Devastating dexascan results

Posted , 8 users are following.

Finally received second opinion from dexascan and it shows I am at severe high risk of fractures in both hip and spin, all t scores were minus and Dr said it has gotten worse and worse in past three years and Dr wants me to get Prolia immediately. I also was just diagnosed with a cholesterol of 240 and told my diet must change. I am so afraid to get the Prolia, reading horrible side effects from some and that it also raises the cholesterol levels, as does the pred so very confused. I am wondering if I can control the ostoporosis with a new healthy diet and supplements instead of the Prolia, I dont want any more meds and right now Im in pain even with the 10 mil of pred so hoping for some advice.

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  • Posted

    Yes, to give reasonable advice it would be helpful to know your scores.  My numbers are also all in the minus range, but I've improved them significantly in just a year, and they no longer recommend drugs (I never took drugs).  However it IS possible to improve from full blown osteoporosis.  My inspirational friend who got me started on the natural route was in fact diagnosed with osteoporosis (I have low bone mass or osteopenia) and moved herself into the "osteopenia" range and continues to improve.  This has been confirmed by her DXA scans.

    If you have not suffered any fractures I recommend you go completely natural.  If your results are truly dire or you have had fractures, please at least do the natural things (diet, supplement, appropriate exercise) as well as drug therapy so that your body has the means by which to build healthy bone.

    The fracture risk is determined by several factors, only one of which is the t-score.  The others are previous fracture and taking drugs which affect bones (in our case the steroids).  The major reason people fracture is falling.  So take steps to reduce that risk by exercising to improve strength and sense of balance.  If your spine is at risk get advice from a physiotherapist about techniques to avoid stressing the spine.

    Take supplements to improve bone absorption od calcium - take Vitamins D3 and K2, and make sure you have enough magnesium.  Avoid too much animal protein as the phosphorus can leach calcium (why too much milk is not a good idea), but eat the kind of diet which is also good for PMR, loads of vegetables, enough healthy fat and protein to promote tissue repair but not add to weight gain, and whole grains.  Really any healthy, well-balanced diet low in sugar and avoiding the real baddies like transfats and refined grains should be good for bones. 

    • Posted

      Anhaga thank you so much, all you state makes so much sense, my spine is involved and as for fractures I fell two years ago and broke my metatarsol on left foot, the Rheumy exrayed my back and said he sees a very slight compression fracture in the shoulder blade, he thinks it may be the start of a fracture but not sure, again he is not a bone specialist I have to take his word....this the quack I do not like. I am taking 50,000 mil of vit D2 but he only prescribed it for six weeks and not sure what he will do next. I reside in Florida, so I get plenty of sunshine but evidently not enough.
    • Posted

      At our age we don't make much vit D - however much sun we get. And I bet you don't really go out in direct sun that much - I don't here in Italy.

      That's about right for the start of repleting you with vit D - high dose for 6-8 weeks and then check the level again in case it has gone too high (unlikely). Then recalculate...

    • Posted

      Fantastic news on your dexa results Jean, and honestly Sharon this is sound advice that many of us have found to be inspirational and truly worth following. Milk from grass fed cows appears to be ok though x
    • Posted

      I started to buy organically produced milk a while ago.  The improvement in flavour is astonishing!  I don't avoid dairy products, but some doctors really push it while it really isn't the best source of calcium - even my daughter, a registered dietitian, agrees with me!  

       

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