What does this mean?!: Hi there - my... - Bone Health and O...

Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK

5,576 members2,444 posts

What does this mean?!

Scandi123 profile image
12 Replies

Hi there - my last scan (2020) showed I have osteoporosis in my L1,2,3 &4. The Tscore was -2.5, meaning a -3.5%change since the 2015 scan (at which point I just had osteopenia in my spine). I also have a 6.5% chance of a “major of a major fracture”.

My calcium levels were deemed to be fine but Alendronate was suggested.

I never did start it, but 2 years later I’m wondering if I now should. I realised this might have changed in the last 2years but if we assume things haven’t changed too much, should I start Alendronate or is that just sort of genetic advice that’s given to everyone….?

Many thanks

Fiona

Written by
Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
Mavary profile image
Mavary

Hi! To be honest if I was recommended something for my bones I would take it. I had three spinal fractures the third putting me in hospital for twelve days. They then tried me on Alendronate Acid . Well my stomach is known to be sensitive and I was violently sick. Please don’t let this put you off trying it because my Husband was on it for a couple of years and was ok. Any bone meds you take can have some side effects but to be honest if I hadn’t taken something I don’t know where I would be. I haven’t got any side effects anyway. I went on to have a further four spinal fractures when I had to change from Terraparatide which you can only take for two years to Denosumab which I’ve now been on for a couple of years. People will tell you that Denosumab is not good but to be honest I’ve been fine. My Cousin has been on them for about five years. Don’t rush into things. Speak to your Dr or Consultant and see if you can alter your bone score with any supplements. I would listen to them. They are the experts.

Just to add to that. Where your bones are low. If you get fractures there it’s the worst place. It could stop your mobility if your bones go. I’ve got a friend who’s got two fracture in the L region and she can barely walk. I hope that helps.

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Mavary

Thankyou Mavary - that is really interesting and good to know.

Pte82 profile image
Pte82

Scandi123, investigate magnesium, boron, annatto tocotrienol, vitamin C and vitamin D for bone health and reversing osteoporosis plus other benefits in addition to calcium.

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Pte82

Will do, thank you! How do my scores sound to you - are they bad????

Pte82 profile image
Pte82 in reply to Scandi123

Scandi123, I would say not bad but setting a trend. I'll send some links later to help you understand how those items I listed work together. However, do make your own as they apply to bone health and osteopenia and osteaporosis

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Pte82

Thankyou! Don't rush but when you have a spare minute, that would be really good if you could. Many thanks.

Pte82 profile image
Pte82 in reply to Scandi123

Didn't forget, I was called away. These links contain information needed to determine daily needs and elaborate on benefits each may provide beyond the focus of your concern. Not mentioned in the cleveland clinic link is vitamin D is activated by magnesium as it is also needed to activate vitamin B1. You'll find boron is also a vitamin D activator in the ncbi link. Although that link uses 3mg as a daily supplemental standard, Dr Jorge Flechas MD in his youtube video on boron said it not only stopped him from loosing height he used more than 3mg for decades without side effects. Always discuss supplements with your health care professional before using any supplement. Not mentioned in the saveourbones link is liposomal vitamin C. Do investigate it because it raises absorption levels that last longer while avoiding possible side effects of ascorbic acid. One other vitamin to utilize that I didn't mention in my original post is vitamin K2MK4. Most supplements for it are synthetic and even 45mgs of it are not as effective as the micro grams from natural sources. While it is found in emu oil it is also in grass fed sources too. Dr Weston Price called it Activator-X, it is now referred to as K2MK4.

dougcookrd.com/annatto/

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

krispin.com/magnes.html

saveourbones.com/how-much-v...

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

westonaprice.org/health-top...

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Pte82

Wow - fantastic, thank you so much! Thank you for taking the time to do this, it really is super helpful ☺️😊.

Met00 profile image
Met00

-2.5 is only on the cusp of osteoporosis and if your hip score is better than that, then I really don't understand why you've been recommended AA. A 3.5% loss of bone density in 5 years is a below average rate of loss, as on average we lost about 1% a year from around age 40, and more than that for a few years around the menopause. Do you have your hip scores from 2015 and 2020? Have you had any fragility fractures (caused by little or no impact)?

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Met00

Hi Met00 - I cant find 2015 but in 2020 my left hip t-score was -2.2 (there's no mention of right hip, strangely....). I am 58 years old (if that is relevant) and due to cancer treatment was pushed through the menopause about 20 years ago. No - no fractures as yet (touch wood) and no pain to talk of either....

Met00 profile image
Met00 in reply to Scandi123

Your scores are better than mine were at 58. I really can't understand why treatment is recommended. There's a lot you can do to help yourself and keep your bones strong without needing meds

Scandi123 profile image
Scandi123 in reply to Met00

Fantastic, great to know. That stops me worrying every day and motivates me to start really making sure it doesn’t get much worse from now on in. Thanks for getting back to me.

You may also like...

What is my fracture risk?

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis last November and prescribed Alendronic Acid. I was slow to begin...

What are the best supplements for osteopenia

Dexa Scan which showed that I have osteopenia but it there's improvement since last one in 2020. I...

How long should I stay on AA

have been taking Alendronic Acid with no problems at all for 2.5 years. How long should one...

Is bad press for bisphosphonates a danger?

ensuing DEXA scan showed I had osteoporosis in my lumbar spine due to years of not absorbing...

Teriparatide - what to do next?

first treatment I’ve had and osteoporosis classed as severe. One fracture of L2 few years back. I...