Bone density at age 85
 

Mom went to MD for regular checkup MD wants her to have a bone density test. Is this normal? Seems unnecessary , she is 85 . What do you think?

Its definitely normal (unless she is bedridden) and she should have been having one every 2-3 years since menopause. Reduced estrogen greatly increases the risk for osteopenia/osteoporosis and elderly females can get spinal compression fractures just from an intense sneeze or cough.....There is NO treatment for compression fractures other than pain meds and they are VERY painful.....

just my opinion but I feel it is totally not necessary. At 85 my guess is the test will show bone loss and then the Dr can push some crazy new drug and get his kickback.

I also vote for NO. If needed, the medication has horrible side effects.

I also vote NO. Even if she has compression fractures, there is nothing they can do about it so I'd wait until (if) she has fracture and treat it then.

My mother had them at that age, Her results were good. Is she needed something to help prevent osteoporosis, that would have been fine with me. I am all for keeping people healthy. Strong bones prevent hospitalization and pain.

But if she already has osteoporosis at 85 can it be treated successfully? I would also think you would need to take her overall health into consideration and I know this sounds harsh, and trust me it isn't meant to be, but also her life expectancy.

My grandmother lived to be 96. That's 11 years of broken bones and pain if she had osteo left untreated.

A friend from church, in her 80s, snapped a femur standing up. In rehab, they had to turn a screw in her leg every day for months, making her scream with pain. It took a year for her to recover.

It's a simple test and medication. I hope nobody gives up on me when I'm 85. I know a few very active 85-year-olds.

It is such an easy test and non invasive. Not a big deal.

How about your mom, or you as her representative, ask the doctor what specific criteria will be used for interpretation of the test and what the threshold for treatment recommendations will be used. Then, where is the data to support that approach other than the doctor saying "I always do it that way". Is there data showing the benefit outweighs the risk for this specific patient? How does mom feel about taking medications, is she generally in good shape or is she very much nearing her life's end and not interested in more meds and more doctors? In the published guidelines, there is not any age cutoff for therapy although the most commonly used guideline does comment on the paucity of data showing reduction of fractures by using the suggested medications.
http://nof.org/files/nof/public/cont...upload/919.pdf
Long term studies are ongoing (google SCOOP)
and some short term studies do suggest benefit (see Medscape below)

Treatment of the "oldest old" is strongly encouraged by some authorities

Management of osteoporosis of the oldest old. - PubMed - NCBI
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/744882

This is so accurate. Obviously, those who scorn the testing and remedies needed have never seen a bright, active, wonderful lady in her 70s and 80s reduced to writhing and stiffening in unbearable pain and unable to withstand being out of bed because of her spine being in literal crumbs. The pain is excruciating and unrelenting in bed, too, where they loathe the risk of even rolling over or sneezing!

I think it would be malpractice for the physician to NOT recommend the testing and treatments before the uncorrectable disasters strike.

The test is not invasive. It is simply imaging sort of like ultrasound. And I know from experience that at least one of the medications has been virtually trouble free when taken as directed, monthly. No problem, ever after 5 years of use, and none for my dr. who is older and has taken it longer.

Listen to your mom's dr. Do you think he/she wants the patient to have a disaster causing perpetual, intractable pain that even the big narcotics won't relieve?? I don't! They're people with mothers, too, and they have seen what happens amongst relatives and thousands of patients!

:agree:

No not necessary. They diagnosed me at 57 with osteoporosis. I went on a daily injection I did myself in stomach as Dr said this is only thing that will build bone. Along with that I ate healthy and went to gym faithfully. After two yes No improvement in bone density see no reason your mom should do. Just try to do everything to prevent falls

I didn't read anyone saying the test or remedies wouldn't be appropriate if her health and general state of well being substantiated treatment. Calm down and understand there are those of us that have experienced tests being suggested for our parents that were ridiculous to say the least and I am glad the daughter is questioning the validity of the doctor's suggestion.

maybe there would be a benefit in knowing if osteoporosis exists. It might be recommended that she have a cane with her to help prevent falls. Knowing there's an increased risk might make her more careful.