Prednisolone and osteopenia

[Petertaffy]

Hi I had a Dex scan a few weeks ago and my bone density showed I have osteopenia, I was given calcium and vitamin D tablets to take twice a day. So would it help if I drank milk to help to augment this as I don't have milk normally but have yogurt. Thank you in advance for any replies. Peter.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yoghurt is probably better than milk as it has more calcium per given volume. Some claim the calcium is better absorbed although there is no evidence for that. But there is no need to add milk if you don't use it a lot - mine is for tea and tea alone! - as calcium comes in all sorts of foods:

eatingwell.com/article/7944...

PS - what were your t-scores, do you know?

[Petertaffy in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry but my doctor never told me my t-score.

[Petertaffy in reply to Petertaffy]

And thank you for your kind reply PMRpro.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Petertaffy]

Might be worth asking then… there’s quite a range as you can see - and depending what they are depends on how you can address them..

A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. ...

[Petertaffy in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your kind reply DorsetLady, I have an appointment with my Dr on Tuesday I shall ask him then and will let you know.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Petertaffy]

Good - because it does matter. Are you almost normal bone density, almost osteoporosis ar somewhere in the middle?

[Orange_2022 in reply to Petertaffy]

I'd ask for them....I had to chase for my Dexa report but it's useful to have. The receptionist got the hospital to send me a copy in the end.

[piglette]

It is always worth ensuring that you are getting nutrients from your food and not just relying on tablets.

In UK we are now all entitled to see the results of our medical tests. I ask for all of them to file as I find doctors do not always check. I usually ask the receptionist at my GP’s surgery and she prints them out. You can get quite a lot of your results on-line, I don’t know if you have registered for this?

[Petertaffy in reply to piglette]

No I haven't but in Wales that facility hasn't got here yet. Thanks for your kind reply piglette.

[piglette in reply to Petertaffy]

Where are you in Wales? My sister has had it in South Wales for quite a while. apphelp.nhs.wales

[Petertaffy in reply to piglette]

I live in pontyclun about 8 miles from Cardiff

[piglette in reply to Petertaffy]

I would have thought you could get the NHS App in that case. Look at apphelp.nhs.wales/ On the other hand the info I get is limited, as I believe five different computer systems are involved and they don’t seem to talk to each other.

You are now legally entitled to see your results even if you have to have paper copies which I prefer.

[Indigo2417 in reply to Petertaffy]

I’m in west Wales and I have to ask for my blood test results etc, the receptionist will print them off for me but, I have to fill in a request form every time and produce ID. Recently I had an X-ray and the radiologist said my GP would be able to see the results almost straight away, but when I asked the receptionist, she said they take 8-9 weeks to come through. I rechecked with radiology and they reconfirmed what they had said, so when I went back to the surgery I told them that. It turned out that the receptionist couldn’t look at those records but, a GP got them and she could print them off. Sometimes, you seem to have to persevere to get what you want. By the way, I got my DEXA scan results because I had to go privately to have a scan, there being a 14 month waiting list at that time.

[SheffieldJane]

I guess it would. K2 vit helps calcium to be absorbed. Magnesium is good too and that all important weight bearing exercise.

[Supertech]

british-supplements.net/pro...

This is what I take but at a lower amount, think it is 5,700 as well as calichew from GP. I have had osteoporosis for at least 15 years, having taken alendronic acid tablets plus subsequently yearly infusions with no ill effect. At present I am on a treatment holiday from the infusions.

[Petertaffy in reply to Supertech]

Thank you for your kind reply.

[Exflex]

what dose of Pred are you taking, your profile doesn’t say. Have you been offered a bisphosphonate such as AA, although there are significant issues once you’re on them for a few months or more.

[Petertaffy in reply to Exflex]

I have been on a similar tablet to Alendronic acid for well over 18 months now. Thank you for your kind reply

[Exflex]

when I informed my dentist that I had been on AA / Risedronate for 3 years she said unfortunately that stops you having certain treatment such as dental implants.

[noslak]

There are different forms of calcium. explore.globalhealing.com/c...

[Alchemy8]

And doing bouncing exercises, walking. Strontium is also a recommended supplement but not Ranelate (check out Pizzorno book on bone health).

[Petertaffy in reply to Alchemy8]

Thank you I will Alchemy 8