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Osteoporosis & M.S.

by Patricia
(Chicago)

I was diagnosed with MS a year ago. I am in my mid 50's - I had MS for awhile undiagnosed. A week ago I had my second bone density test. My last one was 2.5 yrs ago. Then I had minor bone loss, now I have significant bone loss. I have osteoporosis. I have to see a specialist next week. Right now I am on Avonex once a week injection.

Does anyone know if there is any connection between MS & osteoporosis?

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Oct 27, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		MS and Osteoporosis
by: Akrista

Hi Patricia,
As a woman in your 50's, you are automatically at a higher risk for osteoporosis. There are several other risk factors that may cause you to be more susceptible to this condition.

A few of them are your weight and height. If you are small and thin, you are at greater risk. If you have a family history of the condition and if your diet over your lifetime has been low in calcium and vitamin D.

Other risk factors are your ethnicity - white (non-hispanic), and Asian woman are at higher risk even though African American and hispanic women can also get osteoporosis.

There is a connection with MS as well. If you are less mobile, meaning you spend a lot of time sitting or lying in bed, then you are probably not doing what they call "weight-bearing activity". This causes your bones to become weaker over time.

Another cause may be if you have taken many corticosteroids for treating MS. These weaken the bones as well (lowering your bone density), making you more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Multiple sclerosis is probably not a direct cause of the condition, but more an indirect cause that raises your risk for developing it.

It's good that you are being tested and know that you actually have it. I'm not sure of all of the different treatments for osteoporosis, but knowing that you have it and the fact that you are going to a specialist is a good thing.

Possibly there are supplements he or she will recommend. Maybe diet changes, and possibly exercise to increase your weight bearing activity level. I'm pretty sure lifting light weights an help a little.

I'd be interested in knowing how your evaluation goes if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks for the question and hopefully others will jump in and add more information as well. Take care and let us know how it goes.

Akrista & Cir
Jan 19, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		MS & Osteoperosis
by: Cathy

I am 51 years old and have had MS since high school. I am tall and thin and no longer very active.

Just diagnosed with osteoporosis complete with extremely brittle bones and knees that lock if I leave them in a bent position for more than 10 or so minutes. Very painful.

I am now doing an IV Spiriva treatment every 3 months. I also have RLS and TMJ as well as OCD and PTSD and had bladder cancer that had to be removed and tested for years. Am now cancer free.

Brittle bones are a big problem for me because my toes are constantly moving, trying to make sure they are still there since MS has taken all feeling. Just moving them against each other causes one toe to break every other day or maybe it just never gets the chance to mend so, now it is crooked and painful.

I don't know if any of my health issues are related to MS but I just wanted to connect with someone else with more than just MS to deal with. I have been doing injections for over 10 years, have tried them all. It's impossible to inject into fatty tissue when there isn't any on me.

I'm in a whiny mood tonight because I also have fibromyalgia, making my arm so painful it is impossible to use it for anything such as typing, writing, lifting a glass, etc. My wrist on the other side got broken a couple of years ago and it just refuses to heal.

I went from a lifetime of being a caregiver to being close to so disabled I can't do anything for myself, never mind for anyone else. My positive attitude has taken a leave of absence but it will return. I am finding out I do have a breaking point and I just want to scream "no more!"

I don't mean to bring you down or suggest I have it worse than you. Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone with dealing with more than MS. I probably won't be invited back here after this.
I hope I didn't depress you or scare you.
Jan 26, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Immunity card with MS?....no I guess not
by: Megan

My heart goes out to those who not only have MS but like a dr so many letters after....I to have MS, and well a few other "letters" as well.

I am 43 and at this point still active. God is a big God and he knows how much we can handle...we seem not to have as much faith in our ability as He does....Reading these heart felt posts has given me the drive not only to do more speaking, educating, and more fundraising, to end this ambiguous illness.

I was diagnosed Feb 3rd 2006 with MS. I have made it my mission to make the new Pink Orange and educate the up and coming medical field our side, our frustration, our fears of what is happening to our bodies. We all have issues and what we do with those issues makes us who we are.

I know some days getting to the bathroom from the bed is like a marathon. To tie a shoe or comb hair is way too much, but life goes on. Kids, households, family. If anything I have learned we are not meant to do this alone. We need a community to live out life-healthy or not. We need to set our pride down (my struggle) and allow others to use their gift of service to help.

Please do not take for a second I think that any of you are lazy or just don't want to do anything. That is the farthest from what I mean. I know when I wake up and my legs have been "spazing" all night long or my chest feels like someone has sat on it and I haven't taken a deep breath all night. I am exhausted.

I just completed a real marathon for those who can't for whatever reason. I didn't train much....too much energy. I wanted to show the world just because I have ms and... I am not broken just chipped but still useable!!!!

Move to your ability and whatever that may look like feel alive. Some days I am in a wheelchair some days I can't see, some days I have no use of an arm (usually left, God has a sense of humor I am/was left handed).

I try to look at life in a positive way. We can justify for the good or the bad. When I am in the wheelchair I see life from a different prospective. I don't have to get up to turn on or off the light, I can clean the water dispenser on the fridge much better. All the doors on the lower cabinets are right there...

When I can't see very well, everyone looks so much better (lol). I have broken bones that only hockey players break. I always say that I will give this body back well used when I am done! I pray for each and everyone of you...

Good luck,

Megan

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