I'm only 34 and I have osteopenia (according to a bone scan) -- What next?

Question

I'm not petite (5'7", 160 pounds, Size 10/12). Also, I've taken Dilantin for almost 30 years and I hear that Dilantin can cause osteopenia. Dilantin is most successful at preventing my seizures, though. What next?
NOTE: In 2004 and 2005, I did heavy weightlifting (low reps, heavy weight), but lost my motivation in late 2005 after my mom died, and haven't done it since. I know weightlifting can retard bone loss, though.

Answer 1

I also was diagnosed with osteopenia 3 years ago. I take 1200mg. of calcium daily plus Actentol once a week. I also exercise 5 days a week at the gym doing both cardio and weights. At home I do yoga. I was discouraged when a bone scan earlier this year showed no improvement. However, the doctor said if I hadn't been doing what I've been doing it would have gotten worse. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear you can make it better but you can work to prevent it from getting worse. Therefore, I'd recommend getting back into lifting weights, walking, take your calcium with Vitamin D and talk to your doctor about taking a weekly medicine like Actenol.

Good luck to you & sorry for the loss of your mom.

Answer 2

Osteopenia is a decrease in bone mineral density that can be a precursor condition to osteoporosis. However, not every person diagnosed with osteopenia will develop osteoporosis.

Like osteoporosis, it occurs more frequently in post-menopausal women as a result of the loss of estrogen. It can also be exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, excess consumption of alcohol, smoking or prolonged use of glucocorticoid medications such as those prescribed for asthma.

Treatment
Hormone therapy (HT) was once the mainstay of treatment for osteoporosis. But because of concerns about its safety and because other treatments are available, the role of hormone therapy in managing osteoporosis is changing. Most problems have been linked to certain oral types of HT, either taken in combination with progestin or alone. If you're interested in hormone therapy, other forms are available, including patches, creams and the vaginal ring.

Discuss the various options with your doctor to determine which might be best for you.

If HT isn't for you, and lifestyle changes don't help control your osteoporosis, prescription drugs can help slow bone loss and may even increase bone density over time. They treatments by the following may be suggested by your doctor.--

Bisphosphonates.
Raloxifene.
Calcitonin.
Teriparatide.
Tamoxifen.

Answer 3

just make sure your calcium intake is high enough and that you're doing weightbearing exercises to put the calcium to use, if you just take calcium but don't do the exercise, the extra calcium won't help that much. Just start walking every day or jogging if you don't feel like lifting. Stay strong and in shape and that will help in the future to prevent falls and fractures.

Answer 4

you need to get your self on a strict regimen of taking in enough calcium each day. at the age of 34 you need at minimum 1000mg of calcium each day. the best way to get this is buying a calcium supplement that has vitamin D in it. vit D helps your body absorb the calcium better. calcium pills are pretty big and if you cant swallow pills there is a product called Viactiv, which is a chocolate chewy like thing and does the same thing. start getting the calcium you need now, before its too late. and weight bearing exercises are also the best thing for you to do.

Answer 5

Osteoporosis..is next. Start now..exercise, careful with the weightlifting..but keep moving, keep your muscles strong and take Calcium .. I got it young but it wasn't diagnosed and now..my bones are 20 years older than my age.

It's no fun and you will be reduced to simply walking if you don't start exercising again N..o w..