What is it like to be a man with osteoporosis?
LARRY’S STORY
Diagnosed with osteoporosis when he was 48 years old, Larry Funnell relates the story of his experiences with the disease:
“I was shocked when my doctor told me I had osteoporosis. Like many others, I didn’t think that osteoporosis affected men. Even though I broke many bones in my mid to late 40s, all from accidents no more severe than a fall from a standing position, it wasn’t until an eighth fracture occurred that my doctor sent me for a bone mineral density test. My history with broken bones suddenly made sense.
As a man, I felt isolated by osteoporosis. There was plenty of information available about women and osteoporosis – but disappointingly little about men. I was delighted to discover several local osteoporosis support groups, but then dismayed to find that I was often the only man to show up at their meetings. My quest for information led me to the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) where I finally started to get the answers that had eluded me.”
Fracture-free for 11 years, Larry credits effective treatment and the support of COPN. “I’m no longer confused – men do get osteoporosis but not many of them know it. They all need to know that fractures can be prevented and that both women and men can live safely and well with osteoporosis.”
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