Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: honeybun on December 14, 2014, 07:32:29 PM
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And when to ask for one.
I was speaking to my sister today about my hip and joint pain. She has advised asking my GP to send me for a scan. I am small in height and bone mass.
My sis has osteoporosis problems but she has never had a menopause due to a brain tumour. She did take HRT for many years .Not really sure why though. She has a regular bone scan due to taking steroids for many many years.
She pointed out that our mother has lost such a lot of height and has had stress fractures of her spine. My aunt also has osteoporosis.
She thinks it would be worth while.
Has anyone had one and was it suggested by the GP or what.
Honeyb
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Hi HB,
I've had one. I asked for it as both my grandmothers had severe osteoporosis. Doc agreed it would be a good idea to take a baseline measurement a) to see if I had any signs and b) for future reference.
Have a chat to your GP about it. It's a quick and painless procedure.
My bones are fine for now - probably all the dancing, running and yoghurt eating it did in my youth ;D
Galadriel x
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Thanks GD.
More or less made up my mind to address my aches and lumps and bumps in the New Year. I have a tame GP so I will ask him to refer me.
I think it would be easier for me if I could compare myself to my sister as we are very alike in many ways but she is a bit of an exceptional case.
She says the scan is not a tunnel job ? What did you have done.
Honeyb
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Apparantly the Dexa is quick and easy, no tunnel just a scan whilst you lie on the table, also wanting to go as my mom has osteo...
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Have you requested a scan Cassie ?
Honeyb
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Easy peasy procedure. Just lie on a bed with a support under one's knees for a few minutes while they take a few readings. Minimal radiation, the operative stays in the room throughout. I've had several, initially because of hyperthyroidism, later due to being on aromatase inhibitor which can cause bone thinning. I am also small in stature and light in weight, 5'1", 53kgs and in spite of my various health issues and cancer treatment my readings have been fine (in fact, better than my peer group).
I've always been referred for these by hospital consultants but hopefully your tame GP will co-operate.
Best wishes.
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I had scans every 2 years via DH's work insurance - they scanned the ankle and foot. I was told to eat more protein and dairy ::) …….. I already walked several miles daily.
If you are having one for osteoporosis the 'best' bone area is the pelvis due to it's density. It doesn't take long.
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Thanks all.
Definitely going to ask in the New Year. As I said my sister has osteoporosis but there is no real comparison there.
I am 5ft 1 and weigh 8st 7lbs at the moment. Never really been much heavier. Lightest has been 7st 2 not that ,many years ago.
Really think I should have this done. At least I would know and could take some positive action if needs be.
Honeyb
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I had similar to tiger74. I lay on a table with my lower legs supported on a sponge box. The scanning thingy did the moving. It reminded me of a photocopier in a way.
The big thing I had to remember was not to wear anything with metal while being scanned... Kinda hard when I've needed underwired bras for most of my life. ;D As imaging goes, it was the quickest, easiest, and painless thing ever.
Galadriel x
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I personally feel a Dexa scan should be a routine test done when we are 50. As with so many health issues, prevention is the key thing and once the bone density is lost, treating this is difficult. I had one earlier this year as I had come off HRT and whilst my mother hasn't actually broken anything she has lost about 4 inches in height. My friend who is only 55 had a fall and broke her sacrum. She has always been active, slim and ate what I thought was a good diet - she had a scan that revealed she has advance stage osteoporosis.
The long term problems of osteoporosis can be debilitating and I don't think there is nearly enough advice given about how to prevent this. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D are crucial. DG x
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Calcium and vitamin D are not enough to help osteoporosis you need multi minerals and vitamins plus strontium
http://www.marilynglenville.com/womens-health-issues/osteoporosis/ - excellent information.
Bone density can start well before 50, during the perimenopause years bones can start to thin and then level out.
Causes
heredity
premature menopause
lack of exercise
smoking
certain medication
irregular menstrual cycles
weight
digestive problems
certain foods and drinks
Once again there is tons of information out there about osteoporosis. A DEXA scan on the NHS for every woman over 50 is not likely because of cost now, I had mine years ago when it was not so cash strapped.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/DEXA-scan/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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it's very quick and easy. My endocrinologist orders one for me three yearly due to my unstable thyroid levels and being on thyroxine and also my age.
Husband has scan every year/2 years as he is osteoporotic and on treatment. He was on Strontium, now on Alendronate. His mother, both brothers and our 34 year old son have osteoporosis so definitely a hereditary link there as they are all male.
It would be worth having honeybun because if you do have any bone loss it is best dealt with now so it doesn't get worse. It's a terrible affliction in its later stages.
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HB your GP will refer you for a DEXA if there is osteoporosis in the family, you are fine boned and under five foot or if you have had any broken bones or early menopause or smoke.
I think you will probably go down the route of blood tests, Xrays and MRI scan before a DEXA scan, for your stiffness and joint pain.
I had a DEXA on the NHS and also a heel and wrist scan (which was free) at my Osteopath's, years ago when they were quite keen about osteoporosis campaign and diagnosis. This was in the late nineties. I had mine when I came off the Pill.
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You could look at the UK Osteoporosis site too?
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their helpline is second to none. I phoned them about my son when the GP wouldn't show an interest due to his age. He has now seen my husband's consultant, who is very interested in the familial link especially in the males of the family.
It is a source of amusement in our family that my husband and son both see a consultant gynaecologist :)
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::) all in the name of Research without which ?
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I'm having another DEXA scan in early Jan. Last one was about 6 years ago and showed osteopenia and I have a very bad family history of osteoporosis. I had to really persuade the GP.
I'd not heard of strontium before. What form and dose is it taken in and does it have side effects?
I must ask at the meno clinic in Jan when I have my annual checkup. GP just prescribes calcium and D3 supplement.
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my husband was on strontium for 5 years but was taken off it because it is not licensed for men and there has been some question that it can contribute to blood clots and heart attacks. It was also a bit of a fiddle as it is a powder that has to be mixed with water and drunk, every night, on an empty stomach He did very well when he was on it but now takes Alendronate (Fosamax) which is a once a week tablet. Hopefully his next scan will show that this is also keeping his condition stable.
oldsheep if you have a family history your GP must be attentive and refer you if you wish to be referred.
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I think you are talking about strontium ranelate which is a prescribed drug, which is different to natural sources of strontium.
http://www.algaecal.com/bone-health-news/the-truth-about-strontium-supplements-side-effects-dexa-results-efficacy-and-more/
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yes I am I didn't realise there was another version. my mistake.
Thank you I have sent the link to my husband :)
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I didn't think that Strontium would be 'given' ::) - have a listen to Tom Learer's perioditic table 'song' ;) …….. written like that in one of G&S's operettas and very cleverly worded.
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is Fosamax the one where you have to sit bolt upright for 30 mins after taking it? My late mum was on that.
They seem so unsure about what actually helps osteoporosis. Some studies I read say even walking isn't that helpful, you have to run. I can't run.
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yes that's the one. There is a daily one and a weekly one.
Husband does weight bearing exercise at the gym so he does what he can to help himself.
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Brisk walking should be enough if 1 has a balanced diet. We are hunter gatherers who would run in very short bursts - either after grub or away from chasing animals who viewed us as lunch: also getting enough sunshine is important.
Enough dairy in our formative years too. Those girls who were diet conscious or worse will now begin to suffer from lack of bone density which will get worse as they age :-\