I keep hearing more about this. Have any of you had this done? My mom had osteo and I think it might be time for me to do so. Thoughts?

Dotsie I JUST TODAY got the results from my doctor of my first bone density test. Fortunately there were no areas of concern indicated (that's HIS language!!). It's an EASY EASY test and you don't even have to change out of your clothes and wear one of those gowns that lets things peek out that shouldn't be peeking out (haha). You lie on a very comfortable table with your knees propped up on a cushion while an x-ray machine (low dose) is guided over your torso. Then they do a further study on one hip (doesn't matter which one).

The information is put together with your "vital statistics" (height/weight) and goes into a huge database which compares your info to women of your same age/height/weight and if the x-rays show your bones to be thinner than comparative studies on others, then your doctor would discuss "what's next", i.e., supplements or medication to address osteo problems.

It took all of about 10 minutes and the only stressful moment for ME was when I was told by the nurse that I am no longer 5'7" - I have "shrunk" an inch!!!! I was assured that was totally normal for someone my age but it was kind of strange to hear...oh well...nothing stays the same as the years march onward.

If you have a family history, probably wouldn't hurt to ask your doc to send you for a test.

My Mom has pretty bad osteoporosis. I've been tested regularly and have mild osteopenia, which means below normal but not as bad as osteoporosis. I'm due for my yearly bone density test this month. (It's on my chore list!) Bone loss is one of the possible side effects of my meds.

I'm scheduled for a bone density test this summer (earliest I could get in). My Dr. wants one because of the fact I don't drink milk and I was complaining of aching legs. So I'm trying to be good about taking a calcium supplement The bone density test is to check things out and establish a "base line" for later....

Have read extensively on this subject for an article I did and it seems that few robust women, women that have always had more than their share of meat on their bones have bone density problems. Skinny women seem to be the ones most often affected. Guess being a bit of a plumper wasn't all bad in those earlier days...Most of us heavier girls ate well, cheese, milk things that built our bones...

Chatty, that was the same information I had always come across (us big girls were likely to have fewer bone density problem) However, I got a shock when I did a bone density screening and was found to be well below average. I like milk, I love cheese and yogurt. I take a calcium supplement. Every step I take is a weight bearing exercise! Anyway, the folks doing the screening gave some suggestions (adding magnesium to my supplement) and are planning to do a return performance some time this month. I have been absolutely faithful to my calcium and magnesium so maybe that has helped after about 6 weeks... If not, to the Doc I go! No broken hip for me, if I can help it!

The scan is a breeze! I was happy to know my skeleton was not falling apart...yet!

I believe a lot has to do with heredity. I'm at a time in my life where Mom's past health issues are staring me in the face. I wish she was still around to talk with.

I think everyone should have a bone density test ... it's easy to do and gives your doctor so much information.. especially for those who have osteo. running in the family. Like it was said earlier, it gives a great baseline for comparison later in life.

There's so much technology that we have now that we didn't have even 20 or 30 years ago. It can help catch the early symptoms ... something our parents and grandparents didn't have... we need to take advantage of all the technology that we can.. it can only mean better health for us.. longer. And, speaking of better health, are you taking your calcium supplements?

[ January 08, 2005, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Vicki M. Taylor ]

I tried to take a calcium supplement, but like every other type of supplement or vitamin I have tried to take it makes me extremely constipated. I don't understand that side-effect. I have tried all different kinds and seems to make no difference. I was planning to discuss this with a doctor in April when I am due for my annual check-up. First, I have to locate one in my new area that takes my insurance. Guess I better get started. My mom died at a younger age than I am now, so I really have no point of reference. As far as I am aware my Grandmother had no problems in that area.

Ever since the osteopenia diagnosis, I've taken 1500mgs of calcium daily. Saw my GP last week and was told I didn't need to up the dose for now.

As far as childhood eating habits, I ate everything that wasn't bolted down 24/7 including tons of dairy products which I still love (although I've had to cut down because of cholesterol.) As a child, I probably consumed as much food as your average linebacker and I was skinny as a rail until puberty exploded --- so it's not like I wasn't getting enough calcium in my diet. My mother tells stories about how she was so skinny as a child and teen, the doctor ordered her to get a daily milkshake on the way home from school!

In addition, my mother was always physically very active (weight-bearing activities) and so was I. So I'd have to say this may be heredity, but definitely not from lack of nutrients, calories or exercise.

Hello girlfriends, when I was 48 I was still menstruating and PMSing (actually diagnosed PMDD). Then I got cancer. Chemo induced menopause. No periods for two years now, coinciding with my very first chemo treatment! Anyway, doctor wanted a bone density because of the sudden chemical induced cessation of periods. Insurance wouldn't pay for bone denisty until I was 65! Doctor wrote letter, insurance finally complied. Bone density came back "osteopenia." Now I take Fosamax. I am grateful to know about osteopenia and Foxamax because both my mother and grandmother have osteoporosis. I'm glad there is treatment for this generation, and generations to follow. Love and Light, Lynn

I had a bone density test last Fall and was told I had osteopina and I should get started on Fosamax right away. I was a tad bit shocked by that to say the least. I'm not a skinny gal....never have been. Plus, there were no women with bad bones in my family. As a kid,I had lots of milk, cheese and homeade ice cream. Heck, my uncle had a dairy farm! The nurse gave me some samples of Fosamax in the office. I said, "Uh, what, are ya afraid I'm gonna break a hip on my out out of here or something?" So I told her I would think about the medicine, but I don't take any medicine with out doing some research on it. I didn't like what I found out. You need to read the fine print on the inserts that comes with Fosamax. You might have use a magnify glass to read it, but do read it! For starters,most folks dropped out of the studies because of side effects. After lots of research & talking with women who had bone density tests, I decided that Fosamax isn't for me.

Here is short excerpt below from an article from one of the websites that I found when I was doing some reserach on it last year, explaining how the word osteopina came into being.

Osteoporosis and Fosamax
by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Drug companies, including the makers of Fosamax, are making a fortune based on women’s misconceptions of osteoporosis and bone loss. In this article, you’ll learn the truth about bone health after menopause.

What is osteopenia?
As recently as the 1970’s, the diagnosis of osteopenia didn’t exist (my colleague, Dixie Mills, checked her textbooks from medical school just to be sure). Experts chose this term in the 1980’s to fit the women who didn't quite have osteoporosis to motivate them to pay attention to bone health.

However, there was no medical basis for choosing this number and no studies to support everyone’s immediate assumption that a diagnosis of osteopenia meant you were headed for osteoporosis. No one seemed to notice — except of course the drug companies — that by this definition almost half of all post-menopausal women now had the new medical condition called osteopenia.

Because osteoporosis is progressive, the diagnosis of osteopenia can be very frightening —many women stop lifting heavy objects or engaging in physical exercise for fear of fractures. But in reality almost all women with osteopenia should be getting more exercise, not less!

~Cookie~

You're right about the exercise. Last year, my bone density test showed I lost 10% bone mass. One of the things my doctor told me to do was exercise more to help build bone mass. So, I've been walking every day.

I had another bone density scan last week. I'm looking forward to getting the results to see if all the walking helped.

I remember the day my GYN called me a "skinny white woman" and put me on Fosamax, also because I take prednisone.

I have a bone density test every 2 years, paid for by my insurance. Insurance is on my grateful list.

When my mother was alive she never talked to me about any of her problems so I don't know much about her.

I posted about Fosamax and jaw bone loss a month or so ago. It's in here somewhere. I now take it every 2 weeks instead of every week and the jaw pain has stopped.

**getting up on soapbox**

To avoid constipation, take magnesium with the calcium, this is a MUST. The calcium will be better absorbed also.

Doctors in the US tell women to take up to 1800 mg of calcium, but in my research, the stupid idiot doctor that started all that, was lying. Much like the ahole that said he did all kinds of research on stem cell research just to get grant money, [he's now in prison].
It's a LIE. more calcium is NOT necessary and if you take too much, it can cause kidney stones because of too much calcium in the body.

Make sure you take boron also, it has something to do with the calcium, but I can't remember what. I am now, instead of taking 1800 mg of calcium, [from Sam's club with crappy chemicals in it], I'm taking Solaray's calcium, mag, zinc and vit. d.

However if you are bare from the waist up and in the sun for 30 minutes, you will get your daily dose of vit d. I think it's 30 min, might be 15. This means not a cloudy day, but in the sun.

However, being in the sun also damages the macrophages, and if you're immune system is not good, you might not want to do that. Just take a pill.

Being fat or skinny doesn't matter on osteoporosis. I'm fat. Big belly, nice legs and arms. If my torso were longer like NORMAL people's!! LOL then I would be ok. but it ain't.
I've always carried around a bit more. [even in the military underweight but with a pot belly] Fat or skinny's got nothing to do with it.

And we need exercise. not just the pool, but exercise that has impact. Do NOT stop cleaning the bathroom and lifting heavy things, like Cookie said. I got scared after the doc FREAKED out over my dexa test and stopped doing stuff.
But my God is a HUGE God and he has healed me. I have stubbed my toes and not broken them. I still do take the supplements though.

And not everyone can drink dairy products. I am one. Sometimes my immune system goes down [like when I do a 'healthy trade show] and then I can't have dairy. Calcium is not always readily available or absorbed from yogurt and milk.

There are liquid calcium products 'out there'.

DO NOT not take your supplements. If you love yourself, take them. If you say you love or care about ANYONE else and you are not taking care of yourself, you are lying.

I know, I sound harsh, but I am rabid about this.

My dexa said -4.2. Don't even think I haven't researched the heck outta this. I am 52.

There is also some work that has BEEN done on sounds and osteo...lemme go find it...
dang, can't find it. do a search on Bob Beck.

vibrations supposed to strengthen bones. low tones.

but I'm only one person and can't research it all and still work.

Janine