66 and DXA shows Osteoporosis w/High Fracture Risk

You may be better off with Tymlos or Forteo, given your heart history. Along with Evenity, those are the bone-building medications.

Finding the right endocrinologist is always a challenge. One idea is to check out the endocrinology departments of large medical centers. Sometimes they have Web pages where they talk about what they treat. You could also search for places that offer DEXA scans with TBS, as that is an indication that they're more serious about osteoporosis.

I have had osteoporosis for over 14 years, an oit your age, and decided not to do Evenity even though my heart is okay. I did Reclast infusions for three years and had no problems and it did lower my T scores. I am almost 83, so that does influence my decision. Since it has been 4 years of doing Reclast, I am up for that again. I feel my doctors are pushing Evenity. But that is my issue. What I do is walking 40 minutes each day. Take my calcium and Vit D with Vit K2 and focus on a healthy diet. I think it is very difficult to make the right choice, so I pray a lot.

@frog 100 Have you had follow up DEXA scans after stopping Reclast and if so, have your DEXA scans remained stable? I have had 4 annual Reclast infusions and will have my first followup DEXA scan after stopping Reclast sometime soon.

Yes I had follow up scans and my T scores improved. I have DEXA scans every year

@frog100 To be sure I understand, your DEXA scans have been stable for every year since stopping Reclast? If yes, that's great!

@tillymack
They improved and yes remained stable

@frog100 That's great news!

@frog100 How are some of us getting DEXA yearly? I am on original medicare with part G; my endocrinologist said no DEXA for 2 years; would love to private pay but am running into a brick wall there also (quote from $400 -$1200, depending on discounts, and I can't get it "in writing"). I have called a couple of places, and they won't do it without a doctor's referral (my referral is for the folks that quote me $400-$1200 and they never heard of TBS add on). Dexafit here doesn't do actual osteoporosis screening; more body composition. Is there a magic code number I can ask my doc to try? I just want to know if Reclast is working per DEXA, even just a little before I decide to do a second infusion, or possibly change meds if not?

@jozer
The Endo doctor I was seeing had me do one annually. Unfortunately she left and not as happy with those I have been to now. I need to find out too if our DEXA machine will do TBS. I am small boned and petite and it would benefit me. I also have Medicare G and it will cover annual DEXA’s for OP, if billed (coded) correctly. Yes you do need a doctor’s RX. Since you do have the type of Medicare that you can go anywhere, can you change doctors? After reading everyone’s posts I have learned and researched so much more to make the best decisions for me.

@jozer I am on traditional Medicare Plan F and spoke directly to Medicare. I was told DEXA scans can be ordered as often as your doc dtermines as medically necessary to monitor treatment. My provider orders yearly, as it takes time for bone growth (or loss) to show on the scans. Sad that growth is so slow. In order to use the same machine, when first established with my specialist and to habe the TBS included, they offerred a self-pay option that included a free TBS for only $110. Even though I had recently has a DEXA done locally 3 months earlier, I jumped at the opportunity, so I could use the same machine & tech moving forward with treatment. Again, my orovider thought I had to wait one year, plus a day, to repeat, but that is simply incorrect. Shame on Medicare for not better communicating that to our providers to help with treatment decisions for those of us barely hanging on with side effects.