Hello, I wonder if anyone can advise if having annual dexa scans is worthwhile; would there be much difference after a year of the drug and exercise etc? I had my first a year ago and would have to pay a not unreasonable cost to have one a year on. Thank you
Dexa scans: Hello, I wonder if anyone... - Bone Health and O...
Dexa scans
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loobilou
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Now you have read my mind loobilou, I had my first dexa scan last June where i was diagnosed with-2.5 osteopenia, was and still am taking vit d and calcium as I also have two prolapse disc in my lower and middle back, physio don't work as it's too painful and dr put me on gabapentin 2 weeks ago and I have stopped taking them, I get tired enough due to other chronic illness, so being comatose was not appreciated
.personally I would have thought that you would get called up for another one
?
Sorry you're in such pain. My t scores aren't great, worse than yours, but I not in any pain, though fractured my below two weeks ago after a fall. My doctor said I could have a further scan in 2 or 3 years time, but I wanted to know if there had been any improvement so far.
I'm sort of used to.it now, so your score was lower than mine , but no pain , .. I have cupping of the acetabulum , so.the socket that holds the hip in place has abnormal bone growth. Sorry to hear you have fractured yourself, I bet that's the normal to repeat in 2 yrs , but i don't see why you can't ask for another one before that.
I will mention it to my dr when I see him.. no harm in asking I say ..
I had DXA scans one year apart, with recommendation for another followup in three to five years. I think a second one after a year is a good idea as it lets you know whether things are heading in the right direction but less frequently after that is fine, bones change slowly. Mind you, my scans are covered by our public medical insurance. If I wanted them more often I would be turned down. There is also a small amount of radiation exposure involved.
I understand the desire to check as it will help to see if the the drugs and exercise are working but personally I would wait. It will take a while for things to change and after two years there will be more of a result. My scores were terrible and after the first scan I had another scan after two years then three.
Well i cant exercise due to the pain, made me worse, plus i could not commit to going on any planned day as i never knew what I was going to be like 🙄. So im.on no physio, I have two prolapse disc in my lower and middle back with osteopenia.. Can't take pain killers due to other chronic illness..so I'm not expecting any good change in 2 or 3 yrs ...at a loss on what to do.
Oh dear that sounds awful for you. Can you get any help anywhere?
I have no idea? .my occupational therapist is due to see me on thurdsy so I will ask her advice then, thank you for asking, hope you are ok . Linda 😏
Could you ask about acupuncture for the pain? There is electronic acupuncture and ear studs that can relieve back pain so it's not all about needles.
I never gave that a second thought nanaedake, thank you for your suggestions, I'm sure an old friend of mine mentioned ear studs a good 3 years ago but it never really sank in then as i was pain free and she was in pain and in a wheelchair.
Will definatley look in to those, much appreciated.
I was told that 2 years is the minimum time to see a helpful repeat scan.
I echo LynneH-19's reply.
After my first Dexa scan the hospital osteoporosis nurse said my next one would be in 5 years time due to N.I.C.E. Guidelines.
I must be lucky as have no pain whatsover. Only reason I was referred was because I broke my wrist and seemingly a scan is recommended when someone over 50 has a fracture. Although I did slip on black ice while taking a wheelie bin down a slope and think, in those circumstances, anyone would have broken a bone.
Ouch, do you have osteopenia titan8 ? . I think a lot of my pain cimrs from a mix of things. I'm 56 and was never called for a routine dexa, neither has my sister.
Yes Scan shows osteopenia -2.5 in hip and osteoporosis -2.6 in spine.
Did you break a bone and have never been referred for a Dexa scan afterwards which I was advised was standard practice.
As mentioned I've never had any pain anywhere (except from the Colles fracture of wrist).
I'm suprised you have no pain , mind I do have two prolapsed discs middle to lower back and onset of osteoarthritis .
Never had a break or fracture, it was my hospital that sent me for a dexa scan as I had no vitamin D in my system.
Yikes that sure sounds painful! If you're in the UK hope this unusual sunny summer has benefited you and vit D levels substantially increased.
Do you think that DEXA results predict who is going to break bones?
Yes bone has other qualities. Its a shame there aren't other tests.
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