Question for the women on the board

[TazzyD]

So if you guys peek go to the corner!

Question: Have any of you ever had a test done for osteoporosis? It doesn't hurt does it? My grandmother, mom and sis had/have osteoporosis so my doctor wants me to a test done. I've been having lots of back and neck problems in the past year.

[GalvestonDuck]

Chances are, your doctor wants you to get a bone densitometry test. Basically, it's an x-ray that he can look at closely and determine the thickness of your bones. If you're uncomfortable having to lay still, that's most likely the only displeasure you'll feel during the test. Otherwise, it won't hurt a bit, nothing like a needlestick (for some) or a mammography.

Most tests are worth the discomfort anyway, if they save your life.

[DaylilyDawn]

I haven't had one but my oldest son has. He developed osteoporosis as a result of his dialysis treatments. It consisted of an X-ray and a water weight test. The water test is where they weigh you under water to get your true weight. Don't worry about taking the test, the sooner it is diagnosed the sooner therapy and treatment can start.

[TazzyD]

Thanks for the responses. Now I won't fear my Thursday appt. for the testing.

[Stephanie]

Good luck Tazzy! I've never had one of those tests done, but I'm glad I now know what they are like!

[DaylilyDawn]

TazzyD, my son said the machine that takes the X ray of your body looked like something out of Star Wars in the way that it will scan you as you lay on the table. My son is a Star Wars fan and he thinks like that are very cool. He will be 29 in May. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in June 1999 and was on dialysis for a little over a year until Sept 2, 2000 when he received a kidney transplant. At his heaviest he weighed only 95 lbs, and when he was in failure he had lost down to 75 lbs. It took him over a year to gain back weight he had lost before the transplant. His current weight is 92 lbs and he is a short guy at 5'2". Before the osteoporosis was diagnosed he lost height in his spine. He lost about 4 inches. Before he got sick he was as tall as I am and I am 5'6"

[JenBayles]

Most tests are worth the discomfort anyway, if they save your life.

Obviously you've never experienced the joys of a barium enema.....

[TazzyD]

TazzyD, my son said the machine that takes the X ray of your body looked like something out of Star Wars in the way that it will scan you as you lay on the table. My son is a Star Wars fan and he thinks like that are very cool. He will be 29 in May. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in June 1999 and was on dialysis for a little over a year until Sept 2, 2000 when he received a kidney transplant. At his heaviest he weighed only 95 lbs, and when he was in failure he had lost down to 75 lbs. It took him over a year to gain back weight he had lost before the transplant. His current weight is 92 lbs and he is a short guy at 5'2". Before the osteoporosis was diagnosed he lost height in his spine. He lost about 4 inches. Before he got sick he was as tall as I am and I am 5'6"

How's your son doing now? He's been through a lot.

[DaylilyDawn]

TazzyD, right now he is doing great. His kidney is doing great also. Before the transplant, he was literally dying from the inside out as his kidney were shutting down. He was born with abnormally small kidneys that only worked at half the capacity of a normal kidney. It really affected his growth. When he was born , he weighed only 3lbs 7 1/2 ozs and was only 17 inches long. My husband could hold him in one hand. He was NOT premature, but he had a preemie's weight. He gained weight very slowly also. At the age of six months, he had only gained 2 1/2 pounds so that he weighed 6 pounds . Our thanksgiving turkey in 1976 was bigger than he was. He was born in May of 1976 and by the time his sister was born in Sept of 1977 he was only about the size of a 6 month old baby and he was 1 year 4 months and 1 week then. By the time his sister was 6 months old, she was bigger than he was. By the time she was a year old , every one thought they were twins.

[TazzyD]

Well, I had the bone density test done today. My results of the "T" score were -3.4 for the hip and -3.7 for my spine. I am not suprprised by the results as my grandmother and mother had it and my sis has is. I'm slightly built (4"11 and 89 lbs). I had surgical menapause at age 28 and ummmm-hummmmm ....I smoke (which I guess I'm going to have to try and quit now).

[isobar]

Tazzy, Did they prescribe Fosamax for you?

I'm due for my 2nd bone scan. Been on Fosamax for 1 yr.
I'm only 42 yrs old, certainly pre-menopausal, but have never been fond of dairy (calcium) and am rather thin (5'6", 117 lbs) - two big risk factors.

Another treatment is more weight-bearing exercises.

Good luck on your new New Year's Resolution.