1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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Any non fracture members?

Posted by rudysmom @rudysmom, May 18 7:24am

I guess I’m just looking for some encouraging words. I was diagnosed in February and still working through the different stages of grief/loss. I seem to have more days stuck in depression/sadness.

So, was just wondering if anyone on here has dealt with OP for quite a while and hasn’t fractured? I know you can fracture even if your scores are osteopenia range. I feel like everyday I’m just waiting for a fracture to happen. Im exercising 6 days a week and watching my food intake. I’m just hoping as time goes on this feeling lessens. Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s the diagnosis that’s making me sad or just the fact that I’m getting older, I’m 60, and reality has finally set in.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

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gently | @gently | 10 hours ago
In reply to @cliffdweller "@gently Yes; stress fractures. I have sometimes been asked the generic question: “Have you ever had..." + (show)
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@gently
Yes; stress fractures. I have sometimes been asked the generic question: “Have you ever had a fracture?” and wasn’t sure if those counted.

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@cliffdweller, they aren't included in the FRAX calculation tool. And they aren't acute fractures. But the answer to the generic question for you is yes.

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yds | @yds | 9 hours ago
In reply to @roseincalifornia "@yds New studies have come out showing that REM scans are not accurate. I have listed..." + (show)
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@yds

New studies have come out showing that REM scans are not accurate. I have listed the citations below. The DEXA score is the accurate one. -4.0 is very severe osteoporosis. Ask your doctor about trying Evenity. Evenity is good for the hips (and femoral neck). Best wishes to you.

Chan, D. C. C., Chen, W., Yabsley, E., & Pocock, N. (2026). Demographic determinants of REMS-derived BMD and fragility score. Osteoporosis International, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-026-07960-4

Bobelyak, M., Vaculik, J., & Stepan, J. J. (2025). Bone mineral density assessment using radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) in patients before and after total hip replacement. Osteoporosis International, 36(1), 2237–2244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07685-w

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@roseincalifornia, I appreciate your concern. I am not dismissing my DXA T-score of -4. I am also not treating my REMS result as proof that I don't have osteoporosis. I am using REMS as additional information about my bone health and fracture risk. My endocrinologist and I are following my DXA, REMS, blood markers and clinical history. Because of my individual cardiovascular risk factors and my previous medication experiences, I am not comfortable simply choosing Evenity based on my T-score alone. Every case needs to be looked at individually, and this is exactly what my endocrinologist and I are doing. I have a very strong family history of cardiovascular disease, which makes Evenity a high-risk option for me. Even if I were to take it, I may need to go on an anti-resorptive after two years on Evenity. I have already "maxed" out on antiresorptive and I am very concerned about further increasing the risk associated with it--I was on alendronate for nearly 12 years (with drug holidays in between).

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 9 hours ago
In reply to @gently "jozer, earlier dexa would make a difference. I consider 50 to be the preferrable age to..." + (show)
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jozer, earlier dexa would make a difference. I consider 50 to be the preferrable age to begin having imaging. We start losing estrogen in our thirties. Osteoporosis is underserved. Most research money is applied to deadly diseases. Osteoporosis doesn't have independent specialists, almost anyone can prescribe for osteoporosis. One of the bone specialists says that PCs know more about osteoporosis than endocrinologists.

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@gently

Couldn't agree more. It is shocking that dexa scans are not given much earlier.

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roseincalifornia | @roseincalifornia | 8 hours ago
In reply to @gigi4 "I switched from dexascans to REMS. REMS stands for Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry: *Average cost $300-400 *Radiation..." + (show)
Profile picture for gigi4 @gigi4

I switched from dexascans to REMS. REMS stands for Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry:
*Average cost $300-400
*Radiation free
*Fracture Risk included
My doctor at the time told me unless your dexscans are on the same machine, your results can vary. Why? because dexascan machines are made by different companies. REMS machine are only made by one company which gives you consistency in the technology.
The one thing I truly love about REMS is that it gives a score for fracture risk. That is incredibly helpful to give you a clearer picture.
I also learned weight bearing exercises are extremely important. So, I purchased ankle weights and you can choose the weight you want and a weighted vest where you can add more weight to the vest in 2 lb increments into pockets of the vest - both can be purchased on AMAZON.
My next REMS is coming up soon - we shall see what my scores are?
Best to all of you - aging as one of my friends says is "not for the faint of heart". We all deal with something as we get into our 60's and 70's.

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@gigi4

New studies have come out showing that REM scans are not accurate. I have listed the citations below. The DEXA score is the accurate one.

My REM score said that my spine is in osteopenia, -2.1 T-score. My DEXA score said I have -3.1 which is "severe osteoporosis." There is a history of spinal fractures in my family which is more confirmation that the DEXA scan is the accurate one.

The studies that just came out (showing the inaccuracy with the REM scans) are very recent and many doctors do not know about them. Tell your doctor about them.

Do not rely on your REM scores.

btw: it is true that DEXA scores can vary, especially on machines by different manufacturers. That is why it is very important to get measured by the same machine, so you can see the trend.

Chan, D. C. C., Chen, W., Yabsley, E., & Pocock, N. (2026). Demographic determinants of REMS-derived BMD and fragility score. Osteoporosis International, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-026-07960-4

Bobelyak, M., Vaculik, J., & Stepan, J. J. (2025). Bone mineral density assessment using radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) in patients before and after total hip replacement. Osteoporosis International, 36(1), 2237–2244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07685-w

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | 8 hours ago
In reply to @roseincalifornia "@gigi4 New studies have come out showing that REM scans are not accurate. I have listed..." + (show)
Profile picture for roseincalifornia @roseincalifornia

@gigi4

New studies have come out showing that REM scans are not accurate. I have listed the citations below. The DEXA score is the accurate one.

My REM score said that my spine is in osteopenia, -2.1 T-score. My DEXA score said I have -3.1 which is "severe osteoporosis." There is a history of spinal fractures in my family which is more confirmation that the DEXA scan is the accurate one.

The studies that just came out (showing the inaccuracy with the REM scans) are very recent and many doctors do not know about them. Tell your doctor about them.

Do not rely on your REM scores.

btw: it is true that DEXA scores can vary, especially on machines by different manufacturers. That is why it is very important to get measured by the same machine, so you can see the trend.

Chan, D. C. C., Chen, W., Yabsley, E., & Pocock, N. (2026). Demographic determinants of REMS-derived BMD and fragility score. Osteoporosis International, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-026-07960-4

Bobelyak, M., Vaculik, J., & Stepan, J. J. (2025). Bone mineral density assessment using radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) in patients before and after total hip replacement. Osteoporosis International, 36(1), 2237–2244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07685-w

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@roseincalifornia
News to me!
I’d like to read the studies and who did them.

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cliffdweller | @cliffdweller | 6 hours ago
In reply to @gently "@cliffdweller, they aren't included in the FRAX calculation tool. And they aren't acute fractures. But the..." + (show)
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@cliffdweller, they aren't included in the FRAX calculation tool. And they aren't acute fractures. But the answer to the generic question for you is yes.

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@gently
Good to know!

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roseincalifornia | @roseincalifornia | 5 hours ago
In reply to @gigi4 "@roseincalifornia News to me! I’d like to read the studies and who did them." + (show)
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@roseincalifornia
News to me!
I’d like to read the studies and who did them.

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@gigi4

See the 2 peer-reviewed papers I cited in my response to your comment.

Since I have already had 3 REMS scans ( total cost nearly $1000!), I didn't want to believe REMS were not accurate either until I did more research on it.

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