bone loss

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen..I had bone density above the norm in spite of my

hyperthyroidism...although my test was taken during peri-menopause. I am now

postmenopause and don't know if things have changed. I do a lot of walking,

however and weight bearing exercise is supposed to be good for the bones.

I drink very little milk..never have. But I think genetics plays a big role

in bone density.

Esther

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[Guest guest]

Dear Helen,

I was severly hyperT for a few months, a couple of years ago. My dr.

insisted I take a bone density scan, which turned out normal for my age

range. Based on your family history, and on your taking of vitamins and

minerals, I'm surprised that you have any problem at all. The only thing I

can think of is that exercise is really important for the

building/maintaining of bone. I have been working out regularly for about 20

years (running, racewalking, weight lifting, yoga, now some TaeBo, etc.),

which I think really helps. Even when I was severely hyperT and couldn't

stand up, I was so scared about bone loss that I found a way to work out. I

do exercise videos at home when I don't feel like running in the park or

going to the gym, and I found a weight training tape for people who are

injured (the woman instructor in the tape had had foot surgery and couldn't

stand, but the tape was good for anyone who couldn't stand up). I called the

tape " Weight Training for Invalids, " and did it religiously--I couldn't lift

my usual amount, and didn't build any muscle, but I credit the tape for

keeping me from losing too much muscle or bone density. Do you work out? I

think that that, along with the calcium/magnesium, is the best thing for bone

density. If you already have been working out, then you probably should

investigate this bone thing further, as it seems not to make sense.

Hope you're feeling better,

Joan

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[Guest guest]

Hi Joan and Esther,

Thanks for the info on your bone tests. I'm wondering now if there isn't

something else going on. I have been working out and lifting weights since

college (about 18 years). Unfortunately I was pretty sedentary as a child.

I'm only 35, so I can't blame this on menopause.

I should have genetics in my favor. My parents are 77 and 83, and neither

one has osteoporosis. Their seven siblings made it into similar old age,

with only two getting osteoporosis, one moderate and the other minimal.

Those two women have very fine bone structure, something I definitely do not

have.

At any rate, I'm researching this and I am seeing my endo next week, so I'll

talk to him about what I can do.

Helen

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>

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

You are so right about the exercise being important. I used to be in great

shape and worked out frequently. When I became ill, it was up and down

constantly. I would get in shape then I would lose all ground I had gained

because I had gotten sick. One of the problems that I am sure all of us face

is not being well enough to work out. It is really annoying.

[Guest guest]

Mona,

Thanks for the bone loss article. I am interested in learning more. My last bone density scan showed minimal amounts of bone loss from 2 years ago. The docs think it might have been due to HyperT. Anyway, I started using an estrogen/progesterone patch and taking 1500 mg of calcium with vitamin D just to be on the safe side. Hope you are doing well. All my best, Zoey

bone loss

Interesting article about bone loss treatment...........http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html--

[Guest guest]

Hi Zoey,

I had a bone scan in 1996 and plan to request another one this year. The

oral surgeon is the person who told me to take Calcium with Vitamin D. I was

only taking Calcium - he said calcium will not absorb without the D! Take

care, Mona

Re: bone loss

Mona,

Thanks for the bone loss article. I am interested in learning more. My

last bone density scan showed minimal amounts of bone loss from 2 years ago.

The docs think it might have been due to HyperT. Anyway, I started using an

estrogen/progesterone patch and taking 1500 mg of calcium with vitamin D

just to be on the safe side. Hope you are doing well. All my best, Zoey

bone loss

Interesting article about bone loss treatment...........

http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html

<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>

--

[Guest guest]

Hi Mona,

I've also been told and read that calcium appears to be less effective and not well utilized/absorbed without estrogen and progesterone. That's why I finally surrendered to HRT. I've been using the estrogen/progesterone CombiPatch for a little over a month now with no ill effects. Be well, Zoey

bone lossInteresting article about bone loss treatment...........http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>--

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear you're doing well with the patch. AT this point don't have a

need for the HRT....yet! But will talk to the doc next month about

it.....want to get the bone scan and tested for hormone levels too! Thax

for the info, Mona

Re: bone loss

Hi Mona,

I've also been told and read that calcium appears to be less effective and

not well utilized/absorbed without estrogen and progesterone. That's why I

finally surrendered to HRT. I've been using the estrogen/progesterone

CombiPatch for a little over a month now with no ill effects. Be

well, Zoey

bone loss

Interesting article about bone loss treatment...........

http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html

<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>

< http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html

<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>

>

--

[Guest guest]

Mona,

I never had a need for the hormones either. I've been postmenopausal for many years without any symptoms such as hot flashes, dry skin, weak libido, etc. I was really against HRT, but keeping my bone strong has become a priority. Good luck with your scan. Zoey

bone lossInteresting article about bone loss treatment...........http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>< http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html<http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/05/09/bone.builder.ap/index.html>>--

[Guest guest]

I was going to ask you how you did that, but I don't think I want to know!

Hope now that you have a diagnoses that you can do something to help with

the pain!

Later,

Mike Briggs

Photo Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/photogrif/

" Fish Gotta Swim, I Gotta Dive "

[Guest guest]

Of course the joke at work is wild sex (the medical director of my unit even

embarrassed me by saying that...ha!)...but I can't honestly rule that out.

*L*

It is a relief to know what the problem is tho. Yes, I take one or two

vicodin a day and it makes life a lot nicer (no pain).

Re: Bone Loss

I was going to ask you how you did that, but I don't think I want to know!

Hope now that you have a diagnoses that you can do something to help with

the pain!

Later,

Mike Briggs

Photo Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/photogrif/

" Fish Gotta Swim, I Gotta Dive "

[Guest guest]

My most recent dental x-ray showed some bone loss. I'm wondering if one

treats this the same was as osteoporosis, or if its a different issue.

I've not had a problem with bone loss in general inthe past, but am

having a dexa scan soon to see how the rest of my body is doing. Is

this soemthing specifically related to lyme or is it just getting old

(which I liking less and less! lol!). jo