vivdunstan

Wonderful news from the rheumatologist - just found her letter waiting in the hallway. My latest bone density scan 2 weeks ago in Perth showed that I have improved, going back from full blown osteoporosis 8 years ago to osteopenia, which is like part way between normal/healthy bone density and full osteoporosis. So the strong bone regrowth drugs I've been on ever since 2017 have helped a lot! I am to keep on them though, because I continue to be on a pretty decent daily steroid dose. But that's ok. They are helping. They are a big complication for dental treatment options, because of how they can cause bone death in the jaw, limiting the types of procedures that dentists can safely do. But my dentist is working around them. And we are coping. So yay!

I've been on daily steroids permanently since 1998. Also my periods stopped completely for much of my 30s due to my toxic cocktail of other drugs. Only to resume for a short time after. So my bones have taken a pretty big hit. But reverting from full osteoporosis to osteopenia now is wonderful news.

Extremely grateful to my NHS dentist who saw me at short notice. Problem identified, and the tooth is going to be saved with a root canal. Appointments booked for the New Year and a temporary medicated filling in the meantime. Very relieved.