Osteoporosis at 30 - Osteoporosis Message Board

Pipknight · 08-31-2006, 12:18 PM

Hi everyone. I would like to know if anyone else was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at 30. This morning I got a call from my doctor's office telling me that my DEXA scan showed Osteoporosis. I knew I had Osteopenia, but I was hoping that it hadn't progressed any further. I don't know what to do. My Orthopedic Surgeon told me that based on my DEXA results he might want to start me on Fosamax but after reading about the side effects and how dangerous of a drug it is, I don't want to take it. I'm afraid of what will happen though since I'm so young and already have it. I'm worried that I will start breaking bones soon. If I already have it at 30, how bad will it get by the time I'm 60? I take Calcium everyday, but I don't think that's going to help enough. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

NY 1009 · 08-31-2006, 01:58 PM

hi,
I too am newly diagnosed with osteoporosis but I'm 46 and didn't expect to have it either. I must have had it for a long time brewing but no one ever suggested I get a bone density test till after I had my surgical hysterectomy.

I've had back pain for a couple yrs now which is progressivly getting worst. I can't stand for too long because of the pressure it puts on my spine. I used to get so much done around my house with cleaning, decorating, cooking, etc. but now I can't even stand up longer than two hours without a gnawing, painful, back pain. I'm only 46 and feel like I'm in my 80's.

younger people can get it too but usually is caused by other disease going on in the body. I've been reading that low density can be caused by our parathyroid glands. hyperparathyroid robs the bones of calcium.

what's so bad about these meds and why are you afraid to take them?

they say that when you have osteopenia you've already lost 30% of bone loss. I can't imagine what the bone loss is with full blown osteoporosis.

I am curious as to how low my density report came back but have to wait till next week to find out.
good luck with your health and I really hope that you find a suitable medication you can take to prevent from further damage.
I want to put my 17 yr old on calcium starting NOW.
I just didn't take osteoporosis serious. not until now.

Linda

Jone · 09-01-2006, 08:09 AM

There is a llot of negative reactions to Fosamax posted on this website and for those who have had a bad reaction, it is understandable. But I took Fosamax for 5 years, then two years on forteo and now back on Actonel. I have never had any side effects. I feel great and exercise 6 days a week with weight training and aerobics. I was not able to do all of that before taking the medication. My bone density, when diagnosed, was -3.2 and 7 years later it is -2.7. All drugs have side effects and each of us must go to a doctor we trust and then make our own decision. I will tell you that my mother died with severe osteoporosis and it is a very serious disease. She lived ten years after her first fracture but was homebound for the last 5 years. After my experience with my mom, I am willing to take the chance with drug therapy. Once my mom took fosamax, her rate of fracture decreased substantually but the damage was already done and she was very frail. I went through early menopause and was advised to take hormone replacement. Because of all the scare about breast cancer, I did not take it. With my mom's history and no hormones, I now have a pretty good case of osteoporosis, They are still testing and not really sure that there is that great of an increase of breast cancer with hormone replacment and I really wish I had listened to my doctor instead of all the info in the press. Just do your homework and really check into the drugs and not be scared off by what you read. Necrosis of the jaw is serious but my understanding is that only a small percentage of cases are caused by taking oral fosamax. And after seeing what my mom went through, I will chance necrosis. It can be cured with antibiotics and bone graft. Nothing could help my mom once her bones were so thin. With all the new advances in medications, we all have a better chance than my mom had to live a long life with healthy bones.

taape · 09-02-2006, 12:49 AM

jOne,
Do you think the Forteo helped your bone density significantly or the combination of Fosamax and Forteo? Is your stomach able to handle the Actonel and previously the Fosamax? Why did you decide to swtich to Forteo? I'm at that 2 year mark with Forteo and don't want bisphosphonates because I already have stomach problems and it's too irritating to my stomach. I know I can't go without treatment so while I'm on my last pen I'm looking at the alternatives for treatment. After a year and 4 months on Forteo I went from a -3.1 to a -2.6 in the spine and down to -1.5 in the hip. I haven't had a recent DEXA though. Thanks for your input.

adec · 09-02-2006, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pipknight

Hi everyone. I would like to know if anyone else was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at 30. This morning I got a call from my doctor's office telling me that my DEXA scan showed Osteoporosis. I knew I had Osteopenia, but I was hoping that it hadn't progressed any further. I don't know what to do. My Orthopedic Surgeon told me that based on my DEXA results he might want to start me on Fosamax but after reading about the side effects and how dangerous of a drug it is, I don't want to take it. I'm afraid of what will happen though since I'm so young and already have it. I'm worried that I will start breaking bones soon. If I already have it at 30, how bad will it get by the time I'm 60? I take Calcium everyday, but I don't think that's going to help enough. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

I'm glad that this board, or any board, performed such an invaluable service. I agree 100 percent that Fosamax wouldn't be right for you. But without knowing your exact T and Z scores after a DEXA scan, and perhaps without being able to determine what caused bone loss at such an early age, it's really hard to tell.

Although, I would DEFINITELY suggest an IMMEDIATE daily all-in-one bone supplement plan, something with Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3. Bone-up by Jarrow is a really good formula, among others out there. Taking these type supplements with meals throughout the day also helps increase absorption. I would also suggest a weight-bearing exercise regimen. Something as simple as even daily walking or hiking can go a long way to improve bone health. Good luck.