Article in the Guardian about osteoporosis

[tangocharlie]

An interesting read.

My rheumatolgist is treating my osteoporosis but I gather endocrinologists are usually the people to see. Which is best?

theguardian.com/wellness/20...

[Verauk]

This article seems to be written by me! Lots of similar situations, except that I have already started on drugs😔( 4 months). I also had a total histerectomy 33 years ago and I decided( wrongly)not follow hormonal terapy, since then, DEXA scan not from two to two years by annualy ( also a mistake).The only positive point during these 34 four years is that I was followed by endocrinologist, a very good one, that died 5 years ago. Now all doctors say that it is to late to start with hormone( 67 years now). I see that there is very long and wild road on this subject Osteoporosis.... And the article is excelent, thanks tangocharlie to share.

[tangocharlie in reply to Verauk]

I was told it's too late to start with HRT and it wouldn't benefit and I replied Why? and How do you know tha? and the rheumatologist couldn't answer either of those questions. If it hasn't been tried how do they lnow it won't work? I wanted HRT when I was in my early 50s but they were taking women off it because a cancer scare which has now blown over and was unfounded. But I bet a lot of us boomers will have problems due to lack of hormones at the crucial time

[Knittynatty in reply to tangocharlie]

I showed this HRT factsheet to my GP which says it works as well as a bisphosphonate and she couldn’t disagree. I started HRT patches a few months ago age 62. Don’t give up if it’s what you want.

theros.org.uk/information-a...

[tangocharlie in reply to Knittynatty]

Thank you so much, that is just what I wanted to hear today! I do think it's worth a try. Mind you I have a good friend who is a GP and she says just about every appointment is a woman wanting HRT and thinking it'll make them look like Davina McCall in days. I say fair do's we've been neglected too long and it's these celebrities are doing wonders for women's health

[Jemima48]

I'm also under the rheumatology department. I'm on another site largely used by American women who all seem to have endocrinologist, so maybe it's a UK/US difference???

[dcdream in reply to Jemima48]

what's the link to the American site?

[Jemima48 in reply to dcdream]

inspire.com It's international, but most of the members seem to be American. It makes me grateful to have the NHS when they post about how their insurance won't cover the medication! The osteoporosis site is within it. Hope you find it useful - the more info the better imo!

[tangocharlie in reply to Jemima48]

Yes I've often put that on my Gratitude list - I don't live in America and thank goodness we have the NHS. For the moment at least anyway

[tangocharlie in reply to Jemima48]

Maybe, but I go to the Leeds ROS meetings and they are having a zoom talk on osteoporosis by a local endocrinologist who many of the members see, so i'm not sure who does what or if there is an overlap

[Met00]

This article seems to be about someone in the US. In the UK it's usually a GP who treats osteoporosis, unless you need a treatment he/she can't prescribe, in which case you're referred to a rheumatologist.

[Southerngirl2787]

I guess it depends on the doctor and patient. A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. I have a Rhemy, she treats my autoimmune conditions, Lupus, AS, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and can treat OP as well. She sent me to a nearly worthless Endo, for a check on a second parathyroid tumor, when my routine blood calcium went high. I had a parathyroid tumor cause early severe OP. The Endo has done nothing but try to talk me into dangerous drugs for OP, told her to give up, Neurosurgeon put me on Tymlos and I'm doing well. She is a diabetic doctor, with a tiny bit of knowledge of parathryoid, thyroid, and OP. Endocrinologists specialize in treating disorders of the endocrine system, the network of hormone-producing glands in your body. Endocrinologists are qualified to diagnose and treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid diseases, infertility, growth issues, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, some cancers, and disorders in the hormone-producing adrenal glands and pituitary glands. I see an ANP trained in hormones for my Bio-identical Hormone Replacement, been on them since age 51, now 63, will stay on them permanently.

[Granniebythesea]

Thanks for posting this interesting article. It pretty much mirrors most of our experiences in that we are struggling to get the right support after diagnosis.

There seems to be so much conflicting information regarding treatment and which specialist to turn to - or even diagnosis ie Dexa versus REMS. At 69, with a family history of osteoporosis, I’ve been taking Alendronic acid for just over a year following spinal fractures, but not happy doing so, especially with regard to the risk of osteonecrosis - dental treatment at my age is common place!

Waiting for a referral to a rheumatologist which is hard to come by in my area to get some advice on alternatives.

[tangocharlie in reply to Granniebythesea]

It's worth calling the ROS nurses Helpline for advice and to discuss options. Of you have already had spinal fractures you are classed as high risk and ought to be on something stronger than alendronic acid such as Romosozumab asap

[bluebell99]

I have two friends, who seperately went to their gps for help with menopausal symptoms. My friends are both 70 and each were surprised to be prescribed HRT. One has to take a tablet as well as having patches as she still has her uterus. The other friend had a hysterectomy thirty years ago so just has the patches.

Both friends have noticed a real improvement in their symptoms, hot flushes, bone pain, etc and have been told there is no length of time to stop taking them.

It just proves that older women can still get relief from bone pain and strengthen their bodies, be more active and not worry about osteoporosis if they have understanding gps.

I told one friend about the positive results from the other friend and she was concerned about her age and being fobbed off. She made the appointment, (a different gp and health centre) and was really surprised to be prescribed patches, she thought she would have to jump through hoops to get it.

Unfortunately I have APS, (sticky blood) and on Warfarin, so not a candidate for HRT because of the risk of clots. I am 70 too and really envious of the improvement in their health.

So, ladies, you are not too old to start this treatment. They did not see a gynaecologist, rheumatologist or endocrinologist, their gps did it all. Age has nothing to do with it, my friends would be classed as elderly and too late for HRT in the normal scheme of things.

No osteoporosis drugs, injections, infusions or taking calcium and vit D. What I would give to be free from all of that! They didn't even have a DEXA scan, it was assumed there would be bone thinning because of their ages.

Thank goodness for enlightened gps.

[tangocharlie in reply to bluebell99]

That is so interesting to learn, thank you for sharing, I will make an appointment with my GP asap

[Clematisa1]

My cousin in Spain just sent me a message about this. Our family all high risk... I said I'd post here but good that it's here already. ❤️