Osteoperosis - surprise

[Fernando2]

As you know I have Crohns for 45 years. During this time I have learned a lot (many times from this Forum) about medications and diet related advice. I have kept up with B12 shots, folic acid, Fish Oil, Curcumin and Ensure. I was taking Calcium but only 1 600mg a day.

I commute 3 hours round trip every day, I developed a pain in my hip that got worse every time I hit the freeway. 6 months later I went to the Dr and she ordered X-rays (no arthritis) and a bone density scan. This is one of the easiest tests: you don't even take your clothes off and it takes 5 minutes. Much to my surprise turns out I have Osteoperosis on my left hip, and index of -2.9 where -2.5 is the line for Osteoperosis.

After doing some research I find that Calcium(1500mg), Vitamin D3(1000mg), and Magnesium helps in slowing down bone loss. Too much calcium (people like me that go overboard in compensating a problem) will cause kidney stones.

My brother in law has a bad case of osteoperosis: He is 58 and was playing baseball and had his cleats dug into the grass, the ball come to his side and he twisted but the cleats did not move. He snapped his leg off the knee, just like that. They say that sudden twisting movements, even a golf swing, can cause the bones to snap.

My advice to all of you: if you are over 55 and particularly female, take the Bone Density test (I am 67), it may alert you to ongoing bone loss that you did not know you had ! Crohns has a way to mal absorb these nutrients and you may be high risk in getting one more thing.

 

[tots]

I just had one a few month ago. My number was 6.5 which I believe means in 6 and a half years I will start with fractures?

I do have osteoporosis and some "decent" size holes in my back. My GI offered no medication regimen to help!

Thanks for the tips, I will be talking to my pharmacist tomorrow!


Lauren

 

[Fernando2]

No !

The Bone Density T-Score starts at 1 to -1 for normal and goes negative from there, there is no way to get a 6.

Normal Bone density is within 1 SD (+1 or −1) of the young adult mean.
Low bone mass Bone density is between 1 and 2.5 SD below the young adult mean (−1 to −2.5 SD).
Osteoporosis Bone density is 2.5 SD or more below the young adult mean (−2.5 SD or lower).
Severe (established) osteoporosis Bone density is more than 2.5 SD below the young adult mean, and there have been one or more osteoporotic fractures.

 

[Bunty]

Fernando, don't you take some form of alendronic acid along with the calcium and D3 supplements, given your t score of -2.9?
I was diagnosed about four years ago and immediately put on alendronic acid as well as calcium and D3. I very foolishly stopped taking the alendronic acid last year when I was inundated with pills, I'd never liked taking it anyway and it seemed a convenient excuse to stop.
A few weeks ago I was given a good talking to by a locum GP and told I wasn't doing myself any favours by not taking it, something I already knew but chose to bury my head in the sand about. It's even more important for those of us with gut issues, and who take prednisolone.
I've just tapered off pred and will resume taking the alendronic acid next Saturday.
Bunty x

 

[fernando3]

I was just prescribed generic Alendronate Sodium 70 mg once a week. Doctor told me to take it upright before breakfast once a week. It is very caustic to the esophagus, cannot lie down for 30 minutes.
Osteoperosis is a totally new animal than Crohns: you need to be very careful in not doing twisting movements, falling, and lifting heavy weights. My 35 year old niece had a bad case of bronchitis and was coughing for days and her ribs began to hurt: After x-rays it was found she had broken 3 ribs from the coughing.

I am joining the Silver Sneakers program for free Gym at 24 hour fitness and start the road to fitness, Osteoperosis requires vigilance like Crohns, if I broke a bone it will take a long time to heal.

 

[Bunty]

Yes, I'm aware osteoporosis is completely different to crohns, I was diagnosed with it years before my crohns diagnosis, totally different conditions.
And I know how to take the alendronic acid too, I took it for a couple of years before the crohns hit me and I had to take all the meds associated with that too.
I asked if you took alendronic acid as you don't mention it in your initial post, you just mention calcium, D3 and magnesium, and I thought it odd, given your t score. Seems you do take it though...
Here's to healthy bones!
Bunty x

 

[tots]

Bunty-

Crohns dosent cause CD, but- I think all the steroid use plays a roll in it occurring.
Thats why I had mine done that way my Dr would know if I could go back on them.
Although if I got my number wrong I may not have understood, as explained above,
will have to call my Dr for clarification!




Lauren

 

[Bunty]

Lauren I agree, steroids can definitely be a factor in someone developing osteoporosis.
Each time I've been prescribed pred by my GI I've also been given a prescription for calcium and vit D by him. This is on top of the ones my GP has been prescribing for me since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis four years ago.
My osteoporosis diagnosis came a couple of years before my crohns diagnosis and way before I'd ever taken pred. It hasn't stopped me taking pred though, I've only just tapered down after being on them for five months, took the last one on Saturday.
There are lots of charts available on line which will give you an explanation of how your t score is interpreted although I would tend to agree with Fernando that the number you give isn't on any chart.
There are so many numbers to remember for the results of all the various tests we take that it's very easy to get confused, I know I do!
Bunty x

 

[tots]

Bunty

I have an appt next week with my Dr and have a long list of questions for him.

I have to feel better soon, this is not working at all for me!


Lauren

 

[fernando3]

Since my diagnosis of Osteoperosis I have joined Silver Sneakers, a free gym membership through Insurance supported Medicare Advantage. Its the most amazing deal which will help bone and muscle strength through light weight and conditioning exercises. The gym has dozens of group exercises and have signed up with a personal trainer for guidance on the right machines to use. Need to avoid situps, crunches, squats because my osteoperosis is on my left hip. My goal is safety first and proceed only with safe exercises.

If you are over 65 and have Medicare Advantage this program will positively change your lifestyle. It gives something constructive to do every day by taking stretching and cariovascjular classes, slowly building the exercise program. I signed up with Golds Gym, they have it available through 24 fitness and other gyms.

 

[Om3ga1]

Went through this about 5 years ago. Huge surprise to hear the tech talk like he did, but he got my attention. Now I watch things a little closer now.

 

[AlissaLynn]

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 36, after a spontaneous compression fraction of my spine. No fall or twisting, I was sitting down and had sudden onset of back pain. After my scan, I was told I had the spine of a 70 year old.