What is normal pain level for osteoporosis? - Osteoporosis Message Board

Cathy TN · 07-04-2006, 09:08 AM

I know that there is probably a wide variety of pain involved for osteoporosis, but here's our situation. I am a mom in my 40's, my mother (in her 60's) was just diagnosed with osteoporosis (pretty severe I think), she's probably had it for years, this was her first bone density test I believe. Anyway, she had smoked since she was a young adult, only recently quit when she had problems with rapid heart beating. Shes also a tiny lady, small boned. a few months ago she was diagnosed with the osteo, her back has always bothered her mildly, but now the pain is REALLY bad, they put her on vicoden (not sure of the spelling), it didn't help much, they upped the dosage and it really wasn't helping at all. My brother went to see her and said that at times she was on her knees moaning, it hurt so bad. THe pain is always there. They finally put her on morphine pills. She just had a bone scan done yesterday and is concerned that there is something wrong besides the osteo. We're waiting on results. But just wondering how intensely does osteo hurt? It seemed to come on so quickly. Just wondering how much pain some of you who are diagnosed with osteoporosis have. Thanks so much for your time, Cathy

hypatia · 07-04-2006, 11:26 AM

I was really surprised to be diagnosed with severe osteoporosis because I had no pain whatsoever, but I did have all the risk factors your mom has. It would seem she has something else going on (possibly compression fractures) and they will know more after reviewing the results.

I also have bulging discs, scoliosis, and spinal bone spurs, but haven't experienced the kind of pain your mom is in--maybe a visit to urgent care of the ER is in order?

Cathy TN · 07-04-2006, 12:06 PM

thank you for replying! Well, she is in touch with her doctor, they are the ones putting her on the vicoden & now the morphine, but she did just have the bone scan yesterday which should tell us why she is experiencing such pain. Guess I'm just worrying about her, she is a nurse and senses that something else is wrong besides the osteoporosis. Thanks again for answering me, I was just wondering how much pain people usually experience but I'm seeing it can vary greatly. Cathy

spinewhine · 07-04-2006, 10:23 PM

As far as I know, the osteoporosis itself doesn't cause pain. It's low bone density. All the problems it can lead to, like fractures, cause the pain. I think a bunch of us here have osteo with no pain (and no fractures). But I have low back problems with some pain, probably from disk degeneration. Your mom should get a full workup for her intense pain. It's probably from something other than osteo.

peregrine · 07-05-2006, 05:13 AM

Yes, I would agree with spinewhine. Osteoporosis itself doesn't cause pain. An orthopedic doc might be able to determine the cause of your mother's pain so that she can deal with it more effectively. More likely it is due to muscle spasms, small vetebral fractures, sciatica, bone spurs, and things of this nature.