DEXA Scan

[Bcol]

Morning all, just for a change a sunny start to the day, changing with a vengeance tomorrow though apparently. Anyway. I had a DEXA scan two years ago and the results were excellent, but I suggested to the doc a couple of weeks ago, that it was probably time for another one. Lo and behold Monday 30th January 2023. Can't ask for better service than that. 🙂🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Impressive!

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Agree

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Wow, that’s good. Hope all okay…

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

Yey, we are all good at the moment thanks. Just trying to decide if Meg's up to a fifty yard "sprint!!!" up the road. The heart is willing but the body less so, but she will want to try!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bcol]

of course she will....bless her.😊

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

We made it, but I think the snail won!!! She is a super star.

[piglette]

In my area it is every three years. Dexascanners seem to be like gold dust, the guy who did my last one said there was a dearth of them around us.

[Bcol in reply to piglette]

When I had the first one, the doc said we will redo it in two years. It's at the same place so will hopefully be the same machine.

[piglette in reply to Bcol]

I am sure it will be the same machine. We fund raised for ours, it must have been at least fifteen years ago. Camilla (Queen Consirt) opened it as her mother had osteoporosis. .

[SheffieldJane]

A bit of sunshine. Hope it’s a good one!

[Kendrew]

Lovely to hear the 'system' can still work sometimes.

[Bridge31]

Thanks for reminding me to try and arrange an appointment. We shall see if Norfolk can provide the same service.

[tempusfugi in reply to Bridge31]

Interesting, Bridge 31 (but then I seem to say that a lot on this forum)! I'm wondering where you are in Norfolk. I requested a DEXA scan at my surgery here in North Norfolk in early November and the appointment was in Cromer hospital, approx a month later. I was impressed with that too. Hopefully you may get the same service. Note: I hadn't had a scan for 10 years and that was when I lived in Surrey. The scanner(ist) was able to pull up the previous scan on her computer and compare with the present one. I was impressed, once again!

[Bridge31 in reply to tempusfugi]

I live near Diss so my previous appointment was at the N & N.

By how much had your bone density changed ?

[tempusfugi in reply to Bridge31]

Well, much to my relief, I was told that the spine was fine - above average for my age (75). 10 years ago, there were signs of osteopenia in my left hip but this hadn't changed so, although the scannerist couldn't advise me what to do about taking AA (which I don't), it felt clear to me that she didn't think it necessary. I don't have actual numbers on the scan which I ought to know. No further news from my surgery so I suspect they have 'No further action(ed)' it.

I suppose both my surgery and rheumy could push me to take AA, arguing that it's used to protect me further now that I take Pred, but I will follow up with another scan in the next couple of years, hopefully under the NHS, if not privately. I don't want to add another drug to the 3 I already take (includes Pred).

[tempusfugi in reply to Bridge31]

Bridge31, I should probably add that I have been taking Pred for just over 8 months. My hair is affected but not my bones, thus far.

[Bridge31 in reply to tempusfugi]

My Rheumy wanted me to take AA even after my Dexa which was good for my age. I refused. I haven’t seen him since 2019. Arrogance personified 🙄.

I manage it myself with the help of this wonderful forum.

[Lynlea]

Same here, had a rheumatologist appointment yesterday and advised her would not be taking aledronic acid due to side effects unless necessary. I asked for a dexa scan which is on 16th January.

[Kh5926]

Very good service . I have mine every year

[Maudie19]

I have been told that as a member of staff is on Maternity Leave the waiting time is 9 months! This is at Elgin in Scotland.

[Tiggy70]

There does appear to be a huge discrepancy across UK hospitals in how easy it is to get a DEXA scan. I tried unsuccessfully for 18 months to get one as I was having major issues with Alendronic acid. Rheumatology refused and in the end I paid for one privately. I’m in Northampton.