Another friend falling incident......not good recovery so far.

[Chuckanut]

This thread reminds me of just how dangerous it is to grow old. It's a wonder any of us dares to try it.

When I was a younger lad, I remember yelling “Watch this!” as I did something that scared the heck out of my parents. Thankfully, I never ended up winning a Darwin Award.

 

[Chuckanut]

My son noticed that I lost a lot of muscle mass. I started taking protein powder, and within several weeks I started feeling much better and more powerful. Before, I would come home from LA Fitness exhausted. After the protein, just a bit tired, which is normal. He found me a good one on Amazon (link).

As we age our connective tissues take longer to heal when they are injured while exercising. That protein also helps this tissue heal.

It’s interesting that our bodies need more and better nutrition at 70 than we did at 50, all else being equal.

 

[Cujet]

Since this is the 'early retirement' forum, it is appropriate to point out that health/wellness/ability are valid reasons to retire early. I am so glad I retired at 60. It has been a wild ride and I was around and home for all of it.

Just picked her up from 2 days in the hospital. She has reverse shoulder replacement surgery scheduled on Thursday. (Today is Sunday) Extensive damage, ribs, arm, shoulder etc.

It is amazingly important to remain fit in older age.

 

[badatmath]

A few days ago, DW broke her femur when she slipped while getting into a golf cart. We didn't know then why it broke so easily. Later, doctors noted that her bone had developed a deformity due to an Osteoporosis medicine she had been taking for 7 years. It caused the bone to snap easily. The other femur has the same issue. So, she had two operations, one to fix the broken one (right femur), and another (left) to put a rod for a preventive measure. Only 1 percent gets the side effect and she was unlucky.

Fosamax - "Less common, serious side effects can include esophageal problems, osteonecrosis of the jaw, femur fractures, low blood calcium, and severe allergic reactions."

That is terrible - taking a med to help her bones and broke them.

 

[Koolau]

That is terrible - taking a med to help her bones and broke them.

You are right that the result was tragic.

The more powerful a drug, the more powerful the potential side effects. DW has osteopenia and tried one of these powerful drugs. She could not tolerate it. She (and her doctor) wish that she could take one of these bone-preserving drugs. She would risk the side effects if she could. She has lost 2 inches of height already.

We've gotten used to amazingly effective drugs for almost every condition. We sometimes forget that every drug has side effects. I just wonder if the doctor following robnplunder's DW's case was following the protocols of testing to look for potential bone weakness due to the drug. Let us hope that she heals well and recovers complete use of her limbs.

 

[athena53]

That is terrible - taking a med to help her bones and broke them.

I'd read about this- unexpected fractures from something mundane like walking down steps. I'd also read about osteonecrosis of the jawbone- my oral surgeon told me there would be a new pile of waivers I'd have to sign if I were on those when I got a dental implant. I already have 8 of them. Those meds scare me.

 

[aja8888]

My wife was taking a lot of prednisone for her COPD and also Forteo for her osteoporosis. One day, she leaned over at the vanity and split (horizontally) 3 of her vertebrae. Crazy painful! She had to have them glued back to together by a surgeon specializing in this procedure.

When I was in the waiting room after the procedure, the surgeon came out and told me her bones were so bad they were translucent. After she recovered, they switched her to Prolia.

 

[folivier]

Happens so quickly no matter how careful you are. While getting out of a friends jeep my right leg slipped on some loose gravel. Leg was overextended due to the height, I twisted as I caught myself. Didn't fall but couldn't put weight on that leg for a couple days. Still recovering but it'll take a bit longer before it's back to "normal". And this is on our summer long trip to Alaska!

 

[MarieIG]

I'd read about this- unexpected fractures from something mundane like walking down steps. I'd also read about osteonecrosis of the jawbone- my oral surgeon told me there would be a new pile of waivers I'd have to sign if I were on those when I got a dental implant. I already have 8 of them. Those meds scare me.

My friend's sister was on Fosamax for about five years. She suffered a comminuted fracture of her femur and had to have a rod inserted into her leg. It took a very long time for her to heal sufficiently to be able to walk again. My friend, who has very thin and has osteoporosis has refused to take it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

My friend's sister was on Fosamax for about five years. She suffered a comminuted fracture of her femur and had to have a rod inserted into her leg. It took a very long time for her to heal sufficiently to be able to walk again. My friend, who has very thin and has osteoporosis has refused to take it.

The side effects of various medication’s are one reason that I quit having bone density test. I didn’t see the points since I’m not willing to take the medication.

 

[MarieIG]

The side effects of various medication’s are one reason that I quit having bone density test. I didn’t see the points since I’m not willing to take the medication.

I can understand that.

I had my first one a few months ago at the GP's office. The point for me is an attempt to determine whether what I have been doing is having any beneficial results. Due to the potential side effects, I am avoiding the medication as well.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I have had 3 DEXA scans and interestingly, each one improved and the last one was done 2 years ago, showing all the numbers are back to normal except for 1 that is just slightly low. My first one was done in 2013 and showed I was osteopenia. My PCP said to take calcium pills. I took another one in 2017 and it showed small improvement, but I was very low on Vitamin D. So I started Vitamin D3. I have also been more active since I retired in 2016, and started playing alot of golf since 2019. I added Vitamin K2 about 3 years ago when my friend told me about the risk of Vitamin D3 without concurrently taking K2.

My OBGYN and PCP want me to take another DEXA Scan again since it has been 2 years but I have refused. I said that I will wait until I am 65, another 2.5 years before I take another DEXA. Since my osteopenia has gotten way better and I refuse to take Fosamax, which my current PCP had suggested when he saw my results in 2017, I don't see any reason to take another DEXA Scan.

 

[Koolau]

The side effects of various medication’s are one reason that I quit having bone density test. I didn’t see the points since I’m not willing to take the medication.

You have to decide what is best for you. So not arguing with you, but I would carefully investigate the potential side effects of the meds. The benefits are fairly clear and the side effects, while potentially devastating, are not as common as we're being led to believe here (anecdotally).

I'm no apologist for Big Pharma, but it's a good idea to do the research before making a decision. The "condition" by itself can be devastating.

Here is hoping that you never have to face the decision!!

 

[pacergal]

I am on Fosamax, my last Dexa scan showed some bone thinning in femur and hips. But I can only take it for a max of five years. Dr will re do Dexa scan at that time and see where we are.
I am taking extra Ca++, as I don't drink milk. But do eat cheese and yogurt.
I am aware of risks/side effects, and monitor closely. I already have an esophageal problem, so really watch for symptoms.
I would not take it for more than 5 years, as it is not recommended beyond that. If I still need something after the next dexa, I will insist on another medication.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I am on Fosamax, my last Dexa scan showed some bone thinning in femur and hips. But I can only take it for a max of five years. Dr will re do Dexa scan at that time and see where we are.
I am taking extra Ca++, as I don't drink milk. But do eat cheese and yogurt.
I am aware of risks/side effects, and monitor closely. I already have an esophageal problem, so really watch for symptoms.
I would not take it for more than 5 years, as it is not recommended beyond that. If I still need something after the next dexa, I will insist on another medication.

If you are not already on Vitamin D3 (plus K2), you should consider it. For me, it is much more effective than Calcium supplements.

 

[athena53]

The side effects of various medications are one reason that I quit having bone density test. I didn’t see the point since I’m not willing to take the medication.

When my brother was taking our elderly father to multiple medical appointments (each specialist would refer him to another one), he had 3 questions for tests they wanted to do:

What are you looking for?
What are you trying to rule out?
What will you do with the results?

If the answer to the third question was vague, Dad didn't get the test.

 

[Teacher Terry]

You have to decide what is best for you. So not arguing with you, but I would carefully investigate the potential side effects of the meds. The benefits are fairly clear and the side effects, while potentially devastating, are not as common as we're being led to believe here (anecdotally).

I'm no apologist for Big Pharma, but it's a good idea to do the research before making a decision. The "condition" by itself can be devastating.

Here is hoping that you never have to face the decision!!

Yes, the condition by itself can also be devastating. In many of those situations it’s a catch 22 with no good choices. In 2009 I had osteopenia and since then I’ve been taking calcium and vitamin D. That was my last bone scan because I have researched the side effects of those drugs and I will not take them.

 

[Koolau]

Yes, the condition by itself can also be devastating. In many of those situations it’s a catch 22 with no good choices. In 2009 I had osteopenia and since then I’ve been taking calcium and vitamin D. That was my last bone scan because I have researched the side effects of those drugs and I will not take them.

Pretty much what DW is doing because she can NOT take them (she tried). Best luck to both of you!

 

[MarieIG]

If you are not already on Vitamin D3 (plus K2), you should consider it. For me, it is much more effective than Calcium supplements.

My supplements include D3 and K2.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Retired Happy, I didn’t know about k2 so will take a look at it. Thanks