Post by rymeswithpurple on Oct 21, 2022 13:19:37 GMT
This post brought up a question I’ve had. I have never had any medical issues other than high cholesterol. I’m on a low dose statin for that. I recently had an appointment for a rotator cuff injury. I had an X-ray of my shoulder that showed osteoporosis. She put me on a steroid for 5 days, recommended I take calcium and vitamin D and ordered a bone density scan. The results are on my portal page and says I have quite severe osteoporosis. The steroid did not help my shoulder pain at all. Since the scan results came back I haven’t heard a word from the doctor. Should I have? I have no idea what the next steps are for treatment of the shoulder or the osteoporosis. Do I need to contact them for follow up? In the past the office would contact me if there was any issue with test results. Sorry for the hijack, OP!
OK with the hijack Judy26
I would call the office and inquire about the osteoporosis.
They will put you on Fosamax (?) but beware--one of those drugs for the osteoporosis causes problems with the jawbone.
I have historically had low vitamin D levels (we're talking like...13 when "normal" is 32 and above). In the past year, I have been taking a one-dose 50,000 unit pill weekly, and it's now up to 45. I'm also taking a daily 600 mg calcium supplement. I had a dexascan done in September, and the results of that showed osteoporosis and osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis), so my doctor had me see a rheumatologist to get to the bottom of why my bone density levels are so low.
Apparently, the rheumatologist wanted a different set of scores for those results (the radiologist's office used T-scores, which are for post-menopausal, and I'm 32) (though after she talked to her - while I was at my appointment and in the room, actually!), they're about the same. So I have what's for now considered low bone density levels, and instead of jumping right into taking something, she had me do some lab work and will wait and see what a year more of vitamin D and calcium does for me to see if putting me on something like Fosamax or similar is warranted (or if those labs show something else going on - waiting on the last result right now). (I have also been working on increasing my calcium intake through drinking chocolate milk and I eat yogurt and granola every day for breakfast.)
Just something to keep in mind as you move forward. Wishing you the best!