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Possible Osteoporosis?

Posted , 7 users are following.

pinkcat10
pinkcat10

HI

Have recently had a fracture to my wrist but after a fall.  Also had a fractured coccyx several years ago that is still hurting.

Am worried about osteoporosis? Can I request a bone scan?

Also had IBS since 18 and told to avoid dairy but given no calcium supplements.  Have always had a smalll frail frame.

Any thoughts?

2 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • susan79492
    susan79492 pinkcat10

    Posted

    I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis.  I have since learned that petite women with small frames are more prone to osteoporosis.  If you are post menopausal I'd definitely request a bone scan.  I don''t know if you'll have to pay for it or not.

     

  • pinkcat10
    pinkcat10

    Posted

    Thank you Susan.

    How are you doing?  Do you have to make any lifestyle changes?  Does it affect work or home life?

  • susan79492
    susan79492 pinkcat10

    Posted

    I was already doing all the right things so there was not much to change.  I did break my pelvis last summer and it was a life changer so I'm very careful now.  I was already exercising, and getting enough calcium so the only real change is making sure I get enough protein.  I was an avid cyclist but am pretty afraid of that now.  That's a big negative change form me. I do still ride somewhat but it frightens me sad
    • Sunflower26
      Sunflower26 susan79492

      Posted

      Hi - Try walking instead of running.  Walking is a good weight bearing exercise with little risk of injury.
  • joy47826
    joy47826 pinkcat10

    Posted

    I'm in the US and we are heavy into bone support supplements, a lot of us anyway.  I'm medium frame, had one bone density test 7 yrs ago or so and showed beginning of osteopena which comes with aging regardless....I've lost a couple inches but I think overall my bones are strong.....I take higher doses of magnesium daily, D3 and K2, boron and only 500mg of quality calcium...don't use dairy except for some hard cheeses, use goat milk yogurt which I really like a lot....no sugar hardly.....anyway, good luck, I've heard some not great stories on those drugs given to women, so I work hard to avoid them....  Joy 76 US 
    • susan79492
      susan79492 joy47826

      Posted

      Joy,

      Do you know what your T-scores are now to make sure what you are doing is working? That you have lost a couple of inches in height is concerning.  That sounds like you might have osteoporoisis now.

      Susan

    • joy47826
      joy47826 susan79492

      Posted

      Susan, I don't know what T-scores are....I was just at my doc's yesterday and went over all my labs from a couple weeks ago.... I don't know too many aging women who don't lose inches but not necessarily osteoporosis, osteopena probably so.    My posture is great, straight back, my chiro I'm seeing now mentioned that the other day....

      MOST of what I'm going thru now is a huge result from hip replacement which set my body way off alignment-wise.....Joy 

    • susan79492
      susan79492 joy47826

      Posted

      T scores are the scores they give with the DEXA scan.  They are an internation measurement.  If you have the score you can look up what it means instead of just taking the doctor's word for it.  
    • joy47826
      joy47826 susan79492

      Posted

      Well, reading my DEXA from 2005 and report says I was 66 and I'm now 76...

      Conclusion:  Normal bone mineral density of the lumbar spine...Left femoral neck osteopenia.....

      My doc has mentioned a new DEXA but I've not done one again.  

      I deal with spondylothesis of back and that would reduce height I would think as vertabrea have moved, and then the shorter leg from hip job....spondy dx was given me in my  30's by a dear osteopath who said back then that I had the back of a 90 yr old....ummmm

      A  messy old body but somehow I still manage...too much OA and then some RA factor showing up as well.   Joy

    • Sunflower26
      Sunflower26 susan79492

      Posted

      Hi Susan - I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis earlier in the year, it came as a terrible shock.  Since then I have had a DEXA scan but it gives the T-scores in separate categories which I don't altogether understand.  I also have 4 compression fractures in my spine.  I have had an Aclasta infusion (same effect as Fosamax but a lot simpler).  I had the infusion in August, simply had the infusion by way of a tube insterted in my arm, took about 20 minutes and had no after-effects.  It is to make my bones stronger but does not heal compression fractures. I had another X-ray 10 days ago which showed that the fractures had not healed, which I already guessed as I still have a lot of pain.  I am now being referred for some test which involves having dye injected into my back to see which are the 'hot' spots and which are the 'cold' spots??  Don't know how long it will be before I receive it.  Health system not too good in Dunedin, NZ since the Chief Financial Officer stole a substantial amount - $17.5M.  Would be interested to know how to work out my T-scores from DEXA scan.  Since being diagnosed with osteoporosis I have developed a small hump on my back and have lost 4 inches in height - not happy, but that's old age for you.  I am 72.
    • susan79492
      susan79492 Sunflower26

      Posted

      Sunflower,

      I also was diagnosed with severed osteoporosis in my spine--a T score of -3.3.  I'm 61 and thaknfully I don't have any spine fractures. My specialist put me on Forteo because it is the only medicine that actively builds bone.  All the others slow down the teardown of bone.  Forteo seems to also help heal fractures.  

      Forteo is kind of scary because it give rats bone cancer but it doesn't seem to do this to people.  Still it has to be listed as a side effect.  Being a very active person, cycling and hiking, my diagnosis made me severely depressed but I've coped.  It is worth it to me to try the Forteo. You might ask about it.

       

      I'm in the US where we have the worst health care system in the western world.  Ugh.  It's great if you are rich or a rich corporation pays your bills. I've spent over $12K this year.  The reason I bring this up is that Forteo is uber expensive and I don't know if your system pays for it.  It cost $1925 US dollars per month here.  It is recommended for people with osteoporosis who have had fractures.  I broke my pelvis in July.  It really set me back.

      It is work checking into.  Do you know your T scores?

      Susan

    • Sunflower26
      Sunflower26 susan79492

      Posted

      I live in Dunedin, NZ and over recent years our health system has deteriorated.  My husband and I had health insurance but when you turn 60 it increases quite a bit, when you hit 65 it's astronomical and it got to the point that we could no longer afford it.  I know my T-scores but they are split up in different areas.

      Lumbar spine T score -4.3

      Neck of femur bone T score 2.6

      Left forearm T score -5.7

      Comment: This patient has severe osteoporosis, follow up scan in 2 years,

      Guess I'm a physical wreck.  I have never heard of Forteo, possibly goes under another name here in NZ.  At times like this I really miss the National Health system in the UK (I lived there until I was 30).

      The Aclasta infusion is highly recommended, with Fosamac tablets you have to sit up straight for 1 hour and I honestly couldn't manage that without having a support.

      I always thought I was doing enough to avoid osteoporosis - plenty of calcium laden foods, dark green veges and Vitamin D tablets.  I did have a nasty fall a couple of years ago from a bus platform when I had one foot in the air to mount the platform and the doors closed on me and I hit the ground very hard.  Turned my head and cushioned with my arms to avoid hitting it and badly turned my ankle.  I had my ankle X-rayed but never thought to ask to have my back X-rayed.  

      Oh well, it could be worse - it could have been a diagnosis of cancer!

      Thanks for your support.  Regards.

       

    • Sunflower26
      Sunflower26 susan79492

      Posted

      I'm back again.  I do not think I can get Forteo in NZ and reading about it, I'm not sure I want to try this.  You can read about Aclasta infusion on this site, I have just read part of it.  I am allergic to many drugs - anti-inflammatories and codeine.  The only side effect I had from the infusion was that I felt tired so took a short nap and felt fine.
    • susan79492
      susan79492 Sunflower26

      Posted

      Yes, those T scores are not good.  Neiter are mine (spine -3.3).  Forteo is also called "teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection."  I have no side effects.  You should talk to your doctor about it as it looks like it might be something you could really use as it is the only thing that grows new bone.  Then you use the bisphophonates to maintain the new growth.  It decreases spine fractures by a huge percentage.

      I thought NZ had national health care.  You have to buy your own insurance there?  Mine will be about $8000 per year with a $6000 deductible. This year it was $3500 with a $15,000 deductible.  All this means it that it doesn't cover much!

      Susan

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pinkcat10

    Posted

    Hi Pinkcat

    Where are you? UK?  Just go to your GP, she should know about the fractures anyway and ask for a DEXA scan.   You shouldnt have to pay. I didnt. I had a couple of fractures and that was it ....a DEXA scan.

    Good Luck

    Let us know what happens

    Love

    Eileen UK

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