Osteoporosis

I am 52 years old. On 11-30-00, I fell at work landing on my shoulder crushing the humeral head and breaking my humerus in three places. The surgeon, after the first operation, came out and told my husband my bones were like butter. I have spent the last six years enduring surgery after surgery trying to find something that will fix my injury, but even after 7 open reduction surgeries and a massive infection, I still experience a high level of pain daily and cannot work. Don't you think testing for osteoporosis should begin a lot earlier than what it does now? I am depressed and scared to death that I'll fall and re-injure my shoulder or some new bone/joint. Lots more going on, but too depressing.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're in so much pain. Did the doctors give you any indication of why your bones are so far gone so early? I was diagnosed at age 42, but I had POF at 33 and also have Graves Disease, so that's why mine are gone.

What are you taking for the osteoporosis? I'm on my second month of Forteo & I'm hoping for the best. So far I've only broken my wrist, which took 13 weeks to heal, but that was 2 years ago.

I forgot to answer your question. Testing does begin earlier if you've got underlying conditions that can contribute to osteoporosis like I have. I had my first bone density exam at age 36, which showed osteopenia. I'm 47 now.

I was diagnosed at 29, right before my first child was born.