bone density scan @:-)

tjt6768

Hi folks. Hope all are ok.
Just thought I would give a quick update. The meth injections are going fine and are working quite well. I've not had to use the wrist straps for months now. Although I still get a lot of pain in the right hand, wrist and elbow.
My knees and hips have been very painful lately but I've been determined not to use crutches or wheelchair and so far so good on that score.
I have just had the knees and hips done in the bone density scanner.. I will get the results when I see the rheumy next.

I am really liking the heat at the minute. Hate the cold. Lol

nothing much else going on apart from the rheumy ringing up to tell me I need my vit B12 checking along with a load of other stuff that's not routine. I think the B12 might be low again as I'm sleeping eighteen hours some days. And it's real exhaustion. .

Anyway. Be safe

stickywicket

Glad the meth's doing it's job, Tony

As I understand it, crutches are to steady rather than support. Because of the RA in my hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders etc I could never use walking aids but I got by OK without them.

Hope the bone density scan is OK. Otherwise you can join us in the osteoporosis gang

You like the heat :shock: Aaaargh. I'm a stiff, wilting, limp wet rag and no good for anything. No change there, then

tjt6768

I'm sure you are a vision of sticky loveliness
Thank you sticky my dear. You are always there for the support and I am very grateful. I have my fingers somewhat painfully crossed that the is no osteoporosis. . That's a gang I don't want membership too.. No offence

dreamdaisy

Don't deny yourself the support of the crutches - you are making damaged joints over-work thus causing more damage, so not a good idea. As Sticky said, they are there for balance and support, not to be leant on heavily, and they can improve one's walking style which is important.

I had a DEXA recently and got the results immediately, they showed that since stopping the oral steroids my spine density has improved by 3.4%. I am pleased the meth is helping, the other day I administered myself a lovely bruise! DD

bubbadog

As the others have said I would recommend you do use your crutches! They do help and they are helpful in support if your legs do give way perish the thought! Us women will nag at you about something so serious!! :shock:
Hope you don't have to wait to long for the results of the DEXA scan and the results are positive. You enjoy the heat Tony, some people it helps and some people it hinders me it hinders!!

barbara12

Glad the Meths are working for you Tony..be it only on the hands and elbows.. sorry about the rest of you but has for not using crutches you might be asking for trouble you naughty boy..say me that is grumbling of shoulder pain because of them. :roll: ..hope today is a good one

tjt6768

Thank you girls. The support is needed.
Alas, I am always a naughty boy and never do as I told. . (Chuckles as he leaves the tattoo shop with yet more ink :shock: )


DD, I am so pleased that your bones have improved. Judy shows you the price you pay for using the steroids long term.
Xx

villier

Glad the meth's doing the job for you Tony, I am trying to cross my Arthritic fingers all goes well with the scan...............Marie xx

tjt6768

Thanks Marie hun.

dreamdaisy

Thanks mate but who's Judy? :? Predictive text strikes again? DD

tjt6768

Judy is always popping up. . She keeps interrupting my texts. Lol
She must know everything about taking steroids :shock:

I really should check before I post but it's usually on the mobile and I can't be bothered changing glasses

applerose

Glad the meth is working for you. Hope you get good results from the scan.

tjt6768

Thanks Christine..

I don't have a follow up appointment so I assume that if they don't send for me nothing is amiss...
My GP's surgery rang me just over a week ago too, saying that my rhuemy specialist wanted me to have a whole heap of blood taken for a number of things I can't remember, vit B12 was one but I don't know what the others were.. I have that done tomorrow and a doctor's appointment next week.. hopefully I will find out what that was all about lol

elnafinn

Hi Tony

I am curious. Why were you asked to have a DEXA?

Elna x

tjt6768

To be honest, I'm not sure :shock:
I have a new rheumy specialist. She's the one that ordered it and the extra blood tests. Maybe she's just being thorough. Lol
The technicians did say they were looking for osteoporosis. :?

dreamdaisy

Given your long history of thingy-whatnot-dissecans and the recent diagnosis of an auto-immune plus OA (do I have all of that right?) I reckon too that your rheumatologist is being thorough, which I for one would find reassuring. I would chase the results when they're due, mate, in this day and age we cannot guarantee to be contacted if there is a reason to do so. Mind you, that's rich coming from me, the me who has been meaning for some time to ring her GP for her latest Xray results! Isn't it easy to be sensible for someone else? DD

elnafinn

Hi Tony

Your new rheumatologist is being very thorough which is excellent. I hope you are not diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis as it is just an extra to have to contend with. It was added to my list a year or so ago. Quite a few of us on here have been diagnosed with it. There are a variety of different reasons why patients are unfortunately diagnosed with it. I would have done things a lot differently if I had known what I know now!


Keep smiling and keep moving!

Elna x

stickywicket

elnafinn wrote:

I would have done things a lot differently if I had known what I know now!

May we know what, Elna? (Don't answer if you prefer not to ) It's just that I don't feel I could have done anything to prevent mine. Pre-disposing factors are:
RA for over 50 years therefore
a few courses of steroids and steroid jabs
early menopause caused by
chemotherapy
a mother with osteoporosis

elnafinn

I would not have smoked, nor drunk as much alcohol, not drunk as much very strong black coffee daily. All very bad for bones. I never drank milk in my teens and thereafter. Still do not but have always loved cheese. I do eat yogurt though. I was never anorexic but did limit my eating dramatically for many years which is bad for bones. I did not do enough weight bearing exercises.

I have taken thyroxine since a teenager but could not help that.
That does not help bones. Not sure if anti inflams are a no no too. I have and do take these for what seems like forever. Have had numerous steroid injections. My mum was diagnosed with OP late in life.

Elna x

stickywicket

Well, I only smoked briefly, didn't really do alcohol at all until much later in life and tea was always my drink of choice. I've always had plenty of dairy food and never dieted except by cutting out sugary stuff. So, I guess none of that would have made much difference to me.

However, I think you're being a bit hard on your younger self, Elna. Hindsight is always 20/20 vision. I have done plenty of things that were bad for me in many ways. It's called living You can't stick an old head on young shoulders. We live and learn.

Thanks for sharing that.

dreamdaisy

To be old and wise one first has to be young and foolish. I know why I have what I have and nothing I could have done when younger would have altered my outcome; stopping the steroids has helped my chances of avoiding OP increase but I won't be surprised if it arrives because I've always drawn the short straw in health matters. DD

tjt6768

You're spot on with that DD. .
I'm so glad that my old rheumy retired. He really seemed like he couldn't be bothered. I didn't like him from the start. I had seen this new one before and she was keen to help me back then but he butted in and slowed the process down :x why do they think they know EVERYTHING?

As for my lifestyle. . :shock: :? Ahem. I was a naughty boy let's put it that way. Drank way too much along with the rest.
I did start with the knee problems at 14 though so can't blame that on excess
The bloods I had done this morning was all to do with vitamins I think. My diet is shocking. I don't eat much at all these days and certainly don't get the vitamins etc I need.