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Dexa bone scan

(85 Posts)
Whiff Tue 19-Mar-24 18:30:07

MOnica you have to take a combined vitamin D and calcium as I can't remember if it's the vitamin D that you need to absorb the calcium or calcium to absorb vitamin D. But it has to be a combined tablet. If your body has to much calcium you wee it out.

M0nica Tue 19-Mar-24 18:14:19

Yes, I agree Whiff. No history of osteoporosis in my family, always been a very active person, on my feet and doing a lot of walking, eaten plenty of cheese, my weight has hovered around 9 1/2 stone, so not very light in weight. no hysterectomy and trouble free menopause at the usual age.

Having read that calcium is not as well absorbed in tablet form as in dairy form. I have started buying Babybels, not the most exciting or tasty of cheeses, but each one contains 20% of the recommended daily amount of calcium, so I have a couple with my breakfast and if I snack during the day, that is what I eat, and I try to monitor my calcium input and if I think it is low on any day, I will eat another babybel.

Whiff Tue 19-Mar-24 15:40:19

Shinamae I had a total hysterectomy when I was 38 will be 66 next month. My mom had osteoporosis from when she was 50 never had a hysterectomy and lived until she was 90 when cancer and dementia killed her.
So don't know why he said that about having a hysterectomy. Makes no difference if you had one or not to whether you get osteoporosis.

When I had my first mammogram at 50 the radiologist told me to take a combined vitamin D and calcium tablet everyday. Infact I take a combined vitamin D and K calcium tablet everyday . Even though I have fallen all my life since a child through a rare hereditary neurological condition never broke a bone.

Would hate anyone to think having a hysterectomy means you get osteoporosis. It doesn't . Whether you get it or not is like getting cancer just one of those things.

Thoro Tue 19-Mar-24 15:37:31

I was diagnosed with osteopenia a couple of years ago after breaking my wrist in a fall.
I did have a hysterectomy at 42 but ovaries were left in so had menopause at a normal time.
I'm taking calcium and vitamin D tablets

BlueBelle Tue 19-Mar-24 15:06:14

I was diagnosed by chance after the doctor noticed I d lost height I have an annual infusion (as I m not suitable for the tablets) with a year off every fourth year my bone strength has increased by 9% which doesn’t sound very much
I have had a few falls both before and after the start of the infusions but never broken anything 🤞🏼
I ve never had a hysterectomy but did have a fairly early (almost non existent) menopause don’t know if that counts

M0nica Tue 19-Mar-24 14:56:20

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis purely by chance. I am part of the the UK Biobank reearch base and had a DEXA scan done as part of one of their projects.

They found evidence of two fractured vetibrae, quite high in my back, which after racking my brains I associated with a very bad fall I had about 12 years ago when I slipped while walking down a damp grass slope. I landed on my back with a thump that winded me, but apart from that I have never broken a bone - and I trip and fall several times a year because I have dyspraxia.

I am on Alendronic acid, I was aready taking a vitamin D supplement. I am mildly lactic intolerant so do not drink milk or eat things like yoghourt, but I have no problem with har cheese and have always eaten a lot.

The diagnosis has made little change to my life. I have had at least one fall since diagnosis, once again, nothing broken.

Luckygirl3 Tue 19-Mar-24 13:17:42

I have been treated for osteoporosis for many years. Take vit D and calcium daily and have a denosumab injection every 6 months. I am happy with this .... do not want more fractures. I don't think it is a big deal really. It is what it is, and I am very glad there are preventive treatments available free.

SueDonim Tue 19-Mar-24 11:22:24

I was diagnosed with osteopenia after a double leg fracture, although that wasn’t an osteoporotic break. I had a one in ten chance of another fracture in the next ten years so I decided to accept alendronic acid tablets along with calcium and VitD as I knew my diet wouldn’t supply enough calcium.

On a follow up scan some years later I was back in normal territory and stopped the tablets, which as Calendargirl says should only be taken for a certain length of time.

Calendargirl Tue 19-Mar-24 10:46:27

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis about 10 years ago. Have had three bone scans, I think.

Was originally prescribed alendronic acid tablets to take once a week, and vitamin D and calcium daily.

Took the alendronic for several years until told to stop after a scan, apparently not meant to be on it for too long. Think I was forgotten about! Still take the vitamin d and calcium.

I think I eat a good diet, plenty of milk, cheese, yogurt. I walk a lot. And do aquacise. ( I know it should be more about hardening your bones though).

Am due another scan this year, I think.

I don’t think about it really, just try and be sensible and avoid falling over and breaking bones if possible, which, touch wood…

Am similar age to OP.

Shinamae Tue 19-Mar-24 10:04:58

My Doctor has just text me the results of the scan, and he says I do not have osteoporosis, but I do have osteopenia.
I eat a moderate amount of cheese and drink quite a bit of milk, but he has suggested I might need a calcium and vitamin D tablet. Well I have been taking vitamin D for years
Also, the guy that did my scan did say that the results might not be so good.if I had a hysterectomy before I was 45 now I can’t remember so I’m gonna ring my surgery and see if they can tell me when I did have it
I have been doing weights for about eight months now so I am a bit disappointed at this result, but I suppose I should be grateful that it’s not osteoporosis 🤷‍♀️
I was 71 in February