Hello all! I said I would let you know the results of my dexa. Prior to going on prednisone in October 2019, I had osteopenia and I just had another dexa done (about a year since my last one) and I am still in the osteopenia range although my numbers weren't quite as good for the spine and the hip neck but still in the osteopenia range so for that I am thankful. I recently started walking with my weighted vest and I had decreased my calcium intake to one pill at 500 mg (?). So I will continue to wear my weighted vest and start taking two calcium pills each day along with the K2. FYI, I am a 66 yo woman diagnosed with PMR in October 2019. Started on 20 mg of prednisone for one week, went down to 15 mg for several months, am currently on 10 mg for the last month and will begin tapering down 1 mg per month as I am able.
Dexa Update: Hello all! I said I would let you... - PMRGCAuk
Dexa Update
Thanks for update. Sounds like you've been doing the right things lately, so keep up the good work! I understand that Nordic walking and Tai Chi are also good for strengthening bones.
Thank you! It is just recently that I have felt strong enough to even think about wearing the weighted vest so my next step is to begin yoga again and see how that goes.
Don't overdo the vest thing. Build up your time wearing it, and you don't have to wear it all the time for it to help. Last thing you want is to strain yourself and not want to wear it at all! Yoga good too.
Hi Whitner! That’s good news that you’re still in the osteopenia range. I am still waiting for my weighted vest to be delivered. Had to order a larger size. My last dexa was in July 2019 showing osteopenia, borderline osteoporosis in some areas. I was told my next dexa would be in 3 years! It looks like I will have to have a scan done privately as I can’t wait that long.
Do you know your t-scores?
sounds like you are doing everything right! hurrah. good numbers! you inspire me and I must get that weighted vest back on. Does no good in the closet!
Glad all not too bad Whitner. I'm having my Dexa next month. You and I were diagnosed with PMR more or less the same time last year. My rheumatologist started me on 15 mg of Pred though. Only managed to stay on that for 16 days due to not being able to sleep. He told me to reduce 10 mg which I stayed on till 1 Feb then started to taper by 1 mg per month. So from first of March I'll be taking 8 mg....just hope things stay stable. I'm taking 2 calcium daily which has D3 in and also taking D2 so it's reaches bones. Really hoping my dexa proves ok as really don't want to take the Alendronic Acid to prevent osteoporosis, but may have to.
Best wishes
Anne
Hi Anne, I hope your numbers are good too. I just noticed I failed to mention that I also take a hormone replacement... estrodiol/norethridone (sp?) every other day. Sorry I didn’t mention this earlier as it is a significant part of my bone health regime!!
Never taken hormone replacement and luckily sailed through the menopause. Thanks though. I'll let you know how I get on as really don' want to have to take that horrible Alendronic Acid....I think we all pop enough pills, which include supplements. My list is as follows: Omega 3 (which I stopped when I started the steroids, not compatible) Turmeric, Biotin (hair health) Lutein with Zeaxanthin in it (for eye health) Vit C, Magnesium, Zinc. Taken Vit D3 and K2 for years, but now get the Calcium with D3 incorporated in it via prescription......so what with the steroids too now I defo rattle haha
Morning Whitner, Unfortunately, due to the wretched virus I had to cancel my Dexa scan which would have been yesterday. The private hospital I was attending to get it done told me many were cancelling too. So now I have no idea what the health of my bones are in. Due to now being on high strength steroids due to GCA, 40 mg daily I guess I will have to bite the bullet and take the Alendronic acid even though I really don't want. Wondering how much of the calcium we take in tablet form actually gets through to our bones, very little I imagine. Also should have been seeing my rheumy this morning (again privately due to GP not offering much help) I've cancelled going to that hospital too but he's agreed to give me a telephone consultation at the time I would have been seeing him this morning. Wondering what my next step will be. If he wants to take a biopsy I'll have to go to the hospital, no choice.
Anne
Sorry Anne! You should be able to get the scan in the next month or two. Maybe hold off on the Alendronic Acid until then sense you are not a fan?
No not really, since one lady on the forum had oesophagus problems which her GP put down to this drug. Shameful that I should have to pay for a scan when on such a high dose of Pred...all my GP has said is take the drug... and we all know the reason for that is it's cheaper !! Goodness knows when it will be safe to enter any hospital in the near future. Not everyone will experience problems from drug, but we all know they help one thing and mess up something else.
Anne
I’ve got a dexascan next Friday so I’m crossing my fingers as it wasn’t very good 2 years ago.
Let us know how yours goes Suet3942
I take it that is on the NHS Suet...let's know what result is. My rheumy told me this morning if I did have unhealthy bones and should have a fracture Id be dead in 6 months...wow enough to frighten anyone.
Hi Staplehurst. When I went to the hospital they had made an error. No appointment booked. Been rescheduled for end of April. May not take place then either due to the present circumstances.
Thank you
I have been advised to get all my Calcium from food and I am taking Magnesium Glycinate to help get the calcium from the blood into my bones
My rheumy said it's not enough to protect our bones. So I really must consider taking the Alendronic Acid now....not that I'm out and about to get a fracture, but still could happen at home I guess.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Afraid of Fosamax?
Dexa scan results - osteopenia
Trying to get a DEXA Scan
Type of calcium
New member -Dexa query
Related Posts
Prednisone to Hydrocortisone 
I am new here. How long did you stay on 10 mg of prednisone?
latest DEXA scan
Calcium needed or not…?Moderation team
