Bone Assessment

[r0yalalbert]

Doctors appointment today for a bone assessment,I am a bit worried and do not know why i need one. My medications are,Braltus ,Amitriptylene, Salbutamol,AND Betamethasone as a mouth wash.If anyone would give me some advice it would be much appreciated.

[Armadillo57]

Hi don’t worry about it they sent me due to medication I take. It came back with osteopenia later on developed osteoporosis. So glad I went at least they could treat it.

[r0yalalbert in reply to Armadillo57]

Thanks Armadillo,How do they do an assessment. what does it consist of,

[Armadillo57 in reply to r0yalalbert]

Hi it’s unusually a bone density so all you will do is lie down sometimes they place a triangle to place your legs over. That’s it you don’t feel a thing. It measures how good your bones are. It’s not frightening at all your not enclosed.

You will be fine honest. X

[Armadillo57 in reply to r0yalalbert]

Hi also forgot to mention they usually repeat the test every 5 years. So that’s something to look forward to ha ha x

[r0yalalbert in reply to Armadillo57]

Thanks Armadillo

[Spacecat1 in reply to Armadillo57]

When you are taking steroid medication they check mine came back with osteoporosis they said tdue to meds but I have to have the meds for cops. But they put me on these tabs one a week for 4 weeks and next day 2 tabs different ones and now 4 tabs of vitamin D with calcium every day . My hubby takes vitamin D they told him his was just low. So me I'm going to help my tabs and sit in the sunshine a bit more. To be honest it was a shock when they told me but odd thing is except for the copd I didn't have any aches or pains to do with my bones. I did a lot of walkkng always on the go even with the copd I looked after children at home. So always chasing around so to find I have this bone problem was a bit worrying. But doctor has reassured me that taking the tabs will help and they will do another scan if they think I need it.

[r0yalalbert in reply to Spacecat1]

Thanks for reply Lizzric ,I have COPD but i also have Lichen Planus so take steroids daily .

[O2Trees]

It's usually a DEXA scan which takes a pic of the bone density at the hip and spine while you lie on a trolley. It has a very low radiation level, much less than standard X-rays.

[r0yalalbert in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks 02Trees,I have looked up the DEXA scan,Feel much easier now,I am such a wimp at attending hospitals.

[O2Trees in reply to r0yalalbert]

They help us but they also have negative associations for many of us, myself included. You're not a wimp, just looking for info and reassurance which is human and natural.

[BSA-3 in reply to O2Trees]

How very true. Information is all too often one-way traffic with doctors, especially when dealing with several disciplines. It drives me to distraction sometimes and I've often wondered if it's done that way to hide the fact that it often seems as though the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Take care.

[O2Trees in reply to BSA-3]

Quite possibly BSA-3 - at least for quite a few medics!

[r0yalalbert in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks , so kind

[r0yalalbert in reply to O2Trees]

Thankyou,I am in AWE of the brave people on this caring site

[Rosepetal60 in reply to r0yalalbert]

Hi rOyalalbert, I've had several Dexa scans. If you are asked to lift your knees up, just be aware that you will probably have to this again if there is a next time. You will be able to get a copy of the scan from your Surgery. There may or may not be a charge for the photo copying. Perhaps 50p. A good website to go on for lots of info if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis is the NOS old website which although is no longer open to posts and comments, does have tons of info on it with previous questions and answers. HU have a NOS site on here called I think Bone Health. Where one can ask questions on the forum. I've been a member of NOS for many years.

[r0yalalbert in reply to Rosepetal60]

Thanks for your info, Rospetal60

[Bkin]

As mentioned a Dexa scan is the only one I know of that measures bone density. I have never heard it called a Bone Assessment before.

If you have an appointment for a DEXA scan in UK you usually get a letter of appointment along with a leaflect enclosed which tells you all about it. Wear loose comfortable clothing, no metal parts, buttons, zips, studs etc. If it is a DEXA scan you are having you should have been informed of this. Perhaps you are not having a DEXA scan at all.

Bone density is affected by women approaching menopause and anyone who has been prescribed a lot of oral steroids over the years, there are other drugs that cause bone thinning as well, you can find lots more information on the NOS website and also through the nurses on their helpline, although you will probably want to wait to see if you actually have a diagnosis first.

To be clear not all people with Lung conditions go on to development Osteoporosis. People without lung conditions also can be prone to this, men, women, young women and children. In addition bones thin with age.

Bones health is treated as a different health issue to lung health. There is also a Health Unlocked forum for Bone Health:

healthunlocked.com/bonehealth

Best wishes for good 'Bone Assessment' results

[r0yalalbert in reply to Bkin]

Thanks Bkin,it is a DEXA scan.