Anyone with Osteopenia?

[Simba's Mom]

If so, does it inevitably progress to osteoporosis or, if I follow Dr.'s orders regarding diet, exercise, and medication, could it stay at this level (-1.3, if you understand the nos) indefinitely. I'm just so afraid of being in the same painful situation my mother is in now with her osteoporosis. Her spine is practically crumbling, she's got several bulging discs, large spinal cysts, and is "a real mess" (her words). And the worst is that I know she's in a lot of pain. Can anyone give me any words of encouragement that I'm not destined to a future like this in 25 years?

 

[Aisling]

Giving you a bump up, and hoping someone in the know will answer you.

 

[arminnie]

If so, does it inevitably progress to osteoporosis or, if I follow Dr.'s orders regarding diet, exercise, and medication, could it stay at this level (-1.3, if you understand the nos) indefinitely.

My understanding is yes it can be stabilized. For years my doctor did not recommend a bone density test because at that time she said there really was no treatment. But now there is.

Osteopenia is just the thinning of the bone. It's good to catch it at this point. For your mother's generation there really wasn't a lot they could do about it - probably couldn't even diagnose osteopenia back then.

 

[geffric]

When I started about 8 years ago my T scores were -1.6. I have been on Fosmoax and exercise and have held it steady. So just keep moving.. and do the weight bearing exercise and weight training and you should be okay..

 

[Simba's Mom]

When I started about 8 years ago my T scores were -1.6. I have been on Fosmoax and exercise and have held it steady. So just keep moving.. and do the weight bearing exercise and weight training and you should be okay..

Thanks so much! I was looking for someone who'd "been there"-I really appreciate it.

 

[shoes99]

I can't take fosamax, but I do take Evista, and I have the hormone patch Menostar. I try to keep busy, and take a dance class at the gym once a week.

 

[suzannen]

I have a major family history of osteoporosis and am very thin, so my doctor had me have my first bone density scan 3 years ago at age 47. It came back that I already had osteoporosis. Because of my young age, she sent me to an endocrinologist who specializes in metabolic bone density. I was already exercising and taking enough of calcium, but she put me on Actonel and also had me increase my daily Vitamin D to 800 IUs. Vitamin D is essential in the way our bodies metabolize calcium and they now estimate that anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of all adults today are Vitamin D deficient. You cannot obtain it from food naturally (only things like Vitamin D fortified milks) and the most effective way to get it is from the sun. But, with everyone using SPFs all of the time, it's adding to the deficiency. As well as Vitamin D pills, she advised me let some of my skin get exposed to natural sun for 10 minutes a day, before putting on any SPF.

Anyway, at my last bone scan, I showed significant bone density improvement in all areas. So much so that my condition was upgraded from osteoporosis to osteopenia and my doctor expects it will improve even more. Hope this helps.