New to this Board

[nanatothesixth]

Although I am new to this forum, I am associated with the back pain forum. I just had my bone density test done, my T-score is minus 1.6, and the lumbar spine density is minus 1.4. I have had 3 back surgeries, the last one was a 2 level fusion with hardware. My Dr. wants me to take Fosamax 75 mg once a week. I also have an underactive Thyroid and take medication for that, and I have Acid Reflux, as well as IBS, and diviticular disease. I have read the information on line about the Fosamax, and let me tell you the side effects have scared the you know what out of me! I am on so many pills now, and I just keep getting more! I am undecided about the Fosamax. The Dr. also wants me to take Viactiv daily as well as increase the Vitamin D into my diet. So, now I will be on a High Fiber diet, AND one that increases dairy products. Any advice will ge greatly appreciated. I am 53 years old, and due to the back problems, I can't exercise---I can't even walk to the corner of my street, which is only 3 houses away.

Pat

[DesertBloom]

Hi nanatothesixth: Welcome... I'm a bit surprised your dr has recommended Fosomax with your gi/esophagus probs. A lot of people steer clear of these meds, bisphosphonates (actonel, boniva, fosomax etc) if they have the problems you mentioned.

I too have back problems so I know how you feel with that, (7 fusions/hardware). I have trouble with exercise, but I still do quite a bit, but what I do are things that don't hurt my back or legs and hips. Your best bet is to see a PT for a physical routine that you will be able to do that is weight bearing. There's also aqua therapy, but I'm not referring to those aqua aerobics classes you see, I'm referring to a strictly monitored pool routine with a PT present telling you what to do-mainly because of your back but also so you don't do anything that could jeopardize your current problems. Bending from the waist and hips are things you want to avoid, unless you just absolutely can't follow that for some reason. Since you have had surgery I'm thinking you already have a reach it/grabber, use it!!

Your t-score is considered mild osteopenia, so I wouldn't take bone meds for it, unless you really want to. You definitely need to do something, like take the necessary bone vitamins (cal, d, mag, k2, multiple etc), exercise, and possible alter you diet some, but IMHO I wouldn't take Fosomax unless my score was much worse, and probably not even then. You may have other spinal probs that will alter your dxa score so I would check with your Dr to see if you have osteoarthritis, scoliosis and make sure they didn't try to scan the area of the spine where you had your surgery, unless it's free of titanium. Hardware, arthritis and scoliosis can greatly alter your score, making it look "better" than it really is, so have this checked. I had hardware put in at L3,4,5, so I had to have the dxa scan L1 and L2 only for that reason, plus I have arthritis and scoliosis. My first scan was a QCT, and this scan is capable of scanning around the hardware, or fusions because it gives a 3d picture and the titanium doesn't cause artifacts in that type of scan, but they are not recommended anymore because of the radiation they emit. My t-score was -3.6 but has gone up to -2.6 on Forteo (which is a daily injection reserved for low bmd).

Read this board, there are tons of good info and ideas for treatment. If you haven't heard of Strontium Citrate you could read about that. I don't have personal experience with it, but it's sold OTC, and is almost the same as the Strontium Ranelate that they use in the UK and other places for osteopenia/porosis. There are posters here that take this so I would imagine they'll jump in with their great expertise on this.

Below is the WHO definition of osteopenia and osteoporosis, which will show you where your at with your t-scores.

Normal bone density is any score above -1

Osteopenia is a score between -1 and -2.5

Osteoporosis is a score below -2.5

Here's a link to explain it, and this site has a ton of good info for you, it will take some time to read it all, but it's worth it. You can look up vitamins, how to read dxa's, treatment options, how bone physiology works etc, etc. I'm constantly finding new info at this site and have been reading it for over 2 years. The Dr that authors it is considered a well known Osteo Researcher and Professor with many published articles.

[url]http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opbmd.html#WHO[/url]

Good Luck and if you have any other questions just ask-and Welcome again...