Private Dexa scan anyone?

Hi Monique, Elizabeth & Anhaga

it is considered likely that the cause of my osteoporosis is the breast cancer drugs I was on 12 years ago as blood test showed my Vit D and Calcium levels are good. 

I was initially put on Alendronic Acid following sustaining a spine fracture in May., hence being referred for Dexa.

I took this drug for just one month and was fine however my own GP who hadn't originally assessed me said that due to my age, 61, she would rather I stopped taking it and referred me to see an endocrinologist, my appointment is early Feb. 

The reason I ask about private scans is that I have been told results of whichever route I decide to go down (drugs or supplements excercise etc) could be evidenced within a year whereas the NHS will not rescan until post 2 years. 

I would be keen to know before 2 years if the route I have chosen is proving effective. 

I can only say what has been my experience in Nova Scotia.  I'm actually not sure that I could get a private scan here as there is strong resistance to privatizing such services.  However, given your concerns and if you can afford it (elsewhere people have said a DXA scan is not outrageously expensive) you might consider getting the scans from a private clinic.  What could be very interesting is getting the NHS one as well, then you would know how closely the machines match up, and after your followup one year one with the private clinic you could then return to NHS for the two year one, and assess.  I was very pleased to be able to get a followup scan one year after the first, although an effort was made to cancel the appointment on me.  I showed up anyway, having misunderstood the message, and so I got the scan.  Now I am not eligible for another for 3-5 years, but I had shown significant improvement in that one (medication-free) year, and psychologically this was very good for me.  It would have been worth it to me to pay for that one year followup if I'd had to.

Yes Anhaga having know done some research I gather the cost privately to have the scan is somewhere between £100-£200 so up to $345 which isn't as much as I expected. 

That must be very frustrating for you that you are unlikely to be able to opt for a private one in Canada, a holiday in Europe may be the answer?! 

And yes a good point that it would be very interesting to compare the results with the NHS scan.

i am encouraged by your posts on your success with taking the diet, supplements and excercise route, keep healthy and many thanks for your response. 

I got the care I needed.  I have a strong philosophical bias against privatizing our system any more than it already is (a lot is not covered, like dental care and pharmaceuticals).  Unfortunately we live next to a giant country full of private health care providers drooling to have access to the Canadian "market" which could happen under the terms of the current NAFTA agreement.  One good thing (the only good thing?) Trump has done is open negotiations to change NAFTA, and with his terms so far being unacceptable to Canada maybe we won't be so vulnerable once the dust settles.  Meanwhile I believe as long as the wealthy have a stake in keeping a public service healthy then everyone benefits.  The moment the wealthy don't need that public service, things will fall apart, because it's the wealthy who run things.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, as you are aware the NHS is struggling hugely due to lack of funding and I am torn between paying for private medical to free up a space for those that can't afford.

Unfortunately this is a doubled edged sword as it will then lead to the government making further and further cut backs resulting in an even greater divide between the haves and the have nots.

As a consequence the have nots will be subjected to GPs encouraged to block referring patients to specialists causing immense suffering and late diagnosis leading to unessasary deaths.   

Apologies all for posting this rant, as fully aware it is not directly related to the discussion thread. 

Every single thing that is happening in western countries boils down to money. Our NHS has been reduced of funding year on year although politicians say different. More poverty, more sickness! The waiting list to see a doctor now is two weeks!

My surgery only as one nurse who takes blood yes! An other two weeks before I can see her.

Private care looks good on paper but in many cases where there is a real emergency, they don't have the equipment.

I don't know where it's all heading but I'd hate to see our NHS disappear.