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How worried should I be?
60F . My primary care doctor really wants me to start taking drugs. I pushed for a dexascan this year , because I’ve been having a number of dental problems which my periodontist thought was possibly autoimmune or menopause related. I also have a history of low vitamin D. The autoimmune tests came up negative, but dexascan showed I had osteoporosis. I’m so mad because I brought up getting a dexascan several years ago , and the doctor just dismissed it even though I’m at high risk for it (petite and family history). Here are my t-scores:
Hip -1.5
Neck -2.2
Lumbar -2.9
Frax score: hip - 0.7%
Spine/forearm/hip/ or shoulders - 5.1%
Currently, trying to get an appointment with a knowledgeable endo. Unfortunately, there’s only a handful around that have a lot of osteo patients and many are not taking new patients. Waiting to hear back from one office and it may not be until next year until I am able to see someone. My GP thinks I’m wasting my time.
I have an appointment with my GI doc since I’ve been on Prilosec for the last two years and I’m hoping to switch to a different med. My GI doc insisted that PPIs don’t cause osteoporosis, but I’m skeptical.
I have also made an appointment to start PT. Doesn’t seem like there are too many who have an in depth knowledge of working with osteoporosis patients so we’ll see how this goes. I think I also have osteoarthritis in my spine so I don’t know what exercises I’ll be able to do. I do have low back pain , but I’ve had it for many years.
My periodontist also wants me to have some gum grafts done next year and I know many of the drugs are big no-no if there is any dental work to be done.
Should I be worried and can I just put off taking any meds at least for a year while I try a more natural approach ? The conversation I had with my doctor’s office made it seem I was in the severe category and I had to take action now. They want me on bisphosphanates.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9504265/
This is a study I was referred to. I am currently working with my gastroenterologist to wean myself off Omeprazole which is a ppi.
Are you menopausal and if so is this the primary cause of your bone loss as it is for most women or have you been tested for other possible causes/contributors? Are you on hormone replacement?
Melioguide.com is one good resource for exercising with bone loss.
Osteoboston has wonderful presentations from experts in various fields related to osteoporosis.
Glad you are here. Most of us here seem to have found that doing our own research helps us to be better advocates for our health.
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4 Reactions@gravity3
I am eight years into post-menopause. I was never offered any hormone replacement , because I have a family history of heart disease. I am still suffering from occasional hot flashes and horrible interrupted sleep.
My GP has not tested for other causes.
I am trying to get educated as much as I can. Based on many of the posts I’m seeing on different boards, it seems incredibly difficult to improve t-scores without drugs.
I am terribly worried and scared of the side effects of these drugs.
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3 ReactionsThere’s good reason to be concerned about bone drugs, due to some difficult side-effects…though many are helped by them to some degree, i view them with caution….how much good they do varies from person to person…one hopes there are better meds down the road…meanwhile, doing exercise, walking, PT and whatever I can to stabilize my bones…since I’m basically healthy (even after having had CRC), I don’t want all the meds/diets for various conditions of aging to create new problems…what a balancing act ! I keep learning here and thank all who participate in our learning !
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5 Reactions@nycmusic I have to be same attitude. I know drugs help some but they’re not for me.
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2 Reactions@gravity3
I have take alendronate, forteo, evenity and Prolia. No noticeable side effects from any.
Best bone gains were from Evenity.
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3 ReactionsAs you know petite women are more prone to osteoporosis, but also, they believe, the dexa is inaccurate for the petite boned and makes the numbers look worse than they are.
So you ask how worried you should be, I would say, not that worried really. I would do the dental thing before the drugs. I would take time and get educated on all your options before taking a drug.
Once you start you get into the drug loop. Make sure you understand step 2 before taking step 1.
But that is just me. As they say "You do You".
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8 Reactions@gravity3
what after evenity. don't you need to follow up with another one?
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1 Reaction@samclembeau
Yes. You need to take another drug to keep the gains from evenity. I am taking Prolia. I may transition to reclast and hope that it conquers Prolia rebound. If it does then I may be able to take a drug holiday.
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1 ReactionThank you for your responses. I feel very alone in this. My husband and other family members think I’m over reacting. I don’t have many close friends. A few friends have osteopenia , but don’t seem concerned.
Dental issues have been a constant in my life. For those of you with ongoing dental problems, how do you navigate that with continuing OP medications ?
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1 Reaction@gravity3 I also have weaned myself mostly off of the PPI Omeprazole because of my osteoporosis. I now take one famotidine at bedtime, along with 1/4 up to a full Tums-like antacid depending on how acid my stomach is feeling.
I go back on the omeprazole when travelling usually.
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3 Reactions