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Newly diagnosed osteopenia T -2.4

Posted , 9 users are following.

dee72836
dee72836

Hi all,

Following falling down stairs and sustaining fracture to my spine 3 months ago my dexa scan T score results are -2.4 for my spine.

Providing my blood samples are ok my GP has prescribed Alendronic acid.

I do appreciate I'm as near to osteoporosis score as you can get but   does anyone have a view on this.

I am concerned (as I'm sure everyone is who takes this and similar drugs) with the possible side effects. 

0 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 dee72836

    Posted

    I refused to take AA as well. My tscores are worse than Anhaga's but I still paused and  decided to research and be sure about taking the drugs and I never came to the conclusion to give the drugs a tick.

    Like Anhaga I am doing the diet route. I am not as good with the exercise regime though.

     

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga kathleen65757

      Posted

      But you do some kind of resistance exercise in the pool don't you?  That is you, or am I thinking of someone else?

    • christine45355
      christine45355 Anhaga

      Posted

      I didn't realise magnesium was relevant to osteoporosis - I was taking it for restless leg syndrome after my hip replacement but stopped as after 7 weeks I lost the restless legs.  Is it worth me taking it again?

      Chris

    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 Anhaga

      Posted

      That was me Anhaga. My husband got sick of going to the pool so we have not been for a while. I was walking around outside but recent weather has been terrible so I have not been doing much lately, unfortunately.

      I will organise a new schedule as the weather improves with maybe some pool and some walking. Any exercise is better than no exercise. 

      My husband has had a bad knee but has started taking krill oil which seems to be helping. Old age is not for wimps I am afraid.

      My diet is good but I need to improve my exercise. 

      I am thinking of some physio again for my back as well. 

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga christine45355

      Posted

      Christine, well if you had a deficiency that caused restless legs it seems it might be wise to be taking a little extra.  I honestly don't know how much you would need, you'd have to work that out yourself.

    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 Anhaga

      Posted

      I have restless legs and a tendency towards leg cramps.

      I think the answer is to take them some of the time, not every day.

      My pills have magnesium, manganese and vitamin B6 totalling 500 mg, magnesium being the major component.

      It also helps with osteoporosis and other things.

      Legs will remind me to take them and then I take them other times but not on a daily basis.

       

  • Soozib
    Soozib dee72836

    Posted

    Hi Dee

    I broke my leg almost 2 years ago and had a scan. It was broken in 3 places but fortunately it was possible to immobilise it and I avoided an operation. The worst part was a tibial plateau fracture that the consultant did not see at first! My scan results were about the same as yours - maybe a bit worse. My GP was keen to get me to take AA but I refused and am really glad a did because some of my friends have had some nasty side effects and wish they hadn't taken it.  I know that some have no problems with it and it is up to each of us to make decisions about our own treatment. I am going to request another scan soon so will make a comparison and let forum members know about the results.  I am 71 and feel extremely fit. I have lost the weight I put on through being immobile for so long. I walk almost every day (over 12000 steps) and have a good diet. I spend a lot of time outdoors and don't need to take supplements of any kind. The most important person in my rehabilitation has been a personal trainer who gives me regular weight training exercises. I know this isn't for everyone but doing full-body workouts with weights has made a huge difference to me. I certainly feel as though I have much more strength and my posture has improved too. I am hopeful that the next Dexa scan will show an improvement. Good luck - whatever you decide.

    Sue

     

    • dee72836
      dee72836 Soozib

      Posted

      Thanks Soozib, it's very encouraging to hear how well you feel on excercise alone.

      i will look forward to hearing your results my GP said results of AA can be seem after one year but he would not refer me for a follow DXA until 2 years of taking drug.

      i shall start weight bearing excercise in the gym.

      iI haven't decided yet on tasking the drug as I'm still looking at my options.

  • alison28608
    alison28608 dee72836

    Posted

    Hi Dee. I too had fractures to my spine, very painful and after the second break,started to take Risedronate with a great improvement to my t-scores and no side effects. Initally I was advised to take it for 5 years but it looks as though 3 years will be enough. I imagine you have been prescribed AA because you have already sustained a fracture. Personally, I would not take the meds if I had caught mine earlier but I was already at -3.5 when I was diagnosed. I hope my spine will be -2.4 or better in a few months from now. My hips are there already.
    • dee72836
      dee72836 alison28608

      Posted

      Hi Alison would you say you sustained your fractures from a high or low impact fall? 

      My fracture was from a high impact landing so I'm pretty sure I would have fractured having osteopenia or not  

  • alison28608
    alison28608 dee72836

    Posted

    I suppose both T7 and L4 were low impact as none were from falls. My consultant told me that falls from standing height as opposed to falling from a ladder, often resulted in broken bones if you had osteoporosis. I lifted something far too heavy, taking all the weight on my hip and everyone in the room heard the crack. I still lift things that I shouldnt but I try to centralise rather than twisting as I lift.
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