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Dexa Results
I just last month came off ADT (Orgovyx) after 2 1/2 years as part of my prostate cancer treatment. I had a dexa bone scan this week and the results were -1.1 and -1.3 (mild osteopenia) in the femur/hip and -2.2 (severe osteopenia) in the spine.
Over the past year or two, I've just had this feeling that my height has shrunk. My question-- what are you doing to support bone health and prevent bone loss and height loss? Can bone loss be reversed?
P.S. One of my Drs wanted me to go ahead (before the Dexa) and start taking Prolia. I've read some of the other posts. Prolia sounds scary. Don't want to go there.
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Has your femoral neck score changed also or just the lumbar spine?
Why prolia rather than an anabolic. What is her/his rationale?
I've got labs and a follow-up with my MO in a few weeks. I'll see what he thinks about the Dexa results. I'm going to try to stay off medications like Prolia, etc.
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1 ReactionHas anyone had good results (your Dexa score improving) by taking calcium and vitamin D and staying away from bone medications?
Thanks, I'm anxious to hear. I'm trying to find an endocrinologist that specializes in Osteoporosis.
I couldn't compare the femoral neck score because the last Dexa didn't check it. He wouldn't discuss alternatives. I'm looking for an endocrinologist.
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1 ReactionI've been taking Algical. My Lumbar went from -2.6 two years ago to -1.9 now, but GP thinks that it's an error since my femoral neck score is horrible. Trying to find another doc.
ga73ds,
different types of bone account for the discrepancy.
Bone in the spine is 33.5% trabecular bone in males. A trabecular cross section resembles a wax honeycomb with cavernous spaces. The structure gives it more surface to volume which is where trabecular bone remodels, This bone has more exposure to the bone marrow making calcium (and phosphorus) readily exchangeable.
While it isn't spongy it does have more give of flexibility than cortical bone and is more receptive to biomechanical forces that change the shape of the bone according to our activities. The femoral head is also the more easily dissolved trabecular bone. The dexa reading includes both cortical and trabecular bone in the femur.
I so like your question. And could go on. Sometimes I could be more clear; let me know if I've failed the question.
80% of the people with osteoporosis are female. We more often need the medications because estrogen loss is sudden and not reversable (except with hormone replacement). If you are off ADT, testosterone will, more than likely, give you back your bone.
Yes, increased testosterone might increase my bone levels............. but, also feed my prostate cancer (increase my PSA). Maybe I'm damned either way.
ga73ds, in the worst case you'd go back on hormone repression therapy and take bone meds. But you're alive and kicking. Unfortunately, all of us are terminal. I'd trade you bones, though and hormones.
I wish it were easier. Bless your struggle with luck.
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