Women Over 50: How is Your Bone Density?
We spent last weekend in Bodega Bay, where I discovered a hazard of wearing multi-focal lenses. It made me decide I needed to get my bone density checked, fast. Because things have could have ended, much worse than they did.
We arrived late Saturday morning, and headed straight for the beach.
A do-rag is a great way to protect your hair from the wind. You can pop a hat over it, when the sun is out.
We hauled our chairs and books down the bluff, to sit at the shore. Several hours of reading, with the music of crashing waves, was my idea of perfection.
We did a little wine tasting, had a fabulous dinner, and crashed early.
The following morning was foggy and ethereal looking. I love that kind of weather.
We drove north to Jenner, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.
As I started back across the road, my toe caught on the raised edge of asphalt. I lurched forward and slammed to my hands and knees. My hands and knees were fine. But my hip was trashed. Game over.
We headed home. Worries of osteoporosis and hip fracture pounded in my head, throbbed in my hip. When was my last bone density test?
The moment we arrived, I downed 2 calcium pills followed by 3 Advil. How crazy was that? If I’d cracked my hip, those calcium pills weren’t going to help one bit.
I was sore, really sore, and upset. That classic scenario of older women falling and breaking their hip was on rewind through my mind. I felt old and frail.
Monday morning I called my Doctor. She was booked solid so I hobbled into urgent care. I couldn’t stand or sit without agony. My leg was tingling and the pain was off the charts. They immediately put me in a wheel chair and took me for X-rays.
The good news, nothing looked cracked on the X-rays.
The bad news, she wanted me to use a walker for the next few weeks! OMG.
The image, the word “walker” conjured up, knocked me way out of my comfort zone. Horror, anxiety and denial collided right there in urgent care. Nope, not me, not happening. I just couldn’t use a walker. I actually begged the doctor to prescribe crutches instead.
What the hell is that all about?
I’m flat on my back, with anti inflammatory, and pain meds. I’m icing my hip, which isn’t easy. And thinking about my age. A lot.
I’ve been reading about calcium intake and bone density for women over 50. I’ve got a couple strikes against me.
- I’m postmenopausal, which can lead to bone loss. Decreases in estrogen causes an increase in bone absorption and decrease in calcium absorption.
- I went dairy-free, just over a year ago. Dairy is a major source of calcium.
- Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of calcium. I am always covered in strong sunscreen and avoid the sun like a vampire.
- Weight-bearing exercise is important for maintaining and building bone density. I stopped exercising about 6 years ago.
- Drinking too much alcohol can damage your bones. What’s considered too much?
This is a wake up call for me.
- I’ll be getting a bone density test.
- I’ll be starting an exercise regimen.
- I’ll be taking my vitamins and minerals regularly, including calcium/magnesium with vitamin D.
- I’ll be calling my optometrist to check on my new eyeglasses. They have larger lenses.
I suspect the uneven asphalt was visible below the bottom of my small frames. Sadly, I didn’t see it.
My son saw this from a different perspective. His comment to my whining?
“It’s not like you tripped over your walker and keeled over at a Bingo tournament, Mom.”
Thanks for that son, I feel younger already.
Do you take calcium?
Have you had a bone density test?
I left a message on your twitter before I read the story. I don’t drink as I have lupus. I take 50,000 units of Vitamin D on Sunday n Thurs. Unless told by a dr. Don’t take vitamins especially if they aren’t coded with safety
Great book Deadly Antioxidants by Dr Shawn Talbott Amazon. Calcium n Magnesium together are important as your gyn will tell you and the article. Protandim helps over 600 oxidative stress diseases. Scientifically proven Don’t wait to get sick
That’s a lot of Vit D! I do take Cal & Mag with vitamin D. I also supplement and take 2,009 extra D daily because I don’t get any dun exposure. It’s a process to keep on top of these things, but worth it!
Ohhhhhhh Boy! I just read this. I am heading for a hip replacement in two weeks. My hip started “going south” way over a year ago. I was avoiding the inevitible. The good news is I can’t wait to get it done (I will have to use one of those things on wheels for a couple of weeks as well). I have not been good about taking calcium etc. My doctor wanted me to take evista (at the tune of $200 a month). I took it for one month did my research and started taking algae cal + strontium boost. There are other companies that do similar formulas. This just happens to be the one I chose. Read the studies I think it is the way to go! Good Luck!
Dear Jennifer, I am so glad that nothing was broken. It is very scary ! I took several tumbles before my hip replacements, even though my bone density is fine the cartilage was practically nonexistent. My balance is still off even with myriads of rehab and a lot of walking!! So just be very careful out there!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Oh no! That’s not fun. Hope you are on the mend. I’ve added weight training to my exercises with bone density in mind. I’ve trimmed down on my dairy consumption so weights augment it. Try to enjoy the rest period. Lots of books and tea!
Oh, no!! What a horrendous way to end what sounded like a perfect day. Sending healing thoughts out to you. Be well… and walker free!
Hi Jennifer,
It’s interesting to read this, but I am so sorry that the post came about because of your fall. Love your son’s comment! But I guess it is a wakeup call for a few of us out there that follow you — can’t deny that exercise and minding our diet can only be a good thing, and that it doesn’t take alot of time per day for it to add up to a big difference later in life. I wish I liked exercising though. I read so many blogs about how people would miss it if they stopped, but that’s not me. Anyway, good reminder of self care. xx Nancy
Chemo for 11 years didn’t help my bone density so bone density scans and 50k weekly units of Vitamin D are part of my regular regimen. Since chemo, I’ve taken Boniva, except this last year when I was on a “Boniva vacation.” As of this month, I’m back on it. So far, so good.
Here’s something else to watch out for in a fall: My dog ran in front of me as I was climbing down from a rock wall. I landed on a stone walkway in perfect yoga plank position. Lucky me because it could have been terrible, especially since I’m in the middle of nowhere, alone. Later that evening, I had lightening bolt flashes of light in my right eye. It was not a torn retina, as I feared, but as a result of the G-forces sustained in my nifty landing, the viscous part inside the eyeball pulled away from the ball itself. It took time for it to heal, but my ophthalmologist said he can statistically guarantee the same thing will happen to the other eye in the next year!
XOXOX,
Brenda
Oh lord Brenda!! How awful to be just waiting for another problem with your eyes!! Luckily I don’t climb rock walls:)) I hope that helps me!!
XOX
Yes, I have been taking calcium with magnesium and Vitamin D for almost 7 years (I’m 62) after my bone-density test showed osteoperosis in my lower spine. I’ve never wanted to take a prescribed medication so opted for the supplement and trying to eat more healthy greens (which I have succeeded at NOT). I do enjoy my wine which also a deterrent. But I do exercise (walk a couple miles a day) and do what little I can to alleviate the chances of a fall.
I’m going to add lots of broccoli to my diet. It’s not my favorite veggie, but better than broken bones. Those prescriptions sound like they have horrible side effects. But then, don’t all drugs? Cheers!
As we both know, this was a huge loss for me as well. But once again, you have taken to at least finding humor in all kinds of situations and I see your son is taking after you. I’m totally with you on the walker, no way in hell would I do that as well. By the way, my friend, how’s the recovery coming along? Any good reading accomplished this past week?
As for the calcium, I’m a true believer in daily dose of yogurt and fresh broccoli as well. Weight lifting is a must in my daily book and I’m totally hooked on pilate’s reformer classes (twice a week). You can do this my friend, too bad we don’t live by one another, we could be work out partners as well.
I have another friend hooked on the reformer. Non impact and very good for posture. We have a local studio I will be checking out. I’m so sorry we couldn’t get together!!
xoxo
I slipped on ice in January and fractured my elbow and rib. I started taking calcium. In April I stepped on uneven asphalt and my ankle turned and I broke my foot. After this fall I requested a bone density test.
These falls are not in my plan to age gracefully!
I’m sorry Pricilla and hear you loud and clear. This isn’t what I expected or want either. I hope your bone density is ok. I felt like a klutz when I fell and am feeling frail now.
Hope you are feeling better. I do want to pass on information my gynecologist told me. Women should no longer take calcium in pill form. It can lead to heart issues as you age. Our calcium should come from our food source. All very confusing since women are removing calcium from from their diet. Please research for yourself. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Peggy
I’ve been reading about kidney stones and calcium supplements. So I expect the safest route is through diet.