"I Don't Get What The Doctor Told Me..." The Vocabulary Of Osteoporosis

Hello PJ,

Thank you for this extremely helpful SharePost. It's packed with information that will help lots of people on our site. However, I'm sorry for the circumstances that led you to research the many osteopenia/osteoporosis terms and meanings and tests and such, but I for one am thankful for all you've shared with us during your learning journey. Keep writing, and be sure to keep us posted on the status of your bones!

Best,

Maria

While I think this glossary is helpful for newbies, I find the statement that "osteopenia comes before osteoporosis" misleading.  While I'm sure all people with osteoporosis start with osteopenia, not all people with osteopenia go on to develop osteoporosis, which is how some might take that statement.  As a mental health counselor who also does hypnosis I am very aware of the power of words and (unintentional) suggestions.  I do not receive the bone health newsletter bx I have osteoporosis, but rather because I have osteopenia and am doing all I can, including using the power of my mind, to make sure that I don't.  By the way, my bone density has improved in the two years since it was first diagnosed and that's without using any medications and focusing on my nutrition, vitamin intake, and exercise.

It is misleading to say that bisphosphonates increase bone strength.  They may increase bone density.  Bone density and bone strength are two different things, and density does not necessarily correlate with strength.