Pretty surprised at my dexa results: Walked my... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Pretty surprised at my dexa results

3daysinjuly profile image
12 Replies

Walked my whole life, 68 in May, was always an active guy, thin, pred for 5 months so far, 15mg to 7.5. Anyway, -2.5 spine was my worst of the three. -2.4 left femoral neck and -2.1 left femoral total. She said it was too soon to blame pred and probably had it before PMR. Not sure since my first idiot rheumie said I never needed one in the beginning.

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3daysinjuly profile image
3daysinjuly
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12 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

It's the "thin" probably - us fatties do have some advantages when it comes to bone density. OH has always been skinny and doesn't even exercise or eat well - I'm scared to mention a dexascan to the GP!

So what now? Spine does tend to be lower than the other figures.

3daysinjuly profile image
3daysinjuly in reply toPMRpro

She gave me a script for Prolia. But I’m wondering if I can up all the supplements, do other exercises that are more weight-bearing, and hold off on another drug until I get another scan. She said -2.5 was right on the line between osteopenia and osteoporosis.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to3daysinjuly

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

How much did she tell you about Prolia/denosumab?

3daysinjuly profile image
3daysinjuly in reply toPMRpro

I made a mistake. It is not prolia that she prescribed but aldronate, if I spelled it correctly. I know she talked about prolia but maybe she changed her mind when she called it in to the pharmacy. Anyway, I’m not rushing into it.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

There are a number of contributing factors like genetics. I am sorry about this blow. It is never too late to work on this though!

3daysinjuly profile image
3daysinjuly in reply toSheffieldJane

Yes, Jane, I called my younger sister earlier to tell her the news and she told me that she, too, has osteoporosis and is on raloxifene. Yes, I will work on it and, for now, maybe not take the drug.

Daisychain12 profile image
Daisychain12 in reply to3daysinjuly

Hi darling. Please look at the wonderful advice put on here by HeronS. It’s been sooo helpful to me. Please don’t rush into anything xxx

dancersize profile image
dancersize in reply toDaisychain12

Glad to see you are back. Well done.

Devonspinner profile image
Devonspinner in reply toDaisychain12

Welcome back Daisy xx

Cally55 profile image
Cally55

Now you know about your bones, which I didn't, like you rheumatologist couldn't organise dexa, don't lift anything heavy, I can still remember the scrunch when I did my worst vertebral fracture.

I have found it really difficult to avoid lifting as I have been very active all my life and there is no warning that you have overdone it until it is too late. Walking is about the only exercise I can take but I do feel a lot better when I do.

I have always taken bisphonates, GP says could have been worse if I hadn't, I am waiting for a zolendronate infusion but now have a dental problem and have to wait for appointment at hospital, 4 month wait, only 3 weeks to go now!

Like everything to do with this disease you have to make choices with little definite information and doctors who I think are equally confused.

Flrchrs profile image
Flrchrs

Hi

I had the same score -2.5 spine others were osteopenia. I’ve spent my whole life walking,hiking . work involves about 10 miles walking a day

I had taken pred for 2 years prior to bone scan . I often wonder if some people are naturally light boned. When I took out travel insurance I told them about the osteoporosis all they asked was have I ever broken any bones ,said no.insurance premium stayed the same .i take the usual Adcal and Alendronic.if insurance doesn’t think it’s a risk seems strange.

Reeceregan profile image
Reeceregan

My dexa scan was -3.2 for the right hip, -2.6 for the left and -2.7 for the back. I’m a teeny tiny 64 y.o. female, been on pred for 2 years. It didn’t cause the osteoporosis, but I had no symptoms, no breaks. Like PMRPro said, it’s the skinny bit. I’ve been on Prolia injections for 18 months now. I was originally told I’d only need them for 3 years and I thought I could whether that, after all I’ve weathered PMR, GCA and pred..can’t be any worse..and it hasn’t been. No side effects to write home about. BUT. After advice on here I asked my rheumatologist about this lifetime need for Prolia and he said yes, you will need to stay on it for life. WAS NOT IMPRESSED. But with Tscores that bad, I probably would have taken it anyway while hoping for a miracle to be invented.

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