I have osteoporosis and a fractured vertebrae

I fell on the icy driveway about a month ago. My feet flew out from under me and up above my hips. When I hit the driveway, I actually felt like I was being 'dropped' onto the cement. At any rate, while my back really hurt, it was my wrist that was screaming at me. It has quit screaming, but my back is still really hurting. My dear husband was worried about me and asked me to have the Dr. check it. I saw my Dr. today and they did a couple of Xrays which show that I have at least one compression fracture in my spine. I also had a DexaScan done to test my bone denisty and they compared it to the one done 2 years ago. It shows deterioration of the bone mass and that I now have osteoporosis. I had osteopinia, the precursor to osteoporosis when the last DexaScan was done. My Dr. said it's common among 'petite' white women. I laughed and said I hadn't been petite for very long. He said it is likely due to my family history of osteoporosis; my grandmother, great aunt, mother and sister all had or have it. He also said that my excess weight may have 'protected' me before because of the 'load bearing exercise' associated with carrying that excess weight. Now, I no longer have that 'protection.' 

They don't know if and/or how much my RNY has to do with my osteoporosis considering my family history. None of my other family members have had a bypass, but have been affected. My sister was just about 46 when she was first diagnosed and that is about 7 to 8 years earlier than myself; again, she has never had a bypass. That said, I have to admit to being ever more vigilant about my calcium and vitamin D supplementation. I worry that I have brought this osteoporosis on myself, but realize that now all I can do is work with my Dr's to treat it and try to limit the long term damage. I'm now being referred to an orthopedic back specialist and was told to take it easy until I see her next week.

Wishing you a speedy recovery! 

Hope you are feeling better soon Barbara!
Where is everyone on this board?  It is like a ghost town in here now.  how sad.

Thank you for the well wishes. 

I agree that it's like a ghost town around here. I know that people must be 'lurking' around because I see some activity where posts are being viewed. As you say, it's really kind of sad. This used to be an active, vibrant, supportive forum. I know that many people drift away as they get to goal and move on to maintenance. I hope that some old timers will come back and visit once in a while and that the newbies will start to join in.

Take care and I hope to see you around now and then.

I'm sorry to hear about your accident Barb. I'm glad you are getting help. Take care of yourself. Us newbies need you and your wonderful spirit and support. On the other hand, it may be someone telling you that you really need to take a rest. You decide.

Hi Koko,

Thank for your concern and support. Both are much appreciated.

To be honest, I have backed off on the boards a bit to take time to take care of me, but I both need and get a great deal of support from the boards and the support groups I run, so I'm likely to be here for the long run.

You are in my thoughts as you prepare for your surgery. I wish you a smooth, uncomplicated surgery that is followed by a quick and gentle recovery. You will be in very, very good hands. Tell Dr. Portenier that I said hello when you see him in the morning ;-)

Thanks again,

 It sounds like family history is the biggest factor for you since family members without the surgery have this. My advice increase your calcium, magnesium, iron and start weight training.

Best of luck to you and a speedy recovery.

Thanks for your thoughtful note. Apparently, it appears that heredity, some medications I have taken for over 20 years and my bypass all leave me both vulnerable and predisposed to Osteoporosis. Now, it's time to figure out the best ways to manage it. I won't be able to take much iron, if any, because I have another genetic condition that causes my body to store iron to toxic levels. I also am not able to start any weight training for a while because it will only aggravate the fractured vertebrae. Once I am able to exercise again, I'll work with a physical therapist to find something to do that will help me with my balance and develop both my aerobic and strength training to help my bones develop the maximum density possible. So we'll be looking at all of the possibilities and working to fine tune them as we find a way to slow or hopefully even reverse some of the losses. 

Thank again,

 

 Sorry to hear about the iron,  I didn't to start weight training right away, sorry I wasn't clear about that. I meant after you heal and work your way up to it. Starting easy with water aerobics and so on. The plan to work with a PT is awesome and the best thing to do. You said medications you were taking. Were you on meds like prevacid and/or zantac? I know they and and progesterone can lead to osteoporosis.