My husband has smoldering multiple myeloma that was diagnosed in November 2015. He had a DEXA scan that showed osteopenia. He is 55, 5 foot 9 (1.75 m) and about 200 pounds (91 kg).
The doctor feels he should start Zometa monthly as a precaution because he feels the multiple myeloma causes the osteopenia and is not normal for a 55 year old man.
If it common to have osteopenia with smoldering myeloma?
I guess a related question is whether it is normal for a 55 year-old man to have osteopenia.
Forums
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
brandyjoco - Name: brandyjoco
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Osteopenia and smoldering multiple myeloma
Hello Brandyjoco,
I am a smoldering patient, age 51, and my osteopenia was diagnosed at 49. The level of osteopenia is atypical for my age, so it is presumed to be caused by the smoldering myeloma.
I hope this helps.
J
I am a smoldering patient, age 51, and my osteopenia was diagnosed at 49. The level of osteopenia is atypical for my age, so it is presumed to be caused by the smoldering myeloma.
I hope this helps.
J
-
jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Osteopenia and smoldering multiple myeloma
I’ve been hovering between osteopenia and osteoporosis for over 15 years with a T score (lower spine) that runs between -3.1 and -2.4. In my case, I probably have a genetic component, as my mom had osteoporosis. My osteoporosis was detected when I was about 50 years of age.
Before I was diagnosed with myeloma, I was being treated with something called Prolia (denosumab). Prolia is given by subcutaneous injection every 6 months. It seemed to help with my T-scores.
After diagnosis of myeloma, I was switched to something called pamidronate (Aredia). I take this every 4 weeks via the IV route. Pamidronate helps prevent bone loss by inhibiting resorption of calcium into blood stream. It is not clear to me the extent it helps with the bone loss associated with myeloma.
I was initially surprised when a bone density scan determined that I had osteoporosis. Like you, I thought it was something that mostly affected women. However, a goodly number of men also get osteoporosis as they age, although not as many as happens with women. If my memory is correct, osteoporotic women outnumber osteoporotic men by a margin of roughly 2 to 1. Okay … so twice as many, but we men are not competing.
I hope this helps,
Joe
Before I was diagnosed with myeloma, I was being treated with something called Prolia (denosumab). Prolia is given by subcutaneous injection every 6 months. It seemed to help with my T-scores.
After diagnosis of myeloma, I was switched to something called pamidronate (Aredia). I take this every 4 weeks via the IV route. Pamidronate helps prevent bone loss by inhibiting resorption of calcium into blood stream. It is not clear to me the extent it helps with the bone loss associated with myeloma.
I was initially surprised when a bone density scan determined that I had osteoporosis. Like you, I thought it was something that mostly affected women. However, a goodly number of men also get osteoporosis as they age, although not as many as happens with women. If my memory is correct, osteoporotic women outnumber osteoporotic men by a margin of roughly 2 to 1. Okay … so twice as many, but we men are not competing.
I hope this helps,
Joe
-
Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Osteopenia and smoldering multiple myeloma
I am 68 and was diagnosed with IgG kappa smoldering multiple myeloma in March, 2011. I had a Dexa scan and was diagnosed with osteopenia. I am an ex-smoker, so it may be caused by that, or a combo.
There don't seem to be any changes in my status, so there have been no further Dexa scans ordered in 5+ years. I was not treated for osteopenia. I had a T-score of -1.9, so it was not very serious.
There don't seem to be any changes in my status, so there have been no further Dexa scans ordered in 5+ years. I was not treated for osteopenia. I had a T-score of -1.9, so it was not very serious.
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1