Newly diagnosed.

[Beeblebev]

I have a copy of my dexa scan but how can I deciper it. As in understand thecharts etc. I was diagnosed in February this year(after having back pain and x-ray showing wedge fracture at T11) Now reading what others say I'm worried about being on Alendronic Acid.

[HeronNS]

You should also be supplied with a summary of the results. The one figure you need to know is that 2.5 is the boundary between low bone mass (aka osteopenia) and osteoporosis. This was a figure rather arbitrarily set by the WHO some years ago and it does not tell you how strong your bones are. People in the osteopenia range, or the lower levels of osteoporosis should feel quite comfortable using natural means to strengthen their bones, provided they have never suffered a true fragility fracture. Unfortunately a lot of doctors simply don't know that there have been studies showing that nutrition and appropriate exercise and a few supplements can work even better than medication in many cases, and without any bad side effects!

You will have been given a list of different numbers. Where I live only the femoral neck was taken into account when they made their recommendations, so I assume in my case this was the most important number. But I do know that some people have problems with their spine so that might change things depending what your results are.

[Beeblebev in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for reply HeronNS...I do have the report with all sorts of numbers and diagrams and will call NOS for an explanationof them as GP is just so busy. Feel like I've been put on Adcal and calcium supplement and have to "get on with it". It's in my lower spine and I really do want to exercise to get moving and feel fitter and better in myself. I used to do a lot of yoga but wonder if that maybe is not the best for me now.

[HeronNS in reply to Beeblebev]

There are some yoga postures which may not be helping you but I think in general yoga is very good for helping maintain range of motion. Here again a physiotherapist who really understands osteoporosis can help because they'll know what will be helpful for the spine and what movements should be avoided. Perhaps the NOS can point you in the direction of good literature or websites on the subject. I'm not expert by any means but I think as a general rule you should avoid forward bending, and although twisting is also not recommended my physiotherapist has given me an exercise I do lying on the floor which involves a gentle twist, this in response to severe osteoarthritis-triggered pain last year, but my spine t-scores are pretty good. I think the key is to avoid twisting suddenly, and never twist if you are holding any kind of weight, never twist when picking something up. I was taught to lower my body to pick something up from the floor (or feed my cats!) by pretending that I was going to sit down. Somehow this alters the centre of gravity, and enables you to get quite low without a forward bend.

With regard to AA, if you haven't been suffering any untoward side effects the current advice is to stay on the medication for two or three years. This should give you the most benefit you will receive, and the development of the side effects ("brittle bones" a shorthand way to describe what may happen) will not be an issue at that point as the bone matrix should still be quite strong. The problem with long term bisphosphonates is because they prevent bone remodelling (removal of old bone) eventually new bone is being laid over an aging matrix which then becomes prone to microcracks. Hence the advice to not stay on AA for many years as used to be the case. In the meantime you can be developing a new protocol for yourself involving nutrition, appropriate exercise, and a few judicious supplements. In my opinion this is the best way to use any osteoporosis drug. It's an adjunct to what we can do for ourselves, and should not be relied upon to fix everything, just as a diabetic may need insulin or another medication, but they will still need to observe a healthy diet and get enough exercise.

[Kaarina]

Hi Beeble,

Why not give the NOS helpline a call if you have not done so already and have a chat with a nurse. She will be able to explain your DEXA scan results to you if you ask her and any other questions that may be worrying you.

If you have been taking AA for a good few months and are having no side effects please do not do anything rash immediately and take yourself off this medication. Many sufferers get on OK taking AA and results can be favourable. These are the people that have no need to find a forum.

Exercise is also important but you are probably aware of that.

Are you taking any supplements along with the AA like magnesium, Vitamin D and calcium if you do not get enough from your daily diet? K2 is also a good supplement to take too. Your doctor would only prescribe the combined calcium/Vit D tablets and sometimes just the Vit D tablet if as i mention you have enough calcium through diet.

Give the helpine a call tomorrow, if you are in the UK. T: Freephone: 0808 800 0035 open Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm.

[Beeblebev in reply to Kaarina]

Ahh thank you for the helpful reply Kaarina. That is a good idea to call NOS helpline with my results in front of me. Yes I am on a calcium supplement now "Ad-Cal"...awfullly sweet bu I crunch them and swallow quickly...lol.

I try to walk everyday even if only for a short stroll. I have a long standing lower back condition too (osteoporosis is in lower spine I know that much),,,so moving about is really important otherwise i seize up.

[Kaarina in reply to Beeblebev]

Do let us know how you get on if you call the helpline. You can ask the nurse about exercise for you taking into consideration your lower back condition.

I had a chat with my doctor and he agreed that I had enough calcium in my daily diet and so I ditched the Ad-Cal or equivalent and he only prescribes Vitamin D for me now.

I also asked to be referred to see someone about OP and now I see an endocrinologist twice a year which I find great as he is a good listener and I never feel rushed at these two appointments per year.