Question
I am a 42 year old male and have been told I have osteoporosis. My T-scores are -1.6 in L1, -2.3 in L2, -2.9 in L3, -3.5 in L4 and L2-L4 -2.9. I also have ostepenia in my left femur (-1.2). Several years ago I had a fusion at C6-C7 after a sneeze ruptured my disk. I also have diagnosed arthritis and fibromyalgia. My blood work is negative. I don’t understand why this is happening to me. My Dr. has put me on Fosomax but we don’t know why this is occuring. Should I just take the fosomax and see what happens or should further testing be done to determine why I have these problems? I’m concerned that something else is occuring in my body. What do you suggest?
Answer
While osteoporosis in women is more clearly defined and studied, it also occurs in men. Fosamax? (also known as alendronate) is a bisphosphonate and is used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Fosamax? decreases the rate bone cells are absorbed. This reduced absorption allows the body to increase bone density, which in turn reduces the risk of fracture.
