However, there are many causes of painful joints, including arthritis and wear and tear on the joint. Discuss any joint pain you have with your doctor and have them assess your situation.
Headaches Hearing loss Bones changing shape Tingling or numbness
Remember that overall this is a very rare disease. Just because you have some risk factors and you have joint pain that does not mean you have Paget’s disease.
When calling to make an appointment, tell the person on the phone “I have been having pain in my joints and bones and I am concerned that I may have Paget’s disease. There is a history of this condition in my family. Could you please tell the doctor about my concern?” This will allow the doctor to do some research on the condition before you come in. The doctor is also likely to give you a physical exam that focuses on identifying areas of pain and discomfort.
The x-rays may be done in your doctor’s office or you may need to go to a different medical office to have them done.
Once the bone scan is done, your doctor should discuss the results of the bone scan with you.
Bisphosphonates used to treat Paget’s disease include: Alendronate (Fosamax), Ibandronate (Boniva), Pamidronate (Aredia), Risedronate (Actonel), and Zoledronic acid (Zometa, Reclast).
Discuss the option of surgery with your doctor. If they do not have enough experience with the disease, you may need to consult with a specialist to assess whether surgery is right for you.
Preventing falls requires that you eliminate risky behaviors and activities. Sports that often cause injury, such as American football, should be avoided. If all risky activities cannot be completely avoided, you should at least wear all of the appropriate protective clothing, such as knee pads, to prevent injury. While you want to make sure you don’t injure yourself, it is important to continue, or begin, exercising. Exercising helps to strengthen muscles and bones, which can help to stave off the negative side effects of Paget’s disease. Do exercises that do not have a large risk of injury to the bones, including gentle stretching and non-impact exercises like swimming. Also, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet. A good diet for Paget’s disease includes foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are essential for bone health and strength, and can be taken as supplements if you cannot incorporate enough of them into your diet.
