Bone health?

[Lam123]

Hi everyone, I have taken prednisone on and off for flares for the past 15 years. About 10 years ago my gi sent me for a bone density scan on my hips and lower back, I can't remember the exact results, but he told me to take calcium vitamins. I don't have any pain, except my lower back will hurt a bit I do too much bending or twisting. I see my gi in May next and might ask him to do the bone density test again.

Anyone else have low bone density? Or similar issues? How do you treat it?

 

[Trysha]

Crohn's takes its toll with calcium stores.
It would be a good idea to see where you are now after a Dexa scan.
If you are not vegetarian-----
Something good to do is boiling meat bones, can be beef or chicken, beef marrow bones specially good. ( I don't use chicken, personal preference)
The longer boiled the better, some suggest marrow bones to be boiled 12hours +.
I do beef bones for 4--6--8hours depends what time I have and add some garlic and onion to the water otherwise the bone smell can be off putting.
Then I strain off the fluid put it in the frig overnight ---it gells-- and then skim off the fat next day.
From there you make soup by adding veg and maybe a soup stock cube, I use an organic veg cube for this.
Both build up immunity and help calcium levels among other things.
It makes a cheap and nourishing soup.
There are recipes if you google bone broth or stock.
When my calcium level was diminishing this is what I did to bring up the level, which is now at low normal.
I was not using prednisone though.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Lam123]

Thanks so much! I just don't want to take anymore medication. Do they prescribe meds for this?
I remember gi saying years ago I was borderline. I'm sure it's below normal now. I'm not in crazy pain or discomfort, but for example, if my son jumps on my lower back it will really hurt.

 

[shamrock15]

I had a 10% bone loss once when I was heavily on prednisone, and it led to a breakage in my wrist. However, I was able to recover that through diet only - I was not able to tolerate the calcium. Keeping good tabs on my dairy intake was able to correct it all.

 

[Lam123]

Shamrock, how long did it take to improve? How much dairy do u eat?

 

[Lam123]

I also started exercising and hopefully that helps me too

 

[Trysha]

I forgot to mention I drink at least one glass of milk a day
and cheese is one of my staples.Cottage cheese and cheddar.
Fortunately most times I can tolerate dairy products--not everyone can.
I am not a meat eater neither am I a strict vegetarian.
Some veg are rich in calcium eg Kale
I also go to a seniors gym three times a week and go for walks as weather permits.
Trysha

 

[Lam123]

Thanks Trysha! I will add my milk in aswell. Do you take supplements?

 

[Trysha]

No, I try to steer clear of anything else.
I do drink almond milk and a new coconut almond milk.
Think I will stick to the straight almond milk for the future.
I do have to take high blood pressure medication, and lipitor and synthroid.
Currently I have to take amoxacillin ( 7day course)for a dental abscess and feel better than I have done in ages.
It appears to have decreased the crohn's symptoms
Currently my situation is being re evaluated by a new GI and this week I have upper endoscopy as well as colonoscopy, will be glad to get through all that.
Hugs
Trysha

 

[Lam123]

Ok, I will start with food first.
Did you have pain where you loss bone density?

 

[Trysha]

Yes, back pain which is why they ordered the bone scan.It has become less but is still there.
My GI was agreeable to not giving supplementary calcium because he said it is not without its problems.
Happily I have so far been ok without it.
My GP regularly checks the level.
I also have a degree of renal failure and I am anxious not to use anything that will further increase the creatinine level.
This started with a drug used to lower blood pressure which was promptly discontinued
but the damage was done.
I do not drink or smoke and I am not a meat eater.
Just bad luck.
Trysha

 

[Lam123]

Should I avoid caffeine?

 

[Trysha]

I am not aware that caffeine plays a role in this.
I don't avoid it but neither do I have a lot of drinks with it.
I drink tea mostly and water, sometimes fresh lemon in water.
occasional milky coffee.
A cup of tea contains half the caffeine that a cup of coffee has.
Some researchers claim caffeine is good for you.
Comes down to everything in moderation.
Rarely drink carbonated drinks which I think may be detrimental to calcium levels.
Hugs
Trysha

 

[Lam123]

Ok. Thank you for all your help! I truly appreciate it.