My first DEXA at the age of 41 showed severe osteoporosis. My doctor concluded that I was in a vulnerable group (white, petite, small-boned, Europesn ancestry).and that my steroid asthma inhaler and the occasion use of oral steroids caused the severe osteoporosis so early. When first introduced, the steroid asthma inhalers were believed to not have any "systemic" effects as was the case with oral steroids. However, when I read the full prescribing information for the inhaler, I saw that there was a statistically significant increase in fractures in the group of people who took the drug compared to those who not taking the drug. I guess that there ARE some systemic effects. But I have to breathe. I now also use a steroid nasal inhaler, and I use steroid eye drops to prevent rejection of my cornea transplants. So, "the deck is stacked against me."

After 20 years of treatment, my bone mass has increased enough that I am technically classified as osteopenia. I can still be treated because my original diagnosis was osteoporosis. Thank you for asking. I didn't realize that this would confuse anyone. I have been "anything but normal" for most of my life.