Just diagnosed, osteo @ 28 yrs old, 2 babies, my military doctor won't help

beckylyn
0 Recommendations

Hey, i'm a newbie here. Just diagnosed with osteoporosis in my spine. T score -2.6, Z score -3.5. 28 yr old female, have a 2 yr old and 6 month old baby. I'm having several other health problems too and trying to do testing. I had to go a naturopathic doctor to actually listen to me b/c my military doc won't listen/doesn't care. (Maybe if he had to go to Kuwait for 6 months, like my husband just did, he would be a litle more helpful.......) I had to practically FORCE him to do my DEXA. I asked him if there may be something else going on or wrong with me b/c I have this at such a young age. Obviously my body is not obsorbing calcium. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Prob hereditary...." That's it. Told me to take more calcium. Which I've already been doing my WHOLE LIFE. He won't test my estrogen, which I asked him to do, or my thryoid b/c he did it a few months ago and it was supposedly fine. So....my question is, I keep reading on this site to go to a endocrinoligst or something but I doubt he'll refer me to one, so what kind of tests do they do and how can they help me? Anybody been to one? I also have severe fatigue, my joints ache, are so stiff every morning I can barely stand, memory loss, shaky when I don't eat. Been tested for diabetes, blood sugar, always fine. So frustrated. I want to have more children, but how do I get this bone mass back if my body's not absorbing calcium?????? Anybody ever heard about primary hyperparathyroidism? Thanks for your help!!!!

9 replies

pgreene

You definitely need to have tests done to see whether or not you are absorbing your calcium. I know there is a 24-hour urine test and maybe someone will chime in with the specific name of the test. There are people here with hyperparathyroidism so hopefully they will also chime in with info on that. There is such a thing as pregnancy-induced osteoporosis. We also have several of those on board here. I'm sorry that I'm not more specific with my answers but I am extremely tired. You definitely need to see an endocrinologist if at all possible. I did want to respond to you though to bump your message up and show that there are several here under similar circumstances for support.

Peggy

sarah812

HI I am sorry to hear your doctor will not listen. What is your calcuim level when they do your blood work?
I agree you need to see another doctor. Anytime you need some to listen you can email. sarah@dishmail.net. I am 42 and have osteo, I work as a cna in a nursing home. I had problems during pregnancy with the babies taking my calcuim.

elsiemarie

I'm very sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly. I can't even imagine how tough it must be with your husband in Kuwait and 2 little ones. I know God will give you strength!
You absolutely need to see another doctor. I am 47 and have had osteo for quite a few years. After breaking a couple of bones, I was tested for many things......vitamin d level, calcium, celiac disease, etc. I was annoyed with all the testing but after reading your post, I know my doctors did the right thing. I had an elevated calcium level suggesting hyperparathyroidism. I had a benign tumor removed a year ago and feel much better. There is a terrific site,
www.parathyroid.com with tons of info.
You deserve good medical treatment. Please find a new doctor. Keep us posted.
Joanie

MotherGoose

This doctor isn't the OB/GYN that delivered your babies, is he? If so, shame on him! Many years ago when I was first doing osteoporosis work, it was the OB/GYN's that paid attention to my desire to get the word out -- this back in the early 80's. The primary care physicians and the orthopedists did not care a bit back then -- different story now.
If he is not you "baby doctor", then do see either the one who delivered you or an endocrinologist in a womens' center preferably. Pregnancy and nursing drain our calcium but normal levels should rebound within several months. So you need good help and advice.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

englishrose

That dr sounds like a medical negligence case in the making! You need to be tested for thyroid and parathyroid levels, blood calcium levels and (if those show nothing) Coeliac and Oestrogen. The first bunch of tests can be done with one blood sample.

I had to push for my DEXA scan too - I was told by a Consultant at the fracture clinic that at 39 there was no way I could have osteoporosis (if only!) In the end I got a test done as a favour through our nurse at work.

Good luck, hope you get a proper diagnosis,

Rachel

rosaflor

Reading over many posts here I am feeling the need to say something, two things really. 1) A doctor in one speciality is often not very competent to work outside that specialty. I retired as a clinical (psychiatric) social worker and I cannot tell you how many times I knew of women getting into serious trouble because their depression (or some other emotional difficulty) was "treated" by their OB-GYN or their Family Practice doctor who was NOT a psychiatrist and was not very expert either in using psychoactive drugs or in listening to worries. 2) As a grownup, stop asking permission. If you think you need to see an endocrinologist, make an appointment to see one. If your medical plan requires a "gatekeeper" referral, ask for this in very specific terms---not "please may I" but "this is what I want". If the referral is denied, resort to the appeals process that surely is in place. Start a file. Put everything in writing, keep copies, and let one and all know that you have established a paper trail. Don't be tentative. Be polite but firm, and make it clear you know what you are talking about. Be concise and business-like. Sometimes reality requires that we work through a system, as when we must use a gatekeeper referral, but this is not the same thing as asking permission. Women tend to ask permission a lot---they ask their friends, relations, neighbors, advice columns, everybody "Do you think it would be all right if I do so-and-so". Some doctors tend to foster that attitude. TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IS A GOOD THING.

KathyS

Rosa that is very good advice... I think I needed to hear that as well.. sometimes we tend to put much control into our doctors where we need to remember we are employing them. I saw that when my mother was ill that seemed to be the case, and I had no issue with being firm. Funny for yourself that it is less so.

Sometimes it seems like alot of work to create a paper trail especially when you are in pain, tired, or depressed. but there is something empowering also to take matters into your own hands....

Southernlady

What is a Z score? I am going to have my second BMD this December and I am using the same facility. I wish they would go over the tests results with me. I am calling my doctor today about my blood work.

yarngoddess

First off- hugs.

Second off- if your doctor isn't providing care (which this doc is not doing) you need to see his commanding officer. THere are propper procedures to go through. You husband is in the military? Right? Well, you aren't. They are NOT allowed to treat you like that and I would go in there with hell fire and DEMAND a referal to an endocrinologist or tell him to hire a lawyer. Period. Tell him that "failure to treat" is not something he wants on his personal file. I would be calling his boss EVERYDAY untill they pay attention. Don't give up! and DON'T put up with horrible care! If he is doing this to you, you can bet he's doing this to someone else!

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