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Bone scan shows osteoporosis. What treatment if any do you recommend

Posted , 12 users are following.

OregonHazel
OregonHazel

hi all,

I was diagnosed with PMR a few months ago and have been on prednisone since. GP recently ordered a bone scan just to get a baseline reading despite my assurance to him that I am a strong person (think pack mule not delicate daisy)

Well GP office phoned a couple of days ago to notify me of the results and low and behold I have osteoporosis.

I was stunned. I replied that NO I did not want to come in and discuss about it which I am sure earned me (another) note in my chart as a reluctant patient however I know I will have to have the discussion soon. My GP rations my prednisone on a monthly basis requiring me to visit the office before issuing any refills.

For those of you who have osteoporosis what are

your experience with medical treatment options? Pro and con of any drugs?

I have taken calcium/vit d supplements for years and have a calcium rich diet with plenty of dairy and veggies. Prior to PMR I did weight training at the gym and have been slowly increasing my activity level since being hit with the PMR. Any additional self care items you recommend?

I want my old life back - back in time to last April when I was healthy and care free and use my internet to Goggle vacation ideas vs medical conditions. I'm sure you can all relate 😃

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH OregonHazel

    Posted

    For a start I wouldn't believe the result of osteoporosis until I had the t-scores from the dexascan. Some doctors don;t appear to know the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis. There can be a LOT!

  • barb3389
    barb3389 OregonHazel

    Posted

    Same happened to me - Osteoperosis in hips. Finished pred Dec 2016. I did not do any of the recommended drugs, just continued calcium/vit D supplements. 2018 scan showed no difference from 2017, so being off pred i'm hoping to see an improvement for 2019. I felt all prescription drugs had too many side affects . This is what I call prednisone induced osteoperosis, which my PCP sort of agrees. I look forward to an improved scan this fall. Good luck with your journey.

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy OregonHazel

    Posted

    Have you been given the results of your Dexascan? I would definitely get hold of those first before doing anything.

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy OregonHazel

    Posted

    Have you got a copy of your Dexascan results? Personally I would not do anything until I had seen them.

  • OregonHazel
    OregonHazel

    Posted

    I've always gotten test results in the most general terms, such as elevated inflammation markers, cholesterol levels ok, osteoporosis etc. It sounds like many of you get a lot more details and numbers, is that something you requested from GP or do most GP routinely given out this info?

  • Threlly
    Threlly OregonHazel

    Posted

    I know exactly what you are talking about, I too am in denial, I have osteopenia, seen on dexa scan, wouldn't have know only they told me, gp pushing alendronic acid, decided not to take them, after saying I would, was very nicely told off by my gp for not taking her advice, and strongly recommended to start AA, still thinking about it, who wants to take meds when they have no symptoms ?

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Threlly

      Posted

      Osteoporosis is non-symptomatic (although fractures are not).

      However, it is not considered best practice to prescribe bone medication for low bone mass, aka osteopenia. Do what you can to maintain and possibly improve your bone density through natural means.

  • barb3389
    barb3389 OregonHazel

    Posted

    As a person who had two bouts with prednisone for PMR and have now been diagnosed with osteopersis in the hips, I personally have not rushed to take any prescription osteoperosis drugs. I have been doing weight bearing exercises(hiking with a backpack carrying up to 3 liters of water).

    Hopefully my next dexa scan will show an improvement.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy barb3389

      Posted

      I have discovered that it is really worth getting a copy of test results as doctors are rather cavalier about what they say. I had some blood test results which had been high and my doctor said they had gone down. On checking I discovered they had gone up. I then asked her about this and she said it was only a small amount, I pointed out it was sixty per cent, her reply was "Well if you want to look at it like that!"

    • OregonHazel
      OregonHazel ptolemy

      Posted

      I guess even doctors have off days but wow that is a bizarre conversation with your doctor about the lab results. I can see the value in looking at the raw data.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy OregonHazel

      Posted

      This doctor seemed to have rather a lot of off days! She was just hopeless at arithmetic. In fact I have found that problem with a lot of doctors. It is quite important to be good at basic arithmetic if you are a doctor I think.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga OregonHazel

    Posted

    My doctor told me I had osteoporosis from the summary she received which said "low bone mass" and recommended medication. However when I finally got the t-score I "only" had osteopenia (which is more accurately called low bone mass). I'm pleased I didn't accept the offer of meds, and within a year of "natural" methods I had improved the t-score to a point where the meds were not recommended any more!

    Google healthunlocked my osteoporosis journey for an account of what I did (and still do).

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