I failed my DEXA scan

My bone mineral density (BMD) was +0.6% standard deviation from the average for the hip (good), but -1.1% standard deviation from the average for the lumbar spine (bad). I just missed the 1% limit from the average. Supposedly, there is 3% error, so I asked to repeat it, but my doctor advised against exposing me to X-RAYs again until 2 years from now. So, my doctor wants me to increase my calcium intake to 1,500 mg per day. I had already started taking 1,000 mg per day. Now I have a good excuse to snack on 3 caramel Viactivs every day, yum!

The other doctor's order is stop using Depo Provera. That is not new news to me (or you), since I had received my diagnosis of mild osteopenia in October (read my first blog post about this topic, click here). Anyhow, this is on my mind, since I have to make a decision. You think there are many choices out there, but there isn't. I wanted to try the patch, but a friend forwarded me this news article from CNN about the patch increasing the risk for blood clotting. Anyhow, we shall see if I can remember to take a stupid pill every day. Blah!

[Tags: dexa, bmd, calcium, osteopenia, osteoporosis, viactiv]