I’m not as dense as I used to be. That’s good, right? Oh, wait – It’s not dense as in being slow to understand or thickheaded (although, I would hope that I understand things quicker and better as I’ve grown older). I’m talking about dense bones.
I recently had a bone density test. And I didn’t pass.
Well, I guess I passed. I just didn’t get an A. Which is, actually, almost the same thing. I mean, if you’re going to take a test, you should do as well as absolutely possible – which, in my mind, is an A. Of course, if it’s not a test that you can study for, then it’s not really your fault if you don’t get an A, and . . .
Anyway, it’s actually called a bone density digital study. This is one of the things you have to do when you get older. Or, so they tell me.
It didn’t hurt. In fact, it was quite pleasant. I kept my clothes on (so I wasn’t freezing in one of those little paper gauze gowns), and I just had to lie still while this hood went back and forth over my body.
But the study did show that bones in certain areas of my body are osteopenic. That means that I have lost some bone density. Not enough to be identified as osteoporosis (so, that’s good), but not 100% bone density anymore.
This is something that evidently happens to us as we get older – mostly to women – and more so after menopause. As my bones break down (which, I guess, is normal), new bone is not being formed in the way that it should be (which is not normal). Grrrrrr!
The thing is, there aren’t any obvious symptoms. I mean, it’s not like asthma or psoriasis or other illnesses where you have symptoms that a doctor can look at and say, “Oh, yes. You have . . .” In order to find out if you have this condition, you have to have the bone density study – and it’s not cheap. My part was $295! Good grief! I don’t know how women who are older than me, and retired, are able to pay for this every year. (I guess that’s something I’ll find out.)
One thing that is noticeable and, I suppose, could be called a symptom is this – I’m getting shorter. I can’t afford to get shorter! Capri pants already hit me at the ankles.
The last time I was measured, I was 5’ 1 ¾” tall – which, if you stretch that just a little – put me at 5’ 2”.
(“Five foot two, Eyes of blue – But, oh boy, what those five could do”
Sorry – song interlude. It happens sometimes.)
I’m not five foot two anymore. And my eyes are green, so that doesn’t fit either. (Sigh) Now, I measure 4’ 11 ¾” – which, if stretched, equals 5’. No wonder my slacks are dragging the ground.
I go back to the doctor this afternoon to get the full report. Evidently, there are other things that I will have to do about this besides hem my pants. (Sigh – again) I just hope it doesn’t involve the rack!
You can get information about Osteopenia here:
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/osteopenia-early-signs-of-bone-loss
Grandawn - Aging Semi-Gracefully 