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• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Michelle - Interview 02 >> Michelle listed three risk factors; heredity, coeliac disease and an anti-oestrogen treatment for an endometriosis condition.

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 50-59 >> Jenny - Interview 17 >> Over several years Jenny’s medication regime changed from Fosamax to Actonel to Boniva but she still experienced indigestion and stomach problems. She

Diagnosed in 2003. She has been on several medications: Fosamax, Actonel and Bonviva. She has experienced side effects with all of them. Now off medication and waiting for her next DXA scan. Considering taking the newly licensed once a year drug Aclasta (zoledronic acid).

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Ann - Interview 35 >> When taking Fosamax, Ann had severe heartburn and problems swallowing so she changed to Bonviva. But after a year her difficulty swallowing returned.

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 >> Joan - Interview 10 >> Alendronate gave Joan severe acid reflux so she started taking Strontium ranelade and has no problems with it.

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 60-69 >> Linda - Interview 21 >> Although Linda’s bones have become stronger with Fosamax, she is concerned about the long term effects of taking it.

Diagnosed in 2005 and prescribed Fosamax 70 mg, once weekly and calcium tablets twice daily. A bone density scan in 2007 revealed that her bone density has improved and that she is osteopenic rather than osteoporotic. Linda continues taking her medication.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Cressida - Interview 01 >> Diagnosed before current osteoporosis medication was available, Cressida was prescribed HRT and large quantities of calcium.

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 50-59 >> Laurence - Interview 07 >> Laurence doesn’t think that his one tablet a week treatment is helping because his back pain has got worse over the years. He has recently being refer

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 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 60-69 >> Neville - Interview 26 >> Neville had stomach cancer and underwent an ileostomy three years ago. He said that he stopped taking Fosamax because he is forgetful but it was also

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 >> Shelia - Interview 29 >> After taking teriparatide for eighteen months, Sheila said that her bones are stronger and she can walk again.

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 70+ >> Diana - Interview 22 >> Diana saw a private consultant that advised her to take teriparatide (Forsteo).

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 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 50-59 >> Keith - Interview 38 >> Keith took HRT in the form of Testogel to improve his testosterone level and prevent further bone loss but he has experienced side effects and has red

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 >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Sarah - Interview 27 >> Sarah had several years delay before she started taking medication because during a clinical trial her diagnosis was not sent to her GP.

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 70+ >> Betty - Interview 31 >> Betty uses the Dial a Ride scheme to get about or sometimes she takes a taxi.

Betty was diagnosed in 2004 and was initially put on Fosamax but then changed to Pamidronate infusions every three months. She stopped her treatment for two years because she no longer was able to use public transport. Her new hospital is nearer and her daughter drives her there.

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• 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 >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Elizabeth - Interview 09 >> Elizabeth was disappointed with the private physiotherapist she saw.

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 >> Jenny - Interview 17 >> Jenny paid for private physiotherapy, which she says has been very helpful.

Diagnosed in 2003. She has been on several medications: Fosamax, Actonel and Bonviva. She has experienced side effects with all of them. Now off medication and waiting for her next DXA scan. Considering taking the newly licensed once a year drug Aclasta (zoledronic acid).

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Linda - Interview 21 >> Linda saw a private doctor to find out information about the type of exercise and diet she should be following.

Diagnosed in 2005 and prescribed Fosamax 70 mg, once weekly and calcium tablets twice daily. A bone density scan in 2007 revealed that her bone density has improved and that she is osteopenic rather than osteoporotic. Linda continues taking her medication.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris decided to get a second opinion with a private consultant after her GP said there was nothing that could be done about her osteoporosis.

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 50-59 >> Pat - Interview 32 >> Pat was involved in successfully campaigning for a DXA scanner which is now available at her local private hospital.

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 >> Clare - Interview 20 >> Clare would like a private consultantion with a specialist that is unhurried so that she can have all her questions answered fully.

Participation in a biomedical study revealed that her bone density was below the normal margins. A DXA scan confirmed a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Prescribe alendronic acid 70 mg once weekly and Adcal D3 two tablets per day. Maternal history of osteoporosis.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Diana - Interview 22 >> Diana saw a private consultant that advised her to take teriparatide (Forsteo).

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 60-69 >> Clare - Interview 20 >> Clare took part in a couple of surveys on osteoporosis, which led her to see her GP and request a DXA scan.

Participation in a biomedical study revealed that her bone density was below the normal margins. A DXA scan confirmed a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Prescribe alendronic acid 70 mg once weekly and Adcal D3 two tablets per day. Maternal history of osteoporosis.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Margery - Interview 40 >> Margery has had six DXA scans that over the last twelve years have monitored the effectiveness of her treatment and changes in bone density.

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 >> 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.