Osteopenia .... found via scan at 62, no need for one before that, no broken bones or family history. Stepped up the walking on a daily basis (on asphalt surface) to 17,000 steps and added an over fifty multi vitamin to my routine. Bettered my numbers within a year and they keep improving. Movement is lotion.

Talk to your dentist and get dental exam and xrays before Fosamax. There can be issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised estrogen hasn’t been mentioned. I know multiple women who’ve been able to reverse bone loss with estrogen replacement plus strength training. Isn’t it the first line treatment?

Also, echoing what others say about demanding DXA scans. I had my ovaries removed a few years back and insist on an annual scan. Maybe EOY would be fine, but I like the extra data. They’re super cheap out of pocket too, if your insurance won’t cover them - around $100 at an imaging center IIRC.

I thought a dexa was $1,000 at least. MRI is $2,000.

Hmm, I asked for the cash price at one of the standalone imaging centers and that’s what it was there. The avg price for Rockville is $132, as an example:

https://www.mdsave.com/ (cash price comparison site)

The Dexa scan you get at these places takes into account your overall bone health. A "medical" dexa scan (don't know the actual medical term) looks at your hip and spine specifically.

I've had both. I have osteopenia but my Dexa scan showed average bone density because it takes the entire skeleton into account. My "medical" one shows osteopenia. I wouldn't rely on these places for bone density if you suspect you have issues. YEs, it you already have significant osteoperosis it would show up but if you're on the edge you may not catch it with the stand alone scan. It's about $90 for these scans.

Bumping this. My second DEXA scan came back showing osteoporosis in the spine at age 53 following an osteopenia baseline DEXA two years ago. (I’ve been on complete estrogen suppression shots/meds these past two years following ER/PR+ breast cancer at 50.)

My PCP seems completely blasé about it. I had to contact her through MyChart once the test came back, and her assistant replied by saying to come in in 2-3 months from now to see my doctor. (Office not willing to schedule me sooner because if that note in the record.)

Am I right to think this is strange/inadequate? I’m taking Calcium + Vitamin D but would like to hear sooner rather than later about Fosamax or even the annual Reclast infusion, which significantly reversed my friend’s Osteoporosis the first year.

Also, for those who previously had breast cancer, might I be better served by my oncologist’s office for this? She’s the doctor who ordered the baseline DEXA and two-year follow up.

Both my mom and MIL both stopped with Fosamax because they didn’t like it, so I’d recommend doing weights and food and supplements in addition to Fosamax so you have the best outcome of you later stop medication.

Bump to see if anyone else has any positive stories to share or any recommended providers in DC/MD on how to manage it?

Received a DEXA scan in Medstar Foxhall and quoted about $100 if insurance didn't cover it.

For those of you on Fosamax, have you had any side effects?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PS:

It is very important to do “closed chain” exercises.

This is a new term for me, thank you! - NP with a family osteoporosis history, wondering what to do now in my 40s

Also, consider not doing exercises that twist the spine. I stopped doing these because that can cause tiny fractures that cause the "hump" or "stoop" that many with osteoporosis get.

Can you give an example?
Are seated Russian twists bad?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised estrogen hasn’t been mentioned. I know multiple women who’ve been able to reverse bone loss with estrogen replacement plus strength training. Isn’t it the first line treatment?

Also, echoing what others say about demanding DXA scans. I had my ovaries removed a few years back and insist on an annual scan. Maybe EOY would be fine, but I like the extra data. They’re super cheap out of pocket too, if your insurance won’t cover them - around $100 at an imaging center IIRC.

I thought a dexa was $1,000 at least. MRI is $2,000.

Hmm, I asked for the cash price at one of the standalone imaging centers and that’s what it was there. The avg price for Rockville is $132, as an example:

https://www.mdsave.com/ (cash price comparison site)

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised estrogen hasn’t been mentioned. I know multiple women who’ve been able to reverse bone loss with estrogen replacement plus strength training. Isn’t it the first line treatment?

Also, echoing what others say about demanding DXA scans. I had my ovaries removed a few years back and insist on an annual scan. Maybe EOY would be fine, but I like the extra data. They’re super cheap out of pocket too, if your insurance won’t cover them - around $100 at an imaging center IIRC.

I thought a dexa was $1,000 at least. MRI is $2,000.

PP back with my recommendation: Ascend Physical Therapy, Vienna (and Annandale).

Dr. Jake

I’m surprised estrogen hasn’t been mentioned. I know multiple women who’ve been able to reverse bone loss with estrogen replacement plus strength training. Isn’t it the first line treatment?

Also, echoing what others say about demanding DXA scans. I had my ovaries removed a few years back and insist on an annual scan. Maybe EOY would be fine, but I like the extra data. They’re super cheap out of pocket too, if your insurance won’t cover them - around $100 at an imaging center IIRC.

Fosamax got my mother and sister back to normal.

Your gynecologist can order the bone scan.

Sorry for this naive question: did you discover you had it through testing or were there other indications?