Update: DEXA scan today

[Monkey321]

Hi, results today show osteoporosis. My T score back results: L1 was -2.2, L2 was -2.3, L3 was -2.0, L4 was -3.6 (total -2.6). My left hip scan was Neck -2.7, Troch was -1.4, Inter was -1.7 and my Ward's was at -2.4. So now a firm diagnosis aside from bilateral hip and shoulder bursitis and bilateral knee arthritis. All of these I'm guessing are inter-related. No idea if this is PMR or fibromyalgia still or just that I've had osteoporosis the last 2 yrs and it's worsened.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, was just reading though your posts and gosh you’ve been on a runaround haven’t you. It can’t be easy dealing with kids as well; hats off to you. Regards your DEXA result, I expect they will want to treat that. Was this your first DEXA? Pred can cause bone mineral loss and of you have any other bone risks it can have made that worse. If you don’t have a baseline DEXA you won’t know if this all happened since Pred or if you were already in trouble. I had one at the start and found I was osteopaenic already, likely due to a chronically low vitamin D level. Osteoporosis isn’t painful in itself, but rather it hurts when a fracture occurs which is why it is such a devil to detect without a scan.

Bursitis is associated with PMR but osteoarthritis not so much but it could have been exacerbated by knock on effects from PMR/Pred. If there was weight gain or a change in the way you walk because of your troubles the joints won’t have liked it. rheumatoid arthritis though is autoimmune like PMR and these conditions can come together.

[Monkey321 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi,thank you for your reply. It was my 1st DEXA and so I don't have another to compare it too. I was on pred about 4 months do not ages (as Dr trialing it gor possible pmr). I've been on prednisone since childhood on/off due to asthma but nothing long term really. I've been on steroid asthma inhalers too but I don't think they're major contributors. It's a bit like the chicken, fid it come 1st or the egg? Do I have PMR which led to osteoporosis as it was undiagnosed thr last 2 yrs, or did I have osteoporosis leading to bursitis, arthritis, joint pain 1st? As you said osteoporosis doesn't normally hurt, unless you break/feacture a bone. I'm constantly sore, all over, all the time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

Inhaled corticosteroids and intermittent oral pred over long periods, especially in childhood, do indeed contribute to the risk of developing osteoporosis - PMR doesn't often unless treated with pred. I was undiagnosed with PMR for 5 years - my baseline dexascan was slightly osteopeneic which was reasonable for my age and 3 months of 15mg pred when it was done. It then didn't deteriorate significantly over the following 12 years despite ongoing pred. Osteoporosis doesn't cause bursitis or arthritis - they are totally different conditions but may appear alongside one another causing joint pain which may be confusing.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

If you are constantly sore all over the most likely options are PMR of fibromyalgia - bearing in mind that PMR isn't the disease, it is the name given to a set of symptoms due to an underlying condition and can be associated with various inflammatory arthritides and when all other options have been ruled out and the pain responds well to pred, then it can be said to be the PMR we talk about here.

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, thank you, interesting article! I have according to ultrasound/x rays "mild degenerative joint disease" (osteoarthritis) bilateral hip and knees. The DEXA yesterday indicated osteoporosis. The body is a very complex thing it seems. If I'm understanding it correctly arthritis and osteoporosis are different as in 1 joint pain and inflammation and 1 bone weakening thus making falls etc more likely. I haven't heard back from my DR as yet but he already said there's not a lot can be done except paracetamol, calcium, bit D, exercise, diet. I've never smoked, I don't drink, I haven't been thru menopause yet so nothing to do with that. Appreciate your advice!

[Monkey321]

Heard from my Dr today, he has prescribed calcium and vit D tablets plus zoledronate tablets.