Newby question

[Fruitjuice41]

In 2016 I broke my right knee and needed emergency surgery to put in pins. In 2022 I broke my left knee and needed emergency surgery to put in a large plate and bolts. I was then diagnosed with osteoporosis (at the age of 54). I have been on alendronic acid tablets since May 2023. Since my initial discussion with the GP (a telephone appointment) when she prescribed my medication, I have not had any follow ups. Is this normal? Is it just a case of “keep taking the pills”? Thank you.

[Met00]

You should get a follow-up DEXA scan eventually, but it's anything between 2 and 5 years between scans. That's assuming you had a DEXA scan prior to diagnosis? Did you also have blood tests to check for underlying causes: Vitamin D, calcium and parathyroid in the same blood draw, thyroid, coeliac and a full blood count?

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Met00]

Thank you for your quick reply. Yes I had a DEXA scan is when my Orthopaedic surgeon diagnosed me. I also had follow up blood tests.

[Met00 in reply to Fruitjuice41]

Did they definitely check for hyperparathyroidism? It's a blood test that often gets omitted, even though it's a fairly common cause of osteoporosis. They tend to assume that if blood calcium levels are normal, there won't be hyperparathyroidism, but this is an outdated view.

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Met00]

I don't recognise that as one of test results I received.

[Met00 in reply to Fruitjuice41]

I had to ask for the test. If your doctor says there's no need because your calcium is normal, point out that it's possible to have normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism. Make sure your vitamin D and calcium are tested at the same time, as they all interreact.

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Met00]

Thank you. I’ll talk to my GP (once I’ve practiced the pronunciation of all those terms 😉

[Fran57]

Hello. As Met00 has said, please do check for hyper parathyroidism ( nothing to do with thyroid).

I discovered I had this- my GP had no idea of the strong link between it and osteoporosis.

Regards, Fran 😉

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Fran57]

Thank you for you response. All the feedback has been really helpful. I’m going to talk to my GP about getting the test.

[Fran57 in reply to Fruitjuice41]

You’re so welcome!

It was only because I did my own extensive research ( because I didn’t want to take medication) that I found out about it.

The surgeon who removed the faulty parathyroid gland said that no amount of medication would have made a difference whilst the hyperparathyroidism was the problem!

But, please note, that hyperparathyroidism is not a very common condition and, as I say, my GP had no idea of the link and she was very grateful for my research!

Good luck!

Fran 😉

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Fruitjuice41 ,

Just wanted to wish you a very warm welcome and thank you for joining us here We really hope you can continue to connect with our wonderful members here as it's really important not to feel alone in this, especially when we feel unsure about things like you mention. Just in case you aren't already aware, we do have lots of information and support for living with osteoporosis on our website that you may find useful: theros.org.uk/information-a...

Wish you all the very best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to ROSModerator]

Thank you

[MydogBrandy]

hi I was put on this tablet but after taking it weekly for six months I felt sick so was then put on it as a monthly, then felt sick again so the doctor said I would be better having infusions once a year. I have had one and due my second.

You need to ask your doctor to get a dexa scan done at the hospital, he should be able to refer you and then the specialist will decide which treatment you will need to be on.

Hope this helps.

Regards Ursula

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to MydogBrandy]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I’m fine with the medication and it doesn’t make me feel sick. I’ve had a dexa scan at the hospital, that is how they first diagnosed me.

[Fruitandnutcase]

When I was diagnosed I was told to take it a weekly alendronic acid pill for five years then have another DEXA.

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

That’s useful, thank you. Only another 3.5 years to my next one then 🤣

[Greekolives]

My PCP orders a Dexa Scan every two years. I have been taking weekly Alendronic for a year now, so will have another scan at my next annual appointment. Before that, I had to give myself daily injections of Forteo. This is easier since it's once a week. My osteoporosis improved greatly with the Forteo, so the Alendronic is to keep the gains I had made in bone health.

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to Greekolives]

That's good news that the medication is working. Thank you for sharing.

[nottowell]

Im afraid it is dexa scans are rare and follow ups even rarer i was diagnosed at ,58 and am now classed as to old for scan so just keep hoping no more broken bones

[Fruitjuice41 in reply to nottowell]

Oh no that's terrible. I'm 56 now so will wait and see what my follow up appointments are like.