Anyone diagnosed with osteoporosis?
I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis which doesn't come as any surprise given that I've lived with severe arthritis all my life.
I have some treatments in process including an infusion (reclast?)
I am 65 and have a history of some significant accidents including being hit by a car as a small child which likely accelerated the condition.
I've also been on opioid pain meds for many years. I have been in the process of stopping these in an effort to see how much pain I can handle. My life is a lot less active in the last 15 years so it seems quite doable at this stage. My entire family died around 2008 and I don't have near the responsibilities that I had in the past.
I have read that these drugs can also accelerate the condition.
But they were necessary and I have no regrets.
It's just depressing and just wanted to share.
Just to speak to the opiod thing. I have several family members whom fully transitioned to medical cannabis. Including one whom has gone through several foot surgeries and is down to 4 toes.
I had a grandfather die from opiod addiction. His last 10 years he was a shadow of his former self.
While my stoned inlaw can be a nuisance sometimes, they're at least not suffering quite the same kind of debilitation that they would if they were using opiods to manage the constant pain. And that should give my kids more happy memories with them.
I'd encourage you to give that a try if you're in an area that allows it. It's certainly more pleasant than trying to quit the pills and sort real pain from opiod-influenced psychosematic pain in one go.
I have never had addiction issues - but tolerance has certainly been something I am dealing with. That's just the nature of using opioids.
Never experienced any kind of "high" from them - just relief. The patches I have been on helped me to remain working and self sufficient all these years. I will always be grateful for that despite the struggle and the stigma attached to this kind of Rx.
I am an MSW social worker who has worked in the field of child welfare for nearly 30 years and will hopefully be retiring next year (or sooner). My life is much slower, less need for movement, more ability to rest so it's a natural time to see how it goes with the meds.
I am just a bit frightened of the bone disintegration and it's impact on my life and how the treatments have panned out for people.
I am limited with certain meds due to being on blood thinners .
I will soldier through as I always have. Just another minefield to map.
Just a note here - I've had both hips replaced in the last couple of years due to inflammatory (RA/PA) and osteoarthritis. No post-surgical opioids used, just cannabis. You can get balanced CBD/THC products now that offer more pain relief and less impairment, so that's what's working for me when I'm in too much discomfort to get a good night's sleep or manage daily activities.
YMMV, but the side effect profile and overdose thresholds for cannabis products are generally much safer than opioids, tolerance is slower to develop (I haven't noticed any, but I'm avoiding everyday use), and they're less likely to interfere with other treatments.
I've been on opioids since the 1980s (severe accidents, etc). Different types/different strengths. I've lived with severe pain all my life.
Now that I am older my activity level is lower and I can rest which is actually my go to treatment of choice.
Hopefully I will be off opioids in January 2024.
I used cannabis in my younger days years ago but stopped for maybe 30 years or more. Rediscovered it in Colorado and Maine during a couple trips and now use occasionally.
I can't take much - a couple hits here and there.
My bigger issue these days is anxiety. Life transitions, illness, etc.
There's a fine anxiolytic line for me with cannabis. Too much and it generates a bit of paranoia.
I think I am going to get my medical card in the fall after my last trip of the year.
A friend at work said she would help me go through the process.
Plus I want to learn how to use the cartridges.
I was waiting for my state to go recreational but that isn't happening anytime soon.
Thankfully I am able to drive to a nearby state for restock.
I don’t have osteoporosis, but since you mentioned arthritis, I do have chronic inflammatory and autoimmune issues. I was able to get most of it under control thanks to a biologic, but still have occasional flare ups where I need to take something for the pain. There are some types of pain where NSAIDs and opioids have no effect, but a small dose of cannabis works wonders.
I have been using occasional cannabis (I travel to a nearby state to get it) since 2018.
The best thing I have in my toolbox is rest which was virtually impossible for many years. Now I have much more ability to rest thankfully.
Yes I will have to play around with the type and dosage but I think it will work.
That with rest as needed should be enough.