The posts over the last couple of weeks brought about the following email from a new friend:

Hello. My name is Carol, and I am a 45 year old proud mother of three. I have been going through menopause for about 2 years now, which I expected since my mother went through menopause early as well. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis about a year ago, after I fell down and broke my shoulder in three different places.

I always thought I was just clumsy because I was always breaking bones, but had no idea it was because my bones were actually deteriorating. I never liked milk or cheese much when I was a child, and the need for calcium was not as advertised as it is now. I sure do wish I didn’t fight with my mom every time she told me to drink the milk from my cereal. I’m sure the fact that I smoke and drink alcohol on a regular basis also lead to my diagnosis, but once again, the negative impact of tobacco and alcohol were never advertised when I was growing up.

After my diagnosis, I felt completely empty. I was scared to even walk out the door of the doctor’s office because he had explained how fragile my bones actually were. Being told that you have the bones of a 70 year old at the age of 45 is something I never expected. I was prescribed a medication that was supposed to help prevent any further thinning of my bones, but was told my body would never be back to the way it was.

I remember my grandmother having osteoporosis when I was a child, because she actually had a small hump on her back. I never realized that hump was from the discs in her back breaking and disintegrating, but now I completely understand why I have actually shrunk and inch over the past few years.

My broken shoulder is what lead to my current diagnosis, but I have actually broken several bones over the past few years. I slipped on some water and shattered my knee, cracked my head open after falling down in the bathroom, and even broke both of my ankles when slipping down the stairs. My hypoglycemia is the cause of my various falls, which I have now learned how to control over the past year.

After being diagnosed, I have now learned how to be more careful. The only symptoms I have really noticed are the ability to break a bone with ease, so I usually have one of my amazing children help me out as much as possible. I also started taking calcium and vitamin D on a regular basis, since they both will help get my bones as strong as they can possibly be at this point. I usually stay in bed for most of the day because I am still healing from my shoulder break, but plan on taking daily walks to help add more strength to my bones over time.

The physical therapy I am currently in is actually very helpful, since it uses strength training exercises to make both my bones and muscles stronger. It began as a treatment for my healing shoulder, but I have started to add in different exercises that can target the rest of my body as well. I do everything from home and check in with my doctor on a weekly basis, and am willing to do whatever it takes to be here to see my youngest graduate high school. Even though I was told I will never have the bones I used to, I am thankful for the various treatments that allow me to try and regain what I have already lost.

Thank you Carol for that story.  She allowed me to post her story so that it might help and encourage others.  If you have a second, leave Carol a comment and let her know you appreciate her.

Sponsors