Frequency ox dexa scans

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hello all,

I 've been on prednisone for just over 4 months for PMR.

I had a bone mineral density scan at that time and I would like to know if now is a useful time for a re- scan, or should I wait a little longer to check for any change due to the medication.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • Posted

    The changes in density are relatively slow and normally a dexascan would not be repeated for at least a year and under the NHS it would be at least 2 or even 3 years. To some extent it would also depend on the results you had in the baseline test.

    • Posted

      Thanks Eileen. I had guessed that would be premature .

      I'm hoping that the dose of pred I'm on now, 9 mg tapering 1mg/month, may not affect my bone mineral density that much

    • Posted

      In over 7 years, mostly at above 10mg my bone density barely changed. It's about time for another check I suppose...

    • Posted

      You are welcome, glad you are safe at home!🙂

    • Posted

      It was really such a privilege to meet you "in real". Do thatnk your wife for lending you for the afternoon!

    • Posted

      Oh, I will tell her that she get a chuckle. Your husband was very nice to have time to meet me. Your world is quite large, basically I stay in my little mountain village. It was great to meet you, you have no idea how much you helped me through a very rough time. I will always be grateful. 🙂

  • Posted

    Jack, in my experience it is to soon for a re-scan, especially if no problems were detected on first scan. Take your supplements, walk and do a little weight training. I have done this a increased my density with one Zoledronic Acid injection three years ago. Try and stay as active as you can without over doing it. I been on as 30 mg of Prednisone with no bone density issues. We are all different and each case is different, but that is my experience. Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 🙂

    • Posted

      Thanks Michdonn

      I've been on cal , mag, k2 and d3 sincecstarting on pred thanks to this site!

      Also keeping fit and active and doing some resistance exercises

      my first dexascan showed mikd osteopenia but this have o correlation with the prednisone

      In spite of warnings that pred can lead to weight gain, I'm happy to say that I'm at my lowest and healthiest weight in 30 years thanks to intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet

    • Posted

      You are welcome Jack, I also take MSM for my bones. 🙂

  • Posted

    As the others say checking every two to three years is normal. Do you know the results of your first test? Were you given medication for Osteoporosis?

  • Posted

    Thanks Ptolemy Yes, I do have the results of my first scan - minimal bone density loss

    My doc did suggest a med for osteoporosis, but I feel he is generally too eager to prescribe, so I declined

    • Posted

      My surgery doctors seem obsessed with bisphosphonates I had another argument with one of the doctors yesterday. She said you have been on steroids a long time you should take them. I then said what about my bone scan, which she had totally ignored. She then grudgingly said your bones are quite good! So we go along until the next time, which will probably be the next time I talk to them.

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