List of questions for the MD - what do you wish you had asked?

Posted by babs10 @babs10, Apr 28 5:39pm

I have an appt with an endocrinologist (my 3rd) on Wednesday. The first two docs were not very interested and the visits were perfunctory. The one I am seeing this week was actually recommended through this group (thanks @mayblin). I am compiling a list of questions so I am as prepared as I can be and I'd love any suggestions.

A little bit of background info: Lumbar spine density is in the osteopenic range, but my L hip is -3.5. I have taken 3 falls in the last year while prepping for hiking and cycling adventures and also fainted in March (virus) and fell on a tile floor - staples in my head, but no fractures.

My mom had OP, but she had lupus/lymphoma and was on prednisone for years and also endured chemotherapy. She didn't ever exercise. The docs put her on Fosamax (20 years ago maybe) and she had a spontaneous fracture of her femur (related to the meds? I don't know.)

My DXA scan was on my left side only and included L1-4, the femur neck and hip. I have asked for the images, but they have not been forthcoming. I'll go in tomorrow and see if I can get a copy.

My insurance has approved Tymlos and Teriparatide ($$$$$, but I'll get it if that's what is recommended).

If you had an appt with a new doctor, what are the things you wish you had asked and didn't?

Thanks so much.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Congratulations to all of you for participating in this investigative effort. It is so helpful to be able to increase our personal understanding of the potential impact of an aging medical transformation by sharing personal experiences with others facing the same life transition. Like so many of you, my endocrinologist from Mayo was just the perfect medical professional for me. I had been disappointed by the inadequate care that I had received from other medical professionals.

In addition to explaining his choice of a medication that supported my bone density, he also checked out my stability and made sure that I would have appropriate physical therapy and learn how to protect my body from falls. Actually, one week included instruction not only in preventing falls but also in learning how to get up if you do have a fall.

As our session ended, I turned to him and asked him to let me know of questions I should have asked but didn't.
That was very helpful. I am getting ready for another round of DEXA scans this month. It has been two years since I finished my two-year run on Tymlos and started alendronate. I will appreciate knowing how stable my scores have been and learning about protecting myself for the rest of my 80's,

May you all be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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@awesomemomx2

mayblin,
I saw from a previous comment that you had recommended or other had specific individuals that you or other had found knowledgeable. Would you please share that with me please?

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Are you referring to the doctor whom @babs10 had a consultation with recently? That’s Dr. Paul Miller in Colorado. He has authored and coauthored many published papers in the past, who posesses a rare combination of a bone researcher and an MD with rich clinical experiences. He has retired from his original post but has his own bone clinic, I believe.

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@wendyi

would yoube kind enough to list the bone marker tests please? Thank you

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@wendyi, hi. I'm not @frogwhizzer, but the bone marker tests are P1NP and CTX.

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I also found my PCP and endo were not very interested in newly diagnosed osteopenia. A little disheartening. “Take some calcium”. I just started a hormone blocker med post breast cancer treatment and it is known for affecting bone density. I’m also on life-long steroids so between the two I’m seriously worried that “taking some calcium” isn’t enough. Not sure where to look next but I guess maybe a new endo like you. How did you choose one who IS interested?

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@ellya I got Dr. Miller's name from a person in this forum. If you are willing and comfortable enough to say where you live, others may have recommendations. Dr. Miller was my 3rd MD.

I wish you luck - it's not easy.

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@babs10 I live in Mesa Az and would love suggestions if anyone has found a great doctor. Thanks!

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@susanfalcon52

mayblin,
Not offended. The problem that I face- and others face - is that Dr McCormick knows more than our doctors. I see an endocrinologist and a rheumatologist. Neither had heard of McCormick. Neither was interested. When I asked them questions that were generated by McCormick’s book, they were challenged.
Without his books, I would be navigating this disease blind. Just accepting whatever my under educated doctors tell me.

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Same here! Without doctor McCormick's book, Great Bones, and the interviews he's given on YouTube, I would have stuggled to understand much about osteoporosis and how to treat it. He explains things simply and thoroughly.
The specialist I saw when I was first diagnosed just ordered the book. He's an old-school orthopedic surgeon who, until recently thought that Prolia was the go-to drug for treating OP. He also thought it couldn't be reversed. Fortunately, he's passionate about learning more, so yesterday, I loaned him my copy. Early this morning, he called me to say that he's was blown away by it, so he got straight onto Amazon and ordered a copy of his own.
I can't wait to talk about the book at my next appointment with him.

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@hopefullibrarian

Same here! Without doctor McCormick's book, Great Bones, and the interviews he's given on YouTube, I would have stuggled to understand much about osteoporosis and how to treat it. He explains things simply and thoroughly.
The specialist I saw when I was first diagnosed just ordered the book. He's an old-school orthopedic surgeon who, until recently thought that Prolia was the go-to drug for treating OP. He also thought it couldn't be reversed. Fortunately, he's passionate about learning more, so yesterday, I loaned him my copy. Early this morning, he called me to say that he's was blown away by it, so he got straight onto Amazon and ordered a copy of his own.
I can't wait to talk about the book at my next appointment with him.

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That’s a great doctor.

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Thank you for this post! I too appreciate seeing somebody else’s list of questions.

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