Dexascan Results and Pred Query

[Nuff1]

Hubby had a phone call rom the surgery to make appointment.

Scan results showed bones as being nomal but report accompanied by query/comment that could medication be reviewed in view of "high" pred dosage.

He was diagnosed mid June PMR/GCA and left the asseement unit on 40mg pd.

At time of scan he was on 25 - 22.5mg reduction week and is currently taking 20mg about to star a reduction to 17.5 (admittedly a slower rate than GP was suggesting in September).

He'll be on 15mg by mid Jan at current rate.

Rheumatologist who saw him initiall has unfortunately died in an accident shortly after and he has not had follow-up.

He's comfortable on current pred reduction rate.

Any observations welcome.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A long term dose of 40mg probably could lead to some problems - although there are a few ladies on the forums who had GCA and not even calcium and vit D supplements whose bone density remained perfectly OK all the way through until they got off pred. It doesn't follow your bones will suffer from pred. I had been on pred for over 7 years at my last dexascan and my bone density had barely changed at all - have only ever taken calcium and vit D. Anyway, he is obviously getting on well with the reduction - and it is though that the greatest changes occur in the first 3 months of pred which he was past by the time he had the scan.

If the bone scan is normal, even if they are suggested politely refuse to take bisphosphonates at present and make sure he takes his calcium and vit D religiously. They have no real side effects - bisphosphonates do and shouldn't be taken for more than 2-3 years because of the (newly identified) long term risks of formation of cracks in the long bones that can then lead to atypical fractures.

At least, that is what I would do. I did it 9 years ago - or I would have been on bisphosphonates totally unnecessarily. No regrets...

[yogabonnie]

Do not take AA when UNCALLED FOR! Have him jump up and down. Heel drops and lift weights and forget the meds! Tack Calcium and Vit K27! and D

[Lolarufus123]

Hi I had an accident 13 months ago and broke my sacrum. S1 and L5 won't heal, or at least haven't yet. My orthopedic neurosurgeon took me and all of my scans to the university where he lectures and got his team of 8 neurosurgeons to look at them. I also brought my list of meds. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis early this year after having my Dexa scan

They looked at all my scans and said "ah cortisone ". I was only taking a couple of puffs of cortisone sprays each day due to emphysema. I immediately stopped the sprays and googled cortisone and bones. Luckily I didn't need the sprays but I understand that some people need to take cortisone. I do suggest that you're husband takes calcium and Vitamin D3 everyday. I am focusing on healing my osteoporosis within the next few years as it is u

Quite frightening to have bones that won't heal. Lola