Does MS Mean Bones Are Going to Break?

Bone health is not usually included in a list of MS symptoms, but maybe it should be -- at least as a secondary symptom, or one caused as a result of primary symptoms.

Women with MS are at increased risk of also developing osteoporosis. A critical preventive strategy for osteoporosis is exercise, especially weight-bearing and resistance exercise. Not so easy for many MSers.

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. As an MSer, be aware that you are at risk. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends five steps to bone health:

1. Take daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
2. Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise.
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
4. Talk to your doctor about bone health.
5. Have a bone density case and take medication when appropriate.

These steps are also beneficial when caring for MS, too. Vitamin D is making the news more and more as having positive effects on MS. Exercise may be restricted by ability, but movement begets more movement. Smoking and drinking should always be done in moderation.

Osteoporosis is generally considered a woman's disease. Eighty percent of the 10 million people affected are women, but men have it, too. MS is increasingly affecting more women then men. When I was diagnosed in 1989, two out of three MSers were women. Now that ratio is four out of five. Women, and men, too, should be aware that MS and osteoporosis often attack together.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, osteoporosis, downthemspath, mssymptoms, osteoporosispreventionsteps

MS and Bones

There is a relationship between MS and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common and usually more serious in MSers.

Do you know about osteoporosis? Wanna bet? Make sure you know the facts instead of just the myths. Read the facts to be sure.

So take this quick 8-question test to see if osteoporosis is a possibility. If it is possible, or if you have been diagnosed, or if you are a woman -- especially a post-menopausal MSer -- adjust your diet to strengthen your bones. Here are some diet tips to keep your bones healthy. While you are eating calcium-rich foods, you might want to reduce the amount of soda you drink.

Remember if you have mobility problems or are in a chair, your lack of weight-bearing exercise increases your risk. Because I am an MSer with severe osteoporosis, I sometimes write about osteoporosis on this ms site. Here are previous posts on Vicki's Blog and Down the MS Path.

Taking care of yourself includes taking care of your bones.

technorati tags: osteoporosis, ms, multiplesclerosis, downthemspath, healthcare

Let's Talk Osteoporosis

I never thought much about osteoporosis until I was diagnosed with it and began to learn more. It is serious, and older people, especially post-menopausal women, should be aware of this condition. WebMD, a site I rely on for good information, has some good articles today.

First, there is some evidence that Fosamax, a popular drug for treatment may actually weaken bones in a small subset of users.

Are you a drinker, or were you in younger days? Alcohol may heighten your osteoporosis risk.

Just as for heart disease, there may be genetic markers for osteoporosis.

Severe osteoporosis, that may be beyond Fosamax, may be treated with daily Forteo injections. I am quite familiar with this one. The problem here is that Forteo is recommended for only two years. There is a new option beyond those two years. Reclast is given only once a year -- yes, once a year! However, there are warnings accompanying this drug.

Thank you, WebMD, for continuing to keep us informed.

technorati tags: fosamax, forteo, osteoporosis, downthemspath

Osteoporosis and Me

Bone health is important, and a chronic condition like MS makes it even more important. Strong bones are crucial to our health, our daily lives, and our overall quality of life. For me, the story is personal.

Osteoporosis does not discriminate. It does happen to little old ladies, walking bent over, who break their hips when they fall. Historically, it's been a normal part of aging in women. However, the truth is that osteoporosis sneaks up on energetic, active people like Sally Fieldand me. And it sneaked up on 10 million other people in the United States. Wow.

Among those millions are all types of people, mostly women, but men, too. Many of them also have chronic conditions and disabilities, like me. I have MS, and my osteoporosis is severe, described as "off the charts." Each jostle is a new breakage opportunity, and my bones are extra breakable

(read more)

technorati tags: , disability, disabled, ms, multiplesclerosis, , osteoporosisandms, osteoporosis, downthemspath

Paradoxical Effect in Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is common among MSers. There are medications that strengthen bones and elevate calcium levels.

However, there may be a catch. A recent study found that popular osteoporosis drugs biophosphonates, may have a paradoxical effect. That is, these drugs may do the exact opposite of their intention. These drugs include Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva. I took Fosamax for awhile, but apparently it did not increase my bones' density enough to stay with it, or maybe not at all. I was concerned it may have affected my jaw, but the x-rays said that did not happen. Whew!

So now I get daily injections of Forteo. There are no studies of Forteo beyond a two-year regimen. I am about there, so I'm wondering what's next.

technorati tags: osteoporosis, biophosphates, fosamax, forteo,

My New MS Site

This is the first post of my MS site. It will consist of my personal experience since diagnosis, personal anecdotes of others, links to MS sites, news and articles about MS breakthroughs, new treatments, and other MS-related topics. I plan to include tips on surviving everyday life as an MSer, cooking from a wheelchair, dressing in a wheelchair

I was diagnosed with MS in 1989 and with osteoporosis in 2003. This is my story and the stories of as many others as will participate and contribute. I live in a wheelchair – a 3-wheel scooter – but many MSers do not. This is about MS, as much as I can cover, as much as blog visitors want to tell or see.

Vicki’s Blog is my blog. I made several posts about MS and disability so I thought a blog focusing specifically around MS is a good idea. Here are the posts already published:

12/17/05 Truth & Beauty
12/26/05 Multiple Sclerosis
1/7/06 Respect for the Disabled
1/11/06 Life Among the Uprights
1/21/06 Peter’s MS Site
1/24/06 Osteoporosis
1/27/06 Osteoporosis and Multiple Sclerosis – A Common Match

Tags: ms multiple+sclerosis osteoporosis

Statistics for Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass

Here are Osteoporosis statistics based on race:

MSers at Risk

We have known for some time that MS and osteoporosis have a relationship. I have written about it before, and now I have found even more information.

A Health Care Industry article emphasizes it is common for MSers to have low bone mass density. Limited physical activity and steroids, frequently associated with MS, aggravate the risk.

Doctors Bowling and House wrote an article on Disaboom of hidden conditions such as osteoporosis when coupled with MS. The problem is not only that MSers are vulnerable, but that health care professionals often overlook it.

These are good reading. The articles remind us it is vital to be aware of the possibility of osteoporosis with MS, regardless of age or gender. Don't just wonder if you need a bone density test, ask your doctor. It is important!

technorati tags: msandosteoporosis, downthemspath, riskofosteoporosis

Rally for Sally

Just like MS, Osteoporosis does not discriminate. Sweet Sally Field -- our Gidget, our innocent Flying Nun, strong Norma Rae and many others – youthful Sally Field was on the Today Show this morning reminding women to get bone density scans and to take care of our bones to improve our quality of life.

Sally recommends Healthy Bones.

Remember, for MSers, osteoporosis is more common and more serious than the general population. Get a bone scan and Rally for Sally.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, osteoporosis, healthcare, sallyfield

University of Maryland Medical Center

The University of Maryland Medical Center has an informative web site, allowing the reader to enter a topic, such as MS. It lists valuable links, including symptoms common in the early stages, as well as symptoms that show up as time passes, and possible triggers for exacerbations. If you are in the area, you can learn how to become a UMMC patient and select from their list of specializing doctors. If you do not live in Maryland, you may still benefit from browsing their links.

Check other diseases and conditions for an equally comprehensive list of links. I looked at Osteoporosis and found sites I had not seen before.

Good work UMMC!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, ummc, downthemspath, healthcare, universityofmaryland, medicalcenter, symptoms, osteoporosis

Is this all?

You have MS. Are you still at risk for cancer? For a stroke? Isn't the MS enough?

Well, yes, it is enough, but there is no guarantee you won't also develop another chronic disease. Many blogs and stories I read include tales about a second, or even third medical problem in addition to MS. Life isn't fair.

No, life is not fair and contracting one condition does not reduce the chance of contracting another. I have secondary MS, which is not fair in itself. I also have severe osteoporosis. Not fair again. We all have to take care of ourselves, and that responsibility does not end when one disease is diagnosed.

You have MS. How do you find out if you are at risk, and what do you do to reduce that risk?

The Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention has developed a quick -- less than 5 minutes -- questionnaire to help determine your risk. It also gives tips for strengthening your health chances based on your results. Test for osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. I did. It was fun, the results were correct and informative.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, cancerrisk, healthcare

Any Questions?

Find some answers. My favorite upright Garry found this example of our tax dollars at work.

Medline Plus a division of the National Institute of Health presents over 165 interactive tutorials with programs about diseases, treatments, surgeries, procedures, and prevention. I watched and listened to the Multiple Sclerosis and Osteoporosis modules. Each program lasted about 15 or 20 minutes.

There were many diseases from acne to breast cancer to tennis elbow. Other pages of the Patient Education Institute site provide “information therapy” on medications, bird flu, research and more.

Definitely worth it.

technorati tags: Ms, multiplesclerosis, osteoporosis, healthcare, tutorial,

Learning More about MS

WebMD is a source of information I use often. They have added a new feature I think is worth a look.

They have created Health Guides with detailed information on symptoms, treatments, and resources for more help and information. These guides are for more than 60 common diseases, beginning with allergies and headaches, and including multiple sclerosis.

The MS article begins with an Overview, probably nothing you haven't already seen if you're an old pro at this, but definitely helpful to newly diagnosed and the not yet diagnosed. Other sections are
Symptoms & Types, descriptions of primary, secondary, and tertiary symptoms as well as specific symptoms. There are discussions of exacerbations and relapses, and specific types such as Devics and Shilders diseases, finishing with advanced reading that covers children with MS;
Diagnosis & Tests, describing the tests often used and frequently asked questions;
Treatment & Care, describing MS medications and medications and care for specific symptoms;
Living & Managing covering specific problems and situations and finishing with personal stories; Support & Resources, a link to WebMD's message board and MS expert.

There are others that may be of special interest to MSers, such as Depression and Incontinence. I also read Osteoporosis.

technorati tags: downthemspath, webmd, ms, multiplesclerosis

More Research

In the MSIF report on research updates there are several studies discussing statins as a treatment option in MS. A subscription for professionals is required to read these papers, so I did some research on my own.

About 25 million Americans already take statins to lower their cholesterol, but indications are favorable for MS treatment. More studies are in process. There were so many articles, but some were dated as early as March.

Understanding MS, a site I have recommended before, has a good article.

And here is an article from the National MS Society.

Here's one of particular interest to me. Statins may be helpful to MS and osteoporosis -- and alzheimer's, too, though I have not been diagnosed with that one.

technorati tags: Ms, multiplesclerosis, msresearch, statin, mstreatment,

Vitamin D and MS

I take a lot of calcium to help with my osteoporosis, but calcium alone may not be enough. Vitamin D allows the calcium to be absorbed into the blood, so I also take that.

Now I see some research that says Vitamin D and MS may be a beneficial match.

Four small studies suggest that Vitamin D may decrease MS exacerbations. These studies were performed on a small number of participants, but the results sound promising.

I can't wait until I hear more.

technorati tags: vitamin-d, research, MS, multiplesclerosis