Zoledronic acid yes or no

[Radars]

I honestly don't know what to do my dxa are,-2.5,lumbar spine-4.1,femoral neck 0.593,vfa shows superior end-plate deformity at t12 suspicious for an insufficiency fracture, do I need meds.

[t1gernidster]

I’m so sorry for you, it’s such a dilemma. No one can make the decision other than you, you can only weigh up the pros and cons.

[MyStar86]

Hi, I thought you had already discussed with your endocrinologist and had decided to go ahead with the Zoledronic acid? Have you changed your mind? I put mine off for years and ended up much worse so it depends if you have previously had fractures I would definitely recommend treatment as that is what pushed me to get treatment and I’m glad I did.

[CloudyD in reply to MyStar86]

I second this. I had similar experience and am now glad to take the treatment.

[Met00]

I would ask for an x-ray, and if that doesn't show anything, a scan to check whether or not you've actually had a fracture. If you have, then you're at risk of fracturing again and your scores are fairly irrelevant, though I would want them to find the underlying cause of the bone loss. If you haven't fractured, that's a huge difference between your spine and femoral neck score, which would make me question whether an error (in measurement or interpretation) was made. If you can afford it, can access a clinic and want a professional second opinion, you might want to book an appointment for a REMS scan (osteoscanuk.com/ or profortis.co.uk/bone-health)

[Raleigh59 in reply to Met00]

my doctor says yes you can have a huge discrepancy - I think that’s because of the weight you’ve beared. Like I walk more and don’t lift heavy things so my spine number is -4.7 and my hips are -3.1 and -3.4.

I don’t think your numbers are that bad but they do feel bad. I completely understand. I got my results in February and it becomes a new journey as they say.

I now walk twice per day and I am just going to up my weigh lifting more.

Also staying not stressed helps bones by keeping cortisol level down.

And staying away from alcohol , and sodas etc . There is more to learn every day about how to manage this but my endo said “this is not so bad it’s not your heart or another organ”

[Radars in reply to Met00]

I had my dexa scan on the 24th Oct,I don't know if I have had a fracture or not, I get an ache in my back after doing everyday things and a bit out of breath when I walk up inclines on my daily walk ,my appointment for zoledronic acid infusion is the 25th April, I recently had a chest x-ray and that was ok.what else can I do,

[Southerngirl2787]

I have learned my lesson with routine x-rays, don't bother! Twice, I've been misdiagnosed with fractures due to the wrong radiology. Get an MRI...most places have good self pay rates if there is no coverage. I've been in agony since Dec, after my T7 was fixed from a fracture...two weeks later, that stabbing pain from reaching for a glass in a low shelf. Went to doc, saw nurse practitioner, he ordered routine x-rays, missed them....fast forward to agony drove me to the ER last Sunday....I have 5 more thoracic fractures. And I have no choice but to get on one of the injectable meds, which I've avoided for 11 years....

[t1gernidster]

Radars - would you be able to arrange a REMS scan? It would be worth it even if you had to travel and might give you some reassurance and help you make your decision. Dr Nick Birch is very knowledgable indeed and helped me a lot.

osteoscanuk.com/

[Radars in reply to t1gernidster]

thanks, I will ask my gp to refer me for another dexa scan if he can before I have my infusion on the 25th April because you are supposed to use the same machine, I will speak to the ros society to see what they say, do you think I need zoledronic acid with my numbers from my scan on the 24th October.

[t1gernidster]

This is not a dexa scan. Have a read of the link and it will explain it. It is a far more accurate way of determining bone density and fragility. As I have said previously I cannot advise you as to whether or not you should have an infusion. That decision is ultimately yours and should be based on more factors than T scores alone.