Nurse learns of osteo the hard way

Physiotherapist had to quit job after pain of bone disorder.

Physiotherapist Fawzia Al Ajami, 60, had to quit her job after osteoporosis struck. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Fawzia Al Ajami was a busy physiotherapist until a few year ago when she had osteoporosis diagnosed.

Ms Al Ajami, 60, was popular at work for being very active and worked double shifts when required.

This changed when she started feeling a needle-like sensation in her knees in 2010. The pain was debilitating and she was unable to move around.

“I couldn’t stand the pain,” Ms Al Ajami said.

“I couldn’t go to work and I resigned from my job. I refused to have an operation.”

The Egyptian nurse and physiotherapist has worked in Abu Dhabi since 1988, and the hospital at which she worked offered her free knee surgery, but she declined.

Ms Al Ajami tried herbal medication from Malaysia and the US, which helped her to lose weight.

“I was over 100 kilograms and I looked everywhere for someone to help me,” she said.

“I lost 25kg and I was very happy and felt fantastic, and could walk around.”

But the herbal medication was very expensive and when she could no longer afford it, the weight returned – as did the pain.

“I didn’t know of any risk factors before I suffered from osteoporosis and I was surprised that I was having this problem,” Ms Al Ajami said.

She wasn’t taking preventive measures, hated drinking milk and ended up being deficient in calcium.

She was not tested and did not know she had weak bones before 2009.

Ms Al Ajami is no longer in pain but sometimes uses a wheelchair or walks with a stick.

“I tell young people to take care early so that they can avoid the shock when they grow older,” she said.

“I have started advising everyone around me but I think young people don’t take it seriously.

“Now I’m taking vitamin D supplements and will be getting my follow-up soon. I try to eat more salad, have more water, and be healthy.”​