Happy New Year to all fellow PMR and GCA sufferers. I am still trying to work out my Dexa scan results, i have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis in my left hip (Dr says if i have it in my left i prob have in my right, but it doesnt say on report) the report says Femoral Neck (left) 0.570-2.5 -0.6 Osteoporosis Total Hip (left) 0.710-1.9-0.3 Ostepenia AP Spine (L1-L4) 0.779-2.4-0.3 Ostepenia They have started me on AA which i really did not want to take. Can anyone tell me how bad this is and do i really need to take this, I already take Natecal, i havnt had any broken bones and am down to 7mg. Another piece of advice needed i am thinking of going straight to 6mg for a month being as i have been so good previously going down by .5 do u think this is pushin it. All advice gratefully received Thanks Liz
My dexa scan showed osteopenia with a a certain % prediction of fractures within 10 years. Here in the US my doc will start me on 2x a year bone building injections to forestall bone loss from I cannot tolerate the usual oral medications for this.
Liz, if you do not yet have any spinal fractures it may be well worth attempting the natural treatment. I know people scoff at this, but I am determined to muddle through somehow without taking any of the, to me, scary drugs. If you are interested I could private message you my little essay, My Osteoporosis Journey. Like you, I'm learning all the time, and I'm open to suggestions, just not the bisphosphonate & Co route!
I have same diagnosis. Going the "natural" route with exercise and diet. They really do want to put the fear into one, saying that the risk of fracture within 10 years is high. Prednisone puts people with osteopenia into that category. Personally I don't think it is sufficient reason to take the drugs. If one is already so osteoporotic as to already have spinal fractures, well then another route might be necessary. I'm hoping that what I am doing these days will prevent me from declining into that condition.
Liz I think you are pushing it - I would stay at the 0.5 mg reduction. You know what happened to the Tortoise and the Hare? The general rule is 10% reduction, work out the maths dropping from 6 to 5 without spreading it over a few weeks?
I have spinal hardware from scoliosis correction. My spine has been operated on twice for extreme curves(runs in the family)I would love to go the natural route now that I can exercise without torture but I am afraid to ignore the science on this.
Also, having been very ill in 2012, when I needed a long term recovery and hyperalimentation IV, my body lost bone and muscle.
If you have a family history of autoimmununes I wouldn't take reclast, a once a year infusion. That's what set off my GCA three days later.
The injection recommended was Prolia. I'll ask about the GCA- perish the thought. No other persons I know of in my family had anything autoimmune.