Any one had a Dexa scan that showed improvement in bone

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Any one had a Dexa scan that showed improvement in bone density from the previous Dexa Scan?

What medication had you been taking prior to this improvement please?

Appreciative of replies.

V

2

I personally have not had a second scan, don't expect to for another six months at the earliest.  However a good friend of mine had a second scan after her initial diagnosis of osteoporosis.  She went the natural route, took none of the OP meds, but rather used nutrition and exercise, and her next scan, two years later, showed she had moved into osteopenia range.  It was this experience which encouraged me to resist the medications and follow her example.  I was talking to her recently and she said a subsequent scan shows continuing improvement.  I'm sorry I don't have her exact numbers.  She told me she thinks that Nordic walking is what has helped most when it comes to exercise.  She is not a great believer in dairy as a source of calcium, preferring to get it from leafy greens, etc.  Like me she also gets the other important micronutrients (Vitamins D3, K2, magnesium, boron, silica and so forth).

3

In my area, a scan is only done every 5 years, but I will be scanned after 3 because I had no risk factors and have done all the preventitave measures, all my life. Got another 20 months to wait.!!!  I am pretty sure Juno said she had an improvement of 11% but I dont remember the time scale.

4

Many thanks both.  I 've tried two bisphosphonates, both not able to tolerate, I was only on minimal time.  My option next is Prolia Denosuma.  I do the good diet D3 etc, I've had two Dexa scans and about to have a 3rd.  Between my first and 2nd Dexa Scan bone thinning worsened even with gym 3-4 times a week and walking, gardening, grow my own veg including kale, so you can imagine the disappointment.  Last visit with the rheumatologist he said if bone density is stable could delay the treatment, but if it had thinned further it would be advisable to have the drug treatment.

I am praying at least I have stablized and hope that there has even been some slight improvement.

Its been 2 years since my last Dexa scan, but it was 4 years between the 1st and 2nd one.

My T score currently is -2.8 in the spine and -2.6 fem neck /hip, osteopenie in left hip and feet.  Do you mind my asking what T scores you both have?

Many thanks for your replies. 

V

5

I do hope your score has not deteriorated and fingers crossed for you. Yes I can imagine your disappointment. Having done all the "natural things" all my life, I could not believe I had OP. Doing the right things, before my diagnosis, meant I had nowhere to turn except to the meds. Also, 2 spinal fractures secured my decision. I would be relieved if I stayed the same to be honest. Absolutly over the moon with any improvement. My score was/is -3.5.

6

Hi Vee2 (and Alison!),  Yes I did have an improvement of 11% afrer one year of Forteo injections and 6 months of Actonel. I'm now on my 2nd year of Forteo. I think I remember reading somewhere that the biggest improvements on most bone meds. are seen with those with severe osteoporosis (OP).( Mine was definitely severe in my back at -4.5) . Next scan is in 18 months.  . . .

By the way, it is important to have the scans on the same Dxa machine.

Take care,  J

J

7

HI Juno

Thanks for your reply.  Can't insist having Dexa on same machine with NHS UK,  My first 2 scans were on different machines, what is your source regarding the difference that can occur between one Dexa scanner and another?  I've heard it said before but know proof of its accuracy.

Thanks again V

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no proof of ... I meant to say

9

I have not yet seen my complete report (last September was the scan) but I did manage to find out that my t-score was -2.0, and I think that was at the hip.  I will not get to see the whole report until I participate in a workshop, but I haven't been given a date yet, despite signing up months ago!  For another reason I had spine x-rayed in 2014 and there were no signs of fractures.

10

Hi, I THINK it's to make sure you're comparing like with like - as different hospitals/clinics can calibrate the Dxa machines differently. Some machines are left with the makers 'default' setting and others are adjusted/set differently. Also there can be different 'margins of error' settings on a machine . . . You can Google this question and check.

When you have had your first scan at your local hospital, you won't be having another for apx. 2 years so just return to the same hospital OP clinic for the next one . ..      J

11

Thanks Alison, I've not fractured yet and hope I never do but that's probably wishful thinking, yet some with severe op have not fractured and some with less severe have, so I've heard.  Its all unknown.

I hope you find when you have your Dexa scan you will find some improvement or at least your score remains stable.

Best wishes V

12

Lord, sorry, I missed the bit where you said you've already had 2 scans on didderent machine!.  If so, the results may not be as reliable as if done on the same machine. It seems the scan is looking at very minute changes indeed so machine settings are important. I suppose it's like taking a photo of the same scene( with an interval in between)  with 2 different cameras and one photo shows more detail though it's the same view. . . 

Vee, this is the GIST of what I've read over the past couple of years but don't take it as gospell. Check it out -  or someone here on the forum may know a lot more and may contribute.   J

13

Hi Vee! I had great improvement after having Forteo for 2.5 years. Bisphosphonates didn't improve me greatly and upset my gastrointestinal system.

now going to start with Prolia which you can take for many years until they invent something else!

Diet and exercise only helped minimally.

Yes it's very important to have the scan on the same machine every time.

14

It's great to be getting positive feedback. There is nothing out there thats perfect, but it is the same with many cancers, MS and even the common cold. We just have to work with what we have, for now anyway. When you've done the diet and exercise bit for 40 years, and still got OP, there is not a lot left to try.

15

I have heard that the DXA machine is so idiosyncratic that it is best if you not only have all your scans done on the same machine but with the same technician.  Kind of makes you wonder how accurate they really are, doesn't it?  Vee, have you ever had any fractures?  Maybe you're in better shape than you think, especially if you've always looked after yourself well.

16

Sorry, haven't but very interesting question so I'll follow your lead and read any replies that come through.

17

I too didnt go down the ZA infusion route but started on all the vits associated with it (K2, D3 etc) I go for another scan in 6 months time and hopefully have made progress 

​I have exercised all my life including lifting weights and consider myself fit , and was disappointed to be told I had OP ( diagnosed 6 months ago , I am now 64)

18

I am really surprised at how many of us have always done so many preventitive measures, the ones we are advised to do after our diagnosis, but still have OP. You have added vitamins to your diet that you  think you may have been missing out on. But where do we go if we do all these things and still deteriorate? It is a big dilemma. I hope the vits do the trick for you, but can a year on vitamins really change your t-score. I know I am being a bit negative here and I am not normally a negative person but this has got me thinking. Why are so many of us suffering from OP when we, in theory, are doing everything that is recommended? There has to be something, not yet discovered other than, hereditary, diet, exercise, smoking, etc that we dont know as yet. Please dont think I am getting at you shaq. Its just got me thinking.

19

I know what u mean allison..I honestly dont know the real answer to why we get OP...out of the blue, with no family history etc. and very depressing if i dwell on it ...however, I will wait and see what the next scan shows, in the meantime i continue with my excercises/ weights and increase calcium etc etc.. and you  r right, maybe down the line they will discover the 'smoking gun' of OP..in the meantime...we all do what we think is best for us.  In my case I havent had any fractures at all (inspite of nasty falls including a galloping horse in my early 40s) and the latest bad fall was a few months before discovery of OP....not even sure why the rhuem sent me for a scan except maybe he thought i was 2 thin... but that in itself is no reason for OP..

20

You are correct. We must all do what we think is right for us. However. You have raised a new question. Do fat people have OP. They certainly fall more, but have more cushioning.