mel1977

Hi, not new to healthboards, but new to this forum. I am active on the back boards because I am having a fusion in two weeks. But, I was talking to my mil tonight about some other issues and we wonder if I have early stage of Osteoporosis. I want to say first that I will be calling my dr first thing tomorrow to speak with her.
I was very active in highschool, a cheerleader for seven years. After that I worked as a nurse asst and got my first back injury in 1999. It was a disc issue, nothing more. I also hyperextended both knees in 1995 doing jumps.
So, my knees have been getting worse, and have just thought normal arthritis, but I know many people who were just as active and work just as hard and don't have near the health problems I have had with my back and joints. My knees are getting worse, my left wrist has been hurting. When I got my MRi back, I have spondylosis in my neck and back and have lost the normal curve of my neck/spine. My ankles hurt, my hips hurt, my elbows, knees, back, and neck. Seems like all my major joints are very painful (some have to be in certain positions to hurt ) and they ALL POP. Of course, like I said, we just figured over worked and simple arthritis. BUT, I have been on Depo Provera for almost eleven years, I was a moderate to heavy smoker for ten years (just quit a month ago), and I don't take in much calcium.
I haven't read though that you get pain in your joints with Osteo though-just small fractures, but I did read that most women don't know they have it until they get the fracture. Hard to tell when in early stages.
Did you know that JFK was diagnosed with Osteoporosis when he was 20.
I am concerned too b/c I am having a fusion and I wonder if it could be affected where healing is concerned. With any luck, I just have regular arthritis everywhere, but better safe than sorry is my thought. What are yours?