Česky
28.11.2008
Results not immediately
Similar questions most likely come to mind for most patients. Osteoporosis is indeed a tricky disease. It comes on creeping and you lose enough bone tissue before it manifests itself. But its treatment is just as slow. Patients often have to wait up to six months for the first objective results.
The easiest way to see if the medication is helping is to get measured and weighed regularly. Your height should not decrease during treatment. Nor are you likely to lose weight, unless you change your lifestyle. You may also find that you no longer experience attacks of severe spinal pain shooting up into your chest during treatment. This is a symptom of a vertebral compression fracture. Those close to you may also notice that your back no longer arches. Appropriate treatment for osteoporosis should prevent the thoracic spine from sagging further. Measuring your arm span is also useful.
Reliable methods
However, only specialist examinations can give you truly reliable results for your treatment. After four to six months, your doctor should do a biochemical test of your blood and, if necessary, your urine. Concentrations of enzymes (ALP, GMT) and the bone remodelling indicator osteocalcin are important. A comprehensive biochemical examination will provide information not only about the activity of bone remodelling, but also about the performance of your metabolism. With calcitonin treatment, biochemical examination is carried out after six months. With this examination, the doctor will know, among other things, whether you are taking the medication regularly.
You should have a densitometric examination every two years (annually with fluoride treatment). Do not be afraid to ask for the results and have everything explained to you thoroughly. It is essential to assess changes in all values on the basis of long-term monitoring.
Treating osteoporosis requires a lot of patience and discipline. Try to help your bones with appropriate exercise and dietary modifications. Only you can do the most for yourself.
Source. Triton 1997.
Source:
U Lékaře.cz
