Saturday, June 16, 2007

My bone density results are back

And it appears that I have Osteopenia.

Osteopenia refers to bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal peak BMD but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Bone mineral density is a measurement of the level of minerals in the bones, which indicates how dense and strong they are. If your BMD is low compared to normal peak BMD, you are said to have osteopenia. Having osteopenia means there is a greater risk that, as time passes, you may develop BMD that is very low compared to normal, known as osteoporosis.

The method of treatment is lifestyle changes. In other words, I have to start taking calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and doing weight bearing exercises. The most disturbing thing that I have found is that there is a link between cola consumption and osteoperosis. As we all know, I love a good Diet Coke on the hour every hour! Looks like I will be working to rid myself of the cola monkey on my back.

The doctor does not think that this is the cause of my ribs, shingles or any other weird thing that has been going on lately. I am glad that all that happened so now I can take the appropriate measures to slow down bone loss

Erin, Andrea, Abby, and Allyson - put down that Diet Coke and drink a glass of milk!

9 comments:

upwiththesun said...

That's my excuse for sitting on the porch in the sun for 30 minutes every day...vitamin D from sunshine is much more effective in helping process calcium than even the D they add to the calcium tablets! So, get out your sunglasses, have a glass of iced green tea and read a good book!!!

TransplantedOkie said...

Sounds like a fabulous plan to me!

OkieGran said...

I take 2 calcium tablets a day, one with breakfast, and one with dinner. 600 mgs of cal. plus 600 mg of Vit. D. I also take Fosamax one a week on Saturday morning. My Doc says its important to take the calcium at separate times, as it takes about 4 hours to disolve in the system. All this plus at least 8 oz of milk on my cereal. Sure don't want any disolving bones. and if the sun ever shines with any great length, I'll do Dawn's trick. I have been looking at my flower garden most regularly, so hope that helps. It is so important for the "girls" in their 20's to get their calcium, that is when the bones really build bone mass, so hope your wake up calls to them sinks in! love you all

Erin said...

Crap. I really like Diet Coke.

Abby's not going to do well with less DDP.

TransplantedOkie said...

You are preaching to the choir on that one Erin! This is the time for you to build up your bones so you won't have to deal with all this whoo haa when you get my age!

Abby said...

As much as I drink DDP, I drink even more milk, approx 2 large glasses a night. My bones are like steel beams here people. Therefore I shall not give up the DDP! To my little friend, I was happy to hear that you are going to be okay.

Ally_C said...

Give up pop?? Seriously?? I also was told this weekend that I shouldn't be taking Ibuprofen because it eats at your stomach lining...is there anything else I need to know here, folks? This is way too much for me at once!

OkieGran said...

Everything in moderation girls! you don't have to give up your soda - just don't substitute it for water or milk

Anonymous said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog, so I found yours (and thanks for linking, too!). Gosh, I had a screening test for the osteo thing, which showed I had some bone loss, too. I haven't been to the doc yet - care to be my online doc? :) If I do all the lifestyle changes, do I need to go? Oh,good, thanks!