her, her hip fractured and she needed another surgery to fix it. While checking to see if she could handle the surgery they found a blood clot in the middle of her heart. They felt that it needed to addressed before they operated and with family permission they gave her blood thinners. The blood thinners caused brain bleeds and left her with severe dementia. She never left her bed again for 2 1/2 years. She weighed 40 pounds when she died.
The point I am trying to make is this could have all been avoided if she just had taken the pills or shots.
I put my trust in science. When I needed treatment for blood cancer, science and my wonderful Doctor saved my life. If the drugs prescribed to you didn't work or are just for drug companies to make money I'm sure, with the amount of patients taking them, we would know of the issues by now.
I hope you will respect science and you Doctors and receive the help they can provide. Please don't take chances with your health.
I read your post with interest. How annoying that your sisters all have great bones. It would be nice to have some company! So much for togetherness! That joking aside, you are seriously strong. As for me,
I am old enough to receive the AARP monthly Bulletin, and based on a piece in their February issue, I am now stomping my feet now and again as I take my daily walk. Stomping to increase my bone density!
Nourishment! What a beautiful word!! What a loving re-frame. And what glorious decisions you're making. Go Bones! Go!
I've been thinking about nourishment after an elderly woman we know -- who was thin as a reed and sharp as a tack -- started to experience significant memory loss. She failed cognitive tests and they started her on drugs for Alzheimers, which helped a little. But when they did brain scans they found no lesions, no evidence of any form of dementia. This went on for almost two years and many doctors. Then she ran into a specialist who told her her brain wasn't diseased, it was malnourished, starving for healthy fats. After several months (and, I imagine, lots of avocado and almonds and such), as she's been intentional to nourish her brain, she is steadily returning to her quick and sharp self.
Nourishment isn't the only answer to our physical snags...but I guess it is one that we can have some agency over at least. May you thrive!
Godspeed dear friend 🙌🏻🙌🏻
This is a shocker you have so eloquently stated. Your “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again” serves you very well!! Hugs!
I hesitate to offer medical advise in this format but.... I also have osteoporosis and actually had an improved density test last year! My doc said it was because of pilates and taichi. Both weight bearing and the pilates offers resistance as well. I don't do bone densities often as I refuse to take the meds that are out there so what is the point. It was 8 years between my last tests. My mother was on the clinical trial of Fosomax (decades ago) after falling off her bike and fracturing her hip. After being on Fosomax, she experienced a spontaneous femur fracture standing at the sink. This is because these drugs build brittle bone, often empty in the middle. As with many things related to women, the medical science is weak and driven by drug companies for the most part. A few friends are on an newer med, Prolia, that is an injection. So far no problems reported but I still believe the bone built is brittle. I am still trying, at 77, to avoid anything but calcium/magnesium supplements, Vit D3 for absorption and exercise (squats are great but don't forget your upper body too). So far so good. I have been working this diagnosis for 15 years and have had a couple of solid falls with no consequence. Keep researching!
Hi Bar,
After Larry's mother found out that she had severe osteoporosis she refused to take the meds for whatever excuse she could come up with each time we pleaded with her to comply. Within a couple of years her spine collapsed and she needed surgery and an extended rehab. But she still refused taking the meds. Just as we warned her, her hip fractured and she needed another surgery to fix it. While checking to see if she could handle the surgery they found a blood clot in the middle of her heart. They felt that it needed to addressed before they operated and with family permission they gave her blood thinners. The blood thinners caused brain bleeds and left her with severe dementia. She never left her bed again for 2 1/2 years. She weighed 40 pounds when she died.
The point I am trying to make is this could have all been avoided if she just had taken the pills or shots.
I put my trust in science. When I needed treatment for blood cancer, science and my wonderful Doctor saved my life. If the drugs prescribed to you didn't work or are just for drug companies to make money I'm sure, with the amount of patients taking them, we would know of the issues by now.
I hope you will respect science and you Doctors and receive the help they can provide. Please don't take chances with your health.
Love Ya!
Phyllis Fast
I read your post with interest. How annoying that your sisters all have great bones. It would be nice to have some company! So much for togetherness! That joking aside, you are seriously strong. As for me,
I am old enough to receive the AARP monthly Bulletin, and based on a piece in their February issue, I am now stomping my feet now and again as I take my daily walk. Stomping to increase my bone density!
Strong like Forrest. As it should be. He is still there for you. ❤️
Nourishment! What a beautiful word!! What a loving re-frame. And what glorious decisions you're making. Go Bones! Go!
I've been thinking about nourishment after an elderly woman we know -- who was thin as a reed and sharp as a tack -- started to experience significant memory loss. She failed cognitive tests and they started her on drugs for Alzheimers, which helped a little. But when they did brain scans they found no lesions, no evidence of any form of dementia. This went on for almost two years and many doctors. Then she ran into a specialist who told her her brain wasn't diseased, it was malnourished, starving for healthy fats. After several months (and, I imagine, lots of avocado and almonds and such), as she's been intentional to nourish her brain, she is steadily returning to her quick and sharp self.
Nourishment isn't the only answer to our physical snags...but I guess it is one that we can have some agency over at least. May you thrive!