REMS/Osteoscan

[Stayloose]

Can anyone give links to reliable research regarding these scans? I know they are only done privately in the UK but used in other countries. Thanks

[Met00]

There have been sufficient studies done to assure the relevant authorities in Italy and the USA that REMS is acceptable for diagnostic purposes. Here are some examples, which I hope you find are helpful:

contemporaryobgyn.net/view/...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/347...

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

ard.bmj.com/content/78/Supp...

[Stayloose in reply to Met00]

Thank you for the links to the interesting articles. I don't trust my DEXA results so may have an Osteoscan for comparison.

[t1gernidster in reply to Stayloose]

I agree. I don’t trust them either. I am booked in for a REMS in October. It will be interesting to see the results.

[Y3she in reply to Stayloose]

Why are you doubting dexa scans?

[Kaarina in reply to Y3she]

I realise your question was not to me but I wish to give you my view. I do not trust DEXAs because it is all down to being correctly positioned when having one and also how competent the person is who provides you with the result. I am told on my report for the past two DEXAs that they cannot give me a result on my spine because I have scoliosis. I had a REMS and got results and was very relieved and happy with the outcome. I paid to have a REMS in 2021 and will definitely have another one in 2023. Money well spent, for me anyway.

[Y3she in reply to Kaarina]

Oh well thanks for the info. I have had a dexa scan and got results of -1.6/7 .... I was just thinking perhaps they weren't correct 🤔

[stillmovin in reply to Y3she]

Hello. What were your T scores for hip and spine, if I may ask? The score you showed doesn’t seem very bad at all, osteopenia ? I will have a REM scan in November. Best wishes.

[Y3she in reply to stillmovin]

Yes -1.6 and -1.7. Having just been told I have osteopenia and heading for osteoporosis has worried me 🙈

[Kaarina in reply to Y3she]

If I am interpreting the result you provide correctly, that is great news. I would be doing the happy dance if it were me!

[Y3she in reply to Kaarina]

Ahh that's made ne feel better

[mollysuki in reply to Y3she]

Why pay money for a REM’s when your scores are so good. I’d be jumping for joy if I had those scores! 😊

[Y3she in reply to mollysuki]

Ahh thank you. Its scared me!

[Thanksnhs in reply to Kaarina]

Hi could you tell me roughly how much REMS scan is. I have had osteoporosis in my hips diagnosed by dexa scan about 12 years ago, wind the clock on I had a heart transplant two years and after a year on steroids another dexa apparently said my hips are worse and I have osteopenia in my spine. I never got given the results of the scan it was just my heart consultant told me the bad news, I have been given risedronate to take but I don't really like it. I was thinking if I paid for the other scan I might get a better idea of how bad things are, char

[Kaarina in reply to Thanksnhs]

The cost is around £200 for a REMS. You are entitled to a print out of any DEXA scans you have. It is your right. The receptionist at your local surgery should be able to print them off for you. If not they are incompetent!

[Thanksnhs in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks I will give them a ring and I will try and find out where I can get the rem scan done I live in Scotland, char

[Kaarina in reply to Thanksnhs]

There is one in Edinburgh .....

[Thanksnhs in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you char

[MyCatsNameIsMouse in reply to Kaarina]

A REMS scan with orthopaedic consultant and bone health specialist, Mr Nick Birch, is £175. He does the whole scan appointment himself so you have plenty of time to talk to him and ask questions.

[Kaarina in reply to MyCatsNameIsMouse]

Yes, I had one last year and will definitely book in for another in 2023. I paid £200 so perhaps there are different rates depending where you are seen. Anyway, it was money well spent, in my book!

[Met00 in reply to Kaarina]

Did you get yours done in London? I believe they charged more there (venue hire costs more), and now are only able to offer them on the outskirts of London.

[Kaarina in reply to Met00]

Hi Met, It was not in London but I agree with you that if the price changes depending where you go for your appointment, it will be the venue hire costs. I want to get into one a bit nearer next year but it appears to be a very popular venue. I think I shall have to try and book early next year to secure an appointment! I will pay whatever is asked!

[Nightingales in reply to MyCatsNameIsMouse]

I had the same Dr and found him very helpful, with diet and drug discussions. He showed me the difference in the scans because I took my previous Dexa with me but I am afraid I can’t remember the science although it made sense at the time!

[Stayloose in reply to Nightingales]

sounds excellent

[JillF1]

I had read that REMS was more accurate than DEXA, but the results were identical so I probably won’t bother again.

[Kaarina in reply to JillF1]

Lucky you! Obviously no need to have one of the scans then in the future!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to JillF1]

The advantage of paying for a REMS scan is that you can have them more frequently than you can have DEXA scans on the NHS and also they don’t have the same problem with operator error or need to be carried out on the same machine each time you have one done.

[Met00 in reply to JillF1]

When done properly, it's been shown that REMS and DEXA are similar in their accuracy. The problem is that DEXA is less reliable so is more likely to give erroneous results. You must be one of the lucky ones whose DEXA was done properly!

[GMOI]

Good morning from Stonington CT. I asked my Dr in Westerly RI for a REM scan and he was unfamiliar with the process. What resource is best for his knowledge in USA. Thank you for your direction.

[walk21]

I would trust a DEXA scan if your back is ok. Once most of the vertebrae have crushed it becomes very difficult as the bones then are more dense

[wellness1 in reply to walk21]

A recent study concludes

REMS technology by the analysis of native raw unfiltered ultrasound signals appears to be able to overcome the most common artifacts, such as OA and vertebral fracture of the lumbar spine, which affect the value of BMD by DXA.

bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biom...

[Stayloose in reply to wellness1]

Thank you!

[walk21 in reply to wellness1]

Thank you. I had heard that REMS is good

[Linacg]

Does anyone know where I can get a REMS scan in Sydney? I am keen to have one . Thanks

[Killbill234]

Had it done here in Italy. Worth the money !

[Stayloose]

Thank you for responding. Without giving personal details could you elaborate a little re what you valued from the appointment. Thanks.

[cmoc]

Can someone tell me how high it is to get up on the bed for the REM and how uncomfortable it is and for how long. It was agony for me to get up on the bed for the DEXA scan and they couldnt position me as when they tried to move my hips it was too painful, as a result I am sure the last DEXA scan wasnt correct. Thanks