DEXA Scans

I know it is very difficult getting an appointment but don’t give up. Our surgery allows youto book online. As long as its not urgent as the appointments are usually four weeks ahead but they offer face to face or telephone. When I was first diagnosed with osteoporosis three years ago it followed  a small fracture of my T12 vertebrae that was picked  up during a scan for something else! This Dept alerted the fracture clinic and before I knew it my Dr was seeing me about starting biophosphates. I asked then for a DXA scan but he said they won’t give you one. I said well how can you know I have osteoporosis. He said you have a fracture and you are over 70!  I pushed anyway as I am stubborn and he reluctantly referred me and I got my scan.  If we are being put on medication that can affect our bones ie some Hormone Therapies then we should be offered a DXA.

That remark from your GP about being 70 and had a fracture is so typical of how assumptions are made.  Good for you to insist on a scan.  I won’t give up and will wait for an appointment if I don’t get one through oncology.  Thanks for your encouragement, it helps to give me the confidence to push.   Many thanks.   X

I asked my GP for baseline bloods and DXA because I am on letrozole.  Good job I asked as had some flags.  GP referred me without question. 

Thank you for sharing this.  The more I hear, the determined I am to push for a DEXA scan and I will mention bloods as I’ve not been offered blood tests either.  All the best Gardinia xx

Full set including vit d, cholesterol and liver function.  

Thanks for the suggeation of referral. I realise that the crying emoji was on my response but that was a mistake! I have hobbies that mean my bones should be OK, with a lot of strength work and weight bearing exercise. I wasn't too worried about my bones going into hormone therapy. I think ill be more worried in a few years time once I've stopped bisphosphonates but still in menopause! 

Yes that is good that you do lots of weight bearing exercises, really important for our bones. I played competitive badminton two sometimes three times a week up to my fifties, plus netball and lots of walking. One thing that people underestimate the importance of in bone health is Vitamin D.Many of us do not get enough. I am on a high dose supplemant of Vitamin D and Calcium so will be interested to see my latest DXA scan results that should arrive soon.

I had a DEXTA scan in September 22 to establish if my bones would 'cope' with Letrozole (Although I started this in August) and after a call from my oncologist last week (I'm on oral chemo until April 23) and again told him that the bone aches were more of an issue than the chemo tablets he asked about the scan. I told him that I hadn't received any report so he checked my records and apparently I having 'thinning of the bones' (Osteoporosis) and he has now prescribed a tablet to be taken once a week to help prevent any further 'thinning' so I would ask again about a scan as I thought this was the 'norm' if on Letrozole!? 

Just a follow up to this, I had a private message from someone today on here who started their treatment at a similar time to me and we message each other now and again. She is in her 40’s and asked for a DXA scan because of the effect of Hormone Therapy. Her DXA scan has shown Osteoporosis of the spine. I think it is essential for all of us to have a DXA scan as part of our treatment. Itdoesn’t matter if you are super fit, do loads of weight bearing exercises and have an excellent diet - you could still have osteoporosis starting. It is much better to find out early and then you can do something about it. I am still waiting for my scan results from before Christmas. I am really hoping that taking Biophosphates for nearly three years will show some improvement. The positive from the DXA was that the radiologist said I had not lost height since my last DXA three years ago. A friend of mine with osteoporosis, admittedly she is 80,  has lost three inches in height. It really is a serious condition.

Yes I do too. I've been told that they will be done every 2 years to monitor any differences. I had the scan done at a sports college so think that's maybe why I hadn't had a letter/report. I have asked for a copy now just for reference really so maybe worth chasing yours up? I'm 53 and have had problems with my neck for about 7 years but never went to the doctors with it as I put it down to just getting older!! I can't afford to any height loss I'm only 5ft 4