Do you have osteoporosis?

[Existentialallday]

I'm 55. I've had osteopenia for years, but recently my hip - neck of the femur, to be exact - has apparently tipped over the line and I have osteoporosis. I've not yet seen the scan results fully, so can't compare with previous, but everything else looks pretty similar, not much decline.

I can't take HRT now, but I've been taking calcium, Vit D for years, do lots of weight resistance work and am active/fit.

I'm considering whether to start with Bisphosphonates.

If you have osteoporosis, can you tell me if you take Bisphosphonates and if you tolerate them? Or if you have another approach, would love to hear.

I don't think I'm in danger of major stuff now, but I know I'm looking down the tunnel where things don't get better, as it were, however slowly I can ward it off.

Depends on the type of breast cancer. I had BC 3 years ago.
It's possible to take HRT with a family history of BC though not if you've actually had it yourself. I don't think I would take that risk but some do.

"And?"

I can't quite ascertain your tone of voice - but you assume a low level of knowledge on one my part. Wrongly. I have spoken to specialists. Thanks.

I have been told by a private GP that I may have osteoperosis. I had a DEXA scan some 20 years ago and it was fine. I did not experience early menopause - I was 57. What do you all think?

Seeing a privae GP and attending at private hospital has cost over £1000. So it's not cheap.

My dentist wasn't phased by my use of alendronic acid because he said my oral hygiene was excellent. I think the worry is normally if you have poor dental hygiene and are getting treatment to put it right?

Afaik the only way you will know is by checking with a DEXA, why does your doctor think you have oesteoporosis. It is v common with declining oestrogen to have bone density decreasing too so many women by their 50s may have at least a slight loss due to that alone, this why HRT helps, by replacing the lost oestrogen. Early menopause means you have less oestrogen earlier so diagnosis of oesteopenia or oesteoporosis may be earlier/younger.

Yes.

Recovered anorexic and my grandmother had a dowager hump.

Broke my foot in 2015 and was referred for dexa scan which was positive. Had oral bisphosphonates for 4 months then fell and a vertebra collapsed by more than half.

I was referred to a rheumatologist and prescribed three annual prescriptions for zolendronate. Osteoporosis had reversed. Infusions every 18 months were recommended. I had two and then I fell badly. I broke my wrist badly and another vertebra. The osteoporosis had not remained reversed.

I am taking a two year course of teriparitide. I pay for it as I do not meet the bar for NHS treatment at 62.

Fingers crossed.

On the plus side my back is stiff but I have little pain. I still work full-time.

No dental problems. My dentist keeps a careful eye. No other side effects either.

AFAIAC the extension of fitness outweighs the miniscule risks.

The greatest difficulty is the sheer disorganisation of the rheumatology clinic but the consultant there is one of the best and doesn't work privately. There is zero respect for the time of patients and I can't help but wonder if that extends to the patients themselves.

Good to know. I had a very late menopause! I was 57. I had a DEXA scan, 20 years ago, and it was fine!

I don't know, whether I have it or not! Just what he said. I really hope I don't. Good to know that I can take HRT!

Well a DEXA from 20 years ago means nothing now, and your hormones obviously are different aside from any medications or genetics that may also increase your likelihood of developing it so a current dexa scan would be best to see where your density currently lies.

dexa scan.I will ask my GP for another DEXA scan.

Messed that post up didn't I.

I fell very hard today and really banged my head. Surely, I would have broken something.

Not necessarily, i ve taken a couple of tumbles in the last decade inc a bad slip in the shower with no breaks. This is the thing with oesteoporosis, you dont know you have it til you are scanned, im sure there are lots of people walking around hapoily that have decreasing bone density and are blissfully unaware - but by time they become aware after fractures or vertabrae issues its too late to reverse or halt it.

Thank you for that. I wholeheartedly agree.

@MILLYmo0se indeed. 4 breaks post diagnosis.