Hi - it's been a busy week on top of work: DEXA scan and podiatrist!

[Moomin8]

Morning peeps☺

Last week I had my first DEXA scan- weird; didn't know what to expect! As RA affects all of my joints, I was expecting a whole body scan. Little did I know that the very nice lady was only going to scan my left hip (as I was right-handed apparently) and my spine (up to my chest area). I asked to be sent the results and the answer was "Yes, of course. In fact you'll get them before your rheumatologist and GP." How refreshing! That was Tuesday. On Friday at 9, I was back into the hospital to check my very sore feet, knees and hips out- thank goodness. I had to walk up and down bare-footed, followed by a very polite young man pushing down on my knees (he kept apologising- bless him) to see what was going on. He told me that he thinks my knees are collapsing inwards- yay! 🤔😕 He took moulds of my feet in order to make something to put inside my shoe to turn my feet out - apparently 😒 So... in about 2-3 weeks I should have my results re- osteoporosis and in 4-6 weeks I should be called back for my insole (I'm presuming) fitting- no more open shoes for me☹

[Izzyowl]

Hi Moomin, well I also had a DEXA scan a few months ago. I cheerily went along, informing the radiologist " Oh its only routine " Well turns out it was a good job I went, as I now have to take twice daily calcium and Vit D. As for my foot. I too am waiting for an insole to stop my foot rolling in. There is also a suspicion that the searing pain I get between two toes when my feet get hot is caused by a neuroma and not RA. So an ultra sound scan has been arranged to check that out. So many interrelated issues ! Good luck with your insoles.

[Moomin8 in reply to Izzyowl]

Ouch!

[nomoreheels]

You should have asked, lots of us have DEXA scans, I have them every other year. Thankfully I remain in the osteopenia borderline osteoporosis category (around 8 years now) which I can only put down to being prescribed 2 daily AdCal-D3 & diet. My Rheumy did put me on bisphosphonates but as I had the same side effects from two of them I gave them up as a bad job, especially she I was told i'd prbabky have the same from infusions.

I have custom made orthotics from Podietry too, & see her regularly to tenderly tend my feet. I have terribly ticklish feet so dreaded the first appointment but even though she's very gentle she's never once had to experience me rolling about the floor, don't know how she does it! Ooo, the barefoot walk of shame down the corridor, I remember it, blinking painful isn't it?! My insoles aren't too thick at the front so I can wear open shoes as long as the back is enclosed, that's where the bulkiest point is on mine, plus I need the support for the orthotic to work properly. I have both wedges & block heeled sandals & summer shoes so depending on where you need the help maybe you'll still be able to wear open shoes too. Some sandals are made with removeable insoles too, Clark's & Fly Flots are two makes I have that I can just pop the standard ones out & mine into. It's surprising, if you have properly suited insoles how it can affect certain points of your anatomy, mine is my feet hips & back yours hopefully will be your feet, hips & knees, even realigns everything. I still have a bad gait I need to work on, I stick my chin out apparently, & it's causing me to walk off-balance.

I hope you've not too long to wait to hear your results & your Podietry appointment to be introduced to your new best friends comes quickly. I had to have mine built up over a few months so you've not that bother of multiple appointments which is good.

[Moomin8]

Wow! It seems such a small world sometimes on here: kindred sufferers of such similar symptoms. I've got this picture in my head of you walking chin-first!🤣

[Gnarli]

It's funny how often that happens, isn't it? Like buses, nothing for ages then two or three at once! We got home from holiday on the Friday, podiatrist on Tuesday morning, blue badge assessment in the afternoon then lovely new rheumy nurse on Thursday. Oh the giddy social whirl!

J