I turned 58 years, in December 2010. I have been using an estrogen patch, and taking prometrium for about 5 years. In November I stopped using the patch and taking prometrium. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005, when I had a DEXA scan. My last DEXA scan one month ago showed a continued decline in bone mass: Spine T-Score (-3.4), Femoral Neck (-2.7), Total Hip (-3.3). I have only lost 1 inch in height -- currently I am 5'9" and weigh 175 lbs. I have been diagnosed with hypercalcuria and take hydrochlorithyizide for this condition. I shattered my wrist two years ago, but I do not know it this is because of osteoporosis because I fell from a a step onto a cement sidewalk and my wrist absorbed much of the force of my body. I have read a lot of scary things about bisphosphonates and hesitate to take these medications unless my risk is extremely high. I have read that one should not take bisphosphonates longer than 5 years and since I am only 58 now perhaps I should consider going back on Hormone Replacement Therapy, although HRT did not stop my bone loss completely. I am concerned about the association of ostenecrosis and femur fracture with bisphosphonates. Nine years ago a shattered my femur and wonder if this bisphosponates would put me at a higher risk for another femur fracture.
In addition, I have a question about the fracture risk calculation tool FRAX. When calculating risk previous fractures increases risk. I shattered my wrist two years ago, but it was because of the trauma of falling on concrete. Does this fracture put me at increased risk for osteoporotic fracture? Second, secondary osteoporosis is also a considered in the FRAX calculation. Is hypercalcuria a secondary cause of osteoporosis?
Thank you,
Christine Sydnor