Family, friends and support for people with osteoporosis

David was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (re-diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis) at the age of two and on 2006, following a hip fracture, he was diagnosed with osteoporosis. He thinks that osteoporosis is the result of his arthritis and the long-term use of steroids. On alendronic acid once weekly and calcium two tablets a day.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Emma - Interview 14 >> Emma doesn’t want to be a burden to her children.

In 1984 Emma had a hysterectomy. In 1992 she complained of severe headaches and was started on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Diagnosed with osteoporosis around 1994-6 following ribs fracture. Current medication: Strontium ranelate (Protelos) 2 grams every night. Emma also takes omega 3 and cod liver oil.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris who lives alone, found it hard to rely on others for support when she was used to being so independent.

Diagnosed in 1999. She is taking Actonel and Calcichew D3 Forte. Initially she was taking Actonel 5 mg once daily but found it impractical, especially during working days. She now takes 35 mg once weekly. She still experiences back pain but not as severe as before diagnosis.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah fears that her osteoporosis will get worse in the future which will affect her quality of life.

In 2002 Sarah took part in a clinical trial were she was first diagnosed with osteoporosis. It seems that her diagnosis wasn’t sent to her GP. In 2008 she fell and hurt her back and her GP sent her for an x-ray and it was then that her condition was officially diagnosed. Current treatment: alendronic acid once weekly and calcium tablets.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Beryl - Interview 05 >> Beryl’s 78 year old friend helps her with the shopping and gardening.

In her forties Beryl fractured both her wrists. In 2005 she was diagnosed with osteoporosis. She takes ibandronate (Bonviva) once monthly and Calcichew D3 Forte. She has pain in her neck and back and has restricted neck movement. Other conditions: diabetes and emphysema.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Robert - Interview 28 >> Stopping work was difficult for Robert because it wasn’t just about earning money but also about status, socialising and fulfilling his role as a prov

Robert was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of forty-three. Robert had to wait seven months before been referred to a bone metabolic specialist who sent him without delay to have a bone density scan. Now his osteoporosis is under control but he continues experiencing severe pain due to the damage caused by the condition.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Shelia - Interview 29 >> Sheila’s husband took over the cooking and the housework after she was diagnosed because she was in so much pain.

For the last five years before her diagnosis in 2003 she suffered from severe and painful backaches. She was in a wheelchair and her husband was her main carer. She was eventually referred to a consultant who secured funding for her to go on to the teriparatide treatment (Forsteo).

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Pat - Interview 32 >> After her fracture, Pat’s husband worked full-time and looked after her at the same time.

Diagnosed in 1994 after complaining of severe back pain. She is currently on Actonel (risedronate) but was first put on Didronel (etidronate) and then Fosamax once a week. Recent DXA scans revealed that her bone density has greatly improved.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Neville - Interview 26 >> Neville thinks himself ‘very lucky’ to have two sons that visit every week and do things for him including decorating and looking after his garden.

Medication; Didronel and later Fosimax but he did not stick to his treatment. In 2005; diagnosed with rectal cancer, had surgery and now uses an ileostomi bag. Neville wants to find out about non-oral medication for osteoporosis. Takes painkillers every day because he suffers from severe back pain.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Joan - Interview 10 >> Although Joan lives alone she has great support from her family, her neighbours and from paid help with the things she finds difficult to do.

Since her forties Joan has had several wrist fractures that were not investigated for osteoporosis. It was only when she fell and fractured both her arms that the diagnosis came about. She was put on medication; alendronic acid but due to side effects it was changed to Strontium ranelate.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> James - Interview 36 >> James’ mobility is severely affected but he can still drive short journeys.

James is on alendronic acid once weekly and calcium tablets two a day. He also takes Omeprazole and Domperidone for his acid reflux. For a dysfunctional bladder he takes amitriptyline at bedtime. He had vertebroplasty surgery done three times to repair collapsed vertebraes but the last time it was unsuccessful and is waiting to have it done again.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Cressida - Interview 01 >> Moving to a new area in sheltered accommodation had restricted Cressida’s opportunities to be sociable but she was grateful for the time she spent wit

Diagnosed in 1989; on alendronic acid 70 mg once weekly. In 2007, admitted into hospital for rehabilitation and pain control. She had physiotherapy and hydrotherapy and also commenced on a buprenorphine patch (for pain control). On oral glucocorticoid for asthma for about 26 years.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Diana - Interview 22 >> Diana has an active social life with her friends and her days are always busy.

In 2003 Diana was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis of the spine. She paid herself to have the Forsteo (teriparatide) treatment that consists of daily subcutaneous injections for 18 months. Describes Forsteo as ‘marvellous’ Currently on Actonel once a week.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Emma - Interview 14 >> Emma belongs to a temple where there are a lot of social activities that she gets involved with.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Joan - Interview 39 >> Joan’s husband was able to have a holiday in Norway because all the arrangements for his wife’s care had been made by their daughters.

Around 1994, Joan was prescribed increasing doses of steroid tablets over a nine month period to treat auto immune haemophilic anemia. The steroids caused her to develop osteoporosis. She has severe curvature of the spine. Medication; ibandronate infusions.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Robert - Interview 28 >> Robert’s volunteer work with the NOS has been a ‘lifeline.’

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 23-39 >> Jane - Interview 19 >> Jane received no support for her and her new born baby from outside her family.

Jane’s excruciating back pain that started during labour wasn’t investigated until after six weeks later. Eventually she was diagnosed with osteoporosis through pregnancy but also with Coeliac disease. Jane says that she had coeliac symptoms for many years but again, these were not investigated. She is on Calcichew D3 Forte but not on medication for osteoporosis.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Elizabeth - Interview 09 >> When recovering from a fracture, the practical support Elizabeth got from her friend helped her a lot. Her grandson helped by preparing and having lun

In 1978 Elizabeth fell and broke her femur and an x-ray revealed that she has osteoporosis. She has been on alendronic acid for several years now but she thinks that it is not that effective because while on it she has had several other fractures.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris decided to leave an unhappy marriage after she was diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Laurence - Interview 07 >> Laurence’s family is concerned that they might also develop osteoporosis and he wishes that people could see the amount of pain he experiences.

Diagnosed in 2003; was initially put on Didronel and then on Actonel and currently on weekly alendronic acid. He has doubts about the effectiveness of his medication. He suffers from severe back pain. Last DXA scan showed that he has three vertebral fractures. Recently he was referred to a consultant.

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