results dexa and abdominal scan....

[karools16]

DXA....t-score -2.7,left hip -2.5,left fem neck .1.7. Osteo of lumbar spine, knew that, And total left hip. Significant increase 12% in lumbar spine, and significant decrease of 14% in total left hip since last scan 2016. With only 10 mins, there was no time to discuss and I hope someone on the forum will tell me if these results are good/bad? Also accelerated bone mineral loss at left hip. Bone mineral well maintained for age.Bisphosphonate recommended...I had stopped taking 1. Adequate weight-bearing exercise, dietary calcium, vit.d are lifestyle measures. Dr asked why I stopped Iban. Said no proof in helping bones. He says must restart as bones getting thinner. Am not convinced.

U/S Abdomen........difficult scan..high riding liver. Gallbladder thin-walled and several small stones. no definite cause for pain identified. Am a lot better and know it's not IBS, as tolerating most foods again.

Am improved after bout of COPD. Pred up to 30, then down to 20 for 5 days. Roaring appetite returned, as in early GCA days, esp. at night. Am tapering by 5mg every 5 days, until back to 7mg..am at 15mg at present. Appetite nearing normal. INR shot up to 3.8 today, because of Pred dosing changes.With being able to breathe almost properly again, I don't feel too bad.My dr apologised for not increasing the Pred immediately. He said' the dr should listen to the patient and their symptoms'.He said he had learnt a lesson from a patient!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I hope he DID learn a lesson from a patient - what a prat!

The spinal ones are low and the hip one is the one they worry most about I think so although it is only osteopenia now it is going the wrong way. You are going to face some pushing to take the bisphosphonate again.

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. It's already Osteoporosis. Curvature of spine doesn't help either. Am not easily pushed!

[yogabonnie]

I say it all the time.. but I have the same numbers as you and it means a 12% risk of having a fracture in the next 10 years. That says to me that unless you get in an accident etc etc.. that is a 88% chance of NOT having a fracture in the next 10 years. I think the odds of having some awful esophageal thing from bisphosphonate might be worse. Not taking it. But that's just me. I know everyone must decide for herself or himself. good luck! weigh bearing exercise should help. I am Tap dancing (slowly) but there is supposedly increase in bone mass from it..we shall see. and Now thinking of a home vibrating platform !

[karools16 in reply to yogabonnie]

Thanks for your reply. I had a fall in a shop, 18months ago. Badly bruised, but still managed to get up and move. No, am not going back on it, either.There's so much else going on that I really don't want to take this, and the dr,on, as well. I don't exercise. Well, gardened last night 7.oo to 8.30pm, do some walking.The platform sounds good and fun!

[yogabonnie in reply to karools16]

I think they have them.. but they are about $150 (I think in dollars) on amazon.. but might be worth the cost if they WORK!!

[karools16 in reply to yogabonnie]

I thought you made that up!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to karools16]

No - they are a real thing!

exercisecenter.co.uk/best-v...

This next article was written a while back so of course there are far more on the market now than there was then. They mention conditions for which they are NOT suitable. You may have to register for Medscape but it is free:

medscape.com/viewarticle/57...

You'll notice they improved BALANCE a lot - and that is a very important factor in preventing falls and the risk of fractures.

This article on the other hand

regenexx.com/swanky-vibrati...

claims they don't help bone density! However - this review

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

which looks at all studies done comes to the conclusion

"Whole-body vibration exercise therapy is only one of the types of physical activity recommended for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and cannot be used as substitute therapy for pharmacological and dietary treatment methods. But it may complement already known and described postmenopausal treatment methods and bring tangible results in therapy."

It appears that it helps in low bone mineral density - but there won't be measurable results in under a year - and it really should be used together with other measures.

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

Gosh, gosh, gosh,plenty of machines to choose from! I can appreciate that balance is important. I am not always steady, at home, or when out. I have a walking stick, but unable to manage stick, bag,other.I start off at a brisk pace, but then slow right down.

I loathe the word exercise.I'll just plod on. Makes me think of that song....Good vibrations.....My Mom and I went on a slimming course with a vibrating machine. Didn't lose weight, but the thick belt around our tummies chafed like mad!