A few months ago, before I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my awareness about bone health was close to zero. I suspect the same is true of many people. Now I am determined to do everything in my power to help others – both women and men – to avoid ending up in my situation.
I found out I had osteoporosis after an accident while training for a half-marathon. It was a blessing in very painful disguise. If I hadn’t fractured my shoulder, I would still be blithely going about my life, totally oblivious to the fact my bones were progressively weakening. My suspicion is that thousands are in the same state of false security.
The thought that I will be vulnerable to more agonising broken bones for the rest of my life is frankly terrifying. But knowledge gives me power. I am taking steps to reduce risks through diet and exercise, and while I am not letting it stop me live my life, I am taking more care to avoid trips and falls.
The diagnosis has also given me access to treatments that can significantly reduce the probability of a fracture.
These are a personal choice, but I’m grateful to have been offered Evenity, a new osteoporosis drug. I hope it will be a potent weapon in my fight.
RUTH SUNDERLAND: A few months ago, before I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my awareness about bone health was close to zero. I suspect the same is true of many people. Now I am determined to do everything in my power to help others
RUTH SUNDERLAND: I found out I had osteoporosis after an accident while training for a half-marathon. It was a blessing in very painful disguise. If I hadn’t fractured my shoulder, I would still be blithely going about my life, totally oblivious to the fact my bones were progressively weakening
Corinne Turnbull (pictured) at Everest base camp. She was diagnosed with osteoporosis shortly before her 40th birthday
I began monthly injections in January and have had no side effects so far.
Although I considered myself to be pretty clued up on the health and fitness front, I now realise my bones were a total blind spot. Considering our bones quite literally are the structure on which we create our lives, this is bizarre.
Our skeletons support our bodies. They allow us to move and they protect our internal organs. Bone marrow produces new blood cells to keep us healthy and store minerals such as calcium.
I had thought about cancer, cardiovascular health and all the rest, but keeping my bones strong and healthy was not on the radar.
As for osteoporosis – well, in my mind it was something that happened to my mum’s generation, not mine. I learned the hard way that I was wrong. Bone strength peaks at about 30 and, in women, can decline rapidly around the menopause due to loss of oestrogen.
The medical profession and employers are becoming more aware of women’s health in mid-life. Bone health, though, is largely missing from the discussion.
The whole way we think about osteoporosis needs to change.
The common perception that it is a disease of old age means it is viewed through a lens of negativity and low expectation. These ageist and sexist stereotypes must be binned.
If osteoporosis is detected in a timely way, then with the right support and care people can live very fulfilling lives.
I’m so inspired by the incredible women on these pages. Despite osteoporosis, in spirit they are not merely strong, they are unbreakable.
