Prednisone and osteoporosis

[Lin6075]

Good Morning and I mean good morning. This is One of those rare ones that I don't get out of bed crying. So I am joyful today.

I wonder if anyone is dealing with prednisone induced osteoporosis and fractures?

Any advice on how to get back to building bone loss? This is all new to me. I am trying to school myself on this and trying diet and some exercise (some being the operative word) The medications used for osteo. scare me worse then prednisone. I sure wish the Dr. would have been a little more forth coming about this particular side effect.

Have an Amazing day

Lin

[ConventCassie]

I’m totally with you! I have a lumbar fracture & they also threatened me with those drugs. (Osteopenia & osteoporosis etc) They’re waiting on a new bone scan (not had yet - rec. in November 2016). I crawled onto the Physio’s table and started with sitting & breathing. From there worked up to 15 more exercises. Very slow. She had me do a 5 min warmup which I do DAILY now with all the exercises. Warmup extended to a 20 min walk around the neighbourhood.

I believe I could have used more Prednisone. Crying should NOT be allowed. (I was so immobile she insisted on an X Ray before she would treat me.)

Good Luck. I’ll be watching the comments.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Although this is a UK site, it might give you some advice on your condition

nos.org.uk/about-osteoporosis/

Or this is another forum on HU

healthunlocked.com/american...

[Cally55]

In a similar place, diagnosed with 2 thoracic fracture 2 months ago. Ironically had just started to feel better from the GCA, and totally unaware of lurking bone problems, having taken Alendronic acid for 2 years. Finally referred for physiotherapy, in UK so 5 weeks wait.

Can't offer advice on how to recover as no medic seems able to either. The pain is something else but I take codeine which helps. I begin to detect a slight improvement i think. I find that gardening gently makes me move about a bit more helped by a rare spell of fine warm weather. Also got a new puppy who gives us a reason to get up! I know there is risk of tripping over her but compared to some of the drug side effects at least she is fun.

Will post if I discover anything useful, but sympathy with you, this is quite devastating and all the more for being unexpected.

[Ronnie101]

Similar experience, GCA now PMR for 3 years, spinal wedge fracture diagnosed despite AA for 1 year. Given in to pressure to restart bisphosphonates. Pain around middle where nerves are trapped when breathing in and sneezing. No real solutions - just empathising! Doc says pain will ease over time!

[Reeceregan]

Although I haven’t had any fractures I do have PMR and GCA and started 50mg prednisone last June, have tapered down to 6mg in that 12months and still going. Last November I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis via a dexa scan, with a tscore of -4 and multiple risk factors. It wasn’t caused by the pred, I obviously had it prior but the pred didn’t help. My rheumatologist basically didn’t give me a choice...it was start Prolia which is a denamusub asap or risk breaking my back coughing. I had my first injection last February ( had a few things to do first, like a holiday overseas which was already booked and I didn’t want to risk getting side effects while away ) and so far no side effects but it’s early days. And im on it for life, not the original 3 years I was told. If you are advised to take something for the osteo then do your research because some medications you can’t come off. If you do you may suffer from the same fractures you’re trying to avoid. The Prolia I’m on is a “wonder drug” ...but only while you’re on it, and I was only to,d that after I started it. As far as excercising goes with these 3 diseases...well...I do what I can when I can and I rest more than I ever have in my life. I have had to build up slowly as I was immobile and on a walker from the PMR pain but prior that I was a very fit and active, heathy 63 y.o who did yoga and a bit of Pilates ....neither allowed with osteoporosis. Can’t bend or twist. So I do a bit of resistance band work at home, I walk about 2-3 kilometres (which isn’t much but all I can do) about twice a week and I do that wearing a weighted vest, ankle weights and wrist weights. I also use Nordic poles which help stabilise me when walking and are also good because you tend to stretch out your arms more. I don’t use these in my everyday walking...just my long routine walks.

[Mitziecat in reply to Reeceregan]

Thank you for your reply. I have been taking AA for a year but have never had a bone scan. It is on my agenda to discuss at my next Rheumatology appointment. Wishing you well with your efforts to increase your mobility.

[Jim-CJ]

Hi Lin6075,

Yes, my wife has had 13 fractures, caused by Prednisone since May of 2017. However, she has bene on Forteo since October and has only had 1 fracture since then. And her recent DEXA test has shown improvement. We think you have to reduce the prednisone and get on Forteo to get through all this before a serious type fracture, like the hip occurs.

Best Of Luck And You Are Not Alone,

Jim & CJ

[PMRinsdca]

Hi,

I got a stress fracture in my foot from using the eliptical at the gym! Yup, trying to exercise and stay healthy. Ha ha. After a bone scan, found out that I had osteoporosis. Diagnosed with PMR at age 54, been on Pred for almost 4 yrs... up and down from 15 to a low of 2 and then back up again! Early this year I was also diagnosed w/ GCA after the finding of an aortic aneurism, etc. My rheumie started me on Actemra injections back in Feb. w/ the goal of bumping down Pred 1 mg every 3 weeks. (Fatigue has been a problem.) After finding osteoporosis she put me on Fosomax. Having some problems with acid reflux. See her this week and will discuss. Also started taking calcium/Vit D supplements again. Weight baring exercise helps build bone mass. I was doing some strength training at the gym 3/week and also walking my dog 2/day. That has all stopped right now. My foot is still hurting and have trouble walking more than a block. I do recommend some strength training exercise if you can do that. Keep us posted and best of luck!