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 >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Carol - Interview 15 >> Carol said that the NOS booklet on exercise is excellent. She is thinking of becoming a member and joining her local group.

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 >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Irene - Interview 41 >> Irene explains how she got involved with her local support group and became responsible for producing their Newsletter.

Diagnosed in 1989 at the age of 49 and put on HRT and sandocal. In March 1990 diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent lumpectomy and radiotherapy; HRT discontinued. First DXA scan in 1998. Now on alendronic acid and Adcal D3. Improvement in bone density and now she has osteopenia rather than osteoporosis.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Robert - Interview 28 >> Robert’s volunteer work with the NOS aims to raise awareness of osteoporosis in men.

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 50-59 >> Pat - Interview 32 >> One of the benefits of Pat’s local support group is the opportunity to talk to others.

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 >> Ann - Interview 35 >> Ann believes her local group can do a lot for women who haven’t yet been diagnosed.

Diagnosed in 2001. Ann has had side effects from several of the osteoporosis treatments; problems with swallowing, heartburn and pain. She is currently on Bonviva (ibandronate) once monthly orally, but she is changing to the intravenous injection form administered every three months. She was also diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Victoria Iris - Interview 30 >> Victoria Iris has been involved with the NOS at a national and local level for many years. She wants to encourage younger women to become involved.

Victoria Iris was diagnosed in 1989 and at that time the only treatment available was HRT. Over the years her treatment has changed; Didronel, daily Fosamax and weekly Fosamax. Currently she is on the 18 months Forsteo (teriparatide) treatment. Victoria Iris developed Kyphosis but she didn’t become aware of it until it was evident.

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 50-59 >> Margery - Interview 40 >> Margery talks about some of the benefits that the National Osteoporosis Society can offer.

Diagnosed in 1994 after a DXA scan revealed severe osteoporosis. Her consultant prescribed Fosamax at first, then added Calcium, Vitamin D and HRT. Currently she carries with the same treatment minus HRT and takes Calcichew D3 Forte. She has regained bone density and is osteopenic.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Margery - Interview 40 >> Margery believes that the NOS needs to find ways to engage more people who have osteoporosis or who are at risk of developing it.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Valerie - Interview 03 >> Valerie would go to her local support group if they ran a class on the benefits of weight lifting exercises for osteoporosis.

Diagnosed in 2004 following complains of back and neck pains; on alendronic acid, 70 mg once weekly. She has had three bone density scans and there was improvement on the second but the third revealed a small deterioration of bone density.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Gloria - Interview 06 >> Gloria stopped taking dairy products after she had surgery to removed stones from her kidneys. She thinks that her calcium-free diet may have contribu

In 1999 and following a wrist fracture, the doctor at the hospital advice her to ask her GP for a bone density scan to test for osteoporosis. No maternal history of osteoporosis, but surgery to both her kidneys. On alendronic acid once a week and on Adcal D3 once daily.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Carol - Interview 15 >> Carol believes exercise is important. She walks regularly, does Tai Chi and Chi Kung weekly but she doesn’t take any risks.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Gloria - Interview 06 >> As well as newspaper articles and booklets from the NOS, Gloria always reads the quarterly National Osteoporosis magazine to keep up to date.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla explains the importance of calcium and vitamin D for our bone health as well as the need to do weight bearing exercises.

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

Condition
Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Osteoporosis

Publication date: April 2009 Last updated July 2011

Review date: July 2013

Osteoporosis means 'porous bone'. With this disease bones lose density and become more fragile with a greater risk of fracturing. The loss of bone occurs 'silently' and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs. We interviewed 40 people with osteoporosis about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below or choose from the 'Full list of topics' to explore all the topics covered.

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> A health professional explains about Osteoporosis >> Dr Bhalla - Interview 42 >> Dr Bhalla explains what is osteoporosis and why it is more common in women over the age of fifty?

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

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Osteoporosis and exercise >> Osteoporosis and exercise

Osteoporosis and exercise

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Keith - Interview 38 >> Keith thinks there needs to be more awareness and information about the fact that men can develop osteoporosis too.

His diagnosis came about in 2007 after medical investigation for a lump on his breast. The lump proved to be benign but the blood tests indicated that he had low testosterone levels and a DXA scan revealed mild osteoporosis. He was put on HRT treatment (testogel).

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Osteoporosis organisations and local support groups >> Osteoporosis organisations and local support groups

Osteoporosis organisations and local support groups

Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 23-39 >> Jane - Interview 19 >> After her fractures, Jane wanted to get fit and get on with her life but she couldn’t find any information about how to do that.

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.