Osteopenia mis diagnosis.

iainBB

Recently had a Dexa scan due to the prescribed drugs, and the diagnosis is confirmed osteoporosis, so decided to get results from the last scan 3 years ago from the hospital records and it shows osteopenia but that was never explained or told about it. if I had known then I could have changed drugs etc.
Any thoughts on this?

Gremlinertia

Realistically all you can do here is follow up with your specialist(s) and ask why you weren't given more information, was there something you were thinking of doing?

iainBB

iainBB wrote: »

Recently had a Dexa scan due to the prescribed drugs, and the diagnosis is confirmed osteoporosis, so decided to get results from the last scan 3 years ago from the hospital records and it shows osteopenia but that was never explained or told about it. if I had known then I could have changed drugs etc.
Any thoughts on this?

Depends what medication you were taking. It's a risk benefit ratio at the end of the day.

iainBB

Was thinking there might be some legal action. Had scan years ago that said I had it but was never told by specialist at the time. Requested documents other day which showed the diagnosis that was missed. . If I had known about it 2 year ago I could have take steps to correct it .

Gremlinertia

Thread moved at OP's request

iainBB

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Hmm, in that case there's no one here really to help, there is a Legal Discussion forum i could move this thread to if you wish?.

Yea please was wondering what section to put this one into. Thank you

L1011

You would need to talk to solicitor, there are specialists in this work.

iainBB

L1011 wrote: »

You would need to talk to solicitor, there are specialists in this work.

ya i thought that, was just wonder, is it even worth it does this kind of stuff ever happen.

Peregrinus

Even if we assume that the failure to diagnose and advise you about osteopenia was negligent - and note is an assumption on my part, and a very big one - to have a viable medical negligence action you'd need to show that you had suffered damage as a result.

And that could be tricky. You say that you "could have changed drugs", etc, but the medical evidence suggests that drug therapy for osteopenia is of little benefit, and some of the drugs have unpleasant and dangerous side effects. In general only advanced osteopenia is likely to be treated with drugs and, if this one was missed on the scan, it may not have been advanced. Less advanced cases are treated with lifestyle advice - weight-bearing exercise, Vitamin D exposure, give up smoking, moderate alcohol intake - and this may well be advice that you were being given in connection with other conditions anyway.

In short, to have any handle on whether you have a the makings of a case here, you'll need to go to a specialist who will look in detail at what happened, be willing to say that your medical adviser was negligent, and be willing to say that, having regard to your complete medical history and the advice and treatments that you were receiving, you are worse off because of that negligence.

That's not someone anyone on a discussion board can reliably tell you, one way or the other.

iainBB

Peregrinus wrote: »

Even if we assume that the failure to diagnose and advise you about osteopenia was negligent - and note is an assumption on my part, and a very big one - to have a viable medical negligence action you'd need to show that you had suffered damage as a result.

And that could be tricky. You say that you "could have changed drugs", etc, but the medical evidence suggests that drug therapy for osteopenia is of little benefit, and some of the drugs have unpleasant and dangerous side effects. In general only advanced osteopenia is likely to be treated with drugs and, if this one was missed on the scan, it may not have been advanced. Less advanced cases are treated with lifestyle advice - weight-bearing exercise, Vitamin D exposure, give up smoking, moderate alcohol intake - and this may well be advice that you were being given in connection with other conditions anyway.

In short, to have any handle on whether you have a the makings of a case here, you'll need to go to a specialist who will look in detail at what happened, be willing to say that your medical adviser was negligent, and be willing to say that, having regard to your complete medical history and the advice and treatments that you were receiving, you are worse off because of that negligence.

That's not someone anyone on a discussion board can reliably tell you, one way or the other.

Thank you, i will seek a specialized in this area ASAP.

your right on the drugs treatment for osteopenia is low success rate.
But I was thinking the drug treatment I received after the scan would have been completely different if the results where presented. i.e. long and large dose of steroids was prescribed after the scan which would have been contradictory to the scan results.

nuac

Mod
Very good and complete reply from Peregrinus
If considering legal action you need to consult a solicitor specialising in medical negligence
Boards.ie cannot advise you on that
Sorry have to close this thread