Bone Mass Density

[Mazen]

Has your doctor ever advised you to have a Bone Mass Density test?

I've been reading a lot how people with Crohn's have a higher risk of Osteoporosis, and should have such test. I asked my doctor, but he said you are male and young and don't need this test.

But what I'm thinking is that I took prednisone for several times before, and I try to avoid dairy as most people with Crohn's do, so I'm not taking enough Calcium. So doesn't it make sense to have such a test, to evaluate if we should take Calcium supplements at least????

 

[jjs16]

Hi Mazen,

If you are taking Prednisone I would get a bone density test done to serve as a baseline. One of the side effects of Pred is loss of bone density. If you get the baseline density test done now you can monitor your density to see if there is any loss over time. This is a very simple test, takes about 10 minutes.

j

 

[Kev]

yeah, Mazen, I echo those sentiments. I was 1st put on pred back in november, and my doc also req'd a bone density test... to establish a baseline. however, since the test is also used regularly for post menopausal women to prevent osteoporosis, the backlog is over a year.. so my 'baseline' test won't happen till next november. Point is that, either w or w/o pred, calcium absorption issue seems to be prevalent among crohnies, IF you have the option, a bone density test is something you should have.

 

[Sojourn]

I was prescribed Actonel, while on Prednisone, to protect my bone density. Especially, if you have taken a lot of Prednisone now or in the past I don't think it's beyond reason to ask your doctor for the test. Being young and healthy, you're not as much at risk but it wouldn't hurt to check it out.

From reading some of your posts, I am kind of surprised at the level of care you have received there in Beirut. It sounds like, for the most part, you are getting as good of treatment as the rest of us. I know Beirut is a fairly progressive and modern city, but with the happenings there last year and continued uncertainties, it seems that medical care wouldn't be readily available to everyone. So that's great that you are receiving treatment. I wouldn't think that Crohn's is as common there.

 

[Mazen]

Hi Sojourn. Thanks for the concern.

Well the good thing, is that inspite of the political problems we have in my country, health care is still one of the best in the region. I'm also lucky that I have a good doctor at the American University Hospital, as well as private insurance for support. Also here in Lebanon if you want a test and you have insurance, it doesn't take ages or a long waiting list, just a few days.

When I first got diagnosed with Crohn's, I thought I was the only one, but throughout the years I met some. I have a friend at work who has UC. But, as you say, it's not common here as in the West, but it seems to be increasing rapidly. I think it's because of all the fast food, stress and pollution...

 

[Dekar]

i agree with you on your last paragraph Mazen. Interesting thing is I recently left the united states to have a vacation in Israel, and after being there for around 1 month it feels that my crohns was much weaker when i was there. there was fresher air, more humid weather, and also no stress involved. i just got back to america today, and after feeling good on vacation ive started to feel my stomach pains come back already.... very strange

 

[Sojourn]

I spent two weeks in Israel last August on vacation and it didn't seem to help much. But I was pretty careless with my diet also.

 

[Kev]

I've been lactose intolerant the last 20 yrs, and my 1st sign of IBD showed up about the same time. Curiously enuff, while on vacation in the Caribean (sp?), I didn't have any sign of lactose intolerance, or IBD, even tho I consumed a lot of dairy products.

 

[D Bergy]

I wonder if you were eating pasteurized dairy products? I have heard that some people are allergic to pasteurized dairy are not allergic to non pasteurized diary products.

Unpasteurized milk was once used as a treatment for diabetes prior to the use of insulin. There is quite a controversy as to whether pasteurization does more harm than good.

D Bergy

 

[Kev]

Early formative years, it was all unpastuerized... I don't know what method they use in Dominican Republic, but I suspect it differs from the HTST method commonly used in North America. I am guessing, but I suspect that any resort there with any connection to North American hotel chains, etc., would insist that dairy products are pastuerized to some degree or other, just to satisfy their insurers or to preclude any possible lawsuits or potentially harmful bad press arising from tourists learning they had consumed 'un-pastuerized' dairy products... You know how tourists can be. The milk that I poured into my coffee and tea was always at a high heat... from an electric urn. It didn't spoil, it didn't curdle, it wasn't kept in refrigeration... sat there in the urn all day, regardless of how hot the weather was
And the mountain grown DR coffee with this mystery milk was soooo delicious... I drank huge quantities, with huge amounts of their milk, and absolutely no lactose intolerance issues... as did my missus, who is also lactose intolerant (no IBD tho).

 

[Mazen]

Just an update: As I'm flaring again and back on 40 mg of Prednisone, my doctor has set for me an appointment with a Bone doctor, who is specializing in bone and IBD. He says that since this is my fourth time on Prednisone, I need to get checked. My appointment is end of this month, I'll keep you updated on what happens and what this doctor will recommend....

 

[Kev]

Sorry to hear that Mazen. hope things turn around... and do keep us posted, okay?

 

[Russ]

Osteoporosis

Sorry to hear that your crohn's is bad right now. I think it's a good thing that you are getting your bone density tested though. I am 30, I've had crohn's for about 6 years, and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at 27.

 

[Mazen]

Thanks Russ. Sorry to hear about your Osteoporosis. Did you have any symptoms of Osteoporosis before you got diagnosed? Are you getting any medication for that or Calcium supplements?

Thanks Kev for the support. I should have the appointment on the 26th. So I'll tell you what will happen........

 

[kpratte]

I have some slight Osteopenia in a couple spots but I've had no symptoms which from what I've heard it's typical.

Taking calcium with vitamin D every day for it.

The only odd thing I found is that they don't really have any data on men under 40 as most of the data is for women and specially older women 50+. So, it's an educated guess with me. But if you have the test, they can use that as a baseline for future tests.

- Ken

 

[Russ]

Osteoporosis

I haven't had any symptoms of osteoporosis. I don't have any fractures or anything. Actually, since I've been taking ensure plus, calcium and vitamin D, my bone density has gone up.

 

[Mazen]

Well, an update from my side. I saw the Bone doctor today. She gave me a physical and asked all kinds of questions. She ordered for me a Bone Mass Density X-ray test and blood tests for Calcium, vit D, and some other stuff. I'll update you on the results.

 

[Zmurray]

Does the calicum deprivation have any adverse affect on peoples teeth?

 

[Mazen]

Hi Zmurray. The doctor said yes, and the tests will confirm this. As I have a broken tooth which has been broken twice and now I removed it and need to implant a new one along with bone implants. So both the bone doctor and dental surgeon agree that I should evaluate my bone mass density and calcium status before I do the dental surgery to implant the tooth.

 

[Kev]

Yeah, calcium deficiency or depletion affects bone and teeth. Calcium supplements is a must, and there is something (but my memory fails me at the moment) you need to take in conjunction in order to properly absorb the calcium (magnesium??? anyone help me out here????). A good multi-vitamin with added calcium is a smart choice as a starting point. Maybe a perusal of the GNC crohns mans postings would help out?

 

[Dekar]

to be clearer on my post before, i had a huge amount of dairy products (cheese products virtually every breakfast) on vacation, more than i would ever even think of doing in america, and i felt normal. If i have dairy here however, i'm a mess. I was also out on the beach and in the sun for the entire time too.. maybe that has something to do with it?

why is it apparent that in the north (colder areas) there is a higher incidence of Crohns?

 

[D Bergy]

If I would have to guess as to why more Crohn's in the North, I would say the lesser amount of sunlight plays a role. We also have more skin cancer in the `Northern latitudes even though we are exposed to less sun. There is something very contradictory in that fact.

It could be that the greater amount of vitamin D helps the immune system to work properly. Another possibility is the UV radiation is boosting the immune system via the blood. Ultra violet Blood Irradiation used to be more commonly used to kill pathogens in the blood and boost immunity in the past. While it has been all but forgotten today, it is getting increased interest as super bugs such as MRSA become more common.

I am sure the stress free nature of a vacation helps a lot also.

As far as the dairy is concerned, I would find out if pasteurization is used in Israel. They may not use it or have a different method to purify milk. Just a guess, but many people can tolerate raw milk, that cannot tolerate pasteurized milk. The processing removes many of the enzymes in the milk that help to digest it. Raw milk is quite a bit creamier than processed milk. You would probably notice the difference.

Dan Bergman

 

[Mazen]

Well, I'm from Lebanon and we have a mediteranian weather with sun almost 300 days a year, and have Crohn's. It also seems to be increasing in my country. So I guess it's more the stress, pollution, and fast food lifestyle that's causing more of this disease, as countries in the east are following the western lifestyle... Just my thoughts....

As for pasteurization, i think most countries pasteurize now. The only place where you can finbd raw dairy products in Lebanon, is in the villages; and you have to be very careful because some of it may not come from a very secure source, as the cow or goat may be sick. So I never dare try such products....

 

[Mazen]

Latest update. I got the result of my BMD test. It stated Normal BMD of the spine and hip for age (although a bit below average) and BMD at lower limit of normal for age at the forearm.

The doctor told me that the tests are OK, but I need to be careful for future bone loss, especially if I need to take Prednisone again. So she advised to eat as much possible Calcium containing food (which is yoghurt as it's the only one I can usually tolerate), and take 500 mg of a Calcium+vit D supplement. I still have only one last test to do, which is a 24 hour urine collection tests, to see if I'm not losing Calcium through my urine.

 

[Mazen]

It seems this 24 hour urine test requires me to carry a gallon with me and piss in it all day. Now that would be an interesting thing at work )

 

[Kev]

A nice, tight, spill proof cap could come in handy...