On 12/6/2014 pistolino said: On 12/5/2014 GoodStuff said: On 12/4/2014 pistolino said: If you don't intend to take the medications they push for bone loss, I wouldn't even bother with the test. It's a waste of your time and insurance money. Just because insurance covers it doesn't mean you have to have it, especially if you don't intend to follow the recommended treatment.
Personally, I think if you're at "a certain age" and have risk factors for bone loss, it would be worthwhile to have a scan just so you know your status. If you have bone loss you could increase your calcium intake, increase walking or other weight-bearing exercise, take extra precautions in your home to prevent falls, etc. And if your bones were bad enough, you might even reconsider taking some medications. It's good to know where you stand and to be able to consider options.
You can increase calcium or do any alternative "treatment" without having the test. As I just said, knowing where you stand means nothing and all you're doing is having a needless test because you don't intend to follow the recommendation we already know you'll get if you have osteoporosis.
It's similar to the smoker wanting to have yearly pulmonary function tests and not intending to quit smoking--what's the point?
To judge someone for having a dexa scan knowing they don't want to take the drugs with the horrible side affects seems to be a bit out of line. My insurance company paid $ 139 for my last dexa scan. Well worth knowing the shape of my bones. Please do not compare this to a smoker wanting to know if their lungs are okay. Osteoporosis is a serious disease and the drugs to treat it are awful. Just taking extra calcium willly nilly is not good for you either. Taking too much calcium can affect your heart.
I have had compression fractures and deal with constant pain daily because my doctor didn't think I needed to have a test. Just doing every day things the way I always did broke my bones. Having this test earlier could have saved me from having a fracture.
Did you know that just by doing sit ups with osteoporosis can give you a compression fracture? Well it can!
There are many things I do differently knowing I have osteoporosis. I know I cannot pick up real heavy things. Doing something as simple as a sit up is dangerous for fragile bones. I exercise to keep the bones I have left as strong as possible but I can't exercise the way I used to when I thought I had strong bones. When I do my household chores I have to hold my posture in certain positions. Even a simple sneeze or cough could create a compression fracture if you don't hold yourself correctly. No more roller coasters for me. I don't have that extra cup of coffee and don't drink sodas or alcohol because that affects your bones too. Knowledge is power!
I tell everyone I know (even people I don't know) to get a dexa scan so they can educate themselves on how to take care of their bones. I would never judge someone on how they chose to deal with the information they received from the test.
Sure, I wish the answer was to take some more calcium but it really isn't that simple. Even though we do not agree on this issue, I pray you have strong bones for life!
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