Osteoporosis at 54

[stockport1965]

I have recently been diagnosed with Osteoporosis after a DEXA scan.

I went through the menopause at 43 and it was not suggested that I take HRT. (Mother had Osteo also)

I briefly had a chat with GP via the telephone - do not have a consultant - should I ? She mentioned the medication bisphosphonates. Has anyone taken? Did you get the side affects (esophagus or jaw). I was told that I could not take them for more than 3 years because of the side affects.

Should I be seeking out a menopause specialist to see if HRT would be good for me now?

I walk 10k plus steps a day and have started doing exercises to build muscle strength. Calcium & Vit D supplement as well as changing diet to include a bit more too.

I work as a cleaner which also doesn't help with the back pain!

[EssexSue]

I would try and get advice regarding HRT.

Regarding calcium, after menopause think of your bones as a leaky bucket that you have to keep topping up.

[Island mamma]

I work in an osteoporosis service.
How long you take the bisphosphonates for depends on the severity of your osteoporosis, whether oral or intravenous bisphosphonates prescribed and on your response to treatment.
The risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw is very low (about one in eight to ten thousand) and you can keep it low by being meticulous about your dental hygiene, having a dental check up before you start and having dental treatment and especially extractions completed before you start.
GI (oesophagus) side effects can be eliminated or reduced by taking oral bisphosphonates corectly - once a week, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach with a large glass of tap water and nothing else for an hour. And very important to stay sitting up or standing up for half an hour after taking.
Exercise is very important and you should keep walking as you are.
Use a calcium calculator ( a few online) to check your dietary calcium intake and don't go for supplementing calcium unless not getting enough in your diet.
You should take 800IU of vitamin D per day.
Have a look at the Royal Osteoporosis Society website theros.uk which has loads of info on it and you will also see their free nurse helpline number if you want to talk to a specialist nurse.
We advise considering HRT in newly diagnosed ladies under 60 so certainly have that conversation to see if it's appropriate for you.

[signtalker]

One of the reasons I went onto hrt for the protection of osteoporosis ( oh and some of the other horrendous symptoms lol)

Wishing you well ,
Jules

[DisneyDaffodil]

I don’t have any advice, but just wanted to send hugs and best wishes and hope you can get some help with pain management 💞

[Littlelufs32]

I'm 37 and started HRT last week.
The doctor told me I'll probably be on it for the next 15 years due to the risk of osteoporosis.
I started going through the change at 33 and started to get really bad back pain a few months ago so the GP arranged a scan which is booked for the end of March.
Definitely talk to your GP about HRT as you could still benefit from it 🙂

[Jax1970]

I have osteoporosis at 50, but had a medically induced menopause at age 33 when my ovaries were removed as part of radical treatment for breast cancer.
I have been osteopenic since 2005, and took oral bisphosphonates for 10 years with no side effects unless I didn’t follow the instructions properly (take on empty stomach and stay upright for 30 mins).
I will now have Denosumab injections monthly for the rest of my life, but this is more because of metastatic breast cancer in my bones rather than the osteoporosis.

[stockport1965]

Originally Posted by Littlelufs32

I'm 37 and started HRT last week.
The doctor told me I'll probably be on it for the next 15 years due to the risk of osteoporosis.
I started going through the change at 33 and started to get really bad back pain a few months ago so the GP arranged a scan which is booked for the end of March.
Definitely talk to your GP about HRT as you could still benefit from it 🙂

See more...

Good luck with the scan

[stockport1965]

You lovely bunch of smashers! So helpful and have given me lots to research

[bonnies mum]

For a different reason (ongoing flushes & sleep problems) I asked about starting HRT but my GP said that by that time I was more than 2-3 yrs post menopause I would not get any benefit from taking it as there was a very short window to do so.
Hope you manage to get some good support & advice soon.