dexa scans

[Markarska]

I just wanted to post that I keep reading Dexa scans are done every. 2 years. Here in Wales it’s every three years and they are over a year behind. My last one was 2019 and there is no hope of one this year so it’s likely to be 5 years at least. I paid for a REM scan last year which showed some improvement. I don’t take any meds.

[Met00]

Most places in England seem to make you wait up to 5 years between scans. I'm due one this year, so will be interested to see whether I'm invited. I'll refuse though, as I'm paying for REMS scans instead, which are much more reliable.

[Kaarina]

I had a REMS scan in 2021 and have booked another one for November this year. I am no longer interested in having a DEXA scan whether I am invited or not.

[t1gernidster]

I had my first DEXA in 2019 and will be offered another next year. I too will refuse as I now rely on REMS scans.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi it's supposed to be 5 years in Scotland but I have waited longer, I have an appointment for one in August, can you only get REMs privately?

[Kaarina in reply to Thanksnhs]

Yes at the moment anyway.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks I was wondering that as I have never been offered one. Char

[Frodoles in reply to Kaarina]

I'm hoping to have a Rems scan would you mind telling us roughly how much they are? Thank you

[Kaarina in reply to Frodoles]

Of course. I paid £200 up front although my appt is not until November. I wanted to go somewhere nearer where I live than last last time so booked early enough. Spaces fill up quickly. There was no option but to pay up immediately to secure the slot. If you can afford it - it is well worth the money - I definitely think so anyway.

[Scandi123 in reply to Kaarina]

hi there - can I ask - are REM scans much better than dexa scans??

[Kaarina in reply to Scandi123]

In my opinion, definitely yes. With a REMS scan I was able to get a spinal result but with a DEXA I was not. I will never bother to have a DEXA again.

[Frodoles]

Thank you so much. So in general do you get lower readings than with the Dexa?

[Kaarina in reply to Frodoles]

I have scoliosis and the report on the last if not the DEXA scan before too said they could not give me a spinal T score because it would be totally unreliable. I learned about the REMS scan on here and I emailed requesting them to let me know if the REMS scan would be able to give me a spinal score. The reply was that they would try three times and more than likely I would get a score. They were right. I did! Hurrah! I was thrilled. That was the main reason for me as to why I decided to go for a REMS scan.

[Frodoles in reply to Kaarina]

That's so worth it so you know how things are 👏👏

[stave49]

DEXA scan reliability questions. In my previous scan my L2 results was -4.1. In my new scan my L2 result was -1.8. I thought to myself when it’s too good to be true it is! I’m inclined to get a new MRI since I can think of no other way to explain the discrepancy. What are your thoughts?

[Frodoles in reply to stave49]

If they change the dexa machine you cannot compare two scans because different machines are calibrated differently. But like you say, too good to be true. Not sure if REMs scans are available in the USA. I am in UK. I'm thinking of having one because they are known to be far more accurate.

[stave49 in reply to Frodoles]

thanks I will try to find out. I have a feeling a follow up MRI will be my only recourse in the US. I know it won’t give me a T-score but is tells me how many of my vertibre have collapsed. My last MRI in 2020 showed issues with 21 of 24. We shall see what the new one shows. I know from the last one T9 to L2 are fractured how much worse can it get? My son asked me how is it you can still walk? I said good question.

[stave49 in reply to stave49]

I forgot to mention I was 5’9” now I am 5’5”.

[Frodoles in reply to stave49]

That's quite a loss. I thought I had lost that much but discovered they weren't using the scale properly. Which in turn skewed all the results.

[Frodoles in reply to stave49]

Well done you! Apparently it's important to try and keep moving. It's the old adage, if you don't use it you lose it. More calcium leaches out of we are immobile. Take care.

[stave49]

I do what I can but when I go shopping to multiple stores in the same day and walka mile I pay for it for the next 3 days. When I walk around home I’m out of breath in 5 minutes. I don’t have a portable oxygen rig yet. It’s a catch 22 no pain no gain but you can’t choose to suffocate in the process. My dilemma might seem like a excuse to you but that’s ok. We all have our opinions and that is fine.

[Frodoles in reply to stave49]

I would never ever say that sometimes regime is an excuse 😍 we have to do what we have to do. Sorry my reply is very late. I keep moving as much as I can. I've had falls and somehow haven't broken anything on those falls. Something is helping me and I put it down to ask the supplements I take. My Dexa scan scores indicate I would definitely break something as the falls have been heavy. But so far . Take care and follow your gut feeling. That's what I do xx