Osteoporosis and our family: Jean and Leanne

73-year-old Jean, from Sheffield, was diagnosed with osteoporosis seven years ago. Following Mother’s Day on Sunday 26 March, we spoke to Jean and her daughter Leanne about the impact of osteoporosis on family and daily life.

Please note, this blog discusses a mother and child relationship and may be a sensitive topic for some readers.

Jean’s story

“I remember bending down in a shop to pick something up and felt a sharp pain in my back. I went to my doctor to check nothing was wrong and was told it was muscular pain and that it would go away. While on holiday, I experienced another sharp back pain and struggled to walk and sleep as a result.

“I went back to the doctor for an x-ray and was told I had three spinal fractures. I was referred to a bone clinic for a DXA scan and was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I’ve experienced seven spinal fractures in total and have lost two inches in height.”

Had you heard of osteoporosis before the diagnosis?

Jean: “I’d heard of osteoporosis, but you think it’s something other people get, and that it won’t affect you. I was at the gym three times a week before being diagnosed and was fit and active, so I just didn’t see myself as at risk.”

Leanne: “Yes, I had, but I don’t think I’d realised the seriousness of osteoporosis and how lifechanging it can be. The pain my mum was in when she had multiple spinal fractures was horrible to see. It happened so quickly, and she went from suddenly being really active to not being able to move much or even make a cup of tea.”

Does osteoporosis affect everyday life? If so, in what ways?

Jean: “I can still walk about quite well and have adapted my everyday life in small ways to avoid further fractures, such as avoiding carrying heavy bags when shopping to make sure I’m not putting pressure on my back. I do get back ache sometimes and have to be a lot more patient with myself when doing tasks, which can be frustrating at times.

“After my spinal fractures healed, I was able to do a lot more again, which is really great. It definitely makes you grateful for the simple things in life, such as going for a short walk with your family. I really enjoyed going out for a Mother’s Day walk with my grandson.”

Leanne: “Sometimes it’s harder for the people around you because they feel so helpless. I know it was hard for my dad to see her struggle and not be able to help with the pain. I helped as much as I could with daily tasks, like shopping and cooking. It’s little changes that you don’t often think about. We had to say to my son “you can’t jump on grandma because her back isn’t very well at the moment”, which was difficult at times.”

Have you/her developed any helpful strategies or tips for managing these?

Jean: “Speaking to the ROS specialist nurses on the Helpline really helped me to understand ways I can slowly build up strength and manage my pain. They gave me some great tips for managing my condition, such as exercises to strengthen my bones. I also try to listen to when my body needs rest instead of pushing it too far. I lie down for ten minutes when I feel tired to let my back relax.”

Leanne: “My mum has been really amazing; I don’t think I’d have coped with it as well as she has. She tries really hard to not let it get her down and looks for so many ways to make her situation better.”

Read our tips for living well with osteoporosis.

Has this experience affected the way you think about your bones and health in general? If so, how?

Jean: “The experience has definitely made me more aware about my bones and health in general. It’s so easy to take your health for granted. When I was diagnosed, I remember my husband being so upset at seeing me in pain, so I think it’s made my family more conscious of their health.”

Leanne: “I definitely do try to keep as active and healthy as possible, and I’m more aware of my bone health now. I really think you can easily take your health for granted until you see a loved one impacted by a condition.”

What’s one thing you’d like other people to know about osteoporosis as a condition?  

Jean: “Being diagnosed with osteoporosis has made me think about my daughter’s bone health more and I would encourage everyone to take proactive steps for their bones.”

Leanne: “I think to be more aware that these things do happen and that you’re not invincible. I’d like to encourage others to make small lifestyle changes now to stop the pain from broken bones later, such as taking vitamin D supplements during the winter months and getting enough from the sunlight between March and September.

“When I tell people my mum has osteoporosis, they think she will look like a little and frail with a hunched back, but this isn’t the case at all. I’d like to tell people that this isn’t the case for a lot of people with the condition.”

Find out more about ways to protect your bone health.