Can we talk about oseoporosis?

I've read that also about bone density.  Asian have less density then we do, but their bones are strong.  I guess they would have to have a different callabration on the machine for them.  I agree, it's probably not how dense our bones are, but how strong they are.  

Another thing that goes on, is to get a prescription for fosomax or one of those drugs, before being told about taking calcium and magnesium, D3 etc. and get some exercise, to see if that will stem the tide first.   I never took calcium before being dx'd with osteopenia.  Maybe taking the big 3 would have done the job for me alone.  Who's can say now cause I got the prescription for Actonel and didn't know any better at the time.   Regrets, I have a few...

Tina,  I want to add, what an excellent article you've found.  Thanks for finding it and bringing it to us.  I'm still reading it.

Carol,

If you do wind up with a prescription in hand, next stop is at the dentists office.  Make sure you don't need any major work done before starting the drug.

That was an interesting article.  It seems reasonable that there are more aspects to bone health than just density.

I was diagnosed with osteopenia some 5-7 years ago.  It wasn't much of a surprise my mother had pronounced osteoporosis and my bones are on the small side,  "little birdie bones" my sister-in-law calls them.  I take calcium and Vit D and try to do a fair amount of walking (although taxol neuropathy has interferred with that).  My bone density has actually inproved so unless the situation changes I'll hold off on the medications.  Being of a certain age (61) many of my friends are in the same situation, most of them are on one of the meds but my results are just as good with Ca and the vitamins. 

Thank you Rosemary,

The scores I gave you were the T scores - my Z scores were blank which I am assuming that 1) I was not compared to my own age group or 2) that I equaled my age group and the actual number was 0.  I take calcium with vitamin D daily.  I fell and broke my wrist in 1999 and have taken the calcium with vitamin D ever since.  I had a bone density scan done in 2000 and I was fine.  I fear the lack of estrogen is starting to undo me. I had TAH with ooph last November.

Thank you for the links.  

Thanks Rosemary.

I didn't know there was a test for vitamin D.  My mother's arthritis was a genetic form and my brother had it as well.  He died at 39 from unknown causes (his wife would not allow an autopsy, but he did have alcohol addiction problems).  Supposedly, this form of arthritis presents in women in their thirties and men in their twenties.  That is exactly what happened with my mom and my brother. 

I will look into it, I see my primary care physician at the end of October.