Back pain. Had a DEXA scan and a lumbar spine x-ray. Now what?

LillyDuff

I have been taking Anastrozole for nine months now. No real issues other than thinning hair and not sure if this new back pain is even related to that, however started experiencing ongoing back pain out of the blue at the nine month mark. Nothing seems to help other than Tylenol which takes the edge off. I tried resting, which can't find a comfortable position, ice, heat, everything. I can't take Ibuprofen products due to a scarred esophagus and history of gastritis. I exercise regularly, not overweight, and did not injure my back as far as I know.

My PCP office who ordered the tests is referring me to an orthopedic physician. The DEXA scan findings revealed osteopenia. Not sure what to expect long term. I would like to get relief but wondering if this is related to Anastrozole or just "getting old." (I'm 51 years old).

Overall goal besides pain relief is preservation of bone health as much as possible since I plan to be on an AI for ten years, at least that's the plan. I read that bisphosphonates are contraindicated for those who have a history of gastritis and scarred esophagus, which is my case, so I can't take that type of medication. Would my insurance then pay for Prolia shots due to my history of gastritis and esophageal scarring? So many questions. Of course, what scares me the most is "what if" the back pain is a recurrence and we just don't know that yet.

I don't know what "The T12 ribs are hypoplastic." means in the report and worried about recurrence.

Thanks in advance for any input!

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My DEXA scan results recently were:

EXAM: DXA AXIAL INDICATION: Postmenopausal. Risk factors for osteoporosis include no additional risk factors reported. COMPARISON: No prior comparison.

FINDINGS: Spine: Total BMD of the spine L1/4 is 1.046 g/cm2, with a T-score of -1.1 and a Z-score of -0.1. Left Femoral Neck: BMD is 0.900 g/cm2, with a T-score of -1.0 and a Z-score of 0.2. Left Total Hip: BMD is 0.978 g/cm2, with a T-score of -0.2 and a Z-score of 0.6. Right Femoral Neck: BMD is 0.881 g/cm2, with a T-score of -1.1 and a Z-score of 0.0.

Right Total Hip: BMD is 0.983 g/cm2, with a T-score of -0.2 and a Z-score of 0.7. FRAX evaluation calculates 10-year probability of fracture:

Major Osteoporotic: 4.4% Hip: 0.3% IMPRESSION: Based on BMD, diagnosis is consistent with osteopenia.

FOLLOWUP: 1 year. WHO CRITERIA FOR T-SCORES: < or = -2.5 = osteoporosis < -1.0 and -2.5 = osteopenia > or = -1.0 = normal density.

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Lumbar spine x-ray results were:

Document info Result type: XR Spine Lumbosacral Minimum 4 Views

XR Spine Lumbosacral Minimum 4 Views

Report EXAM: LUMBAR SPINE INDICATION: Backache, unspecified

COMPARISON: CT abdomen/pelvis 6/2/2015

VIEWS: 4 FINDINGS: BONE DENSITY: Normal mineralization.

VERTEBRAL BODIES: The T12 ribs are hypoplastic. No fracture, endplate demineralization or lytic/blastic lesion. Small endplate osteophytes are present at L1-2.

DISK SPACES: The L1-2 disk space is narrowed.

ALIGNMENT: Mild dextroconvex curvature of the lumbar spine with apex at L2.

JOINT SPACES: Mild L5-S1 facet arthropathy.

IMPRESSION: 1. Lumbar spondylosis most evident at the L1-2 level. 2. Mild lumbar dextroscoliosis with apex at L2.