The cost of a private bone density scan?

Penny-Pincher!!

dazza-mac wrote: »

Hello,

Despite my GP referring me for a bone density scan it was rejected and GP told to do a FRAXA score. This hardly takes into consideration any of the potential risk factors (it only asked if I smoke and drank - no to both) and I was unable to get the scan.

My question is:

Has anyone in the North East of England paid to have a private bone density scan and if so how much did it cost?

I believe I have several of the risk factors -family history of osteoporosis, poor calcium intake and one of the most worrying for me is the fact that I have had zero periods since the age of 40, and I beleive this drastically increases the risk of bone loss.

Every time I mention the lack of periods for the past 8 years my doctor just ignores me - so I don't even know if the reason is due to the menopause or other factors. Either way, a lack of periods is something to be concerned about regarding the potential bone loss risk.

I have a DEXA scan done annually as Im a long term steroid user. 6 years at between 40mg and at 10mg daily now and for the last 2 years. I have severe osteoporosis but I have other illness that cause bone density loss and in the last 3 years, Ive lost 40%+ in hips and spine. In the last 18 months, I have broken my elbow, collar bone, finger, ribs x 3, toe and chipped cheek bone.

My bone specialist told me that signs of bad bones are grinding in the hip area, swelling (squishy) at the base of the back, pain when moving hips side to side and lifting your knees up to hip level or walking up/down steps. Im on monthly bone infusions and on calficaldidol (sp) and other meds.

PP
xx

dazza-mac

McKneff wrote: »

I just realised how lucky I am now that I have read your post.

When I was in my early forties I went through the menopause and was sent for a dexa scan automatically by my doctor, I had major bone loss, and was put on something once a week. Cant remember the name of it though, just come off it. I feel mine was to do with early childhood diet and also hereditry. Never properly broken a bone but a suspected fractured rib at the end of last year. Suspected Ha.... it was broken alright. But in all honesty, what I hit on the way down when I fell would have broken a body builders ribs too.

I say Im lucky because I have no pain what soever, I have multiple joint arthritis, also no pain what so ever. And pernisious aneamia for which I get a B12 injection every 3 months. Worked till I retired last September and enjoying every moment of it.

Funny, I look so well and feel so well, but I'm dropping to bits inside lol.

Talk to your doc about bone loss. Ask for some advice about medication for it. Hope all goes well.

Hi,
It would seem you were fortunate to get sent for a dexa scan in your early forties (I think you should have been sent for it too). Maybe it was easier then and more difficult now due to finances etc. We have/had similar reasons: early forties, possible menopause, poor diet and heredity. But it seems nowadays you have to fall and break a bone before you're allowed to find out if your bones are like the inside of a crunchy bar!

I think the only way I'm going to get one is by going private - which is a flaming disgrace as I do feel I have valid reasons. It's not like I've waltzed in and said "Hi doc, I'm over 40 and I'd like a bone scan please!" I do have reasons, no doubt there's loads of other people in the same boat and can't get one too.

It seems odd to say you're quite lucky - obviously it's not lucky having all the problems you stated, but you're very lucky that you have no pain. I was really upset last night (I live alone and that means you dwell on everything) and couldn't remember a time that I ever felt no pain, or remember being happy!

Good luck to you, and I hope you continue to have no pain and hopefully no further problems.

dazza-mac

I have severe osteoporosis but I have other illness that cause bone density loss and in the last 3 years, Ive lost 40%+ in hips and spine. In the last 18 months, I have broken my elbow, collar bone, finger, ribs x 3, toe and chipped cheek bone.

My bone specialist told me that signs of bad bones are grinding in the hip area, swelling (squishy) at the base of the back, pain when moving hips side to side and lifting your knees up to hip level or walking up/down steps. Im on monthly bone infusions and on calficaldidol (sp) and other meds.

PP
xx[/QUOTE] ABOVE WRITTEN BY PENNY-PINCHER

God that's awful, all those breaks! The bit about what the bone specialist said worries me - about grinding bones in the hip area, and lifting my knees up to hip level, as that's what I have. I hope things aren't too bad for you. Good luck

floss2

OP, can you see a different GP at your practice? Please don't be put off by the time limit or their attitude if you take in a list - ask the receptionist to book you a double appointment and also ask to see someone else and take your list with you.

funguy

The OP's GP has already referred for a bone scan - it was refused. This means seeing anothe GP wont make a difference as the OP clearly does not meet the local referral criteria for dexa scanning.
Welcome to the new budget NHS where your GP is NOT allowed the final say - even if they refer as in this case, someone else can refuse that referral!

GPs are now not able to do the best for their patients...government budget cuts have restricted access to virtually all investigations in a move to force people towards private options. No point in blaming your GP!

jenniewb

dazza-mac wrote: »

Hi, how did you find out about having Osteopenia, which I believe is a pre-curser to Osteoporosis. Was it from the dexa scan

I'm slightly different, I have a long history of low body weight (anorexia) and get better, then relapse then get better (constant battle) as a result my bones took a hit, I was diagnosed with osteoperosis when I was 18 which partially recovered when I was 22 but then I relapsed. I got better but I then found I was unable to tolerate dairy and had to cut it out.

I had back pain and my GP requested a bone scan to see if this is what was causing the back pain (it wasn't, the osteopenia was diagnosed in my thorasic spine and not my lumber spine where the pain is).


I do take calcium pills but despite my OK body weight my periods seem to have vanished late last year, add to that now chronic back pain I had a rhumatoid consultant refer me for a scan when she refused to believe it was osteoarthritis which is the chronic wear and tear of joints (I have osteoarthritis in my knees which was diagnosed by an orthopedic doctor last year which the rhumatoid doctor also refused to believe). We had a bit of a ...discussion! And she said she was that sure it wasn't osteoarthritis that she would do a bone scan to show the pain was osteoperosis and not osteoarthritis. I am awaiting the results of this scan to see if it has gotten worse which I really hope it has not!


So a quick answer to your question: because I was diagnosed with osteoperosis when I was 18, it also runs in the family, I take calcium pills but its obviously no match for the real deal and I also have lost my periods, I am also quite young so these are all issues that I need to monitor as there are things that can be done to slow down how bad they become.

Never ever ever get an eating disorder! (If you have one, please battle hard to get out of it), it will hurt you in ways you had not even anticipated!

pmduk

You'll find most private hospitals are used to people calling up to find the cost of this or that private procedure. They can usually give you a figure almost immediately.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

A quick google reveals a cost in the region of £100 for the scan and another hundred for the consultant's input through BUPA. But that is no guarantee of the cost where you are.


Why not phone your local private hospital and ask?


http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/treatment/treatmentsdetail?gclid=CIiz_PD95bMCFSHHtAodNEAA2Q&p_treatment_name=Bone%20densitometry%20scanning&p_treatment_id=178


BUPA as well.