It’s Working: My Three-Fold Approach to Osteoporosis
By Victoria Schmidt
I’m Victoria, 70 years old and a lucky, lucky person. I live on California’s Central Coast, one of the most salubrious places on the planet. Mild weather enables me to enjoy vigorous 1-2 hour walks and 2 mile swims in outdoor pools. Farmers’ markets are plentiful, and local wines are award winning. So here I am, slim, a disciplined exercise-person, with an impeccable healthy diet. I am a registered dietitian doing everything we’re told is good to help prevent osteoporosis. Then lo-and-behold, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, not just osteoporosis, but severe osteoporosis with extreme risk for a fracture by sneezing or bending over to put on my shoes. What? Seriously? How can that be? I had no signs or symptoms. Spoiler – that is why osteoporosis is called the silent disease – you don’t feel or see your bones getting weaker.
My story…but first let me start with take-home points; key things I learned through my osteoporosis journey (and yes, I like bullet points):
Start your awareness of osteoporosis early. Know your personal risk factors and ask about early screening. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation provides evidence-based, comprehensive information.
Osteoporosis is a manageable but chronic disease. Yes, that means you don’t take a vacation from osteoporosis.
A three-fold management/treatment approach is prescription medication and both a diet and exercise/lifestyle adjustments that promote bone health and balance.
·Educate yourself to help individualize your treatment plan, including information about medication, diet and supplements, exercise plus fall and fracture prevention.
Have a conversation with your healthcare provider (this is really important). Verbalize your concerns and your goals and how these can be met. Consider referrals to a registered dietitian, physical therapist and occupational therapist.
Okay – back to me:
In short, I had no real worries about developing osteoporosis. But then, my mom had a fall resulting in an osteoporosis-related ankle fracture. My parents’ lives were altered drastically. Due to my father’s early stages of dementia, mom had taken over most of the household responsibilities including driving. She was overwhelmed and frightened. The cumbersome foot boot not only added to her fatigue, but it also ended her ability to drive. My parents lost all of their independence.
My mom’s unfortunate fall, in retrospect, was actually a gift. I was in my early 50’s and going through menopause. I requested a DXA scan, and I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I was shocked and in complete denial. I had a physically active childhood that included hopscotch, jump rope, roller skating, ballet, basketball, swim team, drill team – you get it. I ate a balanced diet that included dairy at every meal. And, as I mentioned, was swimming several miles a week, and walking daily, an hour or two. Reluctantly, I took the ordered medication which I did not tolerate, so stopped. My next DXA scan revealed further bone decline.
So, it was time to get serious. I researched the disease, the risk factors, treatment and medication options. My (pardon the pun) sit-up-straight moment was learning how to read the DXA scan and realizing the severity of my condition.
Diet and my current exercise, clearly, would no longer be sufficient to manage my disease. Still, as a registered dietitian and mindful of my diet, I double checked to ensure I was receiving adequate calcium and vitamin D daily. I continue to enjoy dairy products at meals and added supplements recommended by my doctor. I continue to swim and walk vigorously but gave up roller skating. I added gentle restorative yoga, making modifications for osteoporosis. I evaluated my mundane daily activities like dressing, cleaning, carrying groceries, etc. and made modifications to reduce risk of falls and fractures. A new medication is tolerated.
I have been extremely fortunate to have doctors that specialize in osteoporosis, who listened to my concerns and goals. Together we have developed a treatment plan that enables me to manage osteoporosis with prescription medication, diet, and exercise/lifestyle adjustments.
It’s working – my DXA scans show improvement. I am living a healthy, active, positive life with osteoporosis. I am passionate about advocating awareness of osteoporosis and encouraging women and men to take osteoporosis seriously.
This story is part of a support initiative of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation called Voices of Osteoporosis: Stories of Hope and Inspiration. If you have experienced osteoporosis as a patient or caregiver, we invite you to share your story. Your story could inspire others to learn how to protect their ability to live their best life and stay bone strong. Click here to learn more.