Where to have REMS scan

Posted by blackwood @blackwood, Jun 17 8:10pm

Has anyone had a REMS scan at the USF Health Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Tampa? I am trying to find a place that has these scans close to Tallahassee, Florida . DEXA shows severe osteoporosis in spine, femoral neck and left hip (didn't scan the right). Reading different studies cause me to question the complete picture given by a DEXA.

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@drsuefowler

I have had 3 REMS tests in Naples FL. It is called screenmybones. I do not recommend going there. They don't seem to know much, and were not able to compare scan results. I had to figure out myself what my results meant and what changes were significant. Also, I don't know if I can even trust the REMS results, as they were so different from my DEXA results.

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Just getting started on this info journey, but wanted to share a couple thoughts. Am reading Great Bones and author said there is more than a 90% error rate in DEXA tests between the tester, equipment, and radiologists. I’ve also read from an ob-gyn that there is a 2% variability in a DEXA scan, even on the same equipment by the same personnel and with the same radiologist in rapid succession. Finally, it is my understanding that DEXA scans show bone strength, which can be fooled by some bone drugs, and TEMS shows bone quality. Would love for others to chime in!

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@drsuefowler

I have had 3 REMS tests in Naples FL. It is called screenmybones. I do not recommend going there. They don't seem to know much, and were not able to compare scan results. I had to figure out myself what my results meant and what changes were significant. Also, I don't know if I can even trust the REMS results, as they were so different from my DEXA results.

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Thank you for the heads up. Wouldn't it be nice to have functional doctors who consider the whole body,nutrition, etc. , and time to treat the cause instead of just medicate?

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@drsuefowler

I have had 3 REMS tests in Naples FL. It is called screenmybones. I do not recommend going there. They don't seem to know much, and were not able to compare scan results. I had to figure out myself what my results meant and what changes were significant. Also, I don't know if I can even trust the REMS results, as they were so different from my DEXA results.

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My experience was different. Very knowledgeable and explained in detail.

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@dvargo

My experience was different. Very knowledgeable and explained in detail.

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Thank you. Sometimes experiences vary with different personnel at the same facility .

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@dvargo

My experience was different. Very knowledgeable and explained in detail.

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I think I was their first patient, starting their new business. The last time, only her husband was there. She never answered my questions after the last appointment about significance of changes, and I had to figure that out myself.

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@drsuefowler

I think I was their first patient, starting their new business. The last time, only her husband was there. She never answered my questions after the last appointment about significance of changes, and I had to figure that out myself.

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In order to do the ultrasound you have to be certified. When you look down the page to Fracture Risk Assessment you will see a percentage listed. For example: 35-60%. You move the decimal over and your risk in 5 years will be 3.5%.

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@drsuefowler

I think I was their first patient, starting their new business. The last time, only her husband was there. She never answered my questions after the last appointment about significance of changes, and I had to figure that out myself.

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Understood. The older I get the more there is to learn!

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@dvargo

In order to do the ultrasound you have to be certified. When you look down the page to Fracture Risk Assessment you will see a percentage listed. For example: 35-60%. You move the decimal over and your risk in 5 years will be 3.5%.

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Do they submit charges to insurance or is it out of pocket?
Thank you

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I’m new here and just got Osteoporosis diagnosis after Dexascan last week & feeling distressed. You mentioned REMS which I didn’t know about, can you refer me to any studies that you read. Thank you for your post

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I watched videos about the medications prescribed for osteoporosis and heard about REMS. I looked up articles on nih.gov, nih.gov PubMed, and different companies who offer it. Searching on Cleveland Clinic , John Hopkins and Mayo sites actually led me to Mayo Connect. I checked YouTube and listened to a variety of doctors, practitioners and therapists . This led me to ask the endocrinologist about it. She hadn't heard of it and was going to check into it, still waiting.

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