Dexa scans

[loobilou]

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

[Millie09]

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

?

[loobilou in reply to Millie09]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to loobilou]

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 ..

[HeronNS]

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.

[Houseelf]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to Houseelf]

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.

[loobilou in reply to Millie09]

Oh dear that sounds awful for you. Can you get any help anywhere?

[Millie09 in reply to loobilou]

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 😏

[Nanaedake in reply to Millie09]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to Nanaedake]

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.

[Nanaedake in reply to Millie09]

It is available on the NHS in some areas but probably need referral to a pain clinic.

[Millie09 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you , I am on the case . Will let you know. Thank you .

[LynneH-19]

I was told that 2 years is the minimum time to see a helpful repeat scan.

[Kaarina]

I echo LynneH-19's reply.

[Titian8]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to Titian8]

That's quite a long time rrally isn't it ? I would have thought if your pain was any worse then your dr could reqest one earlier?

[Titian8]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to Titian8]

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.

[Titian8 in reply to Millie09]

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).

[Millie09 in reply to Titian8]

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.

[Titian8 in reply to Millie09]

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.

[Millie09 in reply to Titian8]

Hi titan8, thank you for your kind words, yes im in the UK and we have had sunshine since early June, been very hot! I can't go out far but im sure i have soaked up some rays 😎. I am taking adcal tabs, that's a mix of vitamin D and calcium. Hope this finds you well .

[crysda]

Do you think that DEXA results predict who is going to break bones?

[Millie09 in reply to crysda]

It cant predict but it can tell you what category you may come under, as regards to percentage , mine says 33% chance of a fracture but that doesn't mean I will get one

[crysda]

Yes bone has other qualities. Its a shame there aren't other tests.