Calcium / HRT? | Arthritis Information

My doctor saw me today, he wanted to check my progress after five days on Prednisone. He firstly suggested that I take Calcium/Vitamin D, then changed his mind and said that HRT would be more helpful in preventing osteoporosis.

I have a fear of HRT due to the breast cancer risk so will not take that option.

Any opinions on this subject would be appreciated.

Hi Jeanne,

It is recommended that anyone on long-term Pred. should take medication to prevent osteoporosis developing (Pred. demineralisese bone). I personally take strontium ranelate daily (marketed in the UK under the name of Protelos)which in my opinion does not have as many side effects as the biphosfonates. I also take a calcium supplement. This seems to work well for me.

Good luck.

Thanks Polly-Anna.

I'm aware of the risk of osteoporosis, but I thought that just Calcium and Vitamin D may be enough to help? obviously not??

It seemed peculiar to me for my doctor to recommend HRT.

Canny

Depends on the HRT offered.

I have taken Permarin 0.625mg a day now (but previously dosage was higher) since I was 33 and am now 72. Bone density 97%.

So when I became a long-term user of steroids - bone protection has not been needed.

Premarin is fairly natural - check it out - before dismissing it.
Thanks Mrs UK, I used to take Remifemin (Black Cohosh) in the past and wonder if that would do the job as far as osteoporosis is concerned?You can read all about osteoperosis here:

http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussions/