Well, I've gone and done it now.

[geebee]

Coumadin and osteoporosis.
For some years now, I have had signs of slight osteoporosis. Last Saturday I caught my heel on the back step twisting my ankle and bending my foot. Got the results from my CAT scan today - 3 fractures and a torn tendon.
Have an appointment Wednesday morning for a non-weight bearing acrylic cast to be my friend for the next 6-8 weeks. Guess I won't be opening my pool until July.
Anyway - felt like whining a little and to ask all of you of the age to worry about osteoporosis to make sure you are tested regularly. From what I have read the risk of fractures are increased if you take coumadin. However, the risks are increased only for those who have osteoporosis, NOT for everyone on coumadin. Osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed, successfully treated and, if caught early enough, sometimes reversed.

 

[Blanche]

Gina:
So sorry to hear of your injury. I really hope it will heal well and soon. Thank you for the message here about osteoporosis. My former boss had osteoporosis and I remember the day that I watched her yank at a file cabinet that would not open. She broke her wrist.....but it has since healed with no residual problems.

Osteoporosis can be more of a concern for those taking Coumadin/Warfarin, which are Vitamin K antagonists. The role of vitamin K and bone health is well established. I agree that we all need to be aware of this problem. Al has osteoporosis, but I do too, and I do not fit the profile. I am not small boned, I do not take anticoagulants, and I took calcium all of my life. We were both diagnosed 5 years ago. And, Gina, you are right....we have both improved with treatment. It's important to know that improvement is possible.

Hope you feel better quickly.

Blanche

 

[tommy]

Gina,

Sorry to hear about your fractures. You win - your's tops mine. Hope you mend okay.

 

[Wise]

Gina, sorry to hear about your fractures. Hope your recovery is a fast one. Cindy just started taking fosamax for osteoporosis. She'll be sorry to hear about your fractures. Take care.

Wise

 

[Phyllis]

So sorry, Gina. Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Ross]

I'm sorry, but you shouldn't have tried to run from me.

 

[Mary]

Oh Golly Gina,
It makes me hurt just reading about this!
The tendon might end up causing you more grief than the fractures.
Heal quickly!

 

[RandyL]

Sorry about your accident, be easy and let it heal properly. You have a great attitude so it shouldn't slow you down much.

 

[centuryltd]

Sorry to hear about your injury, I'll pray for your speedy and uneventful recovery.

Steve

 

[Dennis S]

So sorry

So sorry

I am so sorry to hear of the fractures. It is just like you to find, in your own injury, a chance to warn (and help) the rest of us. Please try hard to stay within the Drs. limitations. My son made a football injury much worse by continually exceeding those limitations. I hope you can "rehab" in your pool.

 

[geebee]

Thanks all.
I feel like today is my last day of freedom for awhile. I think OHS might be an easier recovery because at least you can walk around easily.
However, if it will fix things, I guess it's worth it.

Oh Golly Gina,
It makes me hurt just reading about this!
The tendon might end up causing you more grief than the fractures.
Heal quickly!

Mary, you are right about the tendon. If the cast doesn't fix it, I will need surgery. We are hoping that the cast will work since it is not a huge tear and smaller tears usually respond well to casting. I am learning very quickly about this stuff.

Gina,

Sorry to hear about your fractures. You win - your's tops mine. Hope you mend okay.

Tommy,
I would much prefer not to be the winner but, hey, you've got to take little victories where you can find them.

 

[geebee]

Ross - honey,
I was running to you not away; I just didn't make it.

 

[Superbob]

Gina, so sorry to hear of these injuries. Hope they will heal swiftly and you will be enjoying your pool (and maybe rehabbing there?) by the time the really good outdoor swimming weather arrives.

My wife also takes the fosamax to prevent osteo. So far the tests are okay.

 

[Karlynn]

Gina, I'm SO sorry to read this! Eat healthy, do as the doctor orders and heal quickly! Look on the bright side - you could have broken your wrists, then where would we ALL be!!!!!

 

[twinmaker]

Gina, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. You're right about women having bone scans and bone density tests to see if we have osteoporosis. I had mine last year at the urging of my GYN, and I'm glad I did. It was a simple test. I know it's hard, but hopefully the next few weeks in your cast will fly by quickly. You'll be surprised how well you'll adapt though to doing things with that thing on. You'll find your creative side! I tore my ACL playing tennis one summer, and had to wait a few weeks before having surgery on my knee. It's amazing what you can do with a pair of crutches! (I can't wait to see what Ross comes up with with that statement!!!). Keep us posted on how you are doing. LINDA

 

[Marguerite53]

Gina, what a bummer!! And ouch, by the way!! Sounds like you are doing the right thing and learning all you can.

I knew a woman in her mid 40's who had been (I think) on light dose hormone replacement, decided on her own that she was sick of it, stopped taking it and proceeded to break her ankle in several places and whack out a knee. Turned out the hormone replacement was to counteract some osteoporosis tendencies in her but she hadn't really paid attention to her doctor and got herself into some serious complications by taking things into her own hands!! Hormone therapy probably isn't the best thing to bring up to valve women. BUT. My reason for mentioning it is, if you are having some blood tests done anyway, perhaps you should get your Ob/Gyn in on all of this and have them do some special hormone testing at the same time. It just might be helpful in understanding all that is going on, and all the options you have available. You probably aren't there yet, but it can hit really early in some women.

I'm sorry that you'll have to spend the first part of summer hobbling around! I know my son broke his ankle (hairline) before we went to Hawaii one year (perfect!! ) and he was given a water cast thingy so that he could do some boogie boarding. Worked great. Maybe toward the end of this, they can offer you a removable cast like that.

Best wishes! Marguerite

 

[catwoman]

Gina:

Sorry about your injuries.

To All:

I thought anyone on warfarin was at risk of bone loss. There's a reference somewhere here on vr.com to a study of children who were on warfarin.

I've been on Fosamax for a year. I recently asked my PCP to switch me to Boniva. Will be easier to remember to take a pill first day of the month, than every day, when you have to not eat/drink or lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill.

 

[Wise]

Gina:

Sorry about your injuries.

To All:

I thought anyone on warfarin was at risk of bone loss. There's a reference somewhere here on vr.com to a study of children who were on warfarin.

I've been on Fosamax for a year. I recently asked my PCP to switch me to Boniva. Will be easier to remember to take a pill first day of the month, than every day, when you have to not eat/drink or lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill.

Marsha, the Fosamax my wife takes is taken once a week. Once a month is still better. I noticed on the info about the medicine that you need a lot of calcium if you're on it. Do any of you take extra calcium, eat more calcium rich foods? Just thought I'd ask for Cindy.

 

[Georgia]

I figured if I ever need Boniva I'd just take it the same day as the dogs' heartworm meds.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Oh, Gina, that just stinks! I'm sorry you're facing the nice weather in a cast. I hope you heal nicely and swiftly. Take care.