Hi. Thought I’d share my recent experience of having a REMS scan. I came across this when watching a podcast by Dr Doug Lucas in the US. He and some other doctors I’ve researched were saying REMS was more accurate than a DEXA scan. I’d wanted to have another DEXA scan as I’ve made lots of changes to my lifestyle, diet, exercise regime etc and wanted some assurances it was having an effect. But where I live you can only have a DEXA every 5 years! This is because DEXA uses radiation whereas REMS uses ultrasound, so no restrictions on how often. The scan offered also measures your hip and spine whereas my DEXA only looked at my spine (based on my symptoms). The scan also gives you a bone density AND a bone quality score - bone quality keeps coming up more in things I’ve ready recently and isn’t something you can get from DEXA.
The scan process was less problematic for me than having a DEXA ( I have a spinal fracture and struggled to lay still for the time needed).
I now intend to have one every year so I can keep monitoring my bones. The down-side: it’s not currently available on the NHS.
I would say my first year post fracture was just managing my pain; but that’s because it took me 3 months to get diagnosed and then I had no help from my GP, so everything I’ve achieved is through my own research and info from ROS.
Now I exercise 6 days a week: weights (3days), balance (3days) and impact (every day). I stopped taking my medication about 6months ago as it started to make me feel unwell. But this is why I wanted a scan as was concerned that might not be a sound decision.
Scan showed my t scores are the same as when diagnosed, so no improvement but not deteriorating! I’ll take that. I don’t live in constant nervousness of another fracture, don’t use a walking stick anymore and generally am much more at ease with my condition. The scan results contributed to my confidence as not got any worse. I’m much stronger, happy to lift things at home (spent a long while not lifting shopping or appliances as was concerned would fracture another vertebrae). I accept I can only garden for about an hour then have to rest but can also now stretch and relax my back muscles so it’s not as restrictive as it use to be.
my osteoporosis is hereditary but hopefully all my interventions, which my mum didn’t do, will keep me in a good place
I’ve been considering getting a REMS, but I’m wary in case it shows a worse result than my Dexa.
How did the scores from your REMS compare with Dexa? Have you seen improvements from your lifestyle changes? By the way, I’ve managed to get medics to agree to a Dexa after three ears rather than five
All the research I did said that your t-scores from DEXA can vary from machine to machine and operator to operator; so if you had another DEXA scan it’s likely yours scores vary. Whereas REMS is more consistent. When I had my DEXA two vertebrae were omitted and highlighted possible fracture so I only got scores for L3-L4. With REMS I’ve got scores for my hip as well as 3 vertebrae. My scores are very similar to what they were when I had my DEXA - so big relief that things aren’t getting any worse. Benefit is I can scan again in a year and as REMS is more consistent I can check progress. It feels like I can then re-assess what I’m doing and change if needed - 5 years between scans is just too long, but I understand that because it uses radiation it needs to be.
Thank you. Similarity in your scores is a good basis for when you do further REMS. I know that the medical profession don’t rely on REMS ( I don’t think they can unless allowed to do so by NICE), but I can’t help thinking it’s down to cost of installing REMS and staff training - especially after a UK-wide drive to increase DXA availability, rather DXA being better.
I watch Dr Doug too. There isn’t a REMS scan near me at the moment but it’s interesting.
How long after your dexa did you have the rems? I wish nhs did bone marker bloods, pn1p and ctx I believe. They seem a more accurate indication of how your bone is doing.
That is interesting. REMS - I have not heard about this. Can you give me more details and websites to see. Also where this is available and the costs for both hip and spin measurements?
I just looked at the ROS website which states: (I have copied and pasted)
Just thought I would show you this - below from ROS PAGE
REMS
REMS stands for ‘Radio-frequency echogenic multi-spectrometry’. It uses sound and radio waves to measure bone density and strength.
It is not routinely offered on the NHS. But some private clinics offer REMS.
REMS is a promising technology. Some research has shown there may be some advantages to using REMS to measure bone density. For example, it does not use radiation and the machine is easy to move around. It may also measure the quality of bone.
But research has not shown if REMS is as useful or reliable as a DEXA scan to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis. And it is not possible to compare REMS scan results with DEXA scan results.
We need more research to find out how REMS can help us understand the strength of your bones and if you would benefit from an osteoporosis medicine.
I’m not sure if that’s because the research hasn’t yet been done. The challenge of new technology in relation to bone density is that studies will inevitably be over years of study.
I will also have a DEXA scan when I’m allowed! The more information the better.
Just to add, this is who I went to for mine. Their clinical experts are Dr Zoe Williams and Dr Vonda Wright. Zoe Williams has done a number of videos to explain bone health etc which are part of their website and resources you get after a scan.
I’ve just been told I can only have a Dexa scan every 10 years, which doesn’t seem right. I’m 74 and fairly fit and mobile, but am anxious to monitor progress and take action to stay that way. I’m doing a lot of research and changing diet, doing balance, weights etc - getting no support or advice from local GP surgery. How easy was it to access a REMS scan and was it very expensive?
10 years - I’d challenge that, just checked NICE guidelines and it’s 1-2 years for a rescan if you are high risk otherwise 3-5 years - assuming you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
My scan was £225, booked online but did have a location fairly near me. I used ScreenMyBones.
Thank you for this information. I was diagnosed in 2024. The only advice I’ve received from GP surgery is take calcium, walk and Google! Also Alendronic Acid and The iCal- Vit D. Every woman for herself!! This site is so helpful.
Scans and tests are topics that often bring up a lot of questions, so we just wanted to drop with some links to more information for anyone coming across this thoughtful conversation.
Yes, mine was done in Leeds, in Yorkshire. They have various locations. I’d only come across ScreenMyBones who do REMS scans but having done a google search looks like there are a number of places in the UK now.
I recently had a REMS scan in Newcastle. Osteoscan have annual clinics in several locations in the UK. Their main clinic is in Braunston Northants and is run by Nick Birch who is an experienced consultant in bone health. The appointment lasted an hour and was very informative and professional. Life style changes were suggested which I have added into the strategies I was already using. The cost was £200. I have booked one for the same time next year so that I can get a better idea of changes in my bone health.
Thanks everyone for sharing your REMS experiences. I am going for a big assessment at the end of July after 11 years on bone building meds without a break (Alendronate, Denosumab, Zoledronate). A drug holiday is obvs necessary (I’m 51) but keen to have an anabolic such as romosozumab asap. I emailed the consultant to request the review instead of another dose of zoledronate in Dec and cheekily asked for blood markers, vertebral fracture assessment and REMS in addition to DEXA if possible. He didn’t reply but I did receive an appintment letter. Who knows what I’ll actually get in terms of tests but I’ll let you know as I do attend an excellent metabolic unit in Oswestry (RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital) so you’d think if anyone has the latest technology and budget it would be them although they are NHS. If no REMS I will defo consider paying privately for based on others experiences.
I’ve had a P1NP test done via my Fracture Liason Clinic and blood tests ordered by my GP pharmacy - all on the NHS so if you haven’t already done so, it might be worth asking your GP?
