Has anyone had a rems bone scan or tbs bone scan?

Periodic scans and lab work are the only way that we have to gauge our progress (or regression). I have been scanned for osteopenia/osteoporosis every two years for over 20 years now, and these scans have been helpful for me to manage those conditions. Unfortunately I had a family crisis that took my attention away from myself for about 3 years and my conditioned worsened, resulting in my first compression fracture. So, I disagree, my "diagnosis" was not the result of the fracture, in fact, for years, the scans provided the "diagnostic measurement" that I needed to prevent fractures. I have always controlled my conditions prior to any scans or lab work. Yes, I understand equipment calibrations and other variables influence the results, but I'm not looking for precise diagnostics but rather evidence of progression (or regression) over time related to therapeutic methods employed during those intervals.

If you have a Osteostrong club near you they periodically offer REMS scans. I was able to get one at a club in the Minneapolis area for $250.

That had been my plan, and then I saw reports that people are getting wildly different results on some scans coming out of OsteStrong. So it makes me wonder if they have the same equipment, or if the technicians aren't all well qualified?

I’m not sure what you mean by different results with REMS? My understanding is results on DEXA can vary greatly if you are not scanned on the same machine each time and some other factors that impact the accuracy. Because REMS is an ultrasound it doesn’t matter if you are scanned on the same machine. Also, my understanding is you can’t compare DEXA and REMS 1:1. On youtube Dr. Doug Lucas has a few episodes that are super helpful to understand REMS vs. DEXA. Also, Dr Kim Zimbito is a great source of information on OP and REMS. My feeling is more data is better, but it takes some focus to interpret the results accurately.

I had two scans done at the Osteo Strong and the numbers were the same seven months apart. My daughter had a DEXA and immediately after had the REM Osteo strong and the numbers were exactly the same as her dexa My REM scan numbers were slightly better than my DEXA. New research shows that the REM is more accurate. I’m hoping that is true.

Correct. Which I was excited to get one.

But someone else on this site went to get one at a different Osteostrong and the REMS said she didn’t have osteoporosis at all but her dexa showed her having extreme osteoporosis.

So, I’m thinking the technicians or machines are varying by location.
Because her reading obviously wasn’t accurate.

She also said they shoved the probe up under her rib cage and hurt her. Which I have never heard before.

Just makes me worry about the quality control of these tests and if not all the technicians are trained properly.

I wonder why the mainstream health clinics aren’t using these if they are superior?

I am still considering getting one done. I just wish I could get it somewhere besides osteostrong

I've had many years of DXA scans. They show osteoporosis in spine and borderline in hip. Got my first TBS this year. It shows good bone quality. When I enter it into the FRAXX calculator (for fracture risk), my risk % is a lot better.

This month, I had my first REMS. Had to pay out of pocket $250. It was pretty much consistent with my DXAs and my TBS. Shows slightly better numbers for my hip (just at the top range of osteopenia) and slightly better numbers in spine, but still osteoporosis. The REMS bone fragility score showed good quality bone and put me in the "green zone" with a pretty low risk of fracture.

At least in my case, the DXA and TBS were very consistent with the REMS. Now that I know that, I can use REMS as an intermediate measure of my progress. And because the REMS is ultrasound, I don't have to have the extra radiation.

That is awesome. I am planning to get one. I just hope I get an accurate measurement and not one out of left field like that other person.

I just finally found my TBS score on my first ever Dexa from last November when I was diagnosed. My TBS score is NORMAL. So now I'm feeling like I have more time to make decisions. My spine score is horrible though, -3.1. But overall my risk of fracture seems low to me. Neither my TBS nor risk of fracture was discussed with me. Just that I had osteoporosis and that I needed to get on the meds.

It really can be so confusing

I'm with you!! DXA shows my spine at -3.3. REMS shows scores for 4 separate vertabrae. The worst of them was -3.1. The others were -2.1 to -2.8. But TBS and REMS show good bone quality which makes me feel somewhat better. But it's still scary.

On the REMS...I feel so bad for the person on in this group that had the horrible REMS experience. My guess is that is an exception. Mine was done by a chiropractor. Super easy. It's just an ultrasound, so they put some gel on the wand and then just run it back and forth over your skin. I have a friend who had it done at another place in Chicago and she also had a good experience.