Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Limpy on September 03, 2015, 06:39:55 PM
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Background to this rant - I found on Tuesday the reason my ankle has been hurting for the last 3 weeks is because it's broken.
So, I got to wondering if the reason my it broke (without me knowing) could possibly be I have thinning bones. So I was looking to see if there was any way I could arrange a bone density scan locally, no chance........ :o
Anyway, I take Gabapentin (an anti epileptic drug) to relieve MS related neuropathic pain and migraines. It occurred to me to see if there was a link to bone thinning. There are anecdotal links saying the older anti-epileptic drugs do cause bone thinning but not Gabapentin directly. However, Gabapentin is said to cause problems in the uptake of vitamin D perhaps there may be a Gabapentin link to thinning bones.
Anyway, ankle still hurting, even with keeping it up. I'm still waiting to hear from the fracture clinic :-\
I have an audience arranged with good GP on 14th Sep, to see her before that I'll have to ring at 8am each day next week to sort out another appointment :-\
In the meantime I'me going to slowly cut down on the Gabapentin.............
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It could be Limpy...but then again it might not.
Dulciana for one went over on her ankle and ended up with a broken bone.
Don't get ahead of yourself yet. It takes a long long while before medication will have such an effect on your bones.
My sis has been taking steroids for 40 odd years due to pituitary issues. Her bones are okay ish.
Wait unit you have actually had a scan before you have yourself with osteoporosis .
Now after the lecture have :bighug:
It's understandable you are worried.
Honeybun
X
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Aw thank s HB :thankyou:
The thing I'me worried about is I don't do much weight bearing exercise - I swim yes, but not a lot else.
When I spoke to the GP on Tuesday evening and asked about getting a bone scan she thought it was unlikely. Given a fracture "they" would put me on calcium straight away, I mightn't even get the chance of a bone scan - hey ho ::)
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I really don't know how much a private scan would cost...but you could always have a look.
My sis takes a calcium tablet with Vit D daily. She has had a couple of Dexa Scans in the last forty years. Cortisone is renown for causing bone problems but like you she has no choice in her medication....
Just don't get ahead of yourself quite yet. All meds have side effects...but for my sister there is no choice ...meds or die.
You have your quality of life to think of and if needs be a calcium tablet to chew each day is not so bad.
Now get that hubby of yours to bring you a large glass of something alcoholic....and relax.
Honeybun
X
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I sort of made enquiries today about a private scan, they just don't do them anywhere locally, NHS yes private no :-\
Hopefully I'll find a way........ ::)
I am currently taking a daily tablet of D3 with calcium. Mind you till 4 years ago it was supposed to be 2 tablets a day then they cut it back, something about too much calcium being risky.
OH has been amazing today, so usefully helpful - Funnily enough he did bring me a glass of something alcoholic a wee while ago.............. 8)
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A scan on the pelvis should be available :-\ regardless of your current ankle fracture. In the early hours, i.e. 5.40 a.m., I did wonder about bone thinning ……
Can't understand why you aren't able to get a private scan of the pelvis at your local hospital privately: it's likely to be the same Radiographer after all ::) ….. you should not have to pay though.
Have a look on the osteoporosis web-site?
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Oh good idea CLKD.
When my mother was having silent spine fractures the osteoporosis society were very helpful.
Honeybun
X
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Background to this rant - I found on Tuesday the reason my ankle has been hurting for the last 3 weeks is because it's broken.
So, I got to wondering if the reason my it broke (without me knowing) could possibly be I have thinning bones. So I was looking to see if there was any way I could arrange a bone density scan locally, no chance........ :o
Anyway, I take Gabapentin (an anti epileptic drug) to relieve MS related neuropathic pain and migraines. It occurred to me to see if there was a link to bone thinning. There are anecdotal links saying the older anti-epileptic drugs do cause bone thinning but not Gabapentin directly. However, Gabapentin is said to cause problems in the uptake of vitamin D perhaps there may be a Gabapentin link to thinning bones.
Anyway, ankle still hurting, even with keeping it up. I'm still waiting to hear from the fracture clinic :-\
I have an audience arranged with good GP on 14th Sep, to see her before that I'll have to ring at 8am each day next week to sort out another appointment :-\
In the meantime I'me going to slowly cut down on the Gabapentin.............
I have been taking Tegretol (also a risk of bone thinning) since I was 15. I had a bone density scan at 40 and another last December. Both were ok. Sorry to hear about the ankle.
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Thanks ladies :thankyou:
Off for a look.......
Thanks Katejo :thankyou:
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I actually called them Limpy and they were incredibly helpful and so nice.
They sent me loads of information and gave us loads of advice re mums problems.
Have a look for a number and give them a call in the morning.
Let us know.
Honeybun
X
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Thanks HB - I'll check for a number.
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R U able to explain why are you still taking Tegretol ? "Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tegretol can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tegretol and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. ……. "
I had Dexa scans every 2 years on my ankles via Private Health Insurance - for about 5 years ……. told to up my diet overall what ever that meant as we already ate healthily …..
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CLKD - I've been taking Gabapentin to deal with neuropathic pain. As it happens I've been reducing the dose anyway - It sounds as if that may be a good idea, will discuss fully with GP on the 14th
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My husband had a private DEXA scan 7 years ago because he was refused one on the NHS because he was a 47 year old male and not at risk. The results showed he was already osteoporotic and is now under a good consultant (initially privately and then dropped into same consultant' NHS clinic). It is a family joke that my husband is under a consultant gynaecologist :)
Anyway it didn't break the bank, it cost £180 7 years ago.
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Thanks BJ
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It could be Limpy...but then again it might not.
Dulciana for one went over on her ankle and ended up with a broken bone.
Don't get ahead of yourself yet. It takes a long long while before medication will have such an effect on your bones.
My sis has been taking steroids for 40 odd years due to pituitary issues. Her bones are okay ish.
Wait unit you have actually had a scan before you have yourself with osteoporosis .
Now after the lecture have :bighug:
It's understandable you are worried.
Honeybun
X
I replied yesterday but it seems not to have appeared. I have been taking Tegretol for nearly 40 years. I had a bone density scan last December and it was fine so I haven't worried about osteoporosis too much re. my recent wrist fracture
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It could be Limpy...but then again it might not.
Dulciana for one went over on her ankle and ended up with a broken bone.
Don't get ahead of yourself yet. It takes a long long while before medication will have such an effect on your bones.
My sis has been taking steroids for 40 odd years due to pituitary issues. Her bones are okay ish.
Wait unit you have actually had a scan before you have yourself with osteoporosis .
Now after the lecture have :bighug:
It's understandable you are worried.
Honeybun
X
I replied yesterday but it seems not to have appeared. I have been taking Tegretol for nearly 40 years. I had a bone density scan last December and it was fine so I haven't worried about osteoporosis too much re. my recent wrist fracture
Hi Katejo - Thanks for your reply.
It did appear yesterday - the gods of the cyber world are still smiling on us all!
I'me just a bit concerned about bone density at the moment given I've broken my ankle and had no idea I'd done it ::)
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What's the Tegretel for :-\ ……….
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I think Tegretel is an anti epileplic drug - Katejo takes that.
I use Gabapentin, another anti epileptic drug which is often used for control of neuropathic pain.
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When I had trigenimal neuralgia the GP tried amitriptalen which did zilch :-\ …..
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I think Tegretel is an anti epileplic drug - Katejo takes that.
I use Gabapentin, another anti epileptic drug which is often used for control of neuropathic pain.
Yes that is right. I am completely seizure free after surgery when I was 16 but still take the medication. Previously also took phenytoin but that was phased out more than 10 years ago.
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It could be Limpy...but then again it might not.
Dulciana for one went over on her ankle and ended up with a broken bone.
Don't get ahead of yourself yet. It takes a long long while before medication will have such an effect on your bones.
My sis has been taking steroids for 40 odd years due to pituitary issues. Her bones are okay ish.
Wait unit you have actually had a scan before you have yourself with osteoporosis .
Now after the lecture have :bighug:
It's understandable you are worried.
Honeybun
X
I replied yesterday but it seems not to have appeared. I have been taking Tegretol for nearly 40 years. I had a bone density scan last December and it was fine so I haven't worried about osteoporosis too much re. my recent wrist fracture
Hi Katejo - Thanks for your reply.
It did appear yesterday - the gods of the cyber world are still smiling on us all!
I'me just a bit concerned about bone density at the moment given I've broken my ankle and had no idea I'd done it ::)
I understand your concern but hope that it isn't a bone density issue. :)
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Well, the ankle started to hurt more last night and woke me up this morning. We decided that perhaps crutches would be a good idea so rang the MIU. No problem they said just come along. Arrived there, was recognised by receptionist (who I only met last Tuesday) and was seen within 10 minutes. While the nurse was looking at my notes there was a minor hiccup when she said it's a soft tissue injury :-\ when I picked my mouth up of the ground and finished squawking she went away to check on what was going on.
She came back with an appointment for the fracture clinic and a very nice Charge nurse who sorted me out with crutches which help so much :)
Ladies life has improved 8)
OH is currently drafting an email to the health board praising the local hospital. The first radiographer who suggested popping along to the MIU was an absolute star along with those who helped me within the MIU. They could so easily dismissed it as a soft tissue injury.
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That's good! Some fractures are simply difficult to see except with a practiced eye ;)
Keep it elevated!
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Thanks CLKD :thankyou:
The Dr in the MIU last Tuesday was a Consultant - I think he may have had his "eye" in
As I type the leg is up again
It's hard, I feel I should be doing things......... :-\
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You will be back doing things before you know it and then wishing you could have a sit down and put your feet up.
Honeybun
X
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I never find it hard to sit still - occasionally my mind flitters to stuff that requires doing ;D
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Had the 2nd visit to the Fracture clinic this morning - very different opinions expressed by THE SAME DR
Went in, was seen on time, first comment I got from Dr "it wasn't a definite break" oh and lets not forget "well soft tissue injuries take time to heal" He prodded it which wasn't nice which I mentoned, so then got the soft tissue bit again.
Fair enough, I then said it would be useful to see an xray so I can see how the bone is healing. Dr, giggling, "well you won't be happy till you get the xray will you? We, well me and OH, point out, I didn't know I'd broken or damaged anything, I'd like to check what's going on. Dr, "Are you on medication?" Me "yes, HRT and Gabapentin" Dr "Er why are you taking Gabapentin?" Me "For Neuropathic MS related pain" Dr "You've got MS?" Me "Yes, like I said last time"
Got sent for xray, I described the first bit of the conversation to the young radiographer and mentioned that my ankle was sore after examination and asked was there anything anything obvious on the xray. Oh yes, the break is healing but is very clear.......
Troll back to FC - See same Dr again who is so so nice. He says the break is healing, and mentions my "complex medical sutuation. We agree that I start weaning myself off the moon boot and start exercising again - if it hurts while exercising stop, he will refer me for physio, We then look at todays xray - the quality was so much better than the first xrays I had done a month ago. The break is very obvious, as apparently is the osteoporosis in the ankle area, he will refer again to the osteoporosis unit and I will ring to see when I can be seen.
Eventually all was useful - BUT el Dr was initially very keen on getting me out of the door.
Sorry for the rant ladies
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::) ……. always insist on a 2nd X-ray which will show definite signs of healing at any fracture site should there be one ;). Often 1st immediate X-rays don't show or are not clear if there is/not a break ::)
Did he advise on which type of exercise? Maybe self refer to physio.?