Bone Density (Dexa) Results

nancibee said:

Osteopenia

I had a bone density in my early 50's because I have a family history of osteoporosis. Results were osteopenia, precursor. My sister had taken Fosomax and started to have jawbone problems so they put me on Evista. Evista is like artificial hormone replacement therapy but supposedly without the side effects of cancer. In fact, studies have shown that it actually reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer and possibly endometrial cancer. The only side effect is the possibility of blood clots.

Even though, the drug has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, I became paranoid about all of the drugs I was taking and even though UPSC is not related to hormones, I decided to stop taking it after 8 years. It is an irrational fear but it is real for me. So I risk osteoporosis. I am afraid to get a new bone density because I really don't want to know if the results show worsening. I hope hiking 15 miles carrying a backpack will do good things for my bones.

I also own a walkvest - walkvest.com where you can add weights to the vest. I also have a DVD called Skeletal Fitness with gentle exercises. Can you tell thea i was obsessed with osteoporosis? My grandmother and now my mother became bent over and my mother requires a walker.

Nancy

Oh my well you've sure had this osteopenia hit you.  Mine didn't show any of that, according to the RN, as to why I asked for a copy to be mailed.  I'm much better when I can read it and decifer on my own and call back if have questions.  

I avoid anything which has potential to add hormones to us, as my cancer is driven by the hormones, so don't go there ever.  Even watching the foods to be organic with no hormones added to the animals.  

Think you did the right thing stopped the Evista, but we all need to do something to keep our density up and strong.   One way is with the exercise, but try for anything associated with "weight bearing" type exercising.  Thinking that's good with walking, etc.  I was a huge runner prior to diagnosis, but just gave it up a little at a time as just didn't have the energy, then had the lower back issues with bulging disk and got scared it would jolt me to more back issues.  Today NO RUNNING!!!  Love-love the fst walking and thought it would help with the density, but apparently more to it then I was thinking.

Problems with the meds for this stuff, they might show our bones on scans to be good, but they can be brittle and cause other health issues.  Do have some great feedback from a friend on supplements to try, so I'm going that route at this point in time.  Plus, hubbie will start more intense weight exercises.

Plse don't put your head in the sand about the density scan....get one and work on other ways to increase your density if it's not great.  Surely don't want to be like those little old ladies walking out there bent over do you?  Gosh that's a real scare to me and since I'm only 5'2", I'd be well under 5' tall...and heck hubbie is 6'2".  What a sight we'd be to others.

Thanks for your response and keep up the backpacking and walking...it all helps!!

Jani 

susangr said:

Complicated.....

I have osteopenia too which is suppose to worsen more quickly if you have had pelvic radiation which I have had. I think you have to look at all this in relation to your age too. The first 5-8 years post menopause women lose more bone mass and then should slow down. The weight bearing exercises, calcium replacements with vitamin D and a diet with plenty of calcium all are suppose to help.  With Calcium it is better to take it in divided doses.  Calcium carbonate should betaken with food and Calcium Citrate can be taken on an empty stomach.

The problem I have with the Biphosphonates like Fosamax is not only do they cause necrosis of the jaw bone making for serious dental health problems but there is also concerns related to spontaneous fracture of the femur about one year out...for no reason at all.   Had a consult with an Endocronologist at MD Anderson and the decision for me right now is to wait and monitor.   

Let us know what additional strategies you are using.  I agree it is important to get the bone density test and follow ups  so you have a baseline and a sense of how things you are doing are working.  Susan

Well as of now no osteopenia for me and be grateful it's not osteoporosis is all I can say.  You've got it correctly, pelvic radiation is the big deal which simply dries up everything -- bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, etc.  I knew this right after the treatments as had the back pains starting then diagosed with bulging disk.  All docs have told me this whether my chiropractor or radiologist, as to why we have to be PROACTIVE!!!  

The RN who called and gave me the results, suggesting per the oncologist start on the Actonel, even warned of the side affects -- necrosis of the jaw bone.  Her comment "oh but it's LONG TERM, so not to worry now.  Okay we'll you take it as I'm not gonna.  Dental issues, oh well then that's another area to worry next....nope not this girl!!

I'm going to start with a few different supplements with Vits D and K and one called Pure Encapsulations Calcium MCHA with magnesium.  Not cheap but the alternative of bone loss is much worse and expensive with more health issues down the road..  

I do get some updates via newsletters and below is what was in my inbox today -- interesting!  Weight-bearing is huge, as hubbie has been pounding on my head for years.  Note, one doesn't h ave to join a gym, as much of this can be done at home via cans of foods, or purchse of some free weights at Walmart.  Lucky for us we have a whole gym with free weights in our basement as hubbie owned a few gyms many eons ago.  

http://www.naturalnews.com/010528_bone_density_mineral.html

Few points think worthy of repeating from the link above  --

Physical impact and weight-bearing exercise stimulates bone formation. Just as a muscle gets stronger and bigger the more you use it, a bone becomes stronger and denser when you regularly place demands upon it. The best bone builders are exercises that put force on the bone, such as weight-bearing activities like running and resistance exercises like strength training. In general, the greater the impact involved in an activity, the more it strengthens the bones. That's why the bones in the racket arms of tennis players are denser than the bones in their nondominant arms. When muscles and gravity aren't pulling on the bone, humans can lose bone mass rapidly. This is dramatically illustrated when people are forced by injury or ill health to undergo complete bed rest and, as a result, lose about 1 percent of their bone mass per week. This is similar to the devastating effects on bone mass seen in young, healthy male astronauts in outer space, due to the loss of gravity.

Exercise for Skeletal Health. Weight-bearing exercises are very important to help avoid osteoporosis. Weight lifting, including curls and bench presses, is a beneficial activity. Women should not resist going to gyms as they age. But even if you don't go to a gym, you can still profit from taking a little one-pound weight and curling it throughout the day. In fact, you can take a five-minute break every hour to do exercises. Dancing, stair-climbing, and brisk walking are all weight-bearing exercises, which promote mechanical stress in the skeletal system, contributing to the placement of calcium in the bones. Aerobic exercises such as biking, rowing, and swimming do not strengthen the bones. 

Not only is weight training safe, it is important for preventing osteoporosis. As muscles are pulled directly against the bone, with gravity working against it, calcium is driven back into the bones. It also stimulates the manufacture of new bone. This adds up to a decrease in the effects of osteoporosis by 50—80 percent. Women need to do weight training two to three times per week for fifteen to thirty minutes. All the different muscle groups should be worked on. Twenty-four hours should lapse between sessions to rest muscles. For best results, an exercise program should be started long before the onset of menopause. 

Walking may be the best all-around exercise, but as far as bone building goes, strength training is the cream of the crop. The pull of muscle against bone stresses a bone, and that kind of stress is what makes a bone become stronger. Impact also strengthens a bone, but the impact that comes from running or jumping, say, can be otherwise harmful to the body. Muscle working against gravity provides another kind of impact for the bones, stimulating bone formation and slowing loss. Strength training with free weights (including light hand and ankle weights) or weight machines is the most direct way to provide that stress and impact of muscle on bone, which is what makes it ideal for building and preserving bone density.

txtrisha55 said:

Jan,
Sorry to hear the news

Jan,

Sorry to hear the news but I know that you will keep researching till you find the ansewr.  My regular dr gives me bone scan every eyar and so far the only thing that show up is on my right knee.  Howver when I had the radiation bone scan in January they said the bones in my feet and ankles showed some loss too.  I think a lot of this has affected to because before this I had no pain in my feet now it seems everyday I come home from work and my feet are hurting me.  I just have to get my head back on straight to say it does not hurt and get over it.  It is so weird how things affect us once we know about.  Wishing you all the best. trish

We're both with the MMMT and thinking you've got stage 3C too?  Right knee issues, well per hubbie and all his knee issues I can believe it.  Those joints are really challenged just walking around during our general lives.  Then add on arthritis as we start with that in our 40's then add on genetics and more...on and on....

Hang in there, as getting old can be real challenging can't it??

Hugs

Jan