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bone density scan results

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Posted 5/21/2008 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
I just got my bone density scan results and it says I'm osteopenic, which is less bone density than normal. I'm still in my 30s so maybe I can still increase my bone mass without drugs, but I'm pretty annoyed about this. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised after all the times I've been on prednisone. Probably I also just have a heredity thing -- sorry, my brain is so foggy today that I can't think of how to express that better.

Anyway, this is just me venting about how annoying it is to have to think about long-term effects from UC when I'm just trying to get through 'til tomorrow.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked my doctor for the test? I guess I was kind of hoping for some good news. Silly me.

Meanwhile, I'm bleeding, having liquid /mucus, and pretty exhausted most of the time. The suggest "weight-bearing exercise" to increase bone mass just sounds like too much work right now. Any other ideas?
Posted 5/21/2008 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
what are you eating?
When my son was bleeding for 5 months, I came to be with him,he was so tired, I bought iron pills. I thought that from so much blood loss, he was exhausted too.

I bought herbal pills and he was taking it for 2-3 weeks. He says it helped him. Yunnan baeyao (I think it spells like this) any way, it is capsules, he mixed 1/2 cup warm water and open the 2 capsules, twice a day. it worth trying, you can read about it on Google.
Posted 5/22/2008 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you need more rest to get your flare under control, priority no. 1. In the meantime, make sure you're getting adequate calcium & vit D daily. Did you ever have Vitamin D25 tested as part of blood work? My gastro is very big on that measurement-- says that if a patient's level is under 30 that calcium absorption into bones may well be insufficient. There's an osteo health interactive available on the NY Times health section Website (aging body) that you might want to check out because it analyzes one's data & recommends possible corrective action-- things additional to weight-bearing exercises. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 5/22/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Yaft, my diet is OK but not fantastic. I try to stay away from fried foods and junk. I do eat a lot of refined flour and sweets, which I am trying to cut back on. I was just tested for anemia and it was negative, so at least I'm not very iron deficient. Still, I think that increasing my iron intake a little is a good idea.

Old Hat, Thanks for steering me toward the NYTimes site. I found very good information there. That was just what I needed!
And you are right, I need to get this darn flare under control. I am already planning a little time off from work. I need to do things daily to take care of myself and that's where I've been lacking in my efforts. It takes a lot to take care of one's self. Bah.

I forgot to mention that the bone density scan table was the *most* comfortable table ever. I want to go back to take a nap there.
Posted 5/22/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density test a few months ago and it showed I had osteopenia, too. I'm only 24 and I've never even been on predisone, but I do have a naturally thin build, so that may account for my results partially. My primary doctor told me women's bones continue to become more dense up until around age 30 or so, therefore the test results really have no meaning for me, but two GIs I saw and everything I've read said this is wrong. So, I'm a bit confused, but I am taking two calcium and vit. D supplements a day, in addition to eating plenty of dairy and other foods that contain w/calcium.

As for weight bearing exercises that aren't too strenuous, you could try walking or yoga. There are lots of yoga videos out there if you want to do it from home. Here's a good Web site I found that lists weight-bearing exercises: http://www.nof.org/prevention/exercise.htm

I know how you feel regarding "maybe I shouldn't have asked for the test," but I think it really is better to know now than wait until you may have gotten osteoporosis. At least now there are some things you can do to try to build back up your bones.

I hope your UC gets better soon. I know how hard it is to be able to exercise in any way when you're just trying to stay awake in between trips to the bathroom.
Posted 5/22/2008 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sara,
Thanks so much for the post. It means so much to me to have the community here. It's amazing to me that for 10 years with UC it never occurred to me to find others online to talk to. I guess that's because my husband is such a huge support to me. But I'm sure that obsessing over my bone density results is not something he wants to discuss endlessly with me! :)

It's very encouraging to know that yoga can help. I've also read that yoga can be good for IBD/IBS, so I am getting ready to try it. (I know I've said it before but this time I mean it!) I will check out the website you suggested.

I think that since you are so young, you have plenty of time to take care of your bones. Taking calcium/vit D and exercising should make a big difference for you. I used to do those things in my 20s but I did not do it consistently. Also, I'm sure that all the pred use was a problem. I suppose on the bright side, I could figure that if I hadn't done those things even intermittently that I might even be in worse shape now. You never know.

Thanks again for the support. It is very much appreciated!
Posted 5/22/2008 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I had a bone density scan when I was 19 and it showed osteopenia in my spine and femur head. I am 100% positive it was from all the prednisone. I really need to take calcium and vitamin D but I've been slacking on it :(
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