Bones

[Uglow]

Not sure whether to take Advil for bones. Tbh I’m a bit scared. My dexa said no change since 2015 but the Gp keeps saying I MUST take because of being on prednisone. I have some 2 a day pills sorry can’t remember name to take and I was going to take collagen. And also eat lots of calcium rich food. Please can I have your experiences. Thank you

[Kendrew]

I'm a bit confused as to why you're taking Advil for bones! Isn't it an anti- inflammatory/analgesic also known as Ibuprofen? Sorry if I'm just being dim but not really heard of it as a specific bone health medication. Did you mean Alendronic Acid??

Apologies again if I've misunderstood!

[Uglow in reply to Kendrew]

Sorry I did mean alendronic acid.

[Kendrew in reply to Uglow]

Haha!😄 No worries. I think if you're last dexa scan showed no osteoporosis and it's not changed since 2015 then I'd be saying 'no thankyou' to AA until such a time as the situation changed and deterioration was evident. However, it seems that you've only been on the pred since Feb and damage from the meds might take a little longer to manifest so you need to be mindful of that. My dexa scan (after 4mths on pred) showed significant osteoporosis, so I didn't really have a lot of choice. I was already osteopoenic prior to PMR diagnosis. I can't make up your mind for you and only you will know what's best for you but I would always advise not to agree to take any medication without strong evidence to support a need for it. Although pred is known to reduce bone density leading to osteoporosis, there are many people on here who've not required a biphosphonate but it does mean being regularly monitored. What I would also advise is checking your calcium and Vit. D levels. If these are too low then supplements may be required. If they're within normal parameters, then probably not.

These are just my thoughts on your situation and I'm sure others will be along with some helpful advice too.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

By the “2 a day” pills I guess you mean Adcal- D3 (Calcium &VitD) if my crystal ball is working. If so, they they may well be enough protection.

[Uglow in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes your crystal ball is going strong 😂

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Uglow]

Good job sometimes!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What are the real t-score numbers in your dexascan result? That is what is important. And when was your most recent dexa relative to you starting on pred in February? It is thought the greatest loss of bone density happens in the first 3 months of pred.

I have been on pred for over 12 years, my bone density is only slightly less now than it was then, Loss of bone density with pred is NOT inevitable.

All I have ever taken is calcium and vit D supplements, a total of 4 tablets of AA before I discussed it with a different GP and stopped it. I do take a lot more vit D than in the calcium supplements though - 4000 IU a day, However, I stopped the calcium a couple of years ago and concentrate on dietary calcium as it doesn't cause cystitis.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to PMRpro]

Have you ever heard of a supplement called Algaecal? A friend of mine with bone cancer has started taking it and apparently it can stop loss of bone density, even those with osteoporosis can find a vast improvement after 6 months. I'm still reading about it. My last dexa scan showed a slight increase of osteopenia in my right hip (t score of - 1.9 now up from - 1.2).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Yes - I've heard the claims. Which I don't believe!

Who says so? Their marketing department?

nwhn.org/have-you-ever-hear...

It contains stronitium and vit K2 - it isn't "just" a calcium supplement

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Lonsdalelass in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that reply PMRpro, I knew you would be able to shed some light on it. I had my doubts, and my hubby did too. He thinks I take enough things as it is! 🤣

[HeronNS in reply to Lonsdalelass]

If there is strontium in it, this element replaces calcium and is heavier, so naturally DXA scans show increased density. I don't know if it means the bones are stronger and less likely to fracture. Have never taken strontium (except I suppose what occurs naturally in our food) but still managed to improve my bone density through so-called natural means, exercise, nutrition and a few supplements, including Vitamin K2 (not K1).

[Lonsdalelass in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for your reply HeronNS. I'm sure my friend is only taking the Algaecal without the strontium. She only mentioned it to me because my bone density had dropped since my last dexa scan. I've been trying to up my calcium intake through diet for last two years, doctors advice, since Adcal was giving me heartburn. I also take vit D spray once daily and Vit K2 once daily, and a magnesium supplement. I maybe need to try to get more calcium in my diet, although my t scores haven't deteriorated that much I suppose. It's not osteoporosis (yet).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I think Algaecal has strontium in it - no escape!

[HeronNS in reply to Lonsdalelass]

If it does contain strontium (and the internet indicates it does) it surely is a natural form, not the manmade version, ranelate, created so they could patent it and make money, and which, apparently. comes with some problems. Strontium is only one of about 14 minerals Algaecal includes. I note that the company provides a strontium boost product, sold separately so it can be taken separately to improve its absorption - so it sounds like there is very little strontium in the basic product.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to HeronNS]

Yes HeronNS, I think you're right. I've read the same about taking an extra strontium boost, something like two hours after the Algaecal. However, after reading your (and PMRpro's) reply, I will do some more reading. I have the book "Your Bones...." you mentioned on an earlier link so will dip back into that. I might try a weighted vest as well, although I'm finding it hard at the moment to keep up with the walking.

[HeronNS in reply to Lonsdalelass]

You do know what they say - even five minutes walk is better than no walk!

[Lonsdalelass in reply to HeronNS]

Ah, thanks for the motivation HeronNS. It's maybe what I need! 🤣

[HeronNS in reply to Lonsdalelass]

There's a gentleman who contributes to the forum sometimes who was basically becoming wheelchair-bound. With forum encouragement he started taking very short walks, which got longer, and I think within less than a year was back on the ski slopes, including intructing people! (It did help also that he insisted on being given the right amount of pred and a slow taper after some bad experiences.) We can't all become athletic, of course, but it goes to show that a little goes a long way towards getting us better.

[Linny3 in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I am trying the algaecal regime. I am in my 4th month.They say you may see results in 6 months. My plan is to get a new dexa scan at the end of 6 months and see how it is going. I am caught between a rock and a hard place because I don't seem to be tolerating the bone drugs and I have osteoporosis, probably pred induced. So, decided to give this a try. I like what I read about it. I haven't had any problems with uti's etc since changing calcium type.Good Luck

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Linny3]

Interesting, let us know how you get on and what your next dexa results are.

[HeronNS in reply to Linny3]

Have you read my story? I was introduced to many of the things I did to improve my t-score by a woman who was diagnosed with osteoporosis and actually improved her bones out of that range completely without the use of medication. I have only been diagnosed with osteopenia, but it has been nearly five years since my second DXA scan which showed significant improvement over the first. Time for another. Given the number of stupid accidents I've had in intervening years my bones must be okay!

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[piglette]

My GP must have read the same information as mine. I have been on steroids for a while therefore I must take Alendronic Acid even if my bones are like metal struts. We have an argument about it every time we talk. Each time I think I have won and then the next time the same old argument. It has been going on since 2016.

[Uglow in reply to piglette]

😂😂😂😂😂

[HeronNS]

I remember reading that the most effect on the bones from pred occurs during the first three months. If you are okay now, then you shouldn't need any bone medication. If you haven't read my story you might get some tips from it.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Linny3 in reply to HeronNS]

I did read your bio before. My dexa scan showed osteopenia for many years. Then I started on pred and my dexa got a little worse, then it got better then it got really bad showing osteoporosis. The decline didn't show until about 3&1/2 years into using pred.Because of the fractures, many back issues and the pmr, I haven't been able to do much of anything in regards to exercise. I even bought a weight vest thinking that would help but now I am afraid to use it.

[HeronNS in reply to Linny3]

Have you been investigated for any other causes of osteoporosis, or has it just been assumed that it's the pred?

osteoporosis.ca/about-the-d...

I don't blame you for being cautious about using a weighted vest. If fractures are healed you should be okay, but in your position I'd start with just a few ounces and increase in very tiny steps, with time in between for the bones to have time to do their job of increasing density. You can even wear it puttering around your place so there's less strain than if you were walking somewhere. I think I have a link somewhere for this situation. If I find it I'll post it in the thread.

[Predsharer]

I think it’s important, when you have a DEXA scan to ask the doctor to use the FRAX tool to determine your fracture risk. This will give you a percentage of risk, that can help you decide whether you want to take the drug or not.

[AdoptMeow]

Unfortunately most discussions and recommendations about bone health leave out the essential nutrient magnesium. New bone cannot be built without it. It's needed in dozens of functions including keeping your heart 💓 beating. Muscle cramps are a possible indication of deficiency. A quality calcium supplement will contain at least 500 mg per day. It will also include other forms of calcium than carbonate, since calcium carbonate is the least absorbed form. Or you can take a separate supplement of magnesium gluconate, citrate or oxide.