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[Echinacea]

Hello ladies,

I have not posted for a while, and things, if not great, were ticking along.  Should have known it would not last...
I was being really stupid 4 weeks ago, and moving very heavy furniture, when I felt a 'crack' and awful pain in my upper back, between shoulder blades.  Yes...really stupid!  Doctor twice diagnosed muscular pain.
10 days later, when pain is intolerable, hubby takes me to A& E who find I have a compression fracture of the t8 vertebra.  What a shock.  An even bigger shock was to be told that it is almost a certainty that I have osteoporosis.  My Mother had it very severely, and had a large Dowagers hump.  You can guess how this news made me feel.
Doc has referred my for the DEXA scan to look at bone density, and just told me to take pain killers and rest.  I an only 56!
Well, things were slowly improving, until I decided, in my desire to improve my bone density, to start the Estradot patch again.  I had abandoned it a couple of months ago, as it, ironically, gave me backache.
I applied it on Friday, and by Saturday my spine and my injury were massivly worse.  On Saturday night I ripped it off, but now the pain is like it was two weeks ago.
Have been researching on the internet,and find that oestrogen can, in some people, cause back pain, and spinal instabilty.  Great.
Feel worried now that I have made things worse.
What I want to know is, have any of you had either a fracture, got osteoporisis, or found their hrt has given them back pain?
Sorry for the long rant, but am so fed up and depressed today.
Echinacea

[CLKD]

Oh have a  I know that as oestrogen drops off muscles become lax 

Are you taking pain relief?

[Echinacea]

Hello CLKD
Am taking maximum pain meds of paracetemol and ibuprofen.  Doc gave me stronger stuff but it makes me faint/sweaty and sick.  Don't know what is worse!
Actually, have just rang the doc for advice and waiting for a call back.  The pain is growing by the hour......!
Will update later
Echinacea

[Sarah2]

Really sorry to hear about your problems.

Are you still waiting for your DEXA scan? It sounds as if you have been waiting for months which is really not on!

I was diagnosed with osteopenia at 47- yet didn't have a menopause until 54. I requested a private DEXA scan at 47 because I had a close friend - younger than me -who was diagnosed with osteopenia at that time.

I'm afraid I have never ever come across the info about oestrogen causing the problems you mention.

It takes many months for oestrogen to increase bone density- they recommend DEXA scans once every 2-3 years due to the time it takes to see changes.

I managed to increase my bone density by exercise and diet prior to taking HRT- but I had to work very hard at it!

I have been on HRT for some years now and it is NOT for my bones, but does have a positive effect on them.

You need a referral to a rheumatologist- bone specialist. They might suggest Raloxifene-this is a special type of oestrogen which increases bone density but does not affect other organs- my friend takes it because she has a large fibroid which means she can't take normal HRT without having heavy bleeds.

You can also have your vertabrae fixed- they use cement to fix it!

Do contact the National Osteoporosis Society- they have a helpline and information on their website.

[Rowan]

I have know about this  http://www.caringmedical.com/sports-injuries/excerpts-from-our-sports-book/sports-injuries-back-pain-and-hormones/

http://www.eorthopod.com/content/news-flash-after-the-hot-flash-estrogen-replacement-is-linked-to

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/535712_4

I don't know the inter connections but there is certainly evidence for  estrogen and back pain.

[Echinacea]

Hello,
Thank you for your replies. 
Silverlady ; thank you for the links.  There certainly does seem to be a link between oestrogen and back pain.  Shall not be using it again, I think!  Still waiting for the doc call back..
Sarah 2 : Thanks for your detailed reply. It was very interesting.  I have not been waiting for the DEXA scan too long.  This is all recent, but the doc did not seem to be in a hurry to refer me.  Shall chase that up.
He did also say he would refer to a specialist, but has not done that yet either.  Need to have a word I think.
Still waiting for that call back......it makes me feel like I am being a nuisance, but on the other hand, the pain is awful, and its making me angry to be left so long.
Echihnacea

[CLKD]

GPs do their surgery, followed by home visits ……….. 

[Sarah2]

Just to put the opposing info on oestrogen and back pain....

I  know a few women who have bad back pain and it's down to LACK of oestrogen. This is caused by the collagen between the discs drying out/ shrinking which is a result of loss of oestrogen. This is also why older people lose height ( even without having osteoporosis or fractures) . I know of someone who had terrible back pain for this reason and has had 'gel' to replace the collagen injected between the discs.

[Echinacea]

Hello,
Have spoken to doctor.  Thinks I have somehow aggravated the fracture, does not know if it was the oestrogen or not.  However, did not discount it.  Stay off it for now.
Got to have another xray if the pain does not settle.
Keep on with the painkillers.  She did say that this kind of pain can 'flare'.
Thank you all for your replies.
Echinacea

[honeybun]

My mother has done this quite a few times.

The recovery period is quite long and rest is really the only way. She found heat patches helpful and also ibuprofen gel gently rubbed on.
She has mild osteoporosis but is 91 so it's only to be expected.

My sister has been on strong steroids for most of her adult life due to a brain tumour. This has had an effect on her bone density. She takes a calcium supplement and has adjusted her diet radically. She carries a lot of excess weight due to the steroids so it's not easy but she has been able to change the results of her bone density.


Honeyb
x

[Sarah2]

I'd call the NOS helpline if you are worried- they are the experts. You need to be very careful because you could easily break another vertebrae.