15th Oct 2007

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20's/30's

Ann Manley (28) from Dublin was diagnosed with osteopenia (the presursor to osteoporosis) five years ago. "I had an eating disorder that started in my late teens and it was suggested that I go along for a DEXA scan to check my bone density" she says. " The results showed that my bones were far worse than my 70 year old Mother who had osteoporosis". But, actually, being told that she had the condition helped Ann face the fact that she had to deal with her anorexia.

She was advised to put on weight, increase her calcium intake by using supplements and to go on the pill, to help regulate her periods and raise oestrogen levels. "At the stage I was diagnosed, I hadnt fractured any bones, but since then I've broken two ribs and had a couple of bad sprains. It's mainly in my spine- I've never really had much bone-density loss in my hips".

As its easier for Ann to fracture bones thant it would be for someone with normal bone density levels, she has to be vigilant about no tfalling over or getting into accidents. With a history of osteoporosis in her family, Ann would probably have developed the condition in time. "Even without the eating disorder, I think I would have developed it anyway, but probably not until after the menopause". The good news is that Ann, who is a Doctor specialising in geriatrics and now in osteoporosis too, still has tim eon her side to try and build back bone density.

40's/50's

Colm Cullen (53) who lives in Co. Kildare, found out four years ago that he had osteopenia. Colm, who is a Garda with the Traffic Division in Dublin, was involved in a road traffic accident 15 years ago. "I broke my spinal cord and had to start using a wheelchair. It's funny, but of all the things they told me about in rehab, they never mentioned osteoporosis". It was the lack of physical exercise that caused Colm's bone density to diminish. "It would never have entered my consciousness that a man could get the condition" he says " To me, it was always linked ot old ladies". After being told that he had osteopenia, Colm made improvements to his diet, started taking calcium supplements and takes medication once a week. ""When I went back for a scan two years later, it showed an 8% improvement. It didnt sound a lot to me, but my Consultant said it was great". Colm encourages others to ge ttheir bones scanned, even if its just for peace of mind. "Prevention has to be better than cure. I also think its something tha tmen should be more aware of".

60's and onwards

Maureen Murphy (67) from Delvin, Co. Westmeath, has lived with osteoporosis for 20 years. She is the Chairperson of the Westmeath Osteoporosis Support Group. "I had gone along to see a Doctor about a pain in my back" she recalls. "I had a blood test done and he said it looked like I had osteoporosis". Everything began to fit together. Previously, when suffering from whooping couhg, a bout of coughing had been severe enough for Maureen to fracture a vertebrae in her spine. With her new diagnosis, it made sense why it could have happened. "There was very little medication at the time, but as time went on, I was put on newer medications". Maureen had to spend time in hospital after she fractured vertebrae in her back. "I had seven vertebrae fractures and I'd say I fractured most of my ribs too". She also has a curvature of the spine (a type called Dowager's hump) and she wears a brace because of this. But Maureen has a positive outlook on her condition, perhaps due to the fact that she was a nurse until she had to give up work. "Its two years since I had the last fracture" she says. "The medication has helped a good deal. I also try to walk every day and I use a little weight to strenthen my hands and wrists".