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Posted 4/3/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I know most of you have it much worse, but I am feeling a little down.  I'm going to the doctor today to confirm that I have a fractured rib.  It will be the 6th in 4 years, the third one in less than 2 years and the second since January.  I know that all I will get is some painkillers.  Crap. I feel stupid -- I should have known to take calcium and Vitamin D well before now.  I guesss my brain is dense and my bones aren't.   But, I still have all of my guts after 35 years of Crohn's.  I should be grateful.  Thanks, I feel better now. 
Posted 4/3/2009 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
yeah You're welcome ! smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/3/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
(((JORDAN59))) That sounds awful and must be really painful. Are they putting you on anything to help strengthen your bones? I wish I could be of more help, but know I am sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 4/3/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the support.  I was just feeling a little wimpy because I broke the current rib just as the last one was getting healed.  I'm not on any meds for bone strengthening yet.  My appointment is in an hour.  I'll report back to let you know if they prescribe anything. 

Posted 4/3/2009 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jordon59. What caused your bone problems?  I was on prednisone for 2 yrs and it caused me to have osteopenia. Bad thing on my part is that I havent been taking the didrocal that they prescribed me. I have a lack of commitment when it come to taking pills, I just hate taking pills. I am only 23 and am wondering how badly this will affect me in yrs down the road? Also how did you break your ribs? 
Posted 4/3/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Chronic -- My doc just put me on caltrate (a calcium/vitamin D supplement). If insurance approves the tests, the doc will check my bone density levels and may prescribe something. I broke the ribs in falls. First time I stepped on ice while dashing across the street. Second time my dog yannked on the leash just as I stepped on ice. This last time I was waiting outside a shop while my girlfriend was shopping. I was leaning against the wall with one foot against the wall. I wasn't paying attention and -- bad dog again decided to try and run for it. I fell flat on my face. The first 3 fractures are a mystery to me. When I got my last xray they asked how I came to have 3 old, healed fractures.

I started haiving this problem in my late 40's. I've taken a ton of Pred over the years so that might be part of it. OR, I might just be an old clutz who can no longer break his falls properly.
Posted 4/3/2009 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'd bet on the Prednisone. I took way too much over the years and have had more than my fair share of fractures. I just got over a broken rib myself, so I'm feeling your pain. My most recent one I broke while coughing with bronchitis, I can't even blame a cute cuddly dog, just an ugly little bug! Just my 2 cents, if your doctor puts you on something to strengthen your bones, take it! I started having compression fractures when I was in my early thirties. Like you, I didn't even know it, until they showed up on an X-ray. But once I started on treatment, my breaks started to happen a lot less often and my bone density tests have actually improved so that now that I am in my mid 40's my levels are actually better than when I was younger.

I hope you are feeling better soon, but really only time can being careful for a few weeks can help a broken rib. Sending very gentle hugs!
Posted 4/3/2009 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
(((Jordan))) I've heard that cracked ribs can be incredibly painful, so wish you a speedy recovery.
Posted 4/4/2009 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Ouch! I'm glad that your doctor put you on caltrate and is doing the bone density scan - I have mine next week. My doctor is giving me one right away (I just started Entocort, very recently diagnosed) so that hopefully I can avoid this type of situation. Sounds incredibly painful though. The pred definitely has an impact though, you have to be careful about bone density with steroids, especially as you get older. Hope the calrate fixes the problem so you don't have to go through this again!
Posted 4/5/2009 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again for the support, all. Wow, breaking a rib while coughing? Hang in there, Zanne. I had a good weekend and am ready to resume battle against all health issues. Chronicallyill -- I hope you have seen the above posts. Take the meds!!! One of my big mistakes has been to be macho or head-in the-sand. Listen to your body and your doctor. Also, educate yourself about the disease, while keeping in mind that you may NOT accept as fact something just because it is on the web. Check out the sources of the information.

Take care all. Let's have a great Spring! It has to be better than the Fall (pun intended.).. .
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