Personal problems (includes ranting, whining and more than a dash of self-pity)!

[Vintage VFer]

A few months ago, I posted that I didn’t feel like a senior. My, how time changes all things.

The short story is that I have a mild T12 veterbral fracture. It was brought on by coughing due to a severe cold. I never had back pain before and after the cold, I had back pain that went all around my waist. I went to a new physician. (Many of my trusted doctors retired in the last few years. Some, I’d been going to for over 30 years.)

I do have osteopenia. I had a DEXA last summer and it didn't say osteoporosis and now I figure it is osteoporosis if I crack something with just coughing. Or, it was damaged before and the coughing made it hurt.

An x-ray was taken confirming “mild anterior wedging of T12.” Of course, the doctor never told me any of this. When she didn’t call me with the test results after almost a week, I went to the imaging center and picked up the report and the disc with the images.

At my next visit, she didn’t seem concerned. Well, as far as I have read about veterbral fractures, they are like chocolate chip cookies. One usually leads to another. The doctor did give me a script for Physical Therapy and I’ve done about 6 sessions. The therapist has recommended a spine specialist and I’ll get an appointment ASAP. (Damn holidays!!!)

I do have a doctor in another city that I have worked with before. I can’t take any of the bone drugs, so I am back on BHRT. It helped me before.

Needless to say, I am completely freaked out about my spine. I am being super careful about everything I do. I’ve bought some DVDs specifically for osteoporosis. Some are the dreaded Pilates. I hate Pilates, but I will do what I must.

I’ve done a lot of research on moves that I can do safely. I’m not going to give up after all these years.

I just wanted share with my VF friends as I feel a bit lonely about it all.


And I do feel like a senior now.

[toaster]

Alta, this doesn't sound whiny to me. It sounds scary to have something happen so quickly and unexpectedly. Your doctor's response sounds frustrating, and I'm sure that it's even more frustrating to now be in the position of wanting to do something for yourself but feeling uncertain about what you can/can't do.

I hope that you have some improvement and heal quickly; maybe feeling like a senior is only temporary.

[Karen Beckwith]

Oh Alta - I'm so sorry to hear about this! I know you've worked really hard on trying to stay as far away from Osteoporosis as you can so this must be so disappointing for you. To think that just a nasty cough could actually cause a fracture is frightening!

If you didn't already get it, I highly recommend Pilates for Buff Bones. It starts out a bit slow but ends up being a really good workout. I have grown to love it!

Please know that you are not alone. I just turned 69 and have Osteoporosis which I never thought would happen to me. Believe me, you have my empathy and sympathy. I can imagine how you are feeling. I would be completely freaking out too. Big hugs to you and let us know how this progresses. We all love you!!

[Lucky Star]

Alta, it IS a scary thing to hear so you have every right to be frustrated and upset. But I know you've really taken the time to educate yourself about bone density and will continue to be proactive in taking the best care of yourself you can. FWIW I have that Pilates for Buff Bones video too and I know there are other DVD options as well.

I was diagnosed with mild osteopenia at age 50. I've pressed my GP for a scrip for a followup bone density scan now that I'm 57 and will get that checked out soon. Though I'm a little apprehensive about it as I'm not sure I want to know. Well, but I do of course.

I wish you a great meeting with your spine specialist; let us know what happens.

[Pat58]

{{{ALTA}}} gentle hugs. I'm so sorry this happened to you and a big green hairy Grinch butt to your doctor for seeming unconcerned.

It sucks to have these things happen to us after playing by all the rules, exercising, eating right, taking care of our health.

I broke ribs several years ago from a prolonged bout of pneumonia and the deep bronchial coughing that went on for weeks. You would have thought one of my doctors might have raised an eyebrow then.

Good luck with everything.

[Vintage VFer]

Beth - Thanks for your thoughts. I think I'm in one of those stages of grief or something. It feels like a loss.

Karen - Thanks for the hugs! I did buy the Buff Bones one. I like it, but it is hard for me at this point. I found an even gentler, beginner one by Amanda Tennant on YouTube :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULmFz-A2Vk


Gina - Thanks, Gina! Don't put that scan off for too long.

Pat - Hugs back at you. These doctors are in their own world!

I'm hoping it doesn't take too long to get an appointment with the spine doctor!

[Stephanie_B]

Alta, I am sorry to read this. Dealing with medical issues is frustrating enough, but harder when it seems we’re being brushed off. It does suck to have done everything “right” and get diagnosed with something anyway. Keep doing your research because in my experience with my spine issues (had two 2 levels discectomies and fusions, cervical 10/10/2018 and lumbar 11/28/2018 as I was tired of being on chronic pain meds and injections) I can’t get two PTs out of the many I’ve seen to agree on anything other than “if it hurts, don’t do it.” No sh!t Sherlock!

Anyway, email me if you want to talk or even just vent. This getting older thingis for the strong. Although, my back diseases are hereditary (as well as natural aging) I do believe exercising helped me. My aunts all had their surgeries before their mid 20s and I think had they had stronger cores specifically they could have waited longer. One has been in pain all her life, but the other is mid 70s now and still rides her horses and what not.

[Dorothy J]

Alta, this is not whiny at all! It's a scary, painful thing you're dealing with and the "professionals" you've consulted haven't helped you a bit. What are you supposed to do? No wonder you feel at a loss...

It's good that you're back on BHRT--hopefully, that will help you again. Did you see the thread last month where Scorpio6 discussed the supplements she used to increase her bone density? (She PMed the list to myself & many others.) I plan to look into it more after the first of the year.

My DXA scans have shown osteoporosis for several years (I'm 62). I tried one of the monthly oral drugs, Actonel, but had a bad reaction. My doc then prescribed Prolia, which I initially agreed to, but my insurance refused to pay for it. In the interim, I read more about Prolia & its potential side effects & decided I didn't want to take it after all.

You're never alone with your VF friends here. Vent away all you want...hugs to you!

[Demeris]

Oh, Alta, you have my sympathy and my compassion. I know the pain of doing everything I'm supposed to do only to have my body betray me. And spine issues are terrifying.

As a break from Pilates, Mirabai Holland has an osteoporosis workout.

I hope your spine appreciates the sacrifices you're making for it.

[Karen Beckwith]

Originally Posted by Demeris

Oh, Alta, you have my sympathy and my compassion. I know the pain of doing everything I'm supposed to do only to have my body betray me. And spine issues are terrifying.

As a break from Pilates, Mirabai Holland has an osteoporosis workout.

I hope your spine appreciates the sacrifices you're making for it.

Mirabai Holland actually has two Osteoporosis workouts. I bought them both but didn't care for either one. I'd be happy to give them both to you, Alta, if you'd like to try them. Just let me know.