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Bone Scan?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/28/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
They're not releasing my son today because they want to do a bone scan. Do Crohns patients have a problem with their bones?
Posted 2/28/2010 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Usually when we have bone trouble it's due to extended steroid use which weakens bones... as far as I know anyway. I hope it goes okay!
Posted 2/28/2010 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
If he's been on steroids a lot, it can cause osteoporosis eventually, so it's a good idea that they monitor him and have him take calcium and vitamin D if needed to prevent bone density loss.
Posted 2/28/2010 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
He only took them for a very short time last year. Does Remicade affect the bones?
Posted 2/28/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
My old GI said he feels like there is a connection between Crohn's and low bone density "before the patient even smells a steroid." I guess he felt it was due to malabsorption. I never had a bone scan done before years of steroids, so I don't know what my baseline was. It's great that your doctor is proactive on this. Early scans will detect a baseline density so that they can keep watch. Personally I think I have osteoporosis because I'm steroid dependent... and have been for years. Right now I'm not on oral steroids, but...
Posted 2/28/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I just had a baseline done. mine was low. We CD pts need to have this done due to absorbtion issues (i think). We normally do not get the right amount of vitamins. We need to have more Vit D, and calcium, our bones suffer when our bodies don't get the right amount of these. And this is before you add in the steroid use.
hope this helps
Posted 2/28/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I had one done a few months ago due to my steroid use. I have osteopenia, which is in between being ok and having osteoperosis...I'd better start slamming that vitamin d and calcium!!
Posted 2/28/2010 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your replies! I finally found out from him why they're doing it. They're wanting to make sure the steriods and Remicade haven't effected his bones. They're also going to give him iron through an IV. I'm glad of that.
Posted 3/1/2010 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Potsie,
You might want to think about getting one done as well. Sometimes it is also a good idea to get a baseline done, so you can see if your lossing any bone mass.
Navy
Posted 3/1/2010 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
My GI also told me I lost bone due to crohn's before steroids. I've had a baseline done before starting steroids and get one every 2 years.
Posted 3/3/2010 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
I just got my first DEXA done yesterday....my old GI never got one done in the 4 years i have been diagnosed, the first thing my new GI asked when he got my files from the other GI is "Where is your Bone Mineral Densitys scans?" of course my reply was i never got one done. Anyways, since i was in highschool, around 17, i started doing power lifting and strength training as part of my training for the wrestling team i was on. I have been heavy in the gym ever since minus flare periods (am now 25) and was diagnosed when i was 21.

I have only been on Prednisone once at a full dose, yet am still close to the border line between normal and osteopenia. Strength Training/Power Lifting is supposed to be one of the best ways to gain bone density and i am a HUGE milk drinker, so i get more then enough calcium (if i was a normal healthy person without crohns), that gives you an idea how much damage crohns can do to ones body, even without a lot of steroid use.
Posted 3/3/2010 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the input! They released him before doing the scan. It has to be done as an outpatient.
Posted 3/3/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Postie,
I was quite serious unless you had your son extremely young it might be a good idea to do one yourself.
Posted 3/3/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree Navy! It's a good idea for anyone, especially one with family history of osteoporosis to have one done. My mom has had them done to ensure that she doesn't develop osteoporosis. I keep telling my sister to have one as well. (can't convince my dad though...he's 58 and has yet to have a colonoscopy either---BAD DAD!)

Darryl-I had crohn's for about 7 years before switching to a good GI. That was one of the first things she asked as well...."why haven't you had a bone scan yet?" (I also had never had an upper endoscopy done and had been on PPI's for 7 years...my old GI was not thorough)
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