Pretty surprised at my dexa results

[3daysinjuly]

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.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

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 in reply to PMRpro]

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 Ambassador in reply to 3daysinjuly]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

How much did she tell you about Prolia/denosumab?

[3daysinjuly in reply to PMRpro]

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]

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 in reply to SheffieldJane]

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 in reply to 3daysinjuly]

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 in reply to Daisychain12]

Glad to see you are back. Well done.

[Devonspinner in reply to Daisychain12]

Welcome back Daisy xx

[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]

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]

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.