Greetings on a Wild and Windy Weekend in the UK, to You Lot of Polymalingerers and Pred-Taperers Worldwide 
You might like to know about the results of the latest medical investigations into my general State of Health on my 2-and-a-half-year Journey of surviving PMR - and after much 'nudging' of my medics for them to be done as a precaution..
First, the DXA scan results (synopsis):
"Risk Factors:
Mr Benjamin is aged 60, he smokes (not smart or clever), drinks more alcohol than is sensible (don't many of us, medics included?), and is chucking Pred down his throat for PMR (ok, we'll forgive him for that one).
Mr B has T-scores of -1.3 and -1.5 on his Lumbar Spine and Femoral Neck, and a Total Hip T-score of -0.5. Conclusion: Major Osteoporotic fracture risk (10 years): 7%. Hip fracture risk (10 years): 2%. He is classified as: 'This patient has Osteopenia'.
But, in an apparent spirit of defiant mitigation, Mr B. counter-claims that (q.) 'having played Rugby and Squash competitively, done Action-Man-type physical activities including tearing trees from the ground single-handedly, lifting wardrobes and getting into various punch-ups for the past 40 years, he has never experienced more than a bruised finger nail - let alone a bone fracture'. Mr B. wishes this to be noted on his medical records in questioning the validity of the statistical data provided in his DXA scan results as to his Osteoporosis risk, and in view of his personal health / fitness history. He says (q.) 'I am very good on my feet and never fallen-down unless under the occasional influence of a few-too-many glasses of Vintage Claret'. We reluctantly agree to Mr.B's explanation.
Notes / Recommendations:
No Treatment recommended for Osteoporosis (e.g. Alendronic Acid - Uggghhh!), but General Lifestyle measures are advised according to the Royal College of Physicians for patients taking Glucocorticosteroids: i.e. Get more Calcium and Vit. D. Suggest eating 6 whole, Scottish Salmon 3 times per week (raw, bones and all) and take a holiday in the Seychelles Islands 4 times per year to top-up his Vit. D levels with some warm, bright sunshine. That should fix him, 'Good and Proper'. If he's still taking the Preds in 3 years (and also still self-abusing with the fags and booze), do another DXA scan and give him a good telling-off if the results are worse and / or if he has been hit by a truck and finds himself in hospital with broken bones - or is declared 'DOA'. Further DXA scan recommended in 2-3 years if still on steroids, and / or if he does in fact get hit by a truck in the meantime. We hope not - he's actually a nice guy even if he does push things a bit".
(End of DXA scan Report letter)
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And, then, the GP's letter (synopsis)..
"Dear Mr B, I have spoken with your Rheumatologist re. your queries about needing a 'short' Synacthen / ACTH test to see if your Adrenals are functioning ok after getting a hammering from the dreaded Preds for the past 2-and-a-half years.
He says: 'Tell Mr B. to GET A LIFE AND STOP MITHERING, since these test results are notoriously inaccurate anyway, and in the context of PMR especially. Tell Mr B. not to 'chuck the B****y Preds away' as he would like to do, since although he's now on a meagre 3 mgpd Pred and 'on his feet', his Adrenals may still not be 100% awake and ready for Business As Usual. Only to say, take it steady and don't reduce by too much / too quickly in the meantime. If he's struggling to reduce further, just follow the advice on a certain PMR/GCA website. In the meantime, we will monitor his Bloods for essential inflammatory and other markers every 5 years (if we remember), or if he kicks-up more fuss in the meantime. Let's hope not... our insurers are plagued by this increasingly common type of complaint :-(."
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Ok, so that's it Folks. So, 'Good' News, or 'Bad' News? You decide, but I'll err-on the Positive Side - as always 
Keep smiling on the PMR / GCA Journey!
MB
Goodbye Alendronic Acid
Dexa results in, but what do they mean?
