Crohns and Osteoporosis

[kh216]

I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have had Crohns for 35 years. :stinks: My GI doctor believes that this was caused by steroid use (Prednisone and Entocort) and the disease itself. Does anyone else on this board have osteoporosis?

I am now seeing a rheumatologist. He told me to keep taking 1000 mgs of Vitamin D and take Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D twice a day (1000 mgs a day). He also wants me to cut down on Nasonex because its a nasal steroid. He is going to find out if my insurance will approve Reclast? Has anyone here been on or heard about Reclast?

 

[B Baker]

Hi Kh216,

I was diagnosed last month with osteoporosis and am waiting to see a rhematologist. Sorry I have no idea what reclast is, they mentioned something about injections to me, because I cant take the usual bishosphanates. I've read a bit about it and am trying to do as many weight bearing exercise's as my energy limits will allow!! Im 30, so hoping to improve my bone strength, even if its just a little!!

Hope someone can help with what reclast is

 

[steve55]

I have the same, directly from Crohn's. I asked my dr to put me on Forteo, it seems to be be effective at regrowing bone as opposed to preventing more loss. I would also look into Vitamin K2. The is also strontium ranelate which is used outside the US. It seems you can get this as a prescription in Europe and seems effective from what I read. I think you can get a version as an over the counter pill as well which is why its not marketed in the US. I will probably go on that after two years on Forteo (limit).

 

[ron50]

I have prednisone caused osteo-perosis. I have lost nearly 7cm in height in the last two years. I have ankylysing spondolitis and lars fractures in the base of my spine. I was on 75mg daily of prednisone for nearly 18mos (including taper) I was given little advice about calcium replacement during that time. Now I take calcium with vit e plus 1000 mg of vit e daily. I will not use steriods again.I am under a rheumatologist,a nephrologist and a GI as well as a totally useless GP.

 

[prplkow]

I have never taken Reclast. I am taking Fosteum. I have Osteopenia and not Osteoporosis, so that might make a difference in what is prescribed. The Fosteum has D3 and Zinc in it as well. I also take something called Bone Strength by New Chapter which has Strontium in it which my gyn recommended to help with the bones. It also has D3, K1, K2, calcium, magnesium and silica. I just started taking both of these a month ago. I have not had any side effects from either. Guess I have to wait until next year to see if they are working. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 40, and don't take HRT (by my choice), so I guess that and the Crohn's messed with my bones.

 

[Higbonzo]

I guess I should consider myself lucky. I have Crohn's Arthritis, which is very painful but does have the severe consiquences of things like osteoporisis, or rheumatoid arthritis. I have had it for 30 years and have been on some sort of steroid for most of this period, prednisone the first 20 years and budesonide the last 10 year. Still have good bone density, but I do take vitiman d, b12, and calcium. But, I have no colon, so the vitimans are a must for me.

I do not see rheumatologist because all the meds they offer inflame my crohns. I used to see them for cordisone shots, but no oral meds from that department for over 20 years.

Take care.

ps. I could not take the amount of vitimans you are talking about because it would start tearing up my belly. I am supposed too, but I don't. I just can't talorate them. Budesonide is a sinus steroidal that was discovered to be helpful for crohns/crohns arthritis patients.

 

[Susan2]

I had osteopoenia when my bone density was last tested - I'm due to have it tested again (and have a referral) but haven't got around to it yet. I was on Prednisolone for 25 years or so but can't blame it totally on that as I am a post-menopausal woman, so can expect some bone density loss anyway.

 

[kh216]

I am post menopausal too.

Reclast is a once a year infusion that's given for osteoporosis. Boniva can also be given in injection form once every three months. My rheumatologist is recommending that I get Reclast because he believes the oral medications might bother my stomach, particularly Crohns symptoms or acid reflux.

 

[UnXmas]

I have osteoporosis, but mine started before Crohn's. Prednisone might be making it worse though. I haven't had a dexa scan for years, since monitoring it would be pointless - I'd still be doing the things I'm doing (supplements etc.) whether the osteoporosis was getting worse or not.

 

[CrohniePilot]

I just got the results from my first dexa bone density today-

"results are consistent with osteoporosis."

 

[kh216]

Sorry to hear that crohniepilot. I would recommend that you see a rheumatologist to determine if you should be treated with medication for osteoporosis. Take calcium citrate and get your Vitamin D level checked.

I am not thrilled about having osteoporosis either but it is good to know so that you can follow up and do what you can to prevent bone fractures.

 

[B Baker]

Sorry about that Crohniepilot. Like kh216 said, rhematologist is the way to go. I don't know how old you are, I'm 30 and have been told I might be able to build some bone strength back with certain weight bearing exercises.
If not there seems to be alot of good treatments to take.

 

[CrohniePilot]

Thanks for the info... And sorry wasn't intending to hijack the thread!

I'm going to start with the GP and try to get a referral to a rheumatologist.

 

[kh216]

You are not hijacking the thread. I'm glad you posted. Feel free to post anytime if you have a question or comment related to Crohn's Disease.:thumright:

 

[LindaS]

I have osteoporosis, too, due to extended predisone use. I've had it for about 13 years. Being pre-menopausal, my doctor told me just to take extra calcium. It seems to have helped because my most recent dexa scan was slightly better than the one 13 years ago.