Myths and misconceptions about osteoporosis and osteopenia

One of the myths from the women's health pages. The also include the word, effective, too! 

They are saying the opposite to doing no harm!

 

Are they also saying that osteopenia and osteoporosis are the same, one leading to the other, or are not the same?  Which is the myth?  I know what I think, but I find the post a bit confusing.

The statements are myths. Osteopenia does not lead to the other. So, if you have osteopenia on the hips but osteoporosis in the spine then that does not mean that you will have osteoporosis in the hips as well. I have arthritis everywhere except the hips. So my osteopenia in the hips may never be osteoporosis. I am not saying there is any connection between osteoporosis or osteoarthritis though. When they X rayed my hips I could not believe there was no osteoarthritis because everywhere else showed I do have that. 

What I am saying is we cannot assume anything!

I can't put the actual websites up but women's health network will find it. 

There is so much information that key words being up many to choose from and from there be discerning and even compare what is being touted.

I have a link to a presentation which several of us thought was excellent. I have to send it in a private mail (the envelope under your ID picture. It may not appeal to you but the guy giving the talk is very good and seems to know his stuff.  Will send this & then mail you.

Thank you very much. And to you again Kathleen.

I can't remember if you've said where you live.  I think any jurisdiction must have some list of indications for certain tests and procedures and anyone who has been taking bone medication should be eligible for a scan - if not there is something seriously wrong with the system!  If you can't get one through public system could you pay for one?  I think I read somewhere that a DXA scan isn't too expensive.  

On a less serious (I hope) note I was refused a Vitamin D test.  My daughter who is a dietitian told me that all the doctors in Nova Scotia were told to stop sending people for that test once it became "popular".  But in my case, I had active sarcoidosis some years ago and there is some disagreement about whether large doses of Vitamin D are bad for people with sarcoidosis.  Also I have a diagnosis of osteopenia and am on steroids.  So it seems if anyone should be eligible for a Vitamin D test it would be someone like me.  Similarly you should be eligible for a bone density scan.

Hi Anhaga

I am in the UK, Northeast coast. It depends on which Dr you get and how they are feeling today as to what sort of treatment you are eligible for. This is probably a slightly jaundiced view of what happens sometimes in an overworked system that tries to cope with a lot of time wasters and usually does a fair job of it. A previous attempt to get a rescan (after two years) resulted in a six year wait by which time I had OP and osteopenia. After I've been off AA for a while and when the year is up since the last scan, (October) I shall ask for bone density scans and vitamin D and Calcium tests and see what happens.

I think that it is marvellous the way conversation members look out for each other. I'm very impressed and extremely grateful. Just talking about the problems helps to clarify them and usually presents a way forward. Judging by your numbers, you have been around this website for some years. I do hope that things go well for you.

No, I'm just a chatty person. I have no life. I signed up last August, I think,  when I needed some help with my steroid taper.  Diagnosed with polymyalgia in June 2015, osteopenia in October.

You could be describing me Anhaga! Chatty with no life much! Lol!

I am having my second Dexa scan next Tuesday and I refused to take AA and it is only one year since my last one. 

I think we are the best judges when it comes to checking or rechecking that!

My GP wants me to have it anyway just to make sure it is not deteriorating  fast.

Your input is always appreciated Aristotle!

I always have a vitamin D test included. It is important as it indicates a variety of problems when low. My Crohns specialist first picked up I was low in that. I have everything checked every time which is two times at least per year.

I think government's use the overuse excuse to save money but it is the doctors and patients who should decide what tests are needed. Politicians do not usually have medical degrees.

So much is picked up on the blood tests and adding vitamins to counteract a shortage of vital vitamins can prevent further cost to the health system anyway.

Ah ha, I'm a chatty person who thinks he has a life and wants it to continue without brittle bones, oesophagal cancer and myriads of other AA related problems. Had a day to cogitate and I'm even more certain that I've made the correct decision.