Bone Density Scans....

[annapurna]

Sorry about the delay in replying. First, I'm not using any of the anti-osteoporosis drugs. No one I've spoke with believes that those drugs will put down the kind of bone quality that a middle-age person needs. I was using a vegetarian diet (with lots of milk products), weight bearing exercise and supplements for several years and getting no where. The vegetarian diet was supposedly alkalinizing.

I touched on this in the Eating thread in the Naturopathic Corner but I went to Dr. Hauser in Chicago back in October for his diet typing. He found my blood to be significantly acidic. Coming from that, my diet is now to be high in protein, to the point where vegetarianism isn't going to be possible much less advisable. It's too early to tell if any of this is working but my overall health has improved so I'm hoping that the osteopenia will resolve over time. If I'd give anyone a single take-away from my fight with it, don't trust any prepackaged diet. Get yourself tested to understand if it's going to work for you the way it's advertised.

[jss]

Jim, Fascinating. I've just looked at the Naturopathic Corner. Rather than change the topic of Tatonka's thread, I'll post over there. Jeff

[annapurna]

I forgot one non-diet, non-workout treatment I'm using. Pulsed electromagnetic field, PEMF from a Beemer mat. It's actually used by astronauts to combat osteoporosis due to long-term exposure to zero-G. I wouldn't recommend one type of PEMF device over another; we have the one we have because we bought it used for a good price.

[Tatonka_usn]

Went to get my DEXA today, but was turned away at the desk upon arrival. Apparently, they require a "Doctor's Order", which I didn't have. Even though my plan doesn't require referrals, I didn't realize this didn't pertain to testing (I'm still used to TRICARE and haven't gotten used to private health care nuances...D'oh!). Sooooo, instead of having this done and ready for my Primary Care Doc, and potentially a surgeon, I now have to wait until I can schedule a follow-up with the former. Have I mentioned how friggin' convoluted this process is????? Glad I'm not dying or anything!!!