Scared about Dexa scan

I totally understand your apprehension about having another scan.  I had exactly same op as you last Thursday and was fed up of all the appointments and procedures pre-op.  I have had a couple of Dexa scans prior to my cancer diagnosis because I have osteoporosis.  I think they are just checking on your bone density to see if that may be causing your joint pain.If your bones are thinning you do need to know to avoid any future fractures. The Dexa scan takes about thirty minutes and I didn’t find it uncomfortable, you just have to stay very still. I know you are worried in case they find anything else but if it was me I would want to know but it is such a personal thing as to how you feel.  I will have another Dexa in two years and I want to know what state these old bones are in.  I hope you find the courage to go ahead with it but it just seems once we have started the cancer route it is an endless series of tests and scans. Keep strong and keep us posted as to how you get on.

evajean xx

hi, I was asked to have one simply to measure my current density in my bones so they know if the tablets they give you , in my case anastrozle, is causing any thinning  as this can be a side effect. it was not to look for cancer at all.  I think they just re scan periodically just to check if tablets are doing thier thing or if need to change them. Like evajean I have a fracture in spine so it's just a case of tracking it. my DEXA scan was over and done with in 10 mins. apparently I just pick up the results from my gp surgery myself which  I will do today! not sure what I'm supposed to do with them!  your just feeling overwhemed right now,  they are just for keeping an eye on how youvare doing. I had lumpectomy and full node clearence back in Jan. its a long ol journey but we really must do what they advise or they can't treat us properly.  well done for doing it all perfectly so far xx

I understand you don't want another scan; I was a little apprehensive, but it really was nothing to worry about.  You do have to keep very still, and, unlike radiotherapy, the machine wasn't big and scary - I felt like I was being photocopied.  Best wishes.

I’m due my next, it really isn’t anything to worry about, Sapphires comment about being photocopied is aptly funny, that really is what it’s like!

in my case I asked for the first one as I had lost height. I was osteopenia, the following one showed mild osteoporosis and was a concern as I’d just started Letrozole. Because of this and my considered low risk of recurrence I was swapped into Tamoxifen for the last 2 years of hormone treatment. It will be interesting to have these last 2 scans compared.

go for it, in my opinion!

hugs xxx

Scan phobia is a real thing.....but all I can say is that the bone density scan is so easy, painless etc, over on 5,-10 mins didn't even undress

Hope all goes well for you x

Hi Florida sunshine, I’d echo previous comments. Good to have the dexa scan to monitor bone density, and it’s probably the least scary scan/ X-ray as the radiologist doesn’t even have to leave the room. Very much like a photocopier, as someone said! Apparently it’s also a very low dose of radiation, hence why the operator can stay in the room. And very quick. Mine showed mild osteopenia so as I’m on Anastrozole, which is similar to letrozole, I take calcium and vitamin D supplements daily to help with bone health. 
Agree that it’s another thing to get done, and you must be sick of it all, but it’s definitely good to have that baseline. Love and hugs, HFxx