A bit gutted 😞

[GerriMc]

Hi all,

Haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been doing fairly well and have been hovering between 1 and 2 mgs of Pred per day. I’ve just had the results of a Dexascan and it’s not good. I had a Dexa before I started on Pred four years ago which showed Osteopenia, no surprise as I was over sixty. I was prescribed Risedronate , which I took for about a year. I was convinced though, that it was making my teeth loose and I was also afraid given the problems others had had with it so I stopped taking it. My lumbar spine now has osteoporosis. The t-score for the L2, L3 vertebrae has gone from -1.6 to -2.8. And one hip which was in the normal range is showing borderline osteoporosis too.

My diet has been really good and I exercise a lot so I’m really surprised at this.

I’m expecting a big “I told you so” from my Rumie. He’s actually a nice man so maybe he won’t be too unkind.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What a shame you hadn't had the recommended 2-yearly dexascan so they would have had some warning. No doubt they will want to restart the risendronate?

[GerriMc in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah looks that way. I should have pushed for another scan. Don’t know what else I could have done if I’d had the warning earlier though. I’ve been doing all the recommended things.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GerriMc]

Just bad luck really. But it is possible that the current dexascan has over estimated the deterioration - the angle at which the beams are sent through the bone can make a big difference to the reading apparently

[GerriMc in reply to PMRpro]

Oh, thanks, didn’t know that. Hopefully that’s the case, but I’d probably be better assuming the worst. 🙄

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GerriMc]

And remember - lower bone density doesn't automatically mean the bone is more brittle - it may even be quite flexible, especially given your exercise history. But they can't measure that and get a number ...

[GerriMc in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks a mil. You’ve made me feel a lot more positive!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GerriMc]

There are a lot of ways to reduce your risks - and even before bisphosphonates hit the market the rate of hip fractures was falling, not least because we tend to remain more active much longer. Both hip and spinal fractures can be reduced by sensible things - like putting the light on when you get up at night ( OH managed to fall and got a spinal fracture because he didn't!), Careful monitoring of medication, fluid intake, vit D is crucial too. Removal of trip hazards of all sorts is also important.

[GerriMc in reply to PMRpro]

I’ll have to do that, my OH is guilty of leaving things lying around, actually I’m a bit guilty of that too.

[Pr0jection in reply to GerriMc]

I'm the same as you, GerriMc albeit that much older at 78. I knew I had mild osteopenia before I started on pred and had a dexascan in May 2020. After I was diagnosed and had been on prednisolone for 8 months I decided to have another scan in March 2021 and found osteoporosis in the lumber region - L1. I was surprised that it could occur so quickly as I'd been exercising, eating very healthily, etc. I was given a prescription for alendronic acid but decided not to take it. I've upped my Vit D3, and continued taking magnesium, Caltrate, goat's kefir (Vit K2), low carbs, no sugar, lots of protein, veg, full fats and I will wait and see what the next dexascan brings in around 18months time. Perhaps, as PMRpro says, the dexascan overestimated the deterioration. I remember the technician was certainly in a hurry to get off for lunch and rushed me through the procedure! Good luck...

[SheffieldJane]

Sorry to hear of this blow. Don’t despair though. I would research everything I could do to improve my bone health. People do improve these readings. I think Heron turned things round by means of a programme of informed diet and exercise. It may also be that another of the Biophosphonate group of drugs would suit you better, not everyone has trouble.

[GerriMc in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane, I’ll definitely do more homework. I’ll look again at Heron’s program too.

[SheffieldJane in reply to GerriMc]

Did you see Heron’s post? Probably in response to you. She has posted a new thread.

[GerriMc in reply to SheffieldJane]

No, I’ll look for it. Thanks!

[Sandradsn]

I'm really sorry to hear this.Do you take Adcal? Have you been having pain?

[GerriMc in reply to Sandradsn]

I take Calcichew, it has Vit D added but I take a further D supplement with K2 and Magnesium.

[GerriMc in reply to Sandradsn]

Actually, I do have pain in the lumbar area. I’d been assuming it was muscular though. Wasn’t aware that osteoporosis caused pain. Thank you, something else to look into.

[piglette]

Have you been taking vitamin D with calcium? Have you been trying weight exercises? You can try another Bisphosphonate although Risedronate seems quite popular.

[GerriMc in reply to piglette]

Thanks, yes, I’ve been taking calcium, Vit D, K2 and magnesium every day. I’m a former runner and rower and while not able to do as much as I used to, I still jog and use my rowing machine regularly. I also try to do weights about 3 times a week. So I really tried to do everything right!

[piglette in reply to GerriMc]

It is so unfair isn’t it? You could wear chain male and do lots of heavy shopping!

[HeronNS]

Just go to my profile (click on my name here) and you'll find today's post with a video which has some of the information you may be looking for. However, have you been checked for "secondary causes of osteoporosis"? If, for one example, you have a problem with the parathyroid glands (not the same as thyroid gland) your body may be taking too much calcium out of the bones and no supplements or medication will help until that is sorted.

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

[GerriMc in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you. No, I’ve never heard of parathyroid problems. I’ll have to see about that.