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• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Joan - Interview 10 >> The surgeon has told Joan that if she fractures her right arm again, he would not be able to reset it and she would end up with restricted movement.

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+ >> Noreen - Interview 25 >> Noreen recommends kyphoplasty to others because although she is not pain free, her spine is more stable.

Diagnosed in 2006 following a compressed T11 fracture in the spine; experienced severe pain. Surgical procedure; Kyphoplasty. Oral medications provoked adverse side effects. Currently on intravenous drug; ibandronate 3 mg once every three months plus calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> James - Interview 36 >> It took a long time for James’s collapsed vertebrae to be diagnosed because his GP referred him for a non urgent MRI scan.

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 70+ >> Noreen - Interview 25 >> Noreen’s kyphoplasty took place later than the recommended time after a fracture so her operation was more complicated and took longer.

Diagnosed in 2006 following a compressed T11 fracture in the spine; experienced severe pain. Surgical procedure; Kyphoplasty. Oral medications provoked adverse side effects. Currently on intravenous drug; ibandronate 3 mg once every three months plus calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla explains the different treatments available to someone with osteoporosis and those who have sustained a fracture.

Dr Ashok Bhalla is a consultant rheumatologist at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Elizabeth - Interview 09 >> Elizabeth’s bones keeps fracturing even though she has been on medication for more than ten years.

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 50-59 >> Iris - Interview 24 >> After a fracture, Iris received a letter from the osteoporosis specialist nurse inviting her for a DXA scan.

Her diagnosis of osteoporosis was prompted by her being invited by the osteoporosis nurse for a bone density scan. The type of fracture she had was unusually severe for the type of fall she incurred and, her age. She takes Actonel 3mg once weekly and calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla talks about different types of osteoporotic fracture.

Dr Ashok Bhalla is a consultant rheumatologist at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris’s ankle injury and operation has stopped her from working for a short while.

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 40-49 >> Michelle - Interview 02 >> Michelle has stopped skiing and she recently stopped jogging because she is afraid to fall and have fractures like her mum had.

In 1981 Michele was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. In 1995 and following a health assessment she was told that she was at risk of osteoporosis and was initially put on etidronate. Two years later her medication was changed to risedronate (Actonel). She also has coeliac disease.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah thinks that it is her lack of exercise rather than her diet that has contributed to her weight gain.

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 23-39 >> Jane - Interview 19 >> After a neck injury, Jane was told she was too young to have a DXA scan even though she had a maternal history of osteoporosis in 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 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris is more careful about everything she does and she plans ahead.

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 >> Joan - Interview 10 >> The surgeon has told Joan that if she fractures her right arm again, he would not be able to reset it and she would end up with restricted movement.

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 40-49 >> Emma - Interview 14 >> Emma was convinced that her HRT treatment was preventing bone loss.

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 60-69 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah is starting to do more around the home since her second spinal fracture.

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 23-39 >> Jane - Interview 19 >> After her spinal fractures Jane was allocated six twenty minute sessions of physiotherapy which was available at other times when her spine went into

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 >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla talks about different types of osteoporotic fracture.

Dr Ashok Bhalla is a consultant rheumatologist at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah finds it very uncomfortable to travel on some trains.

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 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah feels bitter that she has lost six years of treatment after the results of her DXA scan were misplaced.

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 >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla talks about different types of osteoporotic fracture.

Dr Ashok Bhalla is a consultant rheumatologist at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Laurence - Interview 07 >> Laurence’s pain in his back makes it hard some days to do his physically demanding job.

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.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Carol - Interview 15 >> Following a wrist fracture Carol’s GP send her to have a DXA scan. But while waiting for the test results she put Carol on medication as a preventativ

Following a wrist fracture Carol’s GP sent her for a DXA scan and put her on medication for osteoporosis as a precautionary measure. She is on Bonviva (ibandronic acid) 150 mgs, once a month plus Adcal D3 twice a day. She fasts for six hours before taking Bonviva.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla talks about different types of osteoporotic fracture.

Dr Ashok Bhalla is a consultant rheumatologist at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Christine - Interview 18 >> Christine was impressed by the way she was treated by the nurses when she couldn’t do anything for herself in hospital.

Diagnosed in 2004 with what she described as a ‘mild form’ of osteoporosis. Medication since diagnosis: alendronic acid and calcium tablets. A second bone density scan revealed that her condition has improved after two years of treatment. Her mother has osteoporosis.