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Posted by matilda1993 @matilda1993, Dec 1, 2023

Hi- I’m 64 years old and I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Spine is the worst - T score -3.2. This was not a surprise. Last Dexa was very close to osteoporosis.

I’m naturally small boned and unfortunately have taken short rounds of prednisone for autoimmune issues over the last 8 years. But I went without it for 4.5 years until a bad flare early this year.

I have chronic gut issues which make absorbing nutrients like calcium and vitamin D difficult. I take a plant based calcium formulated for bones.

I’d like to find a place that tests the minerals in bones because Dr. Brown at Betterbones.com says some people have thin but still strong bones. Has anyone done a mineral test? My doctor was not helpful for this.

I’m not physically strong but am working on several things now:

1. I wear a weighted vest. It’s at 7 lbs now I think
2. I use a vibration plate twice per day. Sometimes I stand on it, sometimes I sit on it, other times I do squats or heel raises or stretches.
3. I’ve started an online osteoporosis exercise program called Wellen. It’s tailored to my lack of strength and non-athleticism.
4. I’m increasing my daily walking goals to 3 miles.

I do NOT want to do meds.

What kind of doctor do you see regularly for your bones? My gynecologist recommended a rheumatologist.

I’ll be interested to hear other’s stories. Hoping for some positive news.

Stay well and keep strong! ❤️

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

susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Dec 2, 2023

matilda1993,
Tell us more about Wellen. That sounds interesting.
I applaud your efforts and hope they work for you.
I am on Evenity and have my 7th dose next week.
Regarding doctors, I was seeing a rheumatologist for another problem and he was following my osteoporosis also. He insisted that I go on Evenity. I went to an endocrinologist for a second opinion and he said the same thing. So, I’m on Evenity.
The endocrinologist did seem to be much more informed and organized in his approach.
I think an endocrinologist is the way to go.

REPLY
1 reply
swuelfing1 | @swuelfing1 | Dec 3, 2023

Hi Matilda, I don't know about mineral testing but in order to get a judgment on your bone "quality" as opposed to "density", get an Echolight REMS ultrasound scan. REMS is the new scanning device that will most likely overtake DEXA due to all the inaccuracy issues with DEXA's large margin of error. The REMS is an ultrasound not an xray so there's no radiation. It has a tiny margin of error (.5 - 1%) as opposed to DEXA's margin of error of 3 - 5% (plus all the possible errors the technician can make in placing the person and the machine to machine inconsistencies.) REMS provides a BMD t-score just like the DEXA and it also provides a "bone quality" score stated as a risk of fracture over the next 5 years. Unlike DEXA the ultrasound is able to look all the way through the bone, scanning the internal microarchitecture of the bone. The quality of this internal microarchitecture can make up for lower bone density in the outer cortical layer, so it's really good to know the quality of this. And the research is showing that the REMS Fracture Risk score is the best predictor of fracturing. The only problem is that there are only maybe a dozen REMS scanners so far around the US. It got started in Europe and is now their gold standard for scanning bone, and it is slowly getting accepted around the US. It is FDA-approved. The locations I know of that have REMS scanners are:
OsteoSmart in Hinsdale, IL +16309225071
OsteoStrong in Wilmette, IL +12244878833
StrengthX in Black Mountain, NC +18285057200
CentralCarolinaOrtho.com +19197741355 with Dr Andrew Bush who is revolutionizing osteoporosis care
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Clinic of Brazos Valley, College Station, TX 979-696-8000
Rheumatology Assoc of Delmarva, Easton, MD 410-819-6545
Xbody Health, Wellness and Spa, Wayne, NJ 973-692-9780

REPLY
1 reply
matilda1993 | @matilda1993 | Dec 4, 2023
In reply to @swuelfing1 "Hi Matilda, I don't know about mineral testing but in order to get a judgment on..." + (show)
@swuelfing1

Hi Matilda, I don't know about mineral testing but in order to get a judgment on your bone "quality" as opposed to "density", get an Echolight REMS ultrasound scan. REMS is the new scanning device that will most likely overtake DEXA due to all the inaccuracy issues with DEXA's large margin of error. The REMS is an ultrasound not an xray so there's no radiation. It has a tiny margin of error (.5 - 1%) as opposed to DEXA's margin of error of 3 - 5% (plus all the possible errors the technician can make in placing the person and the machine to machine inconsistencies.) REMS provides a BMD t-score just like the DEXA and it also provides a "bone quality" score stated as a risk of fracture over the next 5 years. Unlike DEXA the ultrasound is able to look all the way through the bone, scanning the internal microarchitecture of the bone. The quality of this internal microarchitecture can make up for lower bone density in the outer cortical layer, so it's really good to know the quality of this. And the research is showing that the REMS Fracture Risk score is the best predictor of fracturing. The only problem is that there are only maybe a dozen REMS scanners so far around the US. It got started in Europe and is now their gold standard for scanning bone, and it is slowly getting accepted around the US. It is FDA-approved. The locations I know of that have REMS scanners are:
OsteoSmart in Hinsdale, IL +16309225071
OsteoStrong in Wilmette, IL +12244878833
StrengthX in Black Mountain, NC +18285057200
CentralCarolinaOrtho.com +19197741355 with Dr Andrew Bush who is revolutionizing osteoporosis care
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Clinic of Brazos Valley, College Station, TX 979-696-8000
Rheumatology Assoc of Delmarva, Easton, MD 410-819-6545
Xbody Health, Wellness and Spa, Wayne, NJ 973-692-9780

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Thanks. I see there’s a center in Wayne NJ which would be closer to me. That sounds like a great option to evaluate the actual strength of one’s bones.

REPLY
matilda1993 | @matilda1993 | Dec 4, 2023
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "matilda1993, Tell us more about Wellen. That sounds interesting. I applaud your efforts and hope they..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

matilda1993,
Tell us more about Wellen. That sounds interesting.
I applaud your efforts and hope they work for you.
I am on Evenity and have my 7th dose next week.
Regarding doctors, I was seeing a rheumatologist for another problem and he was following my osteoporosis also. He insisted that I go on Evenity. I went to an endocrinologist for a second opinion and he said the same thing. So, I’m on Evenity.
The endocrinologist did seem to be much more informed and organized in his approach.
I think an endocrinologist is the way to go.

Jump to this post

https://www.getwellen.com/
I got the subscription on sale on cyber Monday but they’ll probably have future sales. There’s also a 14 day free trial. I’m liking it very much. Sending you the best as you take this journey to better health.

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