Dexa Scan Anyone?

[jen2be2]

My DD is 5 and has had leg pain for over a year. She complains about it all the time, esp. when going up the stairs. Sometimes it is so bad that she will stop playing and sit down.

The GI is scheduling her for a DEXA scan. Has anyone had this done? Did you have other tests to check for bone density? Is there anything else that could be causing this pain?

[buffettbride]

My DD had awful leg pain before Celiac dx and going gluten-free. Now it only flares up if she has been glutened. She is 10 and will have a DEXA scan in March of next year as part of her routine GI checkups.

I think the DEXA scan is a good preventative measure and is completely non-invasive (so I've heard). I wouldn't even sweat it!

[jenngolightly]

I had a dexa scan done earlier this summer. Although I'm 36 and a lot older than your daughter, the procedure is the same. It's easier than an x-ray. You lie face-up on a padded table and the scanner moves over your body - hovering about 8 inches above you. It only scans the bottom half of you, so it's not scary because it doesn't go over your face. It's open on the side, so she won't be trapped in, either. It took about 5-10 minutes. They run it up and down a few times, measuring each leg's density, and then the lower spine. The woman who did the scan sat right next to me facing her computer. It's not an x-ray, so they don't have to go to another room while they do the scan. In fact, you can sit with her while they do it.

I found out my scores within a week because a radiologist has to study the scan and give you the z- and t-scores of each bone.

It was so easy, non-invasive, and safe, that I wouldn't worry about it and would tell your daughter my experience so she isn't scared. (You can tell her that I was scared before I did it, but it was actually fun to have a big machine scan me and take pictures of my bones just like a computer scanner can scan photos into the computer! It didn't hurt at all. It's true!)

Wish her good luck from a lady who lives in Denver.

By the way, I'm in the process of having my dd diagnosed with celiac. It's heartbreaking, but we're muddling through.

Jenn

[jen2be2]

Thanks for your replys. I just had no idea what to expect.

I am glad that this will be painless( she has to have another endoscopy and biopsy next month).

If you did have lower bone density~what did they put you on to help build it up?

[buffettbride]

Wish her good luck from a lady who lives in Denver.

By the way, I'm in the process of having my dd diagnosed with celiac. It's heartbreaking, but we're muddling through.

Jenn

I'm in Denver, too. My daughter sees the GIs at Childrens. Dr. Hoffenburg. We had nothing but success there, considering my daughter didn't even really present symptoms consistent with Celiac. Diagnosis in under 2 months.

[jenngolightly]

Thanks for your replys. I just had no idea what to expect.

I am glad that this will be painless( she has to have another endoscopy and biopsy next month).

If you did have lower bone density~what did they put you on to help build it up?

I'd love to answer that!

I had my unofficial celiac diagnosis a few weeks ago. Then I went to see my bone doctor, she's an endocrinologist, about my osteoporosis which I was diagnosed with a few months ago. I was expecting to be put on forteo which is a once-a-day shot to build up bone. I told her about the celiac and she said that my osteo should be GONE in 6 months if I follow the gluten-free diet! That's because I'll be absorbing the vitamin D now. Before, my vitamin D levels were super-low.

She was so positive that I would be osteoporosis-free if I go gluten-free that I am THRILLED to have the celiac diagnosis. I haven't been so happy to be sick ever! :-)

I hope that will happen with your daughter. Once she starts being able to digest her vitamins and minerals, she should bounce back from the malnourishment and malabsorpsion issues (that's what I've read and heard from my doctors anyway).

I don't know what they do for osteomalacia or osteoporosis in kids. Probably lots of vitamin d. Vitamin d is what helps the body process calcium. You could drink gallons of milk every day and it wouldn't help your bones at all if you didn't have vitamin d.

[frec]

I was diagnosed at 46--your daughter will recover much faster than an adult celiac. I developed osteoporosis even after 5 years on a gluten-free diet, but there were hormonal issues that aren't a problem for your daughter. Additional calcium/magnesium and vitamin D3 still might help--ask your doctor, or better yet, ask a nutritionist or naturopath. They know a lot more about nutrition than regular doctors. They can determine vitamin D levels with a blood test and continue to monitor them. Your daughter may not be able to tolerate dairy; if so, it is especially difficult to get enough calcium or vitamin D3.

[Rady]

I was diagnosed at 46--your daughter will recover much faster than an adult celiac. I developed osteoporosis even after 5 years on a gluten-free diet, but there were hormonal issues that aren't a problem for your daughter. Additional calcium/magnesium and vitamin D3 still might help--ask your doctor, or better yet, ask a nutritionist or naturopath. They know a lot more about nutrition than regular doctors. They can determine vitamin D levels with a blood test and continue to monitor them. Your daughter may not be able to tolerate dairy; if so, it is especially difficult to get enough calcium or vitamin D3.

I am not sure if gluten free diet and vitamin intake could help against osteoporosis. I was 43 when diagnosed as celiac, now I'm 50 and have very low bone dencity. I had to take medication BONVIVA- I would like to hear somebodies opinion about it

[Gemini]

I am not sure if gluten free diet and vitamin intake could help against osteoporosis. I was 43 when diagnosed as celiac, now I'm 50 and have very low bone dencity. I had to take medication BONVIVA- I would like to hear somebodies opinion about it

I'm not sure either whether the gluten-free diet alone will improve osteo in an older, diagnosed Celiac but I have no intention of taking any medication for it....at least not yet. There are serious side effects to them involving your jaw bone and, as I have to have 2 dental implants done, I am not taking any chances. The problem of necrosis has no fix so it's important to know that.

Having your hormones or using natural hormone replacement, taking vitamin D3 with calium and magnesium and getting exercise are about all you can do without the threat of side effects. I'm hoping it will be enough......