1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Osteoporosis and Frax score?

Posted by lamay @lamay, Jun 9, 2023

Recently diagnosed with osteoporosis (56) in femoral neck (-2.6) and osteopenia in hips (2.5), spine still good, so far. The endocrinologist said to start Reclast asap but didn't give me a Frax score (chance of fracture over next 10 yrs.) so I used the online calculator. It showed a score of 2.0% for hip fracture and 9.2% for major osteoporatic fracture. The Endocrinology Society recommends pharmalogical treatment if scores are at least 3.0% & 20%. I'm trying to get a 2nd opinion but it's hard to know where to turn and hard to get appointments that aren't far far in the future. Meanwhile I'm working on diet and exercise. I'm concerned about starting a medication too early or too late. Any advice or similar experiences?

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windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @bunky44 "Hi leeosteo~ Sorry I can't be more specific right now...I haven't had a new DEXA in..." + (show)
@bunky44

Hi leeosteo~
Sorry I can't be more specific right now...I haven't had a new DEXA in about 2 years now. But..the last one I had..a year after I was so bad...with -3.7 in my spine and -3.2 in my femur....I had gained bone density..to where I had improved my scores by a lot. I got to -3.2 in my spine and -2.7 in my femur. I take Bone-up religiously..as well as strontium...and a multi collagen peptide...as well as walking more and using my vibration plate. I have much less mid back pains and hip pain now. I'll get another DEXA this year...but I know it does take a while to re-gain bone once lost. Hope this helps you.

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@bunky44 I assume you are aware that strontium gives a false impression of improvement in bone density on DEXA because it replaces calcium in the bones and is denser.

Once I had fractures I was determined to so absolutely anything to avoid any more pain and disability. Everyone is different. I started Tymlos at a low dose and my body got used to it as I increased. My view is that no matter how many brave attempts we make with diet, exercise, vibration etc. the natural course of our bones is unfortunately toward less density. Good luck with your efforts !

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1 reply
omgirl | @omgirl | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @leeosteo "tetris, what are you T scores and which med will you or are you taking?" + (show)
@leeosteo

tetris, what are you T scores and which med will you or are you taking?

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Probably a very basic question but what are T-scores?

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1 reply
bunky44 | @bunky44 | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "@bunky44 I assume you are aware that strontium gives a false impression of improvement in bone..." + (show)
@windyshores

@bunky44 I assume you are aware that strontium gives a false impression of improvement in bone density on DEXA because it replaces calcium in the bones and is denser.

Once I had fractures I was determined to so absolutely anything to avoid any more pain and disability. Everyone is different. I started Tymlos at a low dose and my body got used to it as I increased. My view is that no matter how many brave attempts we make with diet, exercise, vibration etc. the natural course of our bones is unfortunately toward less density. Good luck with your efforts !

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Hey windyshores...good to hear from you...
I appreciate your comments and knowledge. I know that strontium can alter the DEXA scores as well. I also acknowledge that I've placed a good deal upon my shoulders to do what I feel comfortable doing at this stage of my life. Like you said...we are where we are and aging is a natural consequence of that metamorphose...so I look for ways of having more quality in my life and peace of mind. I do what I can each day to be good to myself and honor that. At 79..I feel the best I have in years and years...finally able to focus on my own health picture after caregiving, with all my heart, for my sweet husband of 47 years..till he passed 2 years ago. Now..now it's my turn to do ME! I hope everyone has this attitude and is happy with the decisions they make...that goes a long way for whatever the plan is...meds or not. I want everyone to succeed and feel good. Take care now!

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bunky44 | @bunky44 | Jun 10, 2023

I hope you get another opinion on whether you should start to do osteo drugs at this time or not. You're still young enough to do many things to ameliorate your bone density levels without drugs if you want to work at that. There is always a trade-off when taking any medication..and the contra-indications of these powerful drugs are long lasting and can be insidious as well. I hope you do a lot of homework and research..in between running laps and pickle-ball!
I would give up a kidney to have your scores!...seriously....seek out more info and do what feels right for you to do after that. I wish you the best..so far..reaching out on this 'thread' was a wise choice...

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1 reply
tetris | @tetris | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @leeosteo "tetris, what are you T scores and which med will you or are you taking?" + (show)
@leeosteo

tetris, what are you T scores and which med will you or are you taking?

Jump to this post

@leeosteo, my DXA's spine T-score (L1-L4) was -3.6. The myriad hip-related T-scores were borderline osteoporosis / osteopenia. I started taking Forteo last month, 4 months after getting my DXA results. So far, so good! (and no side effects)

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @bunky44 "I hope you get another opinion on whether you should start to do osteo drugs at..." + (show)
@bunky44

I hope you get another opinion on whether you should start to do osteo drugs at this time or not. You're still young enough to do many things to ameliorate your bone density levels without drugs if you want to work at that. There is always a trade-off when taking any medication..and the contra-indications of these powerful drugs are long lasting and can be insidious as well. I hope you do a lot of homework and research..in between running laps and pickle-ball!
I would give up a kidney to have your scores!...seriously....seek out more info and do what feels right for you to do after that. I wish you the best..so far..reaching out on this 'thread' was a wise choice...

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@bunky44 of course we all respect each other's decisions. But I would ask that you explain this statement: "and the contra-indications of these powerful drugs are long lasting and can be insidious as well". I have not found this to be true for Tymlos, at least so far. I am honestly afraid a statement like that could encourage people who need meds to avoid them. I care because I was too late taking meds and my life is very much affected by fractures- far more than by any med! We feel strong and invulnerable until it happens to us.

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1 reply
melia7 | @melia7 | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @timely "The TBS score takes your DEXA scan and converts it to a percentage. Mine was 28..." + (show)
@timely

The TBS score takes your DEXA scan and converts it to a percentage. Mine was 28 % risk of fracture.
A friend's test came back at 38% risk of fracture.

I looked at Dr. Fishman's yoga for osteoporosis.

It is impossible to do if you have arthritis in both knees. I will look at it again. One needs perfect balance to do those.

I take 5,000 mg of vitamin D.

I think that the vibration therapy is on a trampoline like-device which would also be a hazard with knee arthritis.

I am looking into finding a treadmill with arm rests on the sides to prevent slips and falls while on treadmill. I am really afraid to go walking as sidewalks are not level or safe.

Would appreciate any treadmill recommends.

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to timely:
You are mistaken about vibration platform. It is low frequency vibration and it does not contribute to worsening of knee arthritis. I am using the platform for 2,5 months and I have knee arthritis. I have not noticed worsening of my arthritis pains or more problems when I walk.

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1 reply
leeosteo | @leeosteo | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @omgirl "Probably a very basic question but what are T-scores?" + (show)
@omgirl

Probably a very basic question but what are T-scores?

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omgirl, T-scores are the bone density scores you receive when going through a DEXA exam.

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1 reply
leeosteo | @leeosteo | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @bunky44 "Hi leeosteo~ Sorry I can't be more specific right now...I haven't had a new DEXA in..." + (show)
@bunky44

Hi leeosteo~
Sorry I can't be more specific right now...I haven't had a new DEXA in about 2 years now. But..the last one I had..a year after I was so bad...with -3.7 in my spine and -3.2 in my femur....I had gained bone density..to where I had improved my scores by a lot. I got to -3.2 in my spine and -2.7 in my femur. I take Bone-up religiously..as well as strontium...and a multi collagen peptide...as well as walking more and using my vibration plate. I have much less mid back pains and hip pain now. I'll get another DEXA this year...but I know it does take a while to re-gain bone once lost. Hope this helps you.

Jump to this post

bunky44, sounds like you've done well without meds. May I ask your age? It's usually harder, if not impossible, to regain bone density post menopause.

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2 replies
leeosteo | @leeosteo | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @tetris "@leeosteo, my DXA's spine T-score (L1-L4) was -3.6. The myriad hip-related T-scores were borderline osteoporosis /..." + (show)
@tetris

@leeosteo, my DXA's spine T-score (L1-L4) was -3.6. The myriad hip-related T-scores were borderline osteoporosis / osteopenia. I started taking Forteo last month, 4 months after getting my DXA results. So far, so good! (and no side effects)

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tetris, that's super! I'm so happy for you. We're about in the same position re T scores. I'm meeting with an endocrinologist in a couple months re plan and meds. Could I ask your weight? I'm 115 and hoping if I go on Forteo that weight might not cause Forteo side effects. I realize everyone make up is different but I thought it might be an indicator.

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