Repeat of recent back surgery and a Dexa question!!!

[powerwalk]

It has taken me over a week to put this down, I'm still in shock. The recent lumbar surgery I had in june needs to be redone!!! I'm putting it down to the bad fall i had at nine weeks after it when I broke my coccyx did the damage. The disc is out again and leaning on the nerve. My leg has never been right but I could feel it regressing and the pain in my back getting bad. This time hopefully it won't be as big an op as we have it earlier than before and I'm in a better state.

So to the dexa issue. I feel like all the stressing I've done about my bones the last seven years has come to haunt me. I've dreaded having to go in bone meds as I'm so bad with medications. But I see the rheumy next week so I want to be prepared. My dexa showed a slight increase from -2.5 which was borderline to -2.9 in the lumbar area, a small increase in two and a half years but in the circumstances slips me into the osteoporosis area?? The other markers are less this is the worst of it all. So would this be enough for me to now accept having to be on something? I'm also thinking is it affecting my low back and the whole disc/pain issue. Is it worth risking my back because I don't want to be on the medication, which I presume would be injection. Thanks for any thoughts.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think it is something to discuss with the spinal surgeon.

You say the other scores are better - HOW MUCH better?

[powerwalk in reply to PMRpro]

Looking at the report it just says it shows non significant decrease from the previous dexa. My memory is that others were about -1.5 or better. I know the rheumy has wanted me on bone meds for years for no reason, so just wondering if the -2.9 would be usually not an issue. I know I have other things to consider, if this makes sense, just don't want him jumping on it if there's no need.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to powerwalk]

Spine is often lower than the other stuff. -2,9 is pretty low though

[powerwalk in reply to PMRpro]

As i fear. I would also have had a large amount of steroid injections in the lumbar area over several years. Thank you. Not lookin forward to this!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear about lumbar surgery…..

Agree with PMRpro you need to discuss with medics…

[powerwalk in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you.

[SheffieldJane]

What a blow powerwalk! The repair operation is quite enough to think about without contemplating Alendronic Acid or similar which worries you and me both.

Do you know when they will operate? That fall was rotten, rotten luck. ❤️

[powerwalk in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes Jane, Tuesday week 7th. I keep waking up in a panic durin the night!! Its like a joke! Oh the bone meds just fill me with dread, always have done!! If i have to start something i'll wait til ive recovered from the surgery, i felt like hell the last time. You're bones are doin ok if my memory sefves me?

[SheffieldJane in reply to powerwalk]

My bones have deteriorated a little since my first good scan and there is some osteopenia. To be honest I feel so rough that I don’t want to add anymore symptoms or stress.I have also feared the potential side effects and the way this drug works for years.. It was given to me without warning or explanation at the beginning. The doctor was cross ( you’ll end up in a wheelchair) when I said I didn’t want it.

Every decision like this I make, tends to go wrong, hence my GI issues. ☹️

[powerwalk in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh i get all that!!! Down the rabbit hole as they say! Not looking forward to any of it. If i have to syart something i'll wait til the surgery is over with. Yes you've had a lot of stomach issues. Oh for the magic pill!!!

[Bcol]

So sorry to of your present issues and having to have the repeat surgery on your back, think the previous replies have covered the medical stuff so just to wish you good wishes and good luck for the 7th and the upcoming "chat" with Rheumy. Remember we have members across the continents and night owls here so don't feel alone or hesitate to chat or rant here at any time of night or day if you feel the need. Good luck.

[powerwalk in reply to Bcol]

Ah thank you. Be lost without all of you!!

[MiniSpec]

Talk of Alendronic Acid reminds me that I took it for more than 12 years without any problem, but was told that I don't need it by the rheumie I saw earlier this year, after I'd had a Dexa scan. So now I no longer take it, but for the 12 years (actually closer to 13 years) that I took it I didn't notice any side effects at all.

I guess it's all down to the individual, but for me it didn't seem to do any harm, and my finger nails were very thick and strong while taking it! So don't be afraid of it, you may find that you won't have any nasty side effects either.

[powerwalk in reply to MiniSpec]

Great to hear, thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to MiniSpec]

Nor me, I took it for 4 years without any issues.

[Missus835]

I could not tolerate any of the tablets due to previous stomach issues. Went yesterday for Zolendronic Acid infusion. Took 15 minutes. Kept me there for 30 mins. afterwards to keep an eye on vitals. So far no side effects. I have osteoporosis. 8 fragility fractures. Yes 8. Hopefully this will help these brittle bones. This was caused by Pred and perhaps a PPI which I've been taking far too long. Plan to wean off the PPI when Pred dose is lower. Right now my stomach is taking a hit, what with some new meds for cholesterol and high blood pressure. Is it worth risking your spine? Not if you have a choice. Enquire about the infusion. All the best my friend.

[powerwalk in reply to Missus835]

Thank you x

[Nanpat]

hi, can I ask what sort of lumbar surgery you had?

Secondly I’m surprised you weren’t started on bisphosphonates when in the osteopenia range. I had an irrational fear of starting myself but after 2 severe fractures I started 12 mths ago.

I didn’t want the infusion either in case I reacted so started on Actonel tablets once a week.

NO side effects at all, please don’t hesitate

[powerwalk in reply to Nanpat]

I did everything to not be on bone meds but what can you do. Doing the blood and dental checks so will probably start soon. I had a microdiscectomy and then had to have something similar to clear the nerve again, and scar tissue had covered the nerve very quickly after the first surgery.

[Nanpat in reply to powerwalk]

good luck with whatever you choose to do. I was too scared to have infusion or 6 mthly injection because if they don’t agree with you they are in your body for a long time, do some research 🙂

[Nanpat]

above comment for poweewak