Had an updated dexa recently for the 60yr tune-up. Last one about 5yrs ago w/my first fracture. Fractured my clavicle; surgically repaired w/a pin. Since then, slipped crossing a creek hiking and fractured my wrist. No surgery that time, but a nice purple cast most of the summer.
Over Christmas, my 85yo Mom fell out walking. She has severe osteoporosis. She fractured her jaw and banged her head hard enough to make her brain bleed a little bit, and also mess with her memory and acuity. She was on no chew diet and only just recently had the hardware removed from her mouth. Thank god she didn’t fracture a hip too. She’s tough.
My dexa results remained about the same as last time. Hips osteopenic at -2.1, but spine awful at -3.9. Definitely have lost height already.
I’m an RN in ortho and my provider friends are shocked when they hear my numbers. I’m active, don’t smoke, drink lightly, etc but osteoporosis is 80% genetic. I’m def my Mom’s daughter.
But I really want to keep skiing!! And hiking, and biking, and generally playing, and I don’t want my spine to crumble. I’ve seen how painful vertebral fractures can be and it’s not pretty. And I’ve also seen how easily they happen. Ironically, my work is primarily with the spine team.
One of my goals recently has been to open my mind a bit more. I can be stubborn to a fault and I’m working to listen/hear/consider other ideas/opinions/perspectives, esp those in direct opposition to mine, and espoused by family and trusted friends.
I’ve been resistant to the meds for a variety of reasons, but I think it’s definitely time now. I’m lucky to have access to some amazing providers and good insurance, so we’ll see how this goes. Definitely want to ski as long as possible; I loved the story about the sisters in their 80s skiing!