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gbraide t1_iutfqst wrote

Thank you! Last year during a half marathon I broke my hip. After many dead end conversations with doctors I eventually got myself a bone density scan where I was diagnosed with osteopenia. I am 43 and felt so old and lost. I have struggled to get back to some normality and find that my condition is rare in males by age and work like this gives me some confidence that I am not just an oddity. Thank you again, so much

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Abishek_Muthian OP t1_iuujzyr wrote

I understand your pain(literally) my friend.

There's a sense of cosmic injustice when you see that all other patients near you are twice your age.

I suspect that Osteoporosis, Osteopenia currently get only end-of-life treatment as only elderly population get it and people like us are rare.

But, Majority of world population is going to be old by 2050 so its in best interest for everyone to start investing in bone health research right now.

Anyways, Some of my bones are in Osteopenia category as well and our main goal should be to not let it become Osteoporosis as well. Please use Bone Health Tracker with your scan report and submit data for research.

Get in touch with me and I'll help you with it.

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gbraide t1_iuvg3ci wrote

Thanks, I uploaded my data. My scan gave me extra information not required by your site for the femur, I have been given alongside the neck, troch & shaft. Not sure if that data is useful.

I can only speak from my viewpoint of a white British male that every bit of research I found, medical paper, support network seemed to be centred around the elderly or menopausal women. The health service here in the UK is fantastic however stretched to the limit in funding. Something "frivolous" such as a dexa scan is so low down on their services that I had to persistently request something to find out what has gone on. I am taking over the counter calcium tablets (recommended by a UK charity - royal osteoporosis society), upped my calcium intake, started strength training to load up my bones but not given a great deal further. I have seen talk of hormone levels have some impact on this but again I feel I will be given short shrift on this by my doctors. It has been a year since my break and they have booked an appointment to see me in a couple of weeks. Are there other avenues that I should be pushing for?

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Abishek_Muthian OP t1_iuvib5s wrote

Thank you very much, I will add support for that extra data with you can share the assessment section with me, I will message you in the chat later. The BMD report specs seem to change a bit with different countries, Although I have included all major bone sites from my research.

As for your condition, I believe your doctors have come to a conclusion that calcium intake could fix it before trying out the steroids; The tests are only done annually and I see only minor improvements with my osteoporosis but some decent improvements with osteopenia over past 5 years with steroids.

But steroids would like have side effects in the long run and so calcium+exercise seems like the best bet for your Osteopenia and likely what the doctors think too. You'll see a change next year.

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newwriter365 t1_iuuarwg wrote

I was diagnosed last month. I’m an annoyingly adamant 10,000 steps/day walker.

I feel like I’ve been scammed. Best of luck to you!

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Abishek_Muthian OP t1_iuvih9z wrote

I'm sorry, But 10,000 steps/day is actually a scam; It was a marketing tactic by the first step counter companies.

Consider using Bone Health Tracker for tracking the progress of your treatments.

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newwriter365 t1_iuvu3jm wrote

Yeah, I know the history of the step count, but impact exercise was supposed to stave off osteoporosis.

My body consistently finds ways to screw with me. I'm sick and tired of the battle.

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Abishek_Muthian OP t1_iuvuukj wrote

I know the feeling mate, But we might have to fight the battle for others around us or at least as a middle finger to the indifferent universe which is always trying to kill us.

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newwriter365 t1_iuvxmya wrote

Thanks for note. You are right, of course.

I'm not leaving without a fight!

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AndrewFGleich t1_iuunoie wrote

Anecdotal reference here, but if it helps you feel better, I managed to "break my hip" (repeated stress-strain fracture) last year while training for a marathon at 32! It's crazy how little science actually goes into "modern medicine" but at least we're getting better at recovering. Good luck!

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gbraide t1_iuvfbjo wrote

Thank you. I actually broke the femur neck during the run. I was in a bit of pain, but you learn to run with the odd bit of discomfort so for whatever reason managed to drag myself around the remaining 6 miles of the course. I think that was later diagnosed as pure stupidity. About an hour after finishing I was unable to support myself so I had to go to hospital. Despite all of this I was adament that it was a muscular problem because surely you can't walk after breaking a femur. How is your running going now?

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AndrewFGleich t1_ivfbm8y wrote

I'll be honest, I can't stand running, I've never found it particularly enjoyable and even at marathon levels, every mile is tiring. I haven't run since completing my bucket list item this spring and have been swimming instead. To the people that enjoy the activity,good for them, but it just isn't for me.

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