Osteoporosis In The Spine

Hi guys,

Here's an update from my end - I received the results of a bone mass density test that I recently had and it shows that my bone mass density is low in my spine (though my hip is ok).

Basically it works off a standard deviation from a norm... -1 or above is normal bone mass density, -1 to -2.5 shows osteopenia and anything less than -2.5 shows osteoperosis.
My hip was -.08 and so is in the normal range but unfortunately my spine was -3.2 and hence shows oseoporosis.

I have been trying to do some research on the internet as I wait for a specialists appointment to come through the post and it seems to be quite rare in younger women and there doesn't seem to be a lot around. I think and am hoping it can be reversed, at least to a certain extent by specific exercises (weight bearing exercises I have seen suggested...apparently cycling is good for the bone density which is good news!) and watching my diet. My personal trainer Laura has been absolutely fantastic. It was quite a shock when I was first told but she has been great, taking the situation under control, being very positive and advising me on certain things.


So how did this happen?
Although nothing is certain it seems to be the affect of the depo-provera injection that I have been on since I was 16years old. Although this is a contraceptive, it had a dual purpose as it stopped my periods and controlled my hormones. This in turn helped to control my seizures (often seizures are linked to hormones)...my neurologist even advised me to stay on it and wrote a letter explaining that I needed it when I left the country for a few months! Hence it is related to the contolling of my epilepsy. I will obviously have to come off this now which may affect my seizures, but hopefully as I am on anticonvulsants it will all be fine!

Weird timing but just a couple of weeks ago I saw that Epilepsy Action are currently undergoing research into osteoporosis and anticonvulsants! It is another example of how Epilepsy Action are a great source of information and support with relevant research. Also another example of how just because your seizures are controlled, doesn't mean you are fine with your epilepsy!

Also makes me even more determined to do this bike ride as you never know what may happen next...now is the time for me to take advantage! :-)

If anyone has any information on what I have described or if you are more interested in details from me then just give me an email or make a comment.


Thanks guys!! :-)

Poem

Hi guys,

Thought I would share this with you:

Helen Cooper, a working mother with three teenage children, was first diagnosed with complex partial epilepsy when she was 14. Her epilepsy was controlled for twenty years from her late 20s until her late 40s. That changed two years ago when she had a massive sequence of seizures and her epilepsy continues to play a major part in her life. She wrote this poem while she was trying to come to terms with having frequent seizures again.

Monty Python's playing to an empty living room,
but I've fallen to the kitchen floor
cold and crying and confused and Mum's hysterical
and Dads shushing her
and next we're in a blue-walled office
with a doctor in a white coat and a nurse in a hat
and my Mum's dressed to seduce in red and cream.
They talk learning difficulties:
I don't ask why, though I'm in the grammer A stream.
But at uni I'm free and forget about epilepsy

I'm working in a pink high rise in Sutton
and suddenly
I'm in the medical room
attended by a tiny Malay nurse,
and John drives me home.
And I fit and I fit
on aeroplanes, into my inky Imperial
on the tube, and in Notting Hill's
carnival crush.

Today I'm a Jobcentre worker
and everything's fine (twenty years fit free)
when a massive fit paralyses me
for twelve scary hours.

The duty neurologist says "one-off"
but increases my Tegretol-
"just-in-case".
And I'm on the floor of the Jobcentre
and they're keeping the public out
and they dial 999
but the ambulance man won't move me
and my consciousness is gone, all wonky
and two hours I lie on the floor
while the benefits don't get paid.

And I fit and I fit
and I yell at my creator
why do I have to be controlled?
My epilepsy's part of me!
During my post-partial
complex meanderings
my body's locked tight
but my soul's healing
and my psyche's understanding-
exactly what, though,
my unaltered consciousness can't explain

Thanks To Everyone Who Supported The Party In Stoke!

Hello,

Just a quick update on the party in Stoke. We had a great response and coverage in the newspapers and the event raised £56. Although this was a little disappointing, I had a great evening with supportive frineds and it has taken me to the £850 mark!

Thanks to everyone who did come and show their support, I really appreciate it.

:-)


Photos to follow.

June Fitness First Update

Hi guys,

Just to let you know that I have received my first fitness update from the gym for the month of June. If you fancy checking it out just click on the link below!

http://www.fitlinxx.com/ProgressReport/ProgressReport.asp?link={48DA2243-DCAE-49B1-A155-4E3424FBBBF7}&locale=en-GB

Ok, so it doesn't look fabulous but you can watch it change over time! Remember I only joined the gym in June and I guess this can only log the machines where you type your pin in and therefore doesn't give a true reflection of everything I do at the gym! (Plus the cycling outside of the gym of course!). Ok, so now it sounds like I am making excuses but you watch how it will change is all I can say really!

:-)