Dexa Scan - how often?

I have osteoporosis but don't want to take the drugs (at the moment.) My GP said I could have a repeat Dexa after 3 years, but if taking the drugs, it would be after 5 years.

My husband has stage 4 prostate cancer and his next Dexa scan is at the end of this year, five years after he was first diagnosed. ( He is doing very well!) The drugs he takes can cause bone loss.

As I understand it, if you’re on treatment it’s five-yearly. The treatment isn’t an instant fix so there will be little difference to see if there if scans are close together, the meds need time to work.

I was told that treatment with Alendronate Acid is for five years only as there is no benefit to taking them for longer. Maybe that advice had changed.

This is interesting as only this week I enquired with my GP as to whether I should be continuing with the weekly Alendronic Acid tablet as Ihad now taken them for five years.

Back in 2019 itripped over something whilst stepping backwards and, it turned out, caused a stress fracture in my spine, undiagnosed for four weeks as (I told my daughter at the time ) I was in too much pain to o to A&E.

I was 78 years old then, never had a Dexa scan, but when it was discovered was put on A.acid., and was told that anyone over 70 who suffers such a fracture must have osteoporosis. Must say, subsequent falls have not resulted in any broken bones!!!

Bit of a nuisance medication, interrupts my usual daily, 'out of bed, eat brekkie, then relax and then showered and dressed'. So I asked if I need to continue.

Again, no test, but have been told that anyone who has a fracture and starts Alendronic Acid over age 75 years should take them for TEN years before review. Not sure if I will still be around for that review when I am 88!!!!

I would ring your nearest Dexa scan department for further advice.

When I first took Alendronic Acid I had a DEXA scan after two years. After another two year I asked if I should have another DEXA and was told it is now five years. Then lockdown intervened and I had one last year in the end. It all seems a bit hit and miss and if you don't ask you don't get. I only took the Alendronic Acid for five years and not been offered a return to it. I agree about ringing the DEXA department if possible.

Did anyone have any side-effects from the Alendrolic Acid? The blurb inside the pill packet said there would be masses, so I stopped taking it. Just take the Ad-cal. There are too many effects from the other meds - could not cope with any more! No doctor has remarked on the lack of a repeat prescription, though!

No side effects for me, that I’m aware of, although since I stopped taking it I get very little indigestion. It wasn’t a huge problem anyway, just an inconvenience from time to time.

Everytime I have a phone call from the hospital I have a different time scale given me this week I had a phone call telling me I d have a dexa scan in October today I got the confirmation letter with no information about a scan just saying I d get a phone call next June !!!!

Thank you, everyone. Must say I am more confused than ever as everyone's experience seems different. One other thing - someone asked me WHERE in my body did I have osteoporosis? I was surprised at this because I had automatically assumed it would be all over my body. Anyone know?

I'm intrigued by all this. I'm due to have my first ever Dexa scan later this month and am now wondering what's ahead of me.

I was put on A Acid after a dexa scan but stopped taking it for the same reasons as dalrymple23 after losing 4 bottom teeth with 6 months. One of the stated side effects was "loss of tooth enamel*
OK they weren't in the best condition, but had lasted me till my late 70s.
However I still can't understand how a drug to help brittle bones could have a bad side effect on teeth.

That should read within not 'with'.

henetha

I'm intrigued by all this. I'm due to have my first ever Dexa scan later this month and am now wondering what's ahead of me.

Don't worry about the scan itself. It's really easy, fully clothed, lying in different positions with polystyrene blocks to prop you up.

Thanks for that Sparklefizz. It's not knowing what to expect that makes us (well, me anyway) nervous. So I appreciate you telling me that.

Osteoporosis affects all the bones that is why if you break any bone as you get older you will be tested for osteoporosis.

The Dexa scan concentrates on scanning your spine and hips and the letter I got back from the hospital gave me a score for different parts of my body: spine, femur and hips.