Valerie - Interview 03

Diagnosed in 2004 following complains of back and neck pains; on alendronic acid, 70 mg once weekly. She has had three bone density scans and there was improvement on the second but the third revealed a small deterioration of bone density.
Works as a freelance interpreter. To include walking into her daily routine she uses public transport. On average she walks around seven miles or more per week.
More about me...
Valerie talks about her experience of having a DXA scan.

Valerie talks about her experience of having a DXA scan.
Valerie who was diagnosed four years ago waited ten days to have her first DXA and had her second scan three years after that.

Valerie who was diagnosed four years ago waited ten days to have her first DXA and had her second scan three years after that.
Valerie found ways of doing things differently to manage her pain. When she is busy she doesn't notice it so much.

Valerie found ways of doing things differently to manage her pain. When she is busy she doesn't notice it so much.
The other thing is that I’ve got into the habit of reading lying down... Initially when I put my arm out I couldn’t sit at a table and read because my neck would lock. So whether that was the arm or whether that was the osteoporosis I don’t know. But as I didn’t know I had it I assumed it was all the arm. So I don’t read sitting up. I always read lying down and I try not to sit up too much. I don’t have television. So I read instead of watching television. So I actually spend quite a lot of time lying down [china clunk] when I’m entertaining myself. And if I watch a film on the computer I’ll lie down with it as well.
For Valerie drinking alcohol is a question of quality rather than quantity.

For Valerie drinking alcohol is a question of quality rather than quantity.
Valerie has smoked since she was in her early twenties and had no idea that smoking could be a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Valerie has smoked since she was in her early twenties and had no idea that smoking could be a risk factor for osteoporosis.
Valerie would go to her local support group if they ran a class on the benefits of weight lifting exercises for osteoporosis.

Valerie would go to her local support group if they ran a class on the benefits of weight lifting exercises for osteoporosis.
Valerie feels happier with an all female GP practice because she believes there is a lot of age discrimination in the UK.

Valerie feels happier with an all female GP practice because she believes there is a lot of age discrimination in the UK.
Valerie feels that her age and being single has had more of an effect on her social life than osteoporosis has.

Valerie feels that her age and being single has had more of an effect on her social life than osteoporosis has.
Ok so it just varies?
Valerie worries about the effect that osteoporosis may have on her ability to be independent and mobile as she gets older.
