Hi all... I just read my mail and found out the results of my bone density test.
I have osteopenia. Wouldn't you know it? Like I needed yet one more medical problem!
The report says I should take Calcium and Vit D. I already am!
It tells me Calcium should be 1000-1500mg (mine is 630mg, so I'll double it).
It says to take 800 IU Vit D but there is 400 added to the calcium already and due to low vit D on lab result, I also take 2,000 vit D supplement so my 2,400 IU is much more than they recommend. I also take fish oil supplement.
So, I'm wondering, do you think that all that Prednisone in my twenties for Ulcerative Colitis and now in my fifties, the 15mg/week Methotrexate for RA, has thinned my bones? I know when my primary dr sees the results, she'll give me a call and I can ask her. I'd better tell my rheumatologist too in case Methotrexate is the cause. If it wasn't for the meds, this would be easily resolved, no big deal.
I used to be naturally thin, but not anymore, so the only risks for bone thinning that I have are being fair-skinned, and the meds and if RA is one.
Cathy
I have osteopenia as well and say Yep it is possible. At least from what I've read and what my RD told me. I take about the same amount of calcium daily too.
Oh, also I take Boniva. Per Rd script.
I have osteopenia also, my hip and neck I think. And yes my doctor said that the cause was probably primarily because of either the prednisone or methotrexate (can't remember which one he said) and also from lack of exercise. I think that methotrexate is a drug that kills fast growing cells. That's why it's good for killing fast growing cancer cells. The problem is that bone cells are also fast growing cells, I think. Along with skin cells, thereby causing thin skin, I think. I was asked to take fosomax but declined because the studies done for fosomax and other bone builders were all done along with calcium supplement combination and the two were never seperated and studied to actually see if fosamox results were any different than just calcium suppliments, I think. Certainly not said to sway your decision. Don't follow me. I'm on auto pilot and really don't know where I'm going. Oh, my doctor said that bone density can be raised.
LEV
One more thing,
It was explained to me that the more I use my bones, the more bone cells are created and the denser my bones will become, you know exercise, I guess.
LEV
Do more research before you agree to Fosamax--it can cause jaw problems. Do some research.Cathy,
My husband has osteoporosis, now catagorized as ostopenia. His RA has him on 600 cal and 400 vit d 2x a day. He also eats yogurt at least 3x a week and a small pudding also, to get extra calcium. Doc also has him on actonel, new monthly dose. He used to be on fosamax, but it caused him excess gas so he was switched.
I cant think of anything else of any help. Just hang in there.It is just a matter of being careful so you don't fall if possible and things might just turn around.
Also hubby was at minus 3.0 and just recently went to minus 2.6. Doc thought we should be happy so we smiled for him!i think the steriods eat your bones. i have this too. i blame it on the ra and the steriods although i took alot of mtx too. ha ha well good luck and keep moving! oh by the way... the meds make you plump too! i am huge! and people think i am lazy and eat too much. let them hobble in my shoes for 2 weeks and they would change their minds. I have had osteopenia too, in my hips and neck, for a few years. I am 52, went through menopause in my early forties which I thought was pretty damn early, and have been on Actonel for a couple years. I'm doing all the extra calcium blah blah blah too. In my case it can't be blamed on any RA drugs since I've only been on MTX since December. Bone thinning and RA may be linked, it makes a certain amount of sense. The good news is that my hips are the only thing that's gotten better since diagnosis! I certainly believe in exercise as walking and riding a bike are the only exercise I do that doesn't hurt much, as long as you discount how my feet feel.Osteopena here as well. Cannot take the reg precribed stuff due to past history of ulcers....maybe that will change. Stress is bad right now so I take my stomach pills and hopefully for health reasons I can get this situated. Life used to be so much easier in the country!!!!!!! I am just not one for suburbia living at all.
Jode
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com