Bone fracture and immunosuppressants

[Curedreamer]

Hello. I fell three days ago and fractured a shoulder bone. My question is, does a bone fracture take longer to heal when you’re on 7.5 mg of prednisone and 150 mg of azathioprine? I had six cycles of cyclophosphamide (last one the 30th of October) and have been using prednisone for about two years but now the doses are lower.

I have vasculitis anca, overlap syndrome (AIH and PBC) and autoinmune pancreatitis

I’m in a lot of pain because I can’t take painkillers for the fracture

[Halebopp]

You need to talk to your doctor. I have considerable bone loss as a result of prednisone. I had a spinal fracture & surgery. My right shoulder bone died as a result of the prednisone. That shoulder got a reverse shoulder replacement. Two weeks later I fell and broke the other shoulder. A year later, that shoulder went through a reverse shoulder replacement. I’ve had about 3 fractures in the left scapula since the replacement and two fractures in the right shoulder since the replacement. I understand the pain. I take Tylenol through the worst of it. Prednisone is the culprit, for me. Not everyone reacts so severely to it. It’s a necessary evil. I understand there’s a new medication, due to be released worldwide in 2020, that takes the place of prednisone and has less severe side effects. But the bottom line is to definitely talk to your doctors. Everyone’s variation of this disease is different and requires different treatment. Good luck. I wish you the best.

[Curedreamer in reply to Halebopp]

Thank you so much for your response. I have osteopenia in my lumbar spine but apparently the shoulder density is fine. I see a shoulder specialist on Thursday morning. Best wishes and happy holidays!