4 replies to this topic

[Gary Anderson]

I may be "taking time out," however, felt I wanted to make this post.

I have recently obtained a copy of Frank Gardner's book "BLood & Sand" which is a memoir about his life in Dubai, etc, prior to his shooting in 2004.

Anyway, in typical medical fashion I read the book from the back! I know, but it is a medical thing. I wanted to see how he was "now" not what he "was." Anyway, I was gobsmacked to read that the guy has osteoporosis.

Got me thinking - how many of you paras have that?

I regularly have check ups but dont know whether I am checked for that. However, it got me wondering, is it a common para thing? Do paras get checked over for osteoporosis?

Anyway, that's my question.

I have to say that the book is a great read and better than I imagined. The guy has put up an incredible fight and his descriptions of catheters, etc, is so graphic you will cross your legs and shout in agony.

Gary

[WonderDerek]

Osteoporosis is a calcium deficiency in the bones? If it is, I won't have to worry about that. I drink about a gallon of milk every day. Saved my life when the accident happened so I dare not stop now

[kanga2433]

Derek,

Osteoporosis is a loss of calcium from the bones but it is not just the intake of calcium that is important. Limbs that are not used (legs to us) will ungo changes through time. Muscles will start to waste unless there is enough spasm to keep them going. Also the bones will start to lose bulk unless they are 'used' by standing on them, hance the importance placed on standing and passice exercise of the legs.

[Jilly]

My guy has osteoporosis. Also his spine is quite curved from sitting in his chair for so many years. He has never been one for standing frames etc he says it makes him FEEL disabled. His osteo is quite advanced I think. He is getting shorter as well. So weight bearing activities are VERY important for those of you are relatively new to the chair - its not just caused by a lack of calcium.

Heres a funny story related to it....One night he had been at the pub with his mates and after quite a few drinkies, for some reason they decided to see who could put their foot behind their head! Since my man is T5 complete he is quite loose jointed, and cant feel it anyway, he pulled his leg up and snap! yep you guessed it - he broke his thigh bone! (cant remember what the thigh bones called!) since he was pretty drunk, and couldnt feel it, he didnt really realise what he had done until he got home and realised his leg was more floppy than normal!! The result was 9 days in hospital where they put a steel rod in his leg to support the bone! The upside of it is he managed to give up smoking while he was in there .....He is VERY lucky I wasnt going out with him at the time!!!!

[LadyPilot]

After I broke my neck I became 2" taller, not surprised with a 16lb weight hanging off my skull

I have a good relationship with my GP. I used to be a nurse before my accident. So when I requested a bone scan to see what my bone density was he agreed.
The results showed that my bones were losing their density as a result of lack of use rather than osteoporosis. I have now been put on a once a week drug called Alendronic Acid plus daily Calcium tablets to prevent further bone loss.

If you are a "long timer" then ask your GP for a bone scan.

I do have a standing frame but it takes so much effort for me to strap myself in and then stand there that I no longer bother. I am very active otherwise and my upper body strength is very good.