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Originally Posted by Pipknight Hi all. Yesterday I went to my doctor to discuss my DEXA results. Here are my scores:
Spine T-score: -3.9 Z-score: -3.5
Total Prox. Femur T-score: -3.9 Z-score: -3.6
Femoral Neck T-score: -4.0 Z-score: -3.6
I was really disappointed because I had really hoped that I only had slight osteoporosis.  My doctor is referring me to an Endocronologist because my scores are low and because my prolactin level is low (whatever that means). He thinks there is something wrong with my pituitary gland. He told me that he wanted to start me on Fosamax so I told him that I had heard some really bad things about it. He paused for a second and then said, "There's been some talk about jaw atrophy, but..." and trailed off. He said it like there was nothing to what everyone is saying about it. It made me mad that he knew about the effects but wouldn't of said anything if I hadn't of brought it up. Especially because he knows I have TMJ!! He didn't write the prescription and told me I could talk to the Endo doctor about other possible meds. Now hopefully it won't take my insurance forever to approve the referral. Wish me luck.  |
Pipknight: Have any of your dr.'s mentioned Forteo? It is an injectable med for osteoporosis. Since I don't know anything about prolactin counts, I would check with the Endo and see if this type of med (Human Parathyroid Hormone) would be suitable for you to take.
I've been on Forteo since April, but have been temp. taken off of it because of a mildly elevated ionized calcium count; Forteo can elevated your calcium levels. I hope to return to taking Forteo next month, but I have to wait and see. I didn't experience any side effects with it, but there is a list of them if you look it up. It has caused osteoscarcoma in rats,
at high dose rates, but as far as I know it has not been seen in humans. Some people have good results with it and some stay the same or see lower t-scores, so it's like most meds it depends on the individual. The FDA has only approved it for a 2 year time period, so if you were to start it you can only take it for that length of time. If you want to know more just Google it, and ask your dr.'s if it's something to consider.
There are quite a few posts on this board about it, if you want to read them. Don't let the injectable portion scare you off, it is really easy to do (premetered dose pen) and I rarely even feel it, others do but say it doesn't really hurt. The needle is so small I can't see it without my glasses on
and I haven't had any problems giving to myself.
When I take Actonel I have many side effects, stabbing pains, stomach problems etc, and Fosamax is the same class of drug. Of course these decisions would be up to "you" and "your dr." but I'm not surprised the dr. didn't mention the effects of Fosamax, as my dr. didn't about Actonel. From what I've read and been told by my dr., Forteo is "suppose" to work faster than biophosphonates, but I would take that with a grain of salt, I no longer believe everything I hear or read, real skeptic
Good luck...
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