DXA results, finally

Posted , 11 users are following.

So today I finally got complete results for both last year and this year DXA scans.  As hoped there has been improvement and they are no longer recommending taking medication, nor any further scan for I think it's three to five years.  So nutrition and exercise do work, at least when on low dose long term steroids.

2 likes, 40 replies

40 Replies

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  • Posted

    Great to know, Anhaga. Thank you you for sharing.
  • Posted

    That's wonderful, it gives us all hope that we can maintain bone health without drugs whilst on steroids. My dr was pushing for drugs, she didn't approve of me pushing back with diet and exercise.

    • Posted

      Well at least you can say you know of a person who didn't take recommended drugs and in one year was able to improve bone density this much.  Sorry I'm no good at math, but it seems like I improved by a measureable percentage. smile

  • Posted

    Yes, I'm not sure how often my insurance company allows one to have a DX, but I'd be interested in seeing if there was any progress. Hopefully as good as yours.

  • Posted

    What are your suggestions with nutrition, what web site, what foods, anything please?
    • Posted

      See my reply to Clare above.  There are books about vitamin K2, and websites which give ideas about exercise.  
    • Posted

      Thank you Anhaga!  I was told not to take glucosamine as it raises blood sugar.  Other than that I will try all your suggestions.  I am still waiting to go to a rheumatologist but I am convinced I have PMR.  My  doctor took me off the prednisone and my pain came back so powerfully I wished that I was dead.  Was rocking back and forth all night long and crying.  Went back to ortho for follow up on blood work and MRI.  Everything normal but HLA-B27 antigen.  He suggested rheumatologist but says primary has to refer for my insurance.  I asked him for prednisone again and he gave me 5 day course.  Pain is gone on second day.  I am so frustrated and depressed.  I know it will take a while to get into a rheumatologist and don't know if I can handle the pain.  Also concerned that my sed rate is normal and see so many doctors poo pooing PMR if blood tests are normal.  Please everyone pray for me that I can read your great posts and hope for a brighter future.  Thanks 

    • Posted

      I take the glucosamine for osteoarthritis, not osteoporosis.  Sorry, should have made that clear.  Just listing all the supplements I take as it's hard to know what is the key thing which is working.

    • Posted

      Patricia, If you are suffering so much can you go to your hospital emergency department?  PMR could be managed by your family doctor if s/he would only admit the PMR diagnosis is correct and that way you wouldn't be suffering during the interminable wait to see specialist.

  • Posted

    Great news! I too had an improved DEX a scan in the same machine, from 2 years ago, and my bone density has improved 3.5%. I exercise about 1/2 as much as I did before PMR so I think it is the calcium, taken with the Vitamin D. The technician had me get up off the table to look at the screen to see the improvement😊

  • Posted

    Wow!  Wonderful news!

    Thank you for sharing all your research with us. I have been following your advice for some time now though I'm finding it hard to walk each day  due to "PMR doldrums".

    I wonder if another variable re your dexa results is that you are on a lower dose of Pred. Do you happen to know the dose you were taking when your prior test was done?  And how does that compare to your dose when this recent test was done?

    • Posted

      I started at 15 in June last year, and the scan was done three months later.  I was at 10 mg when scan was done.  One year later my dose was three.  It has been a fairly steady reduction but considerably slower now.  I was above five for a bit over six months of the intervening year.  It has been a lot of work.  

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