1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Osteoporosis: What tests confirm diagnosis and treatment options?

Posted by leeosteo @leeosteo, Jan 12, 2023

I was diagnosed with Osteopenia in 2014 which progressed to Osteoporosis in my spine in 2016 (as result of DEXA tests). I was on Alendronate for almost 5 yrs and have been on a medication holiday since 2019. My 2022 DEXA now shows progression to Osteoporosis in spine and hip. I'm meeting with my PCP next week to discuss next steps. Net, I'm really worried with disease progression and frightened with going back on Osteoporosis meds. I've read that Osteoporosis should not be diagnosed only on DEXA. What has been your experience? Are there other tests that should be considered? Are you using a PCP or other type doctor to walk you through your options?

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windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 20 7:39pm
In reply to @semurrey "I'm sorry to hear about your fractures! I am 58 yrs old, thin and one year..." + (show)
@semurrey

I'm sorry to hear about your fractures! I am 58 yrs old, thin and one year into Letrozole for breast cancer which has already put me deep into osteoporois. My endocrinologist suggested Fosamax or Reclast given high risk of spine fractures but I am petrified of the side effects given I already have terrible jaw pain due to a dislocated disc and who knows if I will need a crown soon since old fillings need to be replaced. I may punt but wonder how much damage the Letrozole I need to stay on for 10 yrs will do to my density. Were your numbers really low and did you have pain with spine fractures? May I ask your age? xo

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@semurrey look into the Breast Cancer Index test which may tell you there is no further benefit from extended letrozole after 5 years. If you don't go on bone meds, my oncologist would tell you to stop at 5 years anyway.

I was already in osteoporosis when I started letrozole and lost a lot of bone density. I could not do Reclast because my doc was worried about afib at the time. I have done two years of Tymlos after cancer treatment and my density is now better than it was before letrozole. But...I fractured in the meantime, before Tymlos!

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