Osteoporosis at 42 :)

satherapy

Hi my name is Yadi:

I am 42 years old and would like to share what has finally started my awakening to my healthy future.

For years I have battled pain in my joints I went to many doctors only to hear that maybe Im depressed, or Im not eating right or not exercising enough.etc.... I heard it all but no one was hearing me. I complained that I had pain in the morning that I felt stiff all over. I had visible swelling of my neck, back, fingers, hips and knees.... I just assumed it was part of life....I continued to searched for answers and came across a rheumatologist who ran many xrays and blood analysis and stated I had ankylosing spondilitis...WHAT???? say that again... was my response.Through the years I lived with the assumption that I had this autoimmune disorder which eventually would probably place me in a wheelchair.. So exercise was important but I did it in pain everytime..thinking life will not get any better physically. I didnt feel despair because I have still been able to go on and make a professional of myself. I am in private practice and a mother of 3 wonderful children and loving my stable relationship..Only, life was going to be lived in pain forever. I meditate, do yoga, but all in pain. pain, pain...Until....
My sons began having back problems and aches in their back and knees. So I decided to find another rheumatologist and told him ,"I live in pain and with swelling and although it sucks I can live with it but my boys are 15 and 19, I have to help them. So you wipe out all prior information of what I have been diagnosed with and you tell me what I have so I can help my sons.

He ran more bloodwork than Ive had done in a lifetime, xrays, mri's and the diagnosis is I have Early Onset of Familial Osteoporosis of the shoulders, hips and knees. Although this sounds grim, I am ecstatic that my doctor offered me hope of living without constant pain (seek your own professional treatment plan). In doing my own research I have found that maintaining a diet of lacto ovo vegetaranism helps in slowing down the progression of the disease along with an exercise regimine under my doctor's care.

Therefore, I am going to make a lifestyle change because how severe this disease progresses is truly up to me...So if anyone has some thoughts on how to make a smooth transition to vegetarianism or any other suggestions, I would welcome your comments.

See you in the near healthier future,

Yadi

msbarcomb

Hi Yadi. I don't really have any suggestions on the vegetarian diet but thanks for sharing your story and I hope your boys are feeling better as well.

arewethereyet

Yadi, first let me say welcome. :flowerforyou:

Second-thank you for sharing your story. It must be very painful both physically and mentaly. I love your positive attitude towards life and getting healthy.

My medical wake up was cholesterol over 300!

:flowerforyou:

MOMOFTWO29

Hello and welcome to MFP. I think you will love this site. I do. This site is so supportive, helpful, motivational, easy to use, and everyone here is so nice and friendly. I just wanted to wish you success on your weight loss journey. You can do this!!!!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

satherapy

Thank you so much ladies.. it was so wonderful to read your postings. Im on my first week of being a vegetarian and Im doing great...Just the idea that I soon will not be in pain is making this process so easy. Today is a hard day..Im bed ridden with pain but I managed to get up and make egg beaters with vegetables, coffee with rice milk and soy breakfast sausage. I drank some water and took my pills. I cant wait to begin the injections. I swam yesterday and felt better, i will do some swimming later when some of the swelling goes down...

I hope you all are finding your inner motivation. Its wonderful to find outside support to continue to motivate me as well.

Thanks,