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Anyone had a bone density test done? And vitamin question

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Posted 12/7/2012 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
My GI wants a bone density test done b/c of all the years I have been on and off pred. My primary scheduled it. I don't go until Feb. but was just curious how it worked. Also what happens if you do indeed have low bone density.

My second question....my nutritionist had me start a new multivitamin. I was previously just doing a flintstone chew vitamin (one for my son, one for me!). Anyway I have thrown up from the nausea the last two days after taking the vitamin. Maybe I should take them at night before bed. I can't do iron and the new vitamins don't have iron. I feel like I'm falling apart lately!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Posted 12/7/2012 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density scan after being on pred, and it wasn't great, but I was in my early 50s. I had osteoporosis, borderline, in some places. I started on Fosamax, a bone builder, but didn't like it. So I'm on my own...They should have taken a scan when you started as a baseline, but don't typically do it.

Then you need to make sure you are taking calcium. It won't rebuild but it will help you maintain what you have. At target you can get sweet candylike, calcium tabs. Take 1200 mg. a day.

Can you take the vitamins with food? Sorry you are feeling that way.
Maybe there is another chewable for you. You should get as much vitamins as you can from real food.

Sorry about the proctitis (ugh). Feel better. :-)
Posted 12/8/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
i had a DEXA scan done last year and have osteopenia. i blame it all on the UC because i've worked out for years and always had a healthy diet.

as for the multivitamin, maybe it has funky ingredients in it that aren't good for UC. a kid's vitamin most likely isn't supplying you with what you need anyways.
Posted 12/8/2012 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Small boned women and pred users are at higher risk. If you fall into one or the other of these categories you should be engaging in regular bone building exercise. Do not take Fosamax without talking to your dentist first!

Sue
Posted 12/8/2012 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks ladies! I'm 35 and small boned. I eat two of the calciums (Target brand) every day. I'll keep that up.
Posted 12/8/2012 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Read my vitamin K thread,k2 puts the calcium back into the bones.
We make k2 from K1 but who knows if our gut bacteria are actually doing it.
Old Mike
Posted 12/8/2012 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Are each 600 mg. on this calcium tabs?
Posted 12/8/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Old Mike - where does the K1 to K2 conversion take place? In the small intestines?
Posted 12/8/2012 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density scan when I was on pred. My results were okay but not grea.t I should have probably had a retest after I finished pred to see whether my bones were worse. The scan was no big deal. It was actually really quick and easy.
Posted 12/8/2012 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I believe the colon,not many bacteria in the small intestine,at least there should
not be.
Old Mike
Posted 12/8/2012 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I just had one on Thursday and a low back x-ray, having a lot of joint pain. Had oteopenia. The meds for that gave me joint pain. Went off of those. We shall see if there is a change from 3 years ago. Also having blood work done for arthritis next week.
Posted 12/8/2012 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Had a scan also. Very easy! I had been on prednisone for 8 months and was taking lots of calcium supplements while on it. My scan came back okay. My bone mass matches 88% of the people of my age, which is 35. Good luck!
Posted 12/8/2012 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes they are 600 mg each.

journey2health said...
Are each 600 mg. on this calcium tabs?

Posted 12/8/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Pink: I had two bone density tests. All you do is lay down and they take pictures. It takes 5 minutes.
Posted 12/8/2012 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm getting one done at the end of the month. Never on pred...but for my age (58), I wanted one done regardless.

q
Posted 12/8/2012 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Bone density scan is painless and easy.

When I reached age 65, Medicare benefits included a bone density scan. I was told I had osteopenia which (IMO) is a category that the medical established created so they could push more drugs. My GP wanted me to take one of the popular drugs.

I investigated how the various drugs work. They might prevent bone loss but also inhibit new bone growth. I read that since the bone is living tissue, both loss and growth are natural functions.

I opted to double up on calcium and take 2000 IU vitamin D3 daily. Also identified and eat calcium-rich foods including almond milk.
Subsequent bone scans showed improvement.

I had similar experiences with cholesterol and blood pressure reports and recommendations. In each case, I was able to lower the readings by diet modification and supplements.
Posted 12/8/2012 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density test done last year. You lay down and they take some sort of images of your neck, back, hip (they don't measure everything). I had very mild osteopenia in my neck. I was on pred for 7 months last year. My PCP told me to take at least 1500 mg of calcium and 800 mg of Vit D per day. I had the test while I was on pred. My PCP said she'd retest me in 3 yrs. She felt that if I can stay off pred and take the calcium, it should reverse.
Posted 12/8/2012 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! So glad it hear this is super easy! My vitamin d was low last round of bloodwork so I am taking a vitamin d supplement as well.
Posted 12/9/2012 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
pink, lots of good advice here.

I too, was told I had osteopenia, and like IAS they wanted to put me on fosomax, i said no thanks, and am doing vitamin d3 + k2 + L-threonine so far to build bones. I read that strontium also helps, but haven't started that yet.

I would also recommend you give some thought to liquid vitamins and minerals. It gets absorbed much better as there is nothing to break down.

While my flare was at its worse, I was bleeding very heavily every day and the only reason my blood work was always OK was due IMO to the liquid vitamins and minerals I take daily in my shakes.

Anyway, just a thought.

Posted 12/9/2012 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! Do you have any specific liquid mulit vitamins you like? My nutritionist had me start on a new multivitamin this past week and they made me throw up. I think they were too strong?? Or too much filler?? Not sure!

My scan is not until Feb. And yes I have gotten lots of great advice :) I appreciate it all!
Posted 12/9/2012 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
I had a Dexa scan 7 yrs ago, mainly due to concern over recurrent hip pain. The attendant posed me 3 different ways during the scanning session so I was on the table for about half an hour. My results were o.k., probably because I can tolerate lactose-free dairy and always managed to keep my calcium intake up regardless of flares that required steroid treatment in my younger adult yrs. I take a Centrum multivitamin w/o iron daily (with my gastro's blessing), always at mealtime so it processes together with food and does not upset my gut. / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 12/9/2012 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
pink,

Yes, I've been on these for quite a while now.

They're called Active Liquid Vitamins and Active Liquid Minerals.

I have them on auto-ship, through this site because of their 25% discount coupon: http://www.4alw.com/

And if you use this coupon: 25CFUC at checkout, it will enable you to get a 25% discount off your liquid vitamins and minerals.

 

Good luck on your bone density scan.

 

Posted 12/10/2012 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bone density done 5 years ago due to my usage of pred. It showed osteopenia at age 27. I took Fosomax for 2 years and had another bone density done. My bones had improved so much that I no longer needed the Fosomax! Good luck to you.
Posted 12/10/2012 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
^That's awesome! My appt is not until February. I will let you guys know how it goes.

Thanks for all the help!
Posted 12/10/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Had one 3 years ago. Have another scheduled in January.. I also have been on and off Pred for 45 years. Taking calcium daily. Scan is easy-no prep required!!
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