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Prednisone and your bones

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/10/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Whoa, I have a post about "UC and Joint Pain" and you all should read buckeyeinfl's response to it on 11/8/08. It'll scare you a little. it talks about Osteonecrosis or bone death due to prednisone usage. I had never even heard of this, so I'm glad I read it...

I currently have a stiff neck and a mini flare but today, my Gastroenterologist would not prescribe me anymore steroids until after I get another bone density test. I have been on steroids for most of my 3.5 years with UC, but only about half the year this year and never prescribed over 40mgs.

Has anyone ever been denied prednisone by a doctor b/c of the longterm side effects? I have to give my GI props for looking out for me.

Posted 11/10/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have to disagree with you. Your GI has been negligent letting you remain on prednisone for 3.5 years. You might not even discover the long term negative side effects until you taper off the drug. I think you should work with your GI to make it a priority to change your regime.

Sue
Posted 11/10/2008 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I got AVN from using Entocort, which many doctors still say is not systemically absorbed. It usually strikes the hip, shoulder or knee and since only the hip is viewed on bone density films, good results there don't rule out AVN in another joint.

It is a very painful and destructive condition. I've had two shoulder surgeries and have loss some of the range of motion in my shoulder.
Posted 11/10/2008 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Prednisone for (most of) the last 1.5 years. Today I'm seeing my GI about switching to Imuran so that I can get off the Pred.
Posted 11/10/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lower spine. I really don't feel any different, but I can't stop thinking about it. I really haven't used steroids that much in the last 17 year of UC. Most of my usage was with Entocort enemas, which I was told are non-systemic.

I would urge everyone with UC to have a bone density scan done the minute the doctor prescribes steroids or even before. If I had known the loss of bone density occurring in my spine I would have not taken the Entocort enemas.
Posted 11/11/2008 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
I had been on prednisone for years, but on a lower maintenance dose, but still suffered waaay to many of the side effects. My goal in life was to come off steroids, but I was unable to. I was able to come off of them with drinking my Haldi, with my only other option being surgery. I just got lucky I guess, but if you remain on steroids, it is very important, as your doc seems to agree, that you follow up on bone density, and try to taper down to a reasonable maintenance dose. good luck,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

yuckygut

diagnosed 1998

now off prednisone and colazal

drink 1 Haldi daily
Posted 11/11/2008 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Any doctor who prescribes long or frequent courses of pred should order bone scans for their patients. And yes, you could certainly be denied pred - particularly if you're already at risk for osteoporosis.

The good news is you CAN rebuild bone density once you're off the pred. I was diagnosed with osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis) from pred use, but was able to rebuild to a healthy bone density range through healthy diet and exercise - particularly heavy weight training.
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