I was having a good day then
 

I had blood work and a bone density test this morning and my doctors office just called I have Osteoporosis of my spine and osteopena of my hip. I ahev to go talk about treatment options. Does anyone else have this?

Oh Patti,
I am so sorry to hear about this...Please keep us updated...We'll have you in our prayers...

Sorry to hear about this. :(

I wish you had better news.
Please keep us posted.
:hug:

Hi there!
Yes, I have been diagnosed with both. I don't know how old you are - but there are lots of GOOD options! Osteoporosis means that the bone density is very low (bad) and osteopenia means that is is just low - but not as low as in a diagnosis of osteoporosis - so a diagnosis of osteopenia is much better.

When I was diagnosed, I was 49 and I went to see an Endocrinologist who specialized in menopausal issues. I would highly recommend such a doctor, if that is an option for you. You can usually find them at Women's Clinics or Centers. I had been menopausal for 2 years and had not taken hormones - so I started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - if you are in your 50's, this is a perfectly reasonable therapy. Don't be frightened of the research that showed that HRT caused heart problems in women - the women were in the 60's and up in the study. However, if you've had breast cancer or a close relative has, then HRT is probably not for you. Also it should only be done for 4-5 years. I took Estradiol/Prometrium for 4 years. I would not recommend the HRT drugs such as Premarin - stick with a plant based estrogen such as Estradiol.

After 4 years, at age 53, I decided I wanted to go off HRT - I'm primary caregiver for my disabled husband and 85 yr old mom, so I didn't want to worry about the breast cancer risk as I was growing older. So, I went off HRT and on to Evista which is a medication specifically for osteoporosis and a side benefit shows that it is somewhat protective against breast cancer.

Oh! I neglected to say that after 2 years of HRT, my bone density greatly improved. My spine is still slightly osteopenic (just low, not osteoporosis) - but is much much better than when I was diagnosed (fortunately, my hips are OK).

Also, my 85 year old mom has taken Fosamax for about 10 years, and her bone density is better than mine!!! She was very very low - osteoporosis - when she started Fosamax. She fell this week in my house on the tile floor and didn't break a thing - thank goodness for Fosamac!!!!!!!!! Her mom, my grandma, has 2 broken hips by age 85 - of course that was pre-osteoporosis treatment.

You also must increase your intake of calcium - I take 1500 mg by pill form every day and I exercise about 4 times per week. Exercise does help, mostly weight bearing exercise - walking jogging, etc - but weight lifting helps too!

Fortunately, osteoporosis/osteopenia can be reversed! Find a good doc - do what she/he says and you should be fine!

Good luck!