What Could Go Wrong? Well, Let Me Tell You
Old Bones
It started with my hips. My latest DEXA scan showed a sharp drop in bone density over the last three years. It was dramatic enough that my primary care doctor messaged me immediately: “It’s time for medication.”
That felt abrupt, especially since the report still placed me in the osteopenia category. But I’ve been around long enough to know when something’s above my pay grade, so I asked for a referral to an endocrinologist.
I’m very glad I did.
She spent over an hour with me, asking questions that spanned everything from my thyroid medication to the Flonase allergy spray I’ve been casually squirting up my nose for years. (Turns out even that can affect bone density). While the DEXA said osteopenia, she took one look at my chart, including the time I cracked my femur in two places from a not-very-impressive fall ten years ago, and moved me directly into the osteoporosis category. Apparently, your bones don’t care how old the injury is or how graceful the fall might’ve been.
I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M SMILING BECAUSE I WAS IN AGONY…NOTICE THE BLUE STRIPE IN MY HAIR 🤣
We talked about everything that could be contributing to the loss and how to slow it down. Pilates got a gold star. Weight-bearing exercise is at the top of the list. She wasn’t convinced I needed to lift weights, but I am. I asked about wearing a weighted vest on walks, and she quickly shot that down. She wants me to be very, very careful. Sheesh.
Then came the balance talk. Not the emotional kind…the “don’t fall and break something” kind. According to her, the biggest danger now isn’t the bone loss itself, but what happens if I trip. Apparently, hip fractures in older adults often lead to a rapid decline. Some never regain independence, and many don’t survive two years. That part landed.
She ordered what felt like every lab test under the sun…most of which I’d never heard of…and said we’d regroup once she’s had time to sort through it all.
I left her office feeling slightly stunned and a little fragile. Which I suspect was her intent.
And in the perfect twist of midlife irony, I caught my sneaker on the edge of the carpet while walking down the stairs. Luckily, I had one hand on the railing. There’s nothing like nearly face-planting after a fall-prevention lecture to keep things humbling.
New Phone
As if the bone scan wasn’t enough of a reality check, I also got a new phone. What was meant to be a simple upgrade turned into a full-blown reckoning.
The new iOS looked nothing like my old one. Icons had moved, apps behaved strangely, and basic settings I use every day had vanished into mysterious layers of menus. It looked like a phone, but it may as well have been a remote control from another planet.
I’ve used an iPhone for years, so I assumed I’d know my way around. But this time, I felt completely out of my depth. After several frustrating hours, I gave up and took it back to the store.
The very kind (and very young) man helping me gently explained that once I updated my old phone, it would’ve looked and worked almost exactly like the new one. Yikes.
So I kept the phone, and I’m pushing my way through it, one small annoyance at a time. Every app logged me out, and it refuses to stay connected to my home Wi-Fi. Every time I get in the car, it randomly blasts the audiobook “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” which I finished over a year ago. Poetic or creepy?
Grandpa Sweater
I finally finished the gray cardigan I started knitting last year. It’s oversized, plain, and every bit as thrilling as that sounds. No awards were won for the knitting skills used nor the results. I’ve been calling it my grandpa sweater, because honestly, that’s who it looks like it was made for. It may end up as my cozy “inside sweater,” and that’s just fine. It needs buttons, which I may or may not get around to sewing on.
I wanted something calm and meditative…and that’s exactly what I got. The process was soothing. The result? A little dull, but dependable.
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t left my cable sweater project back in Vancouver. That one has texture, movement, and enough complexity to keep things interesting. I think I’m craving that kind of creative energy again with something that keeps me engaged and curious about what’s coming next.
Nose Cream Update
In slightly more encouraging news, I think the red spot on my nose is starting to fade. Emphasis on think. I followed the dermatologist’s directions (or so I thought), dabbed on the cream for four days, then patiently waited for… something. A reaction. A change. Any sign that it was working.
Nothing happened. So I kept waiting. Then one morning, I spotted a faint bit of flaking and thought, “Aha! Progress.”
Naturally, that’s when I double-checked the instructions. Turns out I was supposed to use it for seven days, not four, before letting it rest and watching for signs of life. So now I may need to start the whole process over once my skin calms down. Because apparently, even prescription creams come with a learning curve in midlife.
The good news? It’s only my nose. The bad news? It’s my nose.
Round Peg in a Square Hole
In other small-but-satisfying wins, I finally found a round rug that works in our oddly shaped kitchen, which is technically triangular, with odd square angles. It’s not exactly an easy space to fit, but this one slipped right in and softened things up, just like I hoped.
The room needed a rug, and this one did the job. Bonus: it’s machine washable and dryable. Practical and unfussy, which is just how I’m needing things these days.
It wasn’t the easiest week, but somehow, in between the medical charts and rogue audiobooks, I finished a sweater, found a rug that fits, and didn’t fall down the stairs. I’m calling it a win.
What little victories are you counting right now and when was your last bone density test?
Yikes! After reading your roller coaster mine wasn’t bad. I am using a personal trainer for functional training. I have a tendency to trip or miss a step. Evidently strong leg muscles are important in balance. A victory would be finding a curvy pair of pull up jeans!
Strength training under the careful eye of a qualified fitness professional will add the right kind of load to your tendons and muscles that will stress the bones, in a good way, to help make them stronger. It must be progressive, meaning adding weight as you can, to create a “hard” effort with good form. I am really surprised your endocronologist wasn’t more supportive of strength training. Pilates is wonderful for so many things, but it doesn’t provide enough load to impact your bones the way weight training can. Good luck!!!
I was surprised too but I’m taking it on myself to do it
You are being too hard on yourself. The sweater is beautiful!
I thought so too!
I’m not the commenting type but I had to say that l don’t think the sweater looks that bad.
Wow, what a week! I am so happy you found a doctor that spent an hour with you and had answers! I really like the rug and the grandpa sweater! The fact that you made a sweater is part of the beauty. It’s simple and cozy, nice!
For years my bone density results were perfect, but now, no. My body decided to become lactose intolerant. So I take calcium and eat what I can with calcium. Not excited for my next scan.
I enjoy your posts, thanks for sharing!
I too have osteopenia. I started weight training a couple of years ago and my last dexa scan showed some improvement in my hip joint! although not in my lower back. Regardless, I feel that the weight training has improved my chances of not injuring myself in a fall. I’ve had a couple of stumbles recently and one truly spectacular slip on the driveway, but no injuries. I think the key to weight training is to continue to progress to heavier weights but take it slow to avoid injuries. Heavier weights, lower reps. Good luck Jennifer!
Thanks Traci
Hang in there Jennifer one day at a time.
I have a scan every two years and doctors keep telling me to start therapy.
Since I can’t take the oral medications ,they revert to infusion therapy, but after hours of deep research about side effects I can’t bring myself to take that step.
I walk, do Pilates, and have added some weight lifting. It is a difficult decision.
Life gets a little harder when we get older, right? But I try to be grateful that I am still here and semi-healthy 🙂 Love your sweater….looks perfect to me.
I think the sweater you knitted looks very good. Pat yourself on the back b/c you finished it. I really like it.
Keep smiling, this is our life now! 🤩
Oh my goodness, you have had a time of it. Good for you for asking to see a specialist – hopefully the test results will show why this has happened so quickly and can remedied.
My bone density must be fine as I’ve had 2 falls on ice over the last few winters which resulted in a sprained wrist and a sore knee – luckily nothing broken.
This reminds me of the line attributed to Bette Davis ” Growing old isn’t for sissies”.
Wishing you all the best Jennifer.
Thank Yvonne.
Hang in there! You’re doing your best to stay healthy, so stay the course. I appreciate that you are so willing to share your struggles. I can empathize with you. When you try your best to be healthy, and you’re feeling like you’re winning, sometimes( usually too often)life gives you a reality check. For me, it’s a chronic back issue that keeps reminding me of my age. But we all have something, so we just have to keep asking for God’s grace and guidance, and just keep focusing on the positive. Thank you for your emails!
I am on Prolia for osteoporosis and it really helps. I took Boniva pills for years and they kept me from getting worse but no improvement. Prolia is a shot I get every six months at my wonderful endocrinologist. I’ve been on it for about five years and it moved me from osteoporosis to osteopenia after 2 years! I just had a Dexa and I’m stable. Phew. If your doctor talks about that shot I recommend it highly.
Wow that’s amazing! I’ll ask her about that.
Good morning Jennifer!
I so love your sense of humor! Thank you for the early morning chuckles.
I have bilateral hip and knee replacements (yep…4!) and can relate to your bone loss concerns. My primary put me on Fosamax a few years ago despite my kicking and screaming. In spite of reservations, I took it religiously for 5 years and then had a repeat bone density test. Happy to report it worked! I’m off the meds now for a year or so and then we will revisit another round. The worst part was the emotional blow of adding another med to the ever growing list…that, and facing the fact that I’m growing older.
Like you, I’m petrified of falling. The orthopedic surgeon who did a hip made me give up skiing, cautioning I’d shatter bones should I ever fall hard. We live in snow country in the east and I dread the word “ice,” so I shuffle along and try to stay within reach of something…or someone (!) to grab should I feel myself going down.
Best of luck as you navigate the joys of aging. I think you look awesome doing just that!
The osteoporosis diagnosis really related with me. I went from osteopenia to an insufficiency fracture in my sacrum as a result of hiking not to mention daily 3 mile walks and a strict diet to lose weight. It took three months to get diagnosed, and I kept getting prescribed physical therapy, which had me weight-bearing on a fracture. I finally had to go to Emory University in Atlanta to get diagnosed two years on a drug called Forteo Which cost thousands a month I started to lay on bone. Now I am on Fosomax. I am glad you got a second opinion.
Wow!! I can’t they believe it took them so long to diagnose you.
Wow, join the club. I too graduated recently to
osteoporosis
Scary
You will get the hang of the new phone, trust me. I’m 62yo and though we’re in our golden years, we’ve still enough brains & wits to handle these new-fangled ‘smart’ phones. The sweater is gorgeous! Beautiful neutral gray to go with everything. You look great luv!
Thanks Terry
I love your posts! They are mainly about real life in our ‘past middle-aged’ but still kicking!
I am on the border of osteopenia, but I do weight training and am a runner and apparently it has helped the process slow down a bit (I am almost 67).
Keep on keeping us motivated!
I love your sweater! Wish i had your talent. And thanks for the reminder I need to take my calcium, walk and lift those weights! I have not been…..
I was recently told I have osteopenia in my hip. Thank you for this post!
Have you heard of the Prune Study ? It is a way to avoid more bone loss.
I have been doing heel slams every day, which are supposed to help. You should probably ask your doctor first.
Years ago when I was young and never heard of osteopenia , I remember an older relative saying that she had improved her bone density with working on an elliptical machine.
I think I am similar in age to you — just turned 69 — it seems like I have really aged just in the past year . I am still working and wish I could retire and be able to have more time to focus on taking care of myself for the future.
It feels like everything hit the skids at 69 but in truth it was probably earlier and I was ignoring or denying the signs.