53 yr old male--osteoporosis - Osteoporosis Message Board

DebraL · 09-13-2005, 05:45 PM

My 53 year old husband was just diagnosed with bad osteoporosis after falling down and breaking his hip, elbow, and foot. I am wondering about the drugs he takes for diabetes and Vytorin for cholesterol. Any studies on these causing bone loss? He also drinks way too much diet soda which i KNOW is bad.

Canyondweller · 09-13-2005, 11:34 PM

Does he smoke? That is the worst thing. I understand the diet soda is very bad also. How much calcium does he take? Has he been tested for Hyperparathyroid disease which depletes calcium from the bone into the blood stream? He needs to see a specialist as he is way to young to let this get out of control.

taape · 09-14-2005, 06:45 PM

Does your husband already see an Endocrinologist for his diabetes? If not, he should be seen so his osteoporosis can be treated and the other medications he takes can be evaluated. This stuff is complicated enough that he should be seen by a specialist not just a family doctor.

BoneMan · 09-15-2005, 04:27 PM

DebraL
I am a 53, soon 54 this Saturday Male, and have Osteo as well. I have broke my tailbone, 4 vertabrae, ribs on both sides, toes, fingers, and repeatedly my right hand.
Bone Density 2 years ago was as bad as -3.3 spine and -2.7 hip but with 2 years on Fosamax, lots of calcium and exersize I am a lot better.
Read through this board and get an idea of what people are doing for themselves.
Find a specialist Dr. in Osteoporosis, and don't be too down on his condition, as its not as bad as things look, and seem. Broken bones heal, life goes on, and remember that old story, I felt bad I had no shoes, then I met a gal that had no feet, so life is not so tuff, is it.
I can't ride a horse any more, nor ride a Harley Motorcycle, but I can, and do anything else I want to with moderation. No bunjie jumping, and certainly cannot high dive 40 feet.
But, life goes on, and there is lots of it left to live.
Funny story, guys when they shake hands usually enter into a grip contest, well, my right hand has been broken 4 times by guys. When it pops, they jump back, I jump, and say, you are just too stong for me big guy. Then I nurse that darn paw for a month or two, and life goes on.
I was at a meeting, and Osteo meeting this AM, and there were 95% women there, and I was probably the youngest person there, and for sure the youngest man.
Don't let your husband hide his condition, have him seek help.
And above all, be positive.

spinewhine · 09-15-2005, 07:17 PM

Boneman, you sound like a very upbeat positive guy and someone who knows his own body and is comfortable in his own skin. My question -- Why do you shake hands knowing the risk? Sometimes, when I have a cold and someone starts to kiss or shake hands, I'll say I can't because I have a cold. How about saying something like I have tendinitis and giving a wave if someone goes to shake your hand rather than taking the chance that you'll be mangled.

Of course, I probably shouldn't give advice since I like to wear rings and I have been placed in excruciating pain several times after some guy gave me a "grip contest" shake, squeezing my ring into the surrounding fingers. I'm not sure what my options are other than giving up jewelry which is just NOT acceptable

Maybe I'll try the tendinitis line.