What are your experiences in the accuracy of the dexascans.?

I question the dexa scans too because I had a dexa scan that showed osteopenia but while recovering from a knee replacement I pulled myself out of bed with most of the stress on my back and it caused an L3 fracture. Once that happened my doctor said that she thought I should consider that I have osteoporosis.

This disease is just getting more and more complex. How do you do it all and keep track of it all and know what experts to believe?

Oh my goodness that’s must have been awful. It seems like a lot of us find out we have it by surprise. Heck of a deal!

Basically the same thing happened to me.

I read some time ago about a doctor who had a group of woman take a DEXA scan then walk around for a while before a second scan and the results were entirely different.

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For what it’s worth: After a suggestion from a CRNP during a routine exam, I had my first DEXA at 52. My GP, who read the results, told me I had osteopenia…of course I asked what that meant and how I should/could treat it. She said I really didn’t need to do anything (insert loud scream here)!

Fast forward quite a few years and the DEXA is out of my mind - nothing to worry about - until a second doc ordered one and it seems as tho’ the GP read the initial results incorrectly and I’ve had OP since my early 50’s?! Yikes, what now?!

Subsequent scans showed a remarkable increase in bone density, only to have another two years later show a remarkable decrease!

So the point here, my friends, is that, in my case anyway, the machines can be wrong, but so can the practitioner reading the info. After my 2017 scan with remarkable improvement, a rheumatologist who should’ve known better, never questioned the results and never ordered a follow up scan.

It is my understanding that Medicare recipients can have an annual DEXA if indicated - and in some cases, I feel it is indicated to monitor progress, especially when we’re taking bone-building meds. The tech who read my last DEXA recommended a follow up scan one year post but I’ve never pushed for one. Does anyone know anything about the subject?

Happy Sunday to all. Temps finally getting into the 40’s here in the north - SPRING!! Cheers!

The real problem is that there is no scan that is guaranteed to be accurate.

I'm in Tymlos, and I have a DEXA annually.

If you're on Medicare and are currently on on bone meds, you can get a DEXA more than once a year.

I will be starting Tymlos soon and am terrified by the potential side effects. If time permits, could you share your experience with as much detail as possible? I would be so grateful.

I wouldn't rely too much on the DEXA scans. My spinal T-score was never worse than -1.6 and I still fractured after 5+ years on a medication that was supposed to help prevent fractures. My T-score hasn't changed that much.

Since you've fractured, you may want to consider your goal to be not fracturing again. This is how I look at it now. It's been 14 months since my fracture and I haven't fractured again. The risk of fracturing again is highest in the first 2 years. I am doing what I can to prevent another.

I question the accuracy of dexa scans since arthritis can show up as increased bone density. It's really a flawed measurement but it's pretty much all we've got. REMS Echolight scans might be a useful tool in conjunction with a dexa to give an indication of bone quality (if they are accurate. ???). And bone markers tracked over time can give us good information as to changes in our trajectory. None of it is perfect but used in combination can be somewhat informative and helpful in making decisions about treatment.

I've never had any side effects, but I'm male, more athletic than most men my age, and I always tolerate meds well. So, maybe I'm not a typical customer.

Most people do OK with Tymlos, but certainly some people here have had side effects. There are many threads here with those stories.

They aren't the kind of side effects, however, that will send you to the ER or disable you. I would not be afraid to try it. If you don't have a good reaction, then you stop, and the effects will pass.