“My T-score went from -2.5 to -2.3, yes, osteoporotic to osteopenic in 2-3 years”
Since her mother had an early osteoporosis diagnosis and suffered severe fractures, Dee Dee was quick to get a DEXA scan following her menopause. She also has ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis), which increased her risk of osteoporosis due to its side effects.
‘The whole process of DEXA and results was horrendous. The radiographer prophesied doom and gloom for the entire duration of my scan. She went on about not being able to tell me the results, but saying I’d be on tablets which might well give me intestinal distress, and then would have to come off them after which my bones would deteriorate further and nothing else would be able to be done. You can imagine how awful I felt awaiting the results.’
After waiting for her results, Dee Dee was finally diagnosed with osteoporosis aged 60.
Following her diagnosis, Dee Dee read every study and review she could find on osteoporosis and concluded the best thing she could do would be to improve her diet and exercise regularly.
Unfortunately, not long after her osteoporosis diagnosis, Dee Dee suffered a prolapse from blowing up a balloon.
‘So now the exercise wing of my strategy had all but collapsed. I could no longer do impact exercises or weights, and the ME was already precluding anything even slightly cardio. So I continued with Margaret Martin’s balance, posture, and prone leg/neck exercises, and taught myself Tai Chi (short form), which contains a lot of balance and unipedal work. I still worried that my exercise routine wasn’t sufficient to improve my bones. And then, O frabjous day, I saw a podcast by Margaret Martin where she interviewed Clinton Rubin.’
‘The whole idea of the LiV was new to me so I did as much research as I could and read up on as many of the studies he referred to as I could. The science sounded reasonable and consistent, and my gynae consultant wasn’t at all worried about the G-forces involved “just like walking along the pavement” he said.’
Dee Dee was 61 by the time she started using her Marodyne which she affectionately calls ‘the buzzer’.
‘I use it once a day, maybe even two or three times depending on how my M.E is. I pair up buzzing and Tai Chi, so that each reinforces the other’
‘For a long time I was feeling pretty confident. I was doing everything I could, and was happy with the regime now I had the buzzer. However as the next DEXA scan day approached my confidence waned. It gave me a nervous week, but my anxiety was not realised’
‘My T-score (femur) went from -2.5 to -2.3, yes, osteoporotic to osteopenic in 2-3 years. This, for me, is massive, considering the rate at which I appeared to be losing bone before. Knowing these results has boosted my confidence a lot. I notice that I no longer say to my husband “don’t break me” if he hugs me hard, and I don’t seem to get lower back pain after sitting now’
Dee Dee plans to have another DEXA scan done in 12-18 months to confirm how well her regime is working. She hopes her story will bring encouragement to others battling bone loss.
We can’t ignore the damaging impact osteoporosis has on women’s lives
Up to 80% of us will experience osteoporosis in our lifetimes
To protect patients and healthcare providers, we need to focus on preventing the causes of osteoporosis, not treating the outcomes
“Put simply, this device has given me back my life and restored my confidence.’
Jane Ryan, author of the ‘Missing Dad’ teen spy thriller series, has always led an active lifestyle; horse-riding, kayaking and dinghy sailing – you name it. At age 60, however, she suffered a fracture to her femur after tripping over and was subsequently diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Not wishing to sacrifice her active lifestyle or face the side effects of the osteo-drugs recommended by her GP, Jane sought an alternative. That’s when she discovered Marodyne LiV.
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‘Marodyne LiV is a life-changer for me. It has given me confidence that I can improve my bone health and regain my strength.’
Sylvia was just 53 when she was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. A DEXA scan revealed she had very low bone density with her lower spine having a T-score of -5.6 T. X-rays also showed she had experienced multiple fractures in her lower and upper back over the previous three years.
It was around this time that, by chance, Sylvia discovered Marodyne LiV in a magazine. Eager to find a solution, Sylvia got in touch.
“I thought my outdoor activities in the sunshine and vitamin D supplements would maintain my strength and bone health: but I still had osteopenia!”
Louise was diagnosed with osteopenia – the condition that precedes osteoporosis – in 2012 aged 61. Despite leading a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle, Louise was concerned for her bone health after she broke her arm while travelling in Australia.
Louise knew she had to be proactive to avoid her bone health deteriorating into osteoporosis. She was keen to try Marodyne LiV and was the first UK patient to start using the device in August 2015.
Diagnosed with osteoporosis aged 56
Danah was diagnosed with osteoporosis in September 2020 having had osteopenia for three years. She found it quite a shock to have this diagnosis and see the deterioration compared to the one she had received three years previously, especially as she exercises a lot and eats healthily. Danah was advised to take alendronic acid but didn’t want to take medication.
Looking for a drug-free way to combat the disease, Danah opted for a combination of HRT and Marodyne LiV.
Judith was diagnosed with osteopenia after she insisted on having a DEXA scan. She had no symptoms and felt and looked fine in herself. However, when her older sister discovered her osteopenia had progressed to osteoporosis, Judith wanted to get checked herself.
Judith’s DEXA scan result prompted her to take preventative action to avoid her bone health deteriorating further. She upped her calcium intake, returned to doing weight training and started working out with a personal trainer. She also looked into other natural preventative options and found Marodyne LiV.
Emma had an early menopause at 42 and was told then to keep an eye on her bones. A few years later, aged 50, she had a DEXA scan which showed the start of osteopenia. Emma didn’t want to take medication so set about doing more exercise and committed to walking further and more often. She much prefers natural therapies to drugs and ensured a healthy intake of Vitamin D, Vitamin K and calcium supplements to give her bones a boost.
Looking for an extra way to help her bones, Emma turned to Marodyne LiV.
Patricia Cox, 71, High Wycombe
Dorothy Wood, 72, Sheffield
Danah Witkin, 57, London
Trevor Dyson, 66, Northamptonshire
Lis Harding, 79, Chester
Mavis Ahern, 73, Brecon
Geraldine Chamberlain, 67, Colchester
Lesley Wilkinson, 65, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Julie Arnold, 65, Beaconsfield
Judith Darling, 58, Shropshire