My mother has had diagnosed osteoporisis for a number of years, as did her mother. She has been on alendronate probably longer than she should. She is going into end-stage dementia and her mobility has really declined in the last few months; she's using a walker now but will probably be in a wheelchair soon. Her doctor has scheduled her for a bone density scan. My question is, what good might be achieved at this point? Has anyone else dealt with this one? I've already had to say no last year to a cardiologist who wanted her to do a stress test for a minor heart arrhythmia.
Thank you.
I know docs are trying to just do their jobs, but sometimes I wish they'd LOOK UP at their patients and think : "Is this really the best way to deal with this patient? She is not 'all here' she very elderly and not in great shape. Why put her through testing that is just going to prove to me what I already know: Her bone density is garbage".
My mother is bent completely over--in a C-curve and she cannot stand up straight or even close to it. A bone density test for her would just show us in depth what we can SEE with bare eyes. Her bones are all so porous it's a shock she hasn't snapped a hip in one of her falls. She ASKED about a BD test, as she loves all things medical, but he PCP said he could see what he needed to know, just looking at her.
You have the right to say no.
If it is just to tick on a box on a form, that she has had a 5 year scan then no way.
Wishing you the best of luck!
But there's another issue from the medical standpoint, and that's whether doctors do almost everything they can to identify and treat symptoms. There's an ideological clash in that position though. Some doctors are realistic and confident enough to know when conditions can't be changed, but others might be concerned for blame if they don't at least suggest possibilities.
Think of how often people blame doctors in posts here, even without addressing the entire situations, especially when the posters haven't educated themselves as to conditions and don't know what to expect. It's not my intent to criticize anyone, but we each approach our care and our loved ones' care with different levels of research and knowledge.
Some of the "doctor killed my parent" posts reflect a paucity of knowledge about aging and the death process. If I were a doctor, I'd be thinking of CYA approaches "just in case."
It's a hassle versus benefit situation. If it's not to much hassle, getting the bone density scan would offer more knowledge. If that knowledge leads to her taking less meds, then that would be a benefit.
That’s my opinion. Hugs 🤗
I considered that the scan is for making a decision about the medication, but I had this conversation 1 1/2 years ago with her previous doctor. She was unhappy that Mother wasn't making any gains in bone density(?!) and wanted to prescribe the annual Reclast infusion, which was not covered and costs thousands of dollars. But, cost aside, this made no sense to me for someone of Mother's advanced age and state of decline.
So here we are. Mother is in memory care now and going into the last phase of dementia. She sort of recognizes me but doesn't really know who I am (she referred to me as her sister for a while, which was sort of funny since she is an only child). Her mobility has also declined sharply in the last 6 months, so getting her loaded up and then in and out of offices and exam rooms is stressful and exhausting for both of us (I insist on taking her myself - I want to hear and speak about what the doctor says), and I consider all trips out very seriously.
I got a reply from the doctor a few minutes ago and she does want the scan in order to make a decision about the alendronate. I will take her for the sake of due diligence, but I intend for it to be the last time.
Again, thank you all for your input; it has helped.
I hope you feel comfortable with your decision; I think it's the best under the circumstances.