Just wondering how many of you were referred for a DXA following multiple # (Opps sorry, not a "hash tag", medical shorthand for fractures). I realise from reading your posts that many of you had been living with OA for a long time prior to THR.
Its all come as a big shock to me and hopefully I can contribute in different ways with my medical background but one thing we are not good at is being sad. :-(
Two close friends have died in the past 3 weeks, both under 65yrs, both from Ca.
I am deliberating on many things but my DXA scan results are very bad, I understand the pharmacology of the drugs available and why when they are toxic, life is short!
Are any of you on AA or equiv? or whould you move to a place in the sun? All responses gratefully received. X
Hello Dot. My first DXA was at 45 years and THR result shocking. Bones were that of an 80 year old. Now at 66 with small fractures and one spinal compression fracture and now a THR I cope well. Been on Risondrate once weekly and regular scans. If not for the drug I would have had more fracture. Medics decided to give me a rest from the drug with a follow up scan in 6 months. Take daily calcium carbonate and hip surgeon said to never miss a dose. Doing THR was risky but no bones broken. Had a label on my bed which said Fragile handle with care. Taken great care with my recovery and obeyed all rules to the letter.
I've been on alendroic acid for I think about 3 years and before that a once a month drug whose name escapes me. My spine has improved. I've just had my second hip done and there were no complications in terms of fractures from OA.
Personally i would like to give the drug a break after another year. It's hard trying to balance the improvements against any risks expecially when the scans only give comparative results to others of similar hieght/weight age and so can't give definitive answers.
If it was hereditary i'd be thinking that my mum is 93 has fallen loads and never broken anything and has never had a scan. I only had one off my own bat since I'd had my first hip done years ago and I was concerned for the future. It was ok at first but got worse in successive scans. If I hadn't done that I might never be on the drugs now and may or may not have problems.
In the end I suppose you just have to decide what you think is best for you.
understand Dot i too have lost 2 friends and my mum it really rocked my mortality and then to acceptance that OA getting better of hip Ive got the knobble fingers but not painful, mum had this but no pain either nor any replacements at 95!! dont want to be life too short chins up!!!!
dear dot ... I am so sorry ... I don't know what DXA is - I googled it and is it a bone density test ? hope you will feel better soon and have a good night ...
When I went for my 2nd THR I had been diagnosed with osteopinia a few years previous. Wasnt on any drugs, this GP decided that life changes were the best idea.
Had my 2nd THR and 4 weeks post op I was doing NHS exercises.....which I had done during my first one and for 4 weeks after the 2 nd one. It was abducting my lg to strengthen my muscle.
There was a crack, my leg gave way and I was taken into hospital.
It was diagnosed by an Ortho {he was just on at the weekend} as fractured greater trohanter bone. I was told it would take a long time to heal,asked by the Ortho if I had OP I said possibily because I did have osteopinia so may have advanced. A physio asked the same question, a nurse asked the same question but no one did anything. When I got home I took things into my own hands and rang the GP. She checked my last DEXA and it said re-do in 3 years.....that was 2 and a half years ago so she made an appointment for me. Yes Osteoporosis.,
I ws on AA to start with but felt sick every day I had to take it, I was hen changed to one clled Bonvva {I think} and is once a month so least if I'm a bit sickly it only once a month
A few months after tha hospital visit I saw the consultant normally see who showed me th X Ray and said it would never heal. I would be on crutches permanently. The bones had seperated ad were to far apart to knit together again.
It's the pain that bothers me more than the crutches
So sorry for you. Surprised that no calcium was given at osteopenia stage which may have prevented the acceleration to osteoporosis. Are you taking calcium now? There is a new 6 monthly injection now available to replace the weekly or monthly drug
Sadly like me you will have to take care with movement but it is manageable
Guess my early menopause at 42 and a joint issue that would not improve alerted my GP to the possibility of a bigger issue so sent me for DXA. At this point I was a regular gym user and doing weights so goes to show exercise does not always prevent osteoporosis. Always eaten healthily and maintained average weight for height. A non smoker and a teetotaller. You can imagine my shock when DXA results came back which put me at a bone density of an 80 year old. Straight on to the drugs with regular 6 monthly scans. Surgeon describes my bones like Edam cheese. Had I not been on the drugs a THR would not have been possible. Thank goodness for an experienced skilled surgeon and all the care from the NHS who have been exemplary. Too often the NHS gets a bad press. Few people comment on the good. Being free I feel some patients abuse the system and you will have read on here about people not turning up for apps and not cancelling to allow someone else to have the space. Well think I have had my Monday rant
Thank you fellow hipies for all your replies, day didn't start well as little or no sleep, no cold water or broadband but had physio appt so went and cried buckets :-( not like me at all but "tears are cathartic", and feeling better after reading your messages.
It is undoubtedly going to take time coming to terms with things and things I can no longer do but will try and adopt a positive attitude and keep chatting to all of you.
dearest dot ... what can I say .. I am so incredibly sorry - sometimes the best is to accept what is - including the buckets of tears, the anger or frustration you might feel ... it is okay ... positive attitude is always good - thinking of the things you can do and all that - however, when you don't feel, than that is okay - be your best friend, be kind and gentle with your self - you are such a wonderful compassionate soul ... Tomorrow will be better .... wishing you agood night and have faith .