Osteoporosis/body armor

[newfsmith]

Yes, I do lift weights daily at work, I also walk 8 to 10 K steps at work, and I have been taking Fosamax for 2.5 yrs. Prevention has failed, the horse is out of the barn, I now have full blown osteoporosis. I am really afraid I may break my hip at work when some big dog bounces me around the room. That would be the end of my career and possibly the end of cycling as well. If I'm to be proactive now, I have to be thinking about protecting my hips both at work and riding.

[wavedancer]

I have osteoporosis also. Luckily the only bone I have broken has been a minimally displaced rib fracture after a mountain-biking mishap. I have landed on my hips a LOT , and have come away with colorful bruises and hematomas. I definitely think about the fracture risks.

I am wearing some hip pads most of the time when mountain biking now. I got some liner shorts that have some 3/8 inch closed cell foam in them. The original shorts were by Six-Six-One, but the shorts did not fit right. So I took the foam pads out and sewed some fleece pockets on the inside of one of my older pairs of shorts and have been using the foam pads in them. They work pretty well and have cushioned a few direct hits. What I really need, though is some kind of flexible, breathable foam that I could dip my entire body into before heading out on the trails! As my BF says, I am one "technicolor Bay-Bee"

In addition to Fosamax and calcium (1200mg a day), I also try to get at least 1000 units of vitamin D daily. Research is showing that vitamin D may be more important than previously thought for preventing bone loss. I need to do more weight-bearing exercise, also. And of course, improve my riding skills so I spend less time on the ground!

[emily_in_nc]

At what age (or is it more based on bodyweight, family history, or ???) is it recommended to start being screened for bone density? I'm 45 and slender, but I still menstruate regularly. I also run (not long distances -- 2 miles or so at a time) on the treadmill and trails a couple of times a week, mountain bike (irregularly lately), do long hikes on weekends, and lift weights a couple of times a week (nothing too intense and more upper body than low). My primary-care doc hasn't mentioned bone screening yet, and I didn't think to ask at my last yearly physical (August). Is this something I should have done fairly soon -- or not until I reach menopause or age 50 or ???

Thanks!!
Emily

P.S. Only broken bone I've ever had was pelvic fractures from a road cycling accident in April 2005. I hit the pavement at a pretty high speed right on my ilium, though, and no mention was ever made by my orthopedic surgeon that my bone density may have had anything to do with causing the fractures.

[spokewench]

But, if you are 45 and a cyclist it probably would not be a bad time to start.

A year or so ago, there were articles out that endurance cyclists, including men, should be very careful about their bone density; apparently there were some studies where even though you are fit, you don't put enough pressure on the bones, not weight bearing enough, and you are depleting your body a lot with the endurance training - hence - low bone density.

It is also a good idea if you are a cyclist to help your bones by doing some weight lifting or weight bearing exercise so that you are building your bones, take calcium etc.

Also, I'm no expert, but I've heard that even if you have lower bone densities that you shouldn't give up on the weight bearing exercise, you can help your bones from degenerating as quickly and I've even heard you can stop the loss from increasing.

I'm 46 and had a bone density test at the age of 42. It wasn't because I'm good at having tests, but because my husband is an x-ray tech and he was using me as a guinea pig on his company's new bone density machine! Free tests! Yeah!

[newfsmith]

At what age (or is it more based on bodyweight, family history, or ???) is it recommended to start being screened for bone density? I'm 45 and slender, but I still menstruate regularly. I also run (not long distances -- 2 miles or so at a time) on the treadmill and trails a couple of times a week, mountain bike (irregularly lately), do long hikes on weekends, and lift weights a couple of times a week (nothing too intense and more upper body than low). My primary-care doc hasn't mentioned bone screening yet, and I didn't think to ask at my last yearly physical (August). Is this something I should have done fairly soon -- or not until I reach menopause or age 50 or ???

Thanks!!
Emily

Generally speaking, as long as you are menstruating you are probably producing enough estrogen to prevent serious calcium loss from your bones. You are still in the category where you may be able to keep adding with supplements and the exercise you are doing, although that is unlikely. Most women stop adding to their bones in their twentys, and start to have a mild loss of density in their thirties. The biggest loss is in the 2 or 3 years after menopause. You are small, which increases your risk, but you may have offset that with your active lifestyle. Still it would be worthwhile mentioning it at your next physical, especially if you are having any perimenepausal symptoms. It is good to see where you are starting from, and to have a baseline to compare to a couple years after menopause. Keep in mind that many health insurance companies only allow scans every 2 years.

[maryellen]

i would definitely encourage a baseline bone density test. late august i crashed and broke my arm at the shoulder joint in 3 spots as well as a fracture at the base of my thumb--and frankly, it just wasn't that bad a crash. i've been taking fosamax or other meds for bone density since 2002 when i had my first scan. *and* i'm still menstruating.

can't necessarily count on orthopedists to suggest testing. i'd asked them re in the past and their responses were essentially "whatever." fortunately i had a physiatrist who thought my fracture history was suspicious and sent me for a scan over 4 years ago. would have been nice to know whether i'm losing bone in perimenopause or never had good bone density to start w.

calcium, vitamin d, and weight-bearing exercise for all...

[Grog]

The reason why doctors might not be encouraging you to have the test taken is that, despite all the pushing done by drug companies, the test is still very controversial, and the benefits from the drugs not so certain. Bone fractures may be a problem, but testing bone density and taking drugs to try to improve it might not be the solution we'd hope it to be.

I'm sorry this is not very helpful. But I taught I'd share this piece of information. If you are concerned about fractures, you should talk to your doctor about it.

[annie]

Emily,

A good indicator of whether or not you need to be tested for bone density is your genetic history. If you've got family members who have/had osteoporosis/ostepenia, then you might want to be tested. I requested a bone desity test 4 years ago. (I was 47 then and not yet pre-menopausal.) My maternal grandmother had severe osteoporosis, and passed away at age 96 after having fallen and broken her pelvis. My mother was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at age 70, despite leading a very active life, walking and lifting weights almost every day. So my genetics did not look promising! Which is why my doc was willing to order the test. As it turned out, I do indeed suffer from osteopenia (pre-cursor to the most severe osteoporosis.) I am now on fosomax. I've taken calcium supplements for years! I know cycling can actually be detrimental to my bones, so I try and run a couple times a week. Jumping rope is also a great activity for bone-building. Walking may help a bit, but it is the impact of harder landing that stresses the bones and helps keep them strong. Anyway, sorry to go on so........ it's a condition that easily hides itself. If you have a history in your family, I'd recommend having a test. If not, you may have to wait until your doctor is willing to order a test. Or choose to pay for it yourself. Tough decision for anyone.

annie