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why does everything have to be so hard???
Warning, minor rant here. I was diagnosed recently with osteoporosis and have been gathering information on next steps. I want to explore HRT (among other things) but my NP didn't sound knowledgeable/confident about using it at my age (I'm 65 and never did HRT before). So, through posts here I zeroed in on finding a functional medicine person in my network. The first 4 I tried aren't seeing new patients. The 5th is, but soonest she can see me is december 2027 (not a typo). Next, I thought okay how about endocrinology. First, almost none of those coming up in my insurance's care directory are accepting new clients. One that is has terrible reviews. The other said I need to get a referral from my PCP. So, now I'm back to dealing with my NP again. Why is getting care so f'ing hard? It's been almost 3 weeks since my diagnosis and I'm still at square 1 for finding care. Paying Dr. Doug (or some other concierge doc) $14k is starting to sound like a good idea, that's how desperate I'm starting to feel (And no, I can't afford that...). Seriously you guys - how did you find people to take care of you?
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@gravity3
Oh my gosh - thanks for that link! I took a quick peruse through some of the pages and found a tool for structuring a conversation with my HC provider (https://www.patientrevolution.org/tools). I've been stressing over the last couple of days as I've tried to gather up all my thoughts, questions, etc., about testing to establish my baselines for bone turnover, HRT, etc., the types of referrals I want her to make (like a PT with experience treating OP) and why I don't want to just jump on the fosamax wagon.
So thank you - very timely!
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1 Reaction@njx58
I was just talking with my husband about this last night. He has diabetes, which can increase risk of developing op. He's meeting with his doc for routine check up this week so I wanted him to bring it up. I tried to find some specific information for him to read but, wow. Unless you're difficient in testosterone there isn't much out there. No dexascan recommended for men until they hit age 70, and I think that's a new recommendation this year (?).
@bmblsad Think of all the over-70 men you see walking around, a little stooped. They all have osteoporosis, and I bet hardly any of their doctors has ever mentioned it. If they had had a DEXA at 60, they could have taken action.
Other things to watch out for..
Lack of calcium: many men left their milk-drinking days behind them once they became adults. Vitamin D3 deficiency. Celiac disease.
By the way, I still have no idea how I got osteoporosis. The doctor couldn't explain it. My vitamin D was low, but I don't know if that's enough. And, it wasn't for lack of exercise: I've been a runner for 45 years, and I go to the gym. Luckily, Tymlos got me down to osteopenia range.
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1 Reaction...and if we (women) had a DEXA at a few years past menopause (55?) think of what we could have been doing for a decade before the recommended DEXA at 65? Only reason I have osteoporosis is aging and lack of estrogen. Why not run a DEXA on men at 65 also? A compression fracture in a man should surely be reason to dig deeper with a simple bone scan; men do get osteoporosis! Plus think of all the drugs that could be sold! (sorry, had to throw that in!) At the "magical" age of 65 we have to remember the 3 words and draw a clock (somewhat worthless cognitive tests in my opinion) at our "wellness" visits, why can't we get tested for the important stuff? Mammograms every year; dental every 6 months, colonoscopies every 5-10 (depending on history), blood work yearly, urinalysis, routine EKGs, etc. Why the heck not the so called "cheap" DEXA?
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