Osteoporosis

[Bern]

Hi, I had my first MND related fall on Saturday. I've fractured my wrist. There's no bone displacement so that's good. They've put a cast on today for 6 weeks.
However, the x-Ray showed that I have osteoporosis. They've scanned my legs, hips and spine to look for weaknesses.
I'm not in an at risk age group, have never smoked and my diet is good.
Is there a link between osteoporosis and MND?
Thanks,
Bern

[Mac123]

Hi Bern, i would be very interested to find out! Two years ago i had severe swelling on my left knee, following scans it was established i had Rheumatoid Arthritis, i had no other apparent symptoms!
Four weeks ago following 15 months of tests i was diagnosed with mnd!
Like you i am fit and healthy, non smoker and a regular runner
keep in touch
Denise

[MNDConnect]

Hi Bern

I'm so sorry to hear about your fall and your fractured wrist.

I've asked our research team if there is any known link between osteoporosis and MND. They found an article review from 2012 which focuses on osteoporosis in various neuromuscular diseases. It has a section on ALS (from page 13) that showed calcium and vitamin D deficiency in people with ALS which resulted in poor bone health. The research team couldn't find any evidence that one condition would be a predictive factor of the other.

You can read the article here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/art...hms-415470.pdf

I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Rachel

[Terry]

Hi Denise and welcome to the forum,

Rheumatoid Arthritis doesn't sound much fun, nor does osteoporosis. I guess that we are more prone to osteoporosis after Mnd as we don't stress the bones so much as we used to.

Like both of you, I have regularly exercised, eaten a balanced diet but I have had three puffs of a cigarette.

Please feel free to ask any questions or comments.

Best wishes, Terry

[Bern]

Thanks everyone. Thanks Rachel for the info.
Bern x

[Ellie]

Hi Bern,

So sorry about your fall and osteoporosis. I hope you’re not in much pain and I wish you a speedy recovery. Did the DEXA scan show up low bone mineral density in the areas scanned?

Once oestrogen stops being produced by a woman, the prevalence of osteoporosis rises substantially, and occurs in 1 in 2 women to 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 (figure varies in different publications, but both figures are high ) So it is common enough in women over 50, because oestrogen is essential for healthy bone density levels.

There’s no causal effect between having osteoporosis and then getting MND. But for those of us with ALS/MND, we cannot do the exercises to maintain our bone health, so it’s a double whammy I guess. That’s why a fall can be bad news.

Although I’ve a couple more years to go before I’m 50, I’d say my bone mineral density is already compromised as I’ve been in a wheelchair for 9 years. I dread to think what my bones will be like when I stop producing oestrogen!

Stay safe Bern…

Love Ellie.

[Bern]

Thanks Ellie.
I'm still awaiting the scan results. I had a fall on an icy path earlier this year but there were no breaks then. That was prior to my MND diagnosis.
You are right though, in that osteoporosis ties in with lack of decent exercise; my age (59) and being female!
Thanks again,
Bern x