DEXA/Bone Scan Results Question Spine -2.5

[AusShep]

Just got my DEXA scan results from my Dr's nurse, she just said everything was negative, but wondering if anyone in a similar situation was recommended anything such as Boniva or Calcium supplements, etc. before making a Dr's appointment to discuss it with him. 

I'm a little concerned about the Lumbar Spine results.  I have been on Truvada for years.

Lumbar Spine L1-L4: T-score -2.5, Lumbar Spine fracture risk High, no fracture indicated on images, WHO Classification Osteoporosis

Left hip:
  Neck: -1.3
  Total: -0.9, fracture risk increased, osteopenia

I'm still just shy of 50 and I know some of the treatments can only be done once, so there may be a point to waiting, but I don't want to do a George Bush next week...

[wolfter]

I almost missed this post because of all the Am I infected threads.   

What exactly are negative results of a dexascan?  With a -2.5 result, that's cause for concern.  I just turned 50 and started having bone issues a couple of years ago.  Being a clumbsy klutz, I started breaking bones quite easily. 

I've met with "specialists" but there isn't a lot of knowledge and/or research in regards to pozzie males.  If you look at my previous posts, I've advocated for everyone to start looking at this issue. 

I did the 2 years of Boniva, pretty much as a test subject.  Again, there is not a lot of  data available regarding men.  I had minimal improvements in the spine and hip areas with a marked worsening in the femoral area.  We decided to do the Reclast infusions.

pm me if you want any specifics.  I've been yelling that this will be the next major concern for many of us. 

[AusShep]

Thanks Wolfie, I think I'll wait until after my first colonoscopy next Wednesday and schedule something with my doc, I'll check out your posts too.  I don't think the nurse knew what she was talking about...

I've been noticing a couple of friends a few years older than me are starting to get the aids hip/limp.  I'd rather try to get in front of this if I can.

[AusShep]

I waited until my regular follow up to discuss the results with my doc.

If TAF was coming out early next year, we were going to wait and switch to that from Truvada.  He said results were showing that switching to TAF seems to improve bone density similar to Boniva, etc. so that we could switch and monitor.

We didn't want to do an HIV drug change now from Truvada/Tivicay, and it seems that most damage done by Truvada is in the first few years, so that ship has sailed. 

He called his drug rep and TAF won't be out until July, and I didn't want to wait over a year after my tests to do something.  So I've started on once weekly Actonel (risedronate sodium).

I'll jump in with Wolfter and recommend everyone who's been taking Truvada components for a couple or more years to get a DEXA scan and consider switching to a TAF based regimene if warranted.

[terrymoore]

Hi AusShep,
I am a newbie as you may know. I have read a lot about the damage to bones etc and since i play Judo, i was of course worried about the new risks involved. One thing i have read is that lifting weights helps (http://breakingmuscle.com/health-medicine/big-heavy-squats-can-help-treat-and-prevent-osteoporosis). I like functional/compound exercises, specifically squats and deadlifts, to build muscle (and bone?) strength. I found an easy routine that takes between 45-60minutes which i do 3 times a week. Maybe adding a simple routine which you can maintain will help improve those numbers?

[AusShep]

I'm sure lifting would provide benefit and this is a good reminder to do that (and I've been slacking lately), and perhaps help guard against breaking a leg or hip, but my neck/upper spine show the most bone loss so I also want to take steps to improve bone mineral density everywhere. 

I really should have gotten the bone scan a long time ago (I must break one toe a year bumping into a dresser or something) but it wasn't covered by default by my insurance until 50 and I didn't push for it earlier.

[terrymoore]

headstands every morning! :-)