My first DEXA (Densitometry) scan three years ago showed numbers indicating I was beginning to develop osteoporosis, so I worked hard to build my bone density back and the numbers improved. In fact, the next year my numbers had improved so much that I was not required to repeat the scan the following year. However, after a two-year lapse, turning 53 and having gone through menopause, my doctor ordered a new DEXA scan this past October. At the time, I was not worried that the numbers would be bad because I did moderate exercises and ate a relatively healthy diet. I had been experiencing slight pain in my lower back, but I contributed that to just getting older. Even though I had stopped taking my calcium supplements, I just knew the numbers would be normal. I could not have been more wrong.
When I went back for the test results, my doctor said the DEXA scan showed the bone density in my lower back was -2.5. She explained that a reading of -2.5 was right on the edge of having osteoporosis. I was shocked. I was one point away from being diagnosed with osteoporosis. I could not believe my numbers were so bad. I could not believe I had osteoporosis. I asked if there could be a mistake, but she said no. She also told me that it was not too late to reverse the numbers. My doctor told me that sometimes a person cannot absorb calcium because of a lack of vitamin D. She wanted to do a blood test to see if I was vitamin D deficient and then decide on a course of action based on the results.
When the test result indicated I was vitamin D deficient, my doctor put me on 50,000 units of vitamin D once a week for twelve weeks. Now I had recently read an article about how too much vitamin D can be a bad thing and asked my doctor about this, but she assured me that this was a safe dosage based on my test results.
I read and reread all the literature the doctor had given me on how I could reverse the DEXA scan numbers. I needed to exercise regularly, eat more calcium rich foods, and drink less caffeine. After reading the literature from the doctor, I turned to the internet for more information and found it saturated with medical articles, blogs, and advertisements selling calcium supplements. Even though I was in information overload, I decided on a course of action.
I have to say the -2.5 number was a wake-up call. It scared me into action. For years, I have watched my mother suffer with osteoarthritis and I did not want to experience her excruciating pain. I started taking my calcium supplements twice daily and eating calcium rich foods. I cut back on my caffeine by only drinking two cups of tea in the morning and having no more caffeine the rest of the day. I increased the number of days a week I exercise, but decreased the amount of time during each session. This actually provided me more exercise minutes each week. Since I made the changes in my lifestyle, I have noticed I have more energy and am not experiencing any lower back pain.
It will be nine months before I can repeat my DEXA scan and I am determined to have better numbers this time.
Source: Personal Experience
