Thanks to Prednisone use?

I went to see a orthopedic guy yesterday because I have been having alot of problems for years with my left knee.  For the first few years it would always lock up on me.  Then this past year it started really hurting more.  My family doc had sent me to a Rheumy because of this and alot of other joint pain.  She diagnosed me with inflammatory and osteoarthritis related to the Crohns.  She discovered I had some bursitis in my knee which she gave me a cortisone shot for, which helped that part of my knee immensely.  But my knee (kinda under and to the right side of the left knee) kept hurting alot, so she ordered a MRI.  Turns out I have a torn meniscus, hence the visit to the orthopedic guy.  I will have arthroscopic surgery on it to fix it in about two-three months.  No biggie.

But what he found that was interesting is that my knee joints are worn down much more than they should be for someone my age.  Looks like someone knees 15-20 years older than my current age.  He said I will definetly have some problems as I age.  He also doesn't know if its due to Crohns or genetic (mom had to have Knee replaced).  Personally I think its from years of prednisone use.  I already have osteopenia, so looks like the evil Pred has hit another area of my body.

Anyone else seen alot of abnormal wear on their bones like that?  I tell you with this disease if its not one thing, its another.  I don't know if I am going to allow them to use Pred on me anymore unless its absolutely necessary and I am going to make sure its only for a short time if they do.

 

Well I have had Crohns for over 32 years and taken Pred many many times.  So I almost bet that it is the evil cause.  Take your calcium.

Hi Hope the operarion makes it better for you what kind of results can you expect from it? lol gaol

Good luck Nanners,

 Before I was in my Ileostomy in 95-96 I had rheumatory arthritis went to get bone density done and found loss of calcium.

I was on pred from 1980-1996 mostly 20,30,40mg and only went to 60 or 80mg for flare ups, pred was the only thing back then to keep me under control the sulfur meds they had didn't do anything for me.

As a young 13 year old in 1980 going into puberty one of the long term side effects was that preds stunted my growth...I am 5'6 and could have likely been 2-3" taller.

Also kiddney stones were a battle for me from 94-96 passing 2-3 a year. With crohn's there are a lot of systemic medical problems that come with the disease like rheumatory arthuritis,kiddney stones, fistulas, were just a few problems I had.

My neighbor also has crohn's and he once showed me a small pill bottle filled with kidney stones he had passed in one year also his adrenalin glands are shot from the preds and fears going in to his pool as it is cold and he would go into shock.  He was on preds for a long time and he is a mess with rheumatory arthritis (joint calcium is gone) I know he takes pain meds just to cope with everyday life.

 

It's a shame b/c both he and I have had crohns for a long time and the only thing doc's knew how to treat it was with preds and the doc's admitted back then they don't know the long term effects it will do to the body.

 

 The cause is most definitely the pred eating the joint calcium away.

 

Dave 

 

Post Edited (MDdave) : 12/15/2007 7:55:42 AM (GMT-7)

I developed avascular necrosis in both knees from prednisone. I can no longer take it

I've been on pred for 15 years and haven't really been able to stay off of it. I'm only 35 and I have osteoporosis. They told me that I'm 4x's more likely to have a spine problem than someone my age and 11x's more to have a hip problem. It IS the evil pred that has done this. HOWEVER, I took Fosomax for a year and where most people see a 1-2% increase in bone mass, I had a 7% increase. So, if it gets bad for you, you might consider Fosomax or Boniva or a bone builder like that. And yes, take calcium!!!