benson
04-18-2008, 03:51 PM
Hello...I'm hoping somebody can enlighten me a little (or a lot) :).
I'm 47 years old, but I had underwent the menopause by the age of 28. Genetics :(. I've only ever had 2 bone density tests, the last one approx 3 years ago. Well over the weekend I had a nasty fall. I also have R.S.D (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome), so I instinctively 'protected' my hand, which meant I fell somewhat harder and more awkwardly. Well the pain was immediate. When OH came in from work, he took me to the E.R. and several X-Rays were taken. I was informed everything was O.K. and given an IM injection for the pain. Then a few days later, it transpires that after further deliberation it looks like I have sustained a spinal compressed fracture, with a highly suspect old fracture as well. I'm currently waiting for a C.T. scan to confirm the diagnosis. However in the interim I have been given a prescription for Apo Calcitonin Nasal Spray which indicates it is for post menopausal osteoporosis. The information suggests that side effects are minimal. I've never had any tests whatsoever other than a couple of bone density tests. Would the x-rays show the osteoporosis? Does anybody else use this drug or can point me in the right direction please :angel: The doc further implied I would also need an 'operation'? I'm actually very confused, and any guidance would be increadibly helpful. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster at the moment, as what with the r.s.d, high blood pressure, cervial cancer(fortunately in situ), as well as having to see another gynae specialist, and now this :confused: and all within the last few years really.
I'm 47 years old, but I had underwent the menopause by the age of 28. Genetics :(. I've only ever had 2 bone density tests, the last one approx 3 years ago. Well over the weekend I had a nasty fall. I also have R.S.D (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome), so I instinctively 'protected' my hand, which meant I fell somewhat harder and more awkwardly. Well the pain was immediate. When OH came in from work, he took me to the E.R. and several X-Rays were taken. I was informed everything was O.K. and given an IM injection for the pain. Then a few days later, it transpires that after further deliberation it looks like I have sustained a spinal compressed fracture, with a highly suspect old fracture as well. I'm currently waiting for a C.T. scan to confirm the diagnosis. However in the interim I have been given a prescription for Apo Calcitonin Nasal Spray which indicates it is for post menopausal osteoporosis. The information suggests that side effects are minimal. I've never had any tests whatsoever other than a couple of bone density tests. Would the x-rays show the osteoporosis? Does anybody else use this drug or can point me in the right direction please :angel: The doc further implied I would also need an 'operation'? I'm actually very confused, and any guidance would be increadibly helpful. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster at the moment, as what with the r.s.d, high blood pressure, cervial cancer(fortunately in situ), as well as having to see another gynae specialist, and now this :confused: and all within the last few years really.
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taape
04-19-2008, 02:05 AM
Benson,
Sorry to hear about your fall and possible spinal fractures. It seems like from what you say that maybe one of the fractures was a traumatic fracture plus an old fracture that could be a compression fracture. The bone density tests can indicate osteoporosis or not. Do you know the results of the two tests you had?If not, I would ask what your T score is. It's too bad that you didn't get some kind of treatment for early menopause like increased calcium intake or did you?
Anyways, osteoporosis can be seen on xray when it is severe enough to see that the bones are thin. I have it severely and it can been seen on spinal xrays and on xrays of my shoulders.
I have heard of the medication. You can look it up online as I can't remember if it is a type of hormone or what. The doctor may be talking about you having a surgery where they put cement in between the spinal vetebrae which seals the fractures. I think it's called vetebroplasty or something like that.
It's a good thing your getting a CT scan as I wouldn't want to have surgery unless I knew for sure that there were fractures and there was a way to fix them. Make sure you see an orthopedic surgeon for surgery or other specialist.
You've been dealing with alot lately. I hope things can settle down medically for you.
Sorry to hear about your fall and possible spinal fractures. It seems like from what you say that maybe one of the fractures was a traumatic fracture plus an old fracture that could be a compression fracture. The bone density tests can indicate osteoporosis or not. Do you know the results of the two tests you had?If not, I would ask what your T score is. It's too bad that you didn't get some kind of treatment for early menopause like increased calcium intake or did you?
Anyways, osteoporosis can be seen on xray when it is severe enough to see that the bones are thin. I have it severely and it can been seen on spinal xrays and on xrays of my shoulders.
I have heard of the medication. You can look it up online as I can't remember if it is a type of hormone or what. The doctor may be talking about you having a surgery where they put cement in between the spinal vetebrae which seals the fractures. I think it's called vetebroplasty or something like that.
It's a good thing your getting a CT scan as I wouldn't want to have surgery unless I knew for sure that there were fractures and there was a way to fix them. Make sure you see an orthopedic surgeon for surgery or other specialist.
You've been dealing with alot lately. I hope things can settle down medically for you.
benson
04-19-2008, 12:03 PM
Taape, thanks so very much for your reply. I really appreciated it. I never received any feed back from my bone density tests, but I will ask. I'll research T Cells on line as well. As for early menopause treatment, unfortunately no :( We kinda figured there was some problems early on in our marriage, 'cos we were going through I.V.F at the time (I was 25), when I was told to abandon any attempts. Even on the maximum amount of fertility drugs, I just wasn't producing the eggs. A bit depressing when women of 50 are having treatment, and I'm told I'm too old :o. Recently I've just had a cold knife cone biopsy to remove the C.I.S which indicated other problems relating to non treatment of my early menopause. However, (fortunately), because of the C.I.S I was able to secure an appointment to another gynae specialist who can help me with some of these other issues, hopefully :(If not then I'm in for even more troubles. The point of this was that although I presented with a problem, I was told there was nothing that could be done. This apparently was not the case, and I just hope it hasn't been left to long for me to get the help I need. So now I've had this fall, and been prescribed this drug, I think I need to be more proactive with my own health management, because I keep falling through the cracks. Even with my R.S.D I was told there was nothing that could be done, and I was left that long, it's now considered chronic :mad: I've looked up the drug, but I'm hoping 'users' and people with this problem can inform me or point me in the right direction, because in all honesty, the medical profession have not treated me well. I'm not crying about it, as it's not in my nature, I just want to educate myself this time around. If that makes any sense :D I was told it would take around a week or two for the C.T. scan, so I guess I'll know more about the actual status of the fractures then. Thankyou :angel: I truely hope things improve for yourself as well
taape
04-19-2008, 02:35 PM
I've had to learn the hard way also that each person has to be active in finding solutions to medical issues. Unless you've got a terrific doctor you won't get all the answers.
Unless your doctor says you shouldn't you can start taking calcium supplements and eating dairy. That's all I'm doing as I've been through Forteo treatment, can't use bisphosphonates or hormones and currently there's no more medications out there.
Monday morning I would call your doctor and have them read you your T scores so you know the extent of the osteoporosis. Then request copies of the results to keep for your records. I had never broke a bone until about a month ago and now I have a fracture ankle and with osteoporosis I'm worried about it healing.
Let us know what shows up on the CTscan.
Unless your doctor says you shouldn't you can start taking calcium supplements and eating dairy. That's all I'm doing as I've been through Forteo treatment, can't use bisphosphonates or hormones and currently there's no more medications out there.
Monday morning I would call your doctor and have them read you your T scores so you know the extent of the osteoporosis. Then request copies of the results to keep for your records. I had never broke a bone until about a month ago and now I have a fracture ankle and with osteoporosis I'm worried about it healing.
Let us know what shows up on the CTscan.
benson
04-19-2008, 11:44 PM
Taape, thankyou once again. I'll ask for those results as you suggest. I do take calcium tablets and Vit D....however I will admit it's only a very recent thing. I used to exercise regularly at the gym, back home in the U.K. Unfortunately the R.S.D took a toll on that because I was left with no intervention and no pain control for nearly 2 years. I've also been a vegetarian since I was 10 (I was a wilful child :D), not exactly vegan but moreso than lacto. I eat rennet free cheese. So I have never been big on dairy since an early age. Hopefully I'll get my cat scan soon, and I will post the results. Big Karma to you, and I sincerely hope that ankle pulls right for you.
benson
04-21-2008, 05:07 PM
Hello again. Hoping you can help. O.K. I got my diagnostic report.
The Bone Mineral Densomitometry, is dated Nov 2006 and is compared to one undertaken in Dec 2004. The Lumbar Spine suggests a T score of -1.5 and Z score of -0.9. It suggesta a borderline increase from Dec 04 of 3.5% :confused: The Femur suggests a T score of -1.1 and Z score of -0.5
Bone density at the left total hip suggests a T score of -0.9 and a Z score of -0.6. No significant change from Dec 04. It concludes that the lumbar spine is in the oesteopenic stage suggesting mild relative fracture risk with borderline increase from 2004. Bone density at the left femoral neck is at the lower limits of normal at the osteopenic threshold with no significant change at the left total hip from the prior study :confused: Could you please explain in simple terms. As this report was in 2006, and I was never informed of anything (and I never asked :o ) is there a probability that my bones are even worse. Having just sustained this 'suspected' fracture(s), and just now been started on the nasal calcitonin, which my husband came home with :confused: I am really beginning to get concearned about just being left to hang out to dry so to speak. My C.T scan is scheduled for Friday. Hoping for some info and guidance. Please and Thankyou :angel:
The Bone Mineral Densomitometry, is dated Nov 2006 and is compared to one undertaken in Dec 2004. The Lumbar Spine suggests a T score of -1.5 and Z score of -0.9. It suggesta a borderline increase from Dec 04 of 3.5% :confused: The Femur suggests a T score of -1.1 and Z score of -0.5
Bone density at the left total hip suggests a T score of -0.9 and a Z score of -0.6. No significant change from Dec 04. It concludes that the lumbar spine is in the oesteopenic stage suggesting mild relative fracture risk with borderline increase from 2004. Bone density at the left femoral neck is at the lower limits of normal at the osteopenic threshold with no significant change at the left total hip from the prior study :confused: Could you please explain in simple terms. As this report was in 2006, and I was never informed of anything (and I never asked :o ) is there a probability that my bones are even worse. Having just sustained this 'suspected' fracture(s), and just now been started on the nasal calcitonin, which my husband came home with :confused: I am really beginning to get concearned about just being left to hang out to dry so to speak. My C.T scan is scheduled for Friday. Hoping for some info and guidance. Please and Thankyou :angel:
taape
04-21-2008, 10:08 PM
Hi,
Well your reported T scores from 2004 and 2004 tests don't look that bad as they aren't even in the osteoporosis range. However, bone density can get stadily worse over time in fact I lost a whole lot in the 6 months after I took Forteo. So it is possible that your now in the osteoporosis range which is the cause of your fracture. You know that adults even with solid bones can get fractures also. My bone density is way worse than yours and I don't have any spine fractures so I guess I'm lucky, just my new ankle fracture that was caused from severe twisting of my ankle.
I don't think the medication you were prescribed has a history of being very effective. If your bone density hasn't changed since your last test then maybe it's the best treatment if you even need medication. What type of doctor ordered the CT scan? Is this scan to check on your bone density or just to see the fractures in more detail.
Tomorrow I go and get my ankle xrayed again. I'm hoping the fracture healed. I'll let you know.
Well your reported T scores from 2004 and 2004 tests don't look that bad as they aren't even in the osteoporosis range. However, bone density can get stadily worse over time in fact I lost a whole lot in the 6 months after I took Forteo. So it is possible that your now in the osteoporosis range which is the cause of your fracture. You know that adults even with solid bones can get fractures also. My bone density is way worse than yours and I don't have any spine fractures so I guess I'm lucky, just my new ankle fracture that was caused from severe twisting of my ankle.
I don't think the medication you were prescribed has a history of being very effective. If your bone density hasn't changed since your last test then maybe it's the best treatment if you even need medication. What type of doctor ordered the CT scan? Is this scan to check on your bone density or just to see the fractures in more detail.
Tomorrow I go and get my ankle xrayed again. I'm hoping the fracture healed. I'll let you know.
benson
04-21-2008, 11:33 PM
Hi Taape, Thankyou once again. Funny enough (or not), I also broke my wrist 3 years ago, which unfortunately went on to develop the R.S.D. I also know from the recent cervical cancer that the lack of estrogen with no hormonal replacement for so long is causing a lot of other issues for me as well. It just seems something really traumatic has to happen before I can get to the type of specialist I really need to be seen by. Fortunately I'm getting to see a specialist gynae, post the oncologist gynae, so hopefully he can help with the hormonal issues. Fortunately one of the oncology nurses told me to get my family doctor to refer me to him. I'll also ask him about the drug I've been prescribed as well.Thanks for that :). I think it was the hospital X-Ray doctor who probabaly re-evaulated the films the following day, after I had been to E.R. I know it was the hospital that contacted my family physician, but it was my family physician who ordered the C.T. scan. and suggested I would possibly need an operation. From what I've been told, it is to check the status of the fracture(s), as it 'appears' there's an old one as well :( But....it may well be to re-assess the bone densitiy as well. Can they do both things at the same time :confused: I really appreciate your input.
Good luck for tommorow. My fingers are firmly crossed for you. :angel:
Good luck for tommorow. My fingers are firmly crossed for you. :angel: