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Have a Bone Density Scan for long term Prednisone uses

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Posted 2/6/2013 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sufferers on Prednisone over a long period of time should request a Bone Density Scan.
Has anyone been suggested by their GI?
Posted 2/6/2013 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Not my GI but my rheumatologist has me get one ever other year.
Posted 2/6/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
I just had mine last week. My new GI said he feels it's mandatory for anyone taking Prednisone -even if it's one or two courses over a year. Was talking to the nurse that ran the scanner and she said children need to be on top of this because their growing and such - and very active so they want to make sure they don't injure themselves in sports while on it.

She also told me the best thing is actually exercise and supplements as a first line of defense - exercise being #1 and that they usually reserve meds for last resort if a problem arises.
Posted 2/6/2013 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was on prednisone for 10 months and my new GI had me do a scan. It showed osteopenia, which is a fore-runner to osteoperosis. I'm only 26. So I think it's good to do to check on things. Start taking calcium supplements and exercising if your bone density is low.
Posted 2/6/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
My understanding has always been after 3 months of pred use one should have a bone density scan as a baseline.
Posted 2/6/2013 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
My rheumy has me do one once a year.
Posted 2/7/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Holy crap.

Being referred for my first bone scan. And not before time, so it would seem! I actually was going to mention that to the consultant last week, but the IBD nurse - who I saw instead - brought it up first and I agreed straight away. I've been on as much Pred in one and a quarter years as I have in the previous 11-12 years of my disease: have hardly been off it and will certainly be on it for another few months.
Posted 2/7/2013 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
My GI had me do one almost right after seeing him for the first time. I was surprised, but pleased.
Posted 2/7/2013 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density test....-2.5 is osteoporosis  and mine was a -2.3. Osteopenia at 29 isn't exactly considered good :) I think if you have been on pred then you should definately get the test done.
Posted 2/8/2013 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
I have bone density scans once a year. I was dx'd with osteoporosis when I was 37 after 18 years of pred. use (had cataract surgery for both eyes that same year thanks to the pred., too). My bone 'age' based on the scan then was interpreted to be that of a 64 year old post-menopausal woman nono . Over the intervening years (I am now 52) I took actonel, didronel and from 2006-2011 did a 5 year stint of quarterly Boniva infusions, as well as taking vit D and calcium. So far I am holding my own - I have not had any significant bone loss since my original diagnosis :-).

The initial diagnosis/scan was precipitated by a stress fracture in the top of my foot (second metatarsal). Two years ago I did manage to fracture a couple ribs from coughing when I had pneumonia.
Posted 2/8/2013 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
18 years of continuous Pred use? That's terrifying... :-/

Hope you never have to go back on Pred again! But glad you seem to be managing your osteoporosis quite well.
Posted 2/10/2013 2:26 AM (GMT 0)

NiceCupOfTea said...
18 years of continuous Pred use? That's terrifying... :-/

Hope you never have to go back on Pred again! But glad you seem to be managing your osteoporosis quite well.

Thanks, NCOT :-D

Actually I was never able to get off the pred - still need to take a daily dose - not so much for active Crohn's, but to replace the cortisol (prednisone = synthetic cortisol) my adrenal gland no longer produces on its own due to being suppressed by the larger doses/bursts-tapers of pred in the past. It gets to be something of a vicious cycle but, for the most part, I've managed to stay on top of it :-).
Posted 2/14/2013 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on prednisone for many years. I was diagnosed several years ago with osteoporosis, so about a year and a half ago I made a very hard effort to go off prednisone and was successful. However, now I am flaring more, and see more change in my bones than I did while being on prednisone. It needs to be taken into consideration that untreated crohn's disease may cause bone loss as well, because nutrients aren't absorbed well.
Posted 2/14/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I just had my first bone density scan two weeks ago. I'm 36. I've been on and off pred for years. Everything was a-ok. I just have to keep up my normal calcium and d supplements. Repeat scan in 2 years.
Posted 2/15/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
i had a dexa scan a few years ago when i got UC. it showed osteopenia. i'm sure my prednisone usage after that didn't benefit me either. not sure if my bones have changed since then.
Posted 3/12/2013 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm Screwed!!! Between MS (16 years) and CD (2 years) and all the high and low dose predisone, my bones are probably bad.
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