Has anyone else got this complaint.? If so have you had a bone density scan?
Not sure whether to call it an illness or disease.
Here is a good site to peruse about this which might be helpful to some.

http://www.laterlife.com/laterlife-osteoporosis.htm

I don't know if I have it or not - but I do take HRT but have an illness treated by steroid and have a lack of calcium since a child. Should I ask for a bone scan?

Anyone can have one without being referred by the doctor Rowan providing you are willing to pay for it.

Must find out more about this.

I had a scan over 10 years ago and found that the disease had already started in my hips, so don't think of it as an older-person's problem

I don't have any treatment for it and it is suppose to be under review, in reality that means I pay for a scan when I think there has been a change and let the doc know

Where are these centres? are they in a hospital, and how much does it cost?

Enquire at your surgery Ann or ring your local hospital.

You should be able to get a form from your surgery.
It has gone up to £40 here for a scan.
Double what it was 7 years ago when I was first diagnosed with it.

Is it painful? How do they do it?

Is what painful Rowan?
The scan take a few minutes and isnt in the least painful.
Osteoporosis isn’t painful its what it does to the bones that makes it painful.
In my case my spine crumbled at the pit of my back therefore trapping the sciatic nerve.
Also wear and tear on my hips with the bones not being as strong as they should be makes it very painful when walking and when trying to lie in bed.
Here is a bit more info for you off the leaflet I have. Ignore the phone number at the top because it is to the Leicester Royal Infirmary when my d-i-l phoned to find out the price of a scan now. Its gone up £5 since last June making it £40 now for a scan.

You're right Maisie the scan itself isn't intrusive or painful, it's lying on that metal bed that's blinking uncomfortable

I can bear that Daff.
Mind you things might be different now because its 7 years since I had one.

A year last October, I broke my wrist and at the fracture clinic I was asked if I would like a bone density scan (this was at the QMC in Nottingham).

A few weeks later I received a letter from my GP saying that the scan showed that I was "low risk", so I count myself lucky on two counts, as it didn't cost me a penny to have it done either.

Apologies Monika I called you Daff.
It was one of my senior moments because I answered a posting to her just before I answered you.
THATS MY EXCUSE AND I AM STICKING TO IT.