Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have you had a dexa (bone density) scan?
Are you menopausal?
Are you fair skinned? Asian?
Where am I going with this? I’m 53, fair-skinned with German Irish heritage, osteopenia at 45. Menopause and osteoporosis at 49. Taken fosamax for 2 years. It’s helping.
Not OP. How did you know you moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis? Another dexa scan? Or did you have symptoms?
Asking because I'm 52 have had osteopenia for several years. 5'2" 120lbs give or take a few. Irish/English heritage, fair skinned. Mom has osteoporosis.
I haven't had a dexa scan in years.
Happy to share! PP quoted.
Basically, I’ve advocated for myself: my mom had a couple of fractures post early menopause at 42. She was diagnosed with osteoporosis via dexa scan.
My maternal gmo and great grandmother had dowagers humps. My mom had developed a slight one before being on fosamax regimen (my mom is 88!).
I was kind of running scared, so I insisted upon dexa at 45 and that’s when I learned (and honestly my doctor was shocked to surprised) I had osteopenia with concerning evidence of moving rapidly into osteoporosis unless I took rx level calcium. That’s what I did. One more dexa pre-physical at my insistence at 48. This showed I had osteoporosis. I had also been one year without a period so menopausal.
Insisted on getting a second opinion (now think unnecessary), but saw rheumatologist who echoed GP and told me to take prescribed Fosamax once weekly along with OTC calcium chews and to work more calcium into my diet via food like spinach, pea protein/oat milk, etc AND gave me great advice to get some hard surface walking/hiking/running to help with bone density. I had been working out but doing cycling and treadmill walking.
In the meantime, my two older brothers were concerned and at my recommendation, they also got dexa scans. They are late 50s and both discovered they have osteopenia. They are and have always been thin to skinny/one is an avid hiker and cyclist.
I just had a recent dexa scan and it showed per my doctor, “remarkable, significant” improvement! I took advice to heart and have run 2 5ks, love power walks and hikes and sometimes use what I call Barbie weights for some weight bearing exercise (and I shove these in my backpack sometimes too). I strive to
consciously do hard surface walking and have added yoga to my routine.
Also, had been prescribed Zoloft for years. At my osteoporosis diagnosis appt, my GP ordered me off these immediately! Do not do this! Terrible advice! Doctor cited some study where relationship btwn Zoloft + osteoporosis (cause:effect?) anyway, I tapered off and relapsed with my anxiety and panic something awful. New doctor started me on Lexapro and I’m back!