Osteoporosis Vs. Osteopenia

My result was great. My x-rays were not, however and I continue to live with degenerative arthritis. Causes me to lead a not so wonderful life, but I move ahead.

When I was 34 I had another problem, a lumpectomy was performed on my left breast. My biggest heath problems started after that date in time. I was sick with infections, aches and pains. My whole World crumbled. Nothing would ever be the same and it's just getting worse....Every test in the book was done to see if they could detect what the problems were. Major concern was for post operative sepsis. All tests were negative, well, the ones they were concerned with anyway but amongst these tests was another Bone Density Scan. This time I resulted a 20% bone loss.

I was devastated. Doctors wondered what could possible cause this in such a young, active woman. Needless to say I never got the answers. Just live each day knowing that no one knows where the bone went. With all the other problems I had to deal with I didn't bother chasing the answer down, until now. I cam across this group and I thought that maybe I could get some answers here by reading the posts etc...

I have heard my doctor, in fact many doctor just brush me off telling me that it's not Osteoporosis, it's Osteopenia. My response was, "what's the difference, I have 20% of my bone density missing and I don't know how to get it back." I suffer from so many bone problems I will not start to list them all here. I just hope that I can learn from this group. What will happen in the future? How has everyone else dealt with their bone loss? Treatments and why have I not been properly informed? So much that runs through my mind now......I feel bad because I am so illiterate when it comes to this subject, not sure I can anything more than a shoulder to cry on but I can start to find out about what is happening to others, hear their stories.

Just happy to be here and hope that I can be of help in any way, just as I hope to find some help here myself.....

Osteopenia is the beginning of bone loss. It means the bones are starting to thin it is a precursor to osteoposorsi which is a definate loss in bone density.

It all relates to the numbers on you bone density test. If you have been diagnosed with osteopenia but not put on any medication then I suggest that you discuss this with your doctor. when your bones start to thin it can be from different things some of the more common ones are meopause, which includes surgical menopause( after a hysterectomy), some people have problems absorbing calcium from their diets, low Vitamin D levels(which help in absorbing calcium), Sometimes people who are heavy Soda drinkers(or pop depending on where your from) see a loss in bone mass. Unfortunately it can be hard to sometimes find the why.

The important thing to know though is once you loss the bone mass it isn't just going to reappear. there are several different medications on the market now to treat Osteoporosis in addition to calcium supplements. Your doctor can let you know how much calcium he feels you should be on.

I hope this information is helpful to you. i'm glad you joined our site. In my eyes there is no reason not to join the group even if you only have osteopenia beacuse you can actually fluctuate between the two depending on your density scores from test to test.

Oh and by the way I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself I'm Karen and i'm the group leader. I was diagnoses in my 30's after having a hysterectomy

I have been on and off different medications over the years since and yes I have fluctuated between diagnosis each test I have depending on if I'm on medication or not at the time

Karen

I did try several times to post a reply to your very informative response to my "Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis" question. However, it would not show up for some reason. Kept bringing me to the PM page. Well, I will PM you then.

First of all, THANK YOU. You provided me with more info than my doctor. One doctor told me I was BORN with Osteopenia. As my post shows, I had a previous Bone Density test which resulted normal. Blows his theory out of the water, no comment....

Also regarding your hysterectomy, I, too was scheduled to have the procedure but left for Italy thinking it could wait. Tested FSH back home showed early Menopause. Doctors here refuse to believe this and will not entertain my result. Only to say it's a lab error..Again, no comment. I have not been given any medications nor have I been advised here, at least, to take any meds or supplements. Your reply only reinforces my decision to move home very soon. I'm in the process as we speak, for various health and personal reasons.

Although I have a lot of respect(?) for how other cultures approach health care, I can not force myself into believing that lack of prevention, ignoring the ability to improve quality of life or just simply making sure a health situation does not lead to a crisis, is an acceptable way to live.

I lean more toward doctor patient co operation and collaboration. I am not provided with those benefits here. Happy to know I will soon be home, that's for sure. So, my fellow Michigander, I am so glad to have met you here and hope we will meet many times more. It seems I have so much to learn and been kept in the dark for too long!! I hope it will not cause me more health complications

I will certainly check in all the time to read and learn. I had no idea that the results could go back and forth!! Again, thank you so much. I would have never known....By the way, my name is, Tammy. I would be grateful for any advise you have to offer. Hope I will not have trouble posting next time....

Thanks, Karen

Left Femoral Neck T Score: -1.70 Z Score: -1.45

Total Left Hip T Score: -1.53 Z Score: -1.47

I thought I would post this, Karen. It's the second one I did back home......According to the one I did here in, Italy, yes.....it IS possible to get the mass back since the results are much, much different.

If you can comment I'd appreciate it. That way I will be more informed when I go to my new Osteo doc in the States. I feel like suck a moron now about all this stuff. It is very important and I wish I would have asked someone with more knowledge a lot sooner....You're an angel.

BTW....Everyone that can comment or possibly help me understand about this stuff...Please, feel free. It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'm glad you found the information helpful. I will reserve comment on your T-scores until I dig up what the normal ranges are because right now I just can't rember them. but I will look it up I actually think I may have posted a reference in here at one time.(must be fibro fog) oops wrong forum. LOL anyway I do know a few years back the did change the ranges on the T-scores which for some people had shifted their results to either normal or not . If that makes sense. It is sometimes very interesting to see the difference in how other countries deal with the same diseases. but even here there are still some doctors who feel that they don't need to treat osteopenia too agressively(sp?). I find it real interesting that you had test results show early menopause and no one felt that was significant. I hope when you get home you are able to hook up with a good doctor who will check things out well and be able to give you some well deserved answers. In the mean time if there is anything I can help you with I will try my best

Karen