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← Return to Confused about my TBS score
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Thank you so much for your kind reply! I am so sorry for what you have been through.
This is actually all the information I received on my DEXA. I have the report in front of me.
Yes, my age is giving me pause on starting down this path.
I am VERY active, but looking back over my adult life, during the warmer months my activity always skewed toward lots of biking, which does not help bones.
But during the colder months I always hike and walk. Now, Minimum 5 miles at a rapid pace when out to get exercise. I will have to make sure I walk/hike in addition to biking now. (And sadly I just bought a new bike and was planning to get out on it all the time.)
I haven't weight trained in years due to thoracic outlet syndrome, ripped rotator cuffs and a neck injury from a severe car accident in my 20's. I will have to find a safe way to do some sort of resistance training, because all I've done for years is cardio. I am a massage therapist, so I also can't put anymore stress on my wrists and elbows so I can continue to work.
I think I probably went through menopause early, but don't know for sure because I had a hysterectomy in my late 30's. I was of the generation that watched their mothers ripped off hormones for cancer risks and the ensuing side effects of that removal (my mother had crazy anxiety after abrupt removal. )
I sure wish I'd known that HRT wasn't vilified anymore or I might well have gone on hormones for a decade. At this point, I'm not sure I want to monkey with it. And my doctors do not support it. They just want me on the osteoporosis meds. But it's something else to investigate.
I am deficient in vitamin D but not as badly in the past, so I'm sure that has been a contributing factor. I have to find a D supplement my stomach can tolerate. I have to get back to that.
But I don't know if supplementation works when I am on a PPI (see below)
Other contributing factors; I am on a PPI, omeprazole for decades. No one ever told me it can contribute to osteoporosis. 🙁
I have celiac disease and was undiagnosed for years, which would have compromised all of my nutrient absorption.
Like I said, I go back and forth daily. I think if I didn't have horrible side effects to everything (including supplements) I would feel less averse to taking drugs. It's no fun to be horrible sick from meds all the time. At least the osteoporosis drugs bypass the stomach for the most part with injections and infusions. That is my really weak link. I have a horrible delicate stomach.
Anyway, I have realized I probably shouldn't start a 12 month course of therapy not knowing if my insurance will change mid stream, so I think the soonest I would want to start all this, IF I do choose to start all this, is in December or January. And by that time I'd be 9 months out from my two year dexa scan.
Anyway, I'm not feeling as pressured to make a decision now which is good.
I just don't want to lose my endo for being "non compliant" and end up back with my GP who will only give reclast.
I will be very interested to see what my endo says about the TBS score.
Thanks again for your input.
Replies to "Thank you so much for your kind reply! I am so sorry for what you have..."
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you sound like a very strong person, that has gone through more than your share of health concerns. You’ve taken care of yourself and you’ve definitely educated yourself on a lot of the important details around osteoporosis.
I have always taken excellent care of my health, eat well, exercise, take the needed supplements etc.
I went through menopause in 2010, I was 50 years old. It wasn’t too long before that when the WHI study came out that negatively impacted health care for millions of women.
Is it any coincidence that the number of osteoporosis cases has increased so much since that time??? We need estrogen to protect our bones that’s clear.
HRT was never offered to me as an option for my overall health or even for bone health.
I was however prescribed 5 different osteoporosis meds in the last 7 years. All have caused side affects that made everyday living very difficult. The first med I was prescribed was Prolia. I became seriously ill from that drug and after 3 injections I had to stop. I took fosamax as a relay drug and after 6 months, lost 25% of my body weight and could no longer go out of the house. 1 1/2 years later I had 6 pelvic fractures that were considered rebound fractures from stopping the Prolia.
Since then I’ve been on Forteo, Actonel, and finally Evista.
I also have several autoimmune conditions. One that was triggered by Prolia which has caused me to lose 50% of my hair. It’s scarring alopecia, so it will never grow back.
I believe that my history of autoimmune conditions does not make me a good candidate for osteoporosis meds.
At 65 years old, and with the blessing of my cardiologist and family doctor, I have started HRT. 15 years out from the start of menopause.
My gynecologist was against this, citing the WHI study- are you kidding me!!! That study had been debunked for years!!
I found a gynecologist near me that specializes in hormone optimization.
I’ll see how this all goes. But I am hopeful for the first time in a long time. Mostly because I’ve taken back control of my health decisions.
You could always look for a specialist near you, just for a consultation regarding HRT, and have it as part of your toolbox.
Don’t ever think you have to stay with a health provider, sometimes they just aren’t a good fit and you can find someone who is more aligned with your thinking.