As I been on a rather long course of steroids this time 4 weeks of 5 days stop then start one day later. Now one of the GP I see suggest that I take this to protect my bones. The steroid stop the reforming of bone and therefore can make me more at risk of breaking a bone. Not good.
So I read the information and have a few questions to ask on it. One it can irritate my stomach and to not taking them if you had erosion or ulcers. I had both three small erosion and now acid reflux from the Prednisolone.
I have made a telephone consultation appointment with the doctor in 2 weeks time to discuss the possible side effects etc.
As anyone taken this medication to protect their bones.
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elanaoali
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thank you for this interesting piece of reading. I am going to make myself fully aware of what the pros and cons of this medication is. I was given a really good link by the doctor on Bisposphanates and it does list these possible side effects.
However I trust my doctors on their advice and I taking my time to weigh up the evidence of its benefits as well as its downside.
For me a pre menopausal woman I need to be aware of my bone density and already take calcium and vitamin D supplement due to being on a very high dose steroid inhaler (fostair nexthaler 200/6 two puffs twice a day. So as you can see I already carrying a blue steroid card to make if I need it an operation or accident that I could need extra steroids to get me through that possible situation.
Like all new things that has come with my asthma treatment and possible risk and benefits I wasn't expecting this one. However I give credit to my GPs for being on the ball in terms of spotting I may need this.
Some people can take bisphosphonates without difficulty others can't. I was one of the latter. Large doses of steroids may make your bones more porous and weak. May not will. The only way you will know is to not start until you have had a Dexa scan. That will show the porosity of your bones.
I took steroids every day over a period of 3.5 years because I had Polymyalgia Rheumatica. The dose was lower than for asthma, starting at 20 mg a day and a slowly reducing to 1mg.
A year after I started I had a Dexa scan which showed my hips and thigh bones to be stronger than most of my age group, but my backbone to be weaker enough for me to have osteopoenia which is halfway to osteoporosis. I wa prescribed alendronic acid, and when that caused excruciating knee pains, risedronate, which was just as bad. I gave up each after 2 or 3 weekly doses.
If you can tolerate them, then you should have repeat dexa scans to make sure they're working.
I should add that I still have short bouts of steroids for asthma, 40mg a day for a week when my dry powder inhalers (320/9) two puffs twice a day fail to keep my asthma at bay.
I have been taking this for a while,it's to prepare your bones to absorb the calcium from Adcal tablets or whatever vitamin meds you are on. I had a problem with my stomach bug was given a tablet to deal with it. I have had no other side effects from them but I know it's important to take them as I have been on steroids for years and your bones can get brittle and break easy. I take it once a week on the same day in tablet form and like I said they seem fine. I know everyone is different but we need to protect our bones.
We need the steroids to help us breathe but they have some side effects that is different with other people, you can only try and see how you get on with them.
It might be worth asking to have a DEXA scan first to see if there has been any impact on your bone density - it’s basically just like an X-Ray you lie down for and takes about 5 minutes.
I’ve been on steroids at doses of 25mg and above for just over a year now, as well as the same dose of fostair as you for a few years but my bone density was fine on my DEXA scan so they decided I don’t need to take bisphosphonates for now. Which is great as far as I’m concerned! They said I just need to make sure I get plenty of calcium and vit D for now and they’ll reassess about bisphosphonates when I have another DEXA next year.
There’s also a risk assessment tool they can use - I think it’s called FRAX or something, which takes into account lots of factors, as well as DEXA results, to see if bisphosphonates would be worthwhile
I take vitamin d, 5000 icu in summer and 10,000 icu in winter along with vit amin k2 mk7 which helps carry’s to the right places , I think what they prescribe on the nhs is not of a high enough grade , I have my vitamin d checked yearly and I’m at the top of the range in levels , another plus side my infections are down and when I do get one it’s very mild
Some Advisers (Consultants, GPs) will be quicker to suggest Bisphosphonates than others. In fact, one of my Advisers said start them, but the other said to wait as my DXA Scan result was borderline.
You’ve also got to factor in the possible health risks of adding ‘yet another’ drug to those you’re already taking.
I’ve increased my dietary calcium to include a pint of organic milk each day plus a matchbox size piece of cheddar cheese and a natural yogurt. I also walk around five miles ‘at least’ three times a week, carrying a rucksack with weights in, amounting to 10% of my body weight (as weighbearing activity is often recommended for those with osteopenia). The walking and weighbearing seems to be greatly improving my respiratory heath too. (They say Increased Activity is the very best Vitamin most folk are reluctant to try).
In addition I take Vit D3, Vit K2 and a Magnesium Supplement daily. (Important to get the right amount of Magnesium to help maintain proper Calcium level). Potassium rich foods are also an important part of the equation.
I’ve managed to reduce down to only occasional use of Oral Steroids, but am still using my Fostair 200/6 and Nasal Spray which both include Steroids. Now need to try to reduce the dosage of one of those, then (if that goes well) the other.
Will need to get a further DXA Scan within the next twelve months to see if anything has changed.
Thankyou for your input on this matter. A bio density scan is a recommendation which occurs throughout these posts. This is something to discuss with my doctors surgery as well as the pros and cons of this medication.
I am already taking vitamin D supplement as well as a multi vitamin. I have noticed how much better my nails are.
As for infections that I have had (working with and exposure to plenty of different germs of school aged/under fives) I had a germ free winter til 3 weeks ago. I am hoping now it's warmer and if I get a job (I hope and pray for) that it will expose me to less germs.
We all this information I feel better information on making a decision. Thankyou
After going back to the doctors today and discussing this medication I have decided to wait until I seen my dentist. This is because of risk of fractures of Jaw and waiting on having a PH 24 manotrey test for my acid reflux.
I also brought up the seperate issue of being re referred to my respiratory consultant from last month 3/4 courses of prednisolone. Plus this short course I am on since Saturday.
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