…in the last blog post. So I’ll tell you about my day. Went into get a bone density test called DEXASCAN this morning. It was painless and took less than 10 minutes.
UPDATE: I have low bone density and have upped my calcium intake to 2000 mg daily. Will test again in a few months to see how the supplement treatment works. ~ Linda | May 2010
The surgery I had – a laparoscopic gastric bypass – is a restrictive as well as a malabsorptive procedure. Basically it means I can’t eat much at a sitting and I’m going to need to take vitamin supplements for the rest of my life. Including calcium with D to protect my bones.
Vitalady has this to say about calcium supplements. It’s an excerpt from her FAQs. Great information!
Along with using a good calcium citrate, my PCP’s office recommended SIMPLE weight bearing exercise. Just heft a can of veggies in each hand. Now, even I can do that.
My osteoporosis is fairly advanced and I only got the DEXASCAN due to peer pressure. I’d never have known it if it hadn’t been a constant topic of conversation. I had a foot scan which showed me to be so far superior that I’d NEVER have to worry. However, I was told that isn’t a true reflection. Tragically, my peer group was right and now, for my little economy ride for 6 years, I will pay dearly. Instead of just taking the citrate, I’ll also take Tri-boron to increase absorption, ipriflavone to decrease bone loss, as well as trying to take the prescription preparations.
So far, I am unable to tolerate the side effects of either one.
I strongly recommend that anyone over 40 or post-op have this scan done ASAP. It’s painless and not even expensive. You don’t have to have all of these, just one or two is enough. Your justification for having it might include:
- being post-menopausal
- lactose intolerance
- MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS
- having had any obesity surgery
- it’s in your family
- recent bone breakage
- use of caffeine or carbonation after age 20
- use of nicotine
- being fair or of Northern European descent
- being small frame
So I went in and got tested. Picked up this nifty booklet too -
It’s called “The Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health & Osteoporosis”
You can order free copies by calling 1-866-718-BONE | They are on EST.
It’s an easy read with lots of white space. Great tips.
Will keep you posted on the results of my scan.
