Heartburn meds can weaken bones

[kimmidwife]

I already knew this but realized a lot of other parents may not know it. Drugs like nexium and Prilosec can weaken the bones. Here is an article I received today about it,
http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Health...il_job=1601166_12282014&s=al&dkt_nbr=prvddkg9

You should discuss with your child's doctor and of your child has been on them a long time ask about switching to something else like Zantac which is not as strong but does not hurt the bones.

 

[Farmwife]

Thanks Kim.
Does taking calcium supplements help stop this problem?

 

[crohnsinct]

I can't say with scientific accuracy it doesn't but o was on Prevacid and calcium and she still showed up with osteopenia a year in. Now she might have had that anyway with ibd and super thin and all but a year after stopping Prevacid her scores improved

 

[kimmidwife]

FW!
I actually think taking calcium helps but is not a fix for it.if you take calcium citracal with vitamin D is the best one. Since your daughter is still little they might be to big for her even the citracal Petites are pretty big. So I would look for a chewable calcium that is calcium citrate.

 

[Maya142]

M has low bone density too. She has been on Prevacid for quite a while. However, arthritis also causes bone loss, so who knows.
Her GI said that she gets quite a lot of calcium in formula (via her ng tube) and also gets calcium supplements (the citracal petites that Kim mentioned), so they are not too worried.

 

[Mehita]

What test determines bone density?

 

[Maya142]

A dexa scan. They're really quick and easy.

 

[Mehita]

DS did one for bone age. If they saw a problem with density, I'm guessing they would have said something then?

 

[kimmidwife]

Yes Mehita, they should have mentioned it.