How do we first know that we have osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Hi Constance - You're right about the pain, I think I,ve been reading too many stories about fractures and crushed vertebra.  The first item that I checked on said "The pain associated with osteoporosis is due to the fractures (broken bones) it causes". This immediately jogged the memory and I realised that the connection between pain and OP that I high-lited above just doesn't exist. I'm not sure of the osteo- arthritis since I only rarely get the pain and it isn't charactertic of that which my wife got in her hip when it was affected by arthritis. I don't think that I have any damaged bones. Maybe it is just a bit of recurring sciatica but I still wonder how most people initially get a diagnosis of OP.  Mine was a little fortuitous since the Dr hadn't got any idea of what was causing the pain and wanted to know what was happening. Hey-Presto, instant Osteopenia.  It's a pity that he refused to follow it up earlier (two years after), it might not have developed into Osteoporosis had appropriate treatment started immediately (now seven years after dexascan).

Constance is correct about the pain.

I was in a similar situation to you in that when first mentioned to doc (family history of osteoporosis), it was dismissed.  I rather foolishly ignored it for a good many years but kept up my gym attendance - strength and weight bearing exercises - lots of treadmill and vibration plate, zumba, Pilates etc.  Few years ago decided to have private ankle scan which prompted doctor appointment and dexa scan where osteoporosis in spine (-5.2) was diagnosed. I am in NO pain whatsoever, in fact half the time I forget about my diagnosis (now -4.9)  so some improvement after six monthly injection of denosumab.

I think the reason why osteoporosis is known as the silent disease is that one has no idea of its existence until we either insist on a scan or break a bone! Not an ideal situation to be in.

At least I now take more care when going down stairs and out walking - particularly if conditions are icy - there are various exercises I just don't do in the gym now - thanks to advice from others on this site. 

Do hope you find the cause of your pain and a remedy. 

Thanks for your answer, it bears out what I am coming round to believing. I've continued my saga below.

Thanks for your answer. One thing that the dexascn technician commented on was that I had lost around an inch (2.5cm) in height over the last seven years, and of course this could imply that the space between the vertebra is narrowing as you suggest.  I had not connected the height reduction with OP - I assumed that I must be a little bent over. I too have upper right arm pain which I believe is from tendon damage in the shoulder. I haven't been able to overarm throw a ball for quite a few years. I tend to put some of these physical problems down to general wear and tear and not being prepared to admit that I can't do things as easily as I was able to do previously.

It's likely to be around ten months before my Dr will sanction another dexascan and from previous comments he made it seems he will try to put it off longer.  Some insistance will be necessary but I have the last dexascan report which recommends a further scan after a year so that may make things easier.

When I went for a scan last September I was told that I had lost an inch in height.  I was, of course, horrified.  I do not have OP yet, but definitely at risk.  I can only assume that the height loss is caused by a variety of things .  I have severe OA in a couple of low back vertebrae, and also have developed mild scoliosis, as well as severe OA in several neck vertebrae.  I think the postural issues caused by that, plus simple aging of the discs must be the cause of my height loss, as I've no spinal fractures or other reason for OP (which I don't have yet) to have caused this height loss.  My physiotherapist has, I think, succeeded in straightening me up enough that I've got back about 1/4 inch or so,but it's hard to tell. And whatever has been going on the last 4 or five months obviously I'll have to keep working on staying straight for the rest of my life or will continue to shrink.  

I could do with a bit of extra height and the posture route is worth trying. I find that sitting upright for the thirty minutes after taking AA, is quite an effort and I have to be careful because I find myself sagging.  It probably doesn't help that I read a book at the same time.

Hmmmm, wonder if a physio would work for me?   After my last MOT I was told I had lost 3/4cm in height in 12 months; but I have also lost 4lbs in weight,  so concentrate on the weight loss - at least i am staying in proportion!!!

Hi Kathleen, I'm still trying to pull my head out of the sand with regard to arthritis and things will have to get significantly worse before I'll treat it seriously but the information is good anyway, particularly that regarding the sacroilliac which is also one of the many aches & pains that I get if I sit too long. I jst assumed that the chair was also getting too old!.  What is Bowen therapy? I haven't cpme across that before. I'll have to have another search.

I can't sit at all on most chairs. It takes about five minutes before I start to have pain in the sacroiliac and if I wait I can't get up.

Scoliosis also affects height and I have that mildly only. However, apparently, most people do have at least a mild form of scoliosis.

My husband has the bones of a 30 year old and he is 74 this year but he has lost a bit of height. He was 5ft 11 7/8 and is now about 5 ft 10 and a fraction.

Maybe Google Bowen therapy as that will be better than my explanation.

 

Thanks Kathleen.  I've been and had a look at the association's web-site and found it most interesting but I'm not certain that it would be right for me. I have absolutely no problem relaxing, particularly after a session at the gym and a walk along the seafront.  I don't know about the scoliosis although I have come across that many years ago. I'm learning a lot in a short space of time.  Just hope that I'll remember some of it.