Prednisone gave me Osteoporosis

[dannyvicente]

Hi everyone

My name is danny, from san juan puertorico.

I just got diagnosed with osteoporosis. I'm only 28 years old. I took prednisone on and off for about 10 years, right now im using remicade.

Has anyone had this side effect? Is it permanent or is there someway to reverse it? This really bums me out, I am really tired on not knowing which one is worst: crohns or the meds.

 

[Slim Johnson]

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia. At my last Dr visit, he used the word Osteoporosis, so I don't know exactly where I am with the disease.

It can be caused by steroids, and CD. Since we don't absorb our nutrients like "normal" people do, we are naturally more at risk for such things. There are different drug therapies that can help to some degree, like Fosamax, Calcium&vitamin D, as well as testosterone therapy which can all help improve bone mass. There may also be other therapies available, however these are the options I have discussed with my Dr. I am allergic to Fosamax, and my testosterone levels are normal. So I am taking calcium&vitamin D, while keeping my fingers crossed. I also understand that lifting weights can help reduce the bone loss, although I am not sure how that works.

I am 37, and like you, too young to have Osteoporosis... I also have the opinion that drugs like Fosamax use the idea of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I don't really know what's worse, the drugs or the disease..

 

[shamrock15]

I had in for a short period of time when on prednisone. I was measured for about 10% loss in bone density. I am fortunate that I tolerate dairy better than many on this forum, and with the cessation of pred, I was able to recover the full amount within a year without meds. I couldn't tolerate the calcium. Yes, it can be reversed if your body's condition permits.

 

[ekay03]

I have osteopenia (pre Osteoporosis) I assume it was caused by years of pred use (in the 1990's) I haven't taken pred for many years now. I have been on Miacalcin for 9 months now.

 

[dannyvicente]

Is osteopenia reversible?

 

[Gwen pippy]

Hey Danny,
I'm so sorry that you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it bad enough having an IBD. I was dx with CD age 11 and on preds for many years and it was only a suggestion from a nurse that I get my bone density checked, I was dx with severe osteoporosis in my early 20's, it was that bad that the nurse who performed the dexa scan told me I had the skeletal frame of an 80 year old and to be careful how I walked as one fall could mean a broken hip, I wasn't even to think of climbing on anything and I'd never be able to build bone as once it was gone it was gone!!!. I cried and felt my life was over, that was over 10 years ago and through gentle exercise mainly walking and a good diet I have managed to rebuild some bone and my last dexascan revealed that I am now only rated as osteopenia which is amazing. My T-score was -2.6 in the spine and -3.17 in the hips now it's -2.3 in both spine and hip.
You can rebuild some of your bone, you are still very young and with the help of a good diet, plenty of rest and gentle exercise.
Don't lose hope anything is possible with determination.
Good Luck honey.
Gwen xxx

 

[Misty-Eyed]

I'm the same as Gwen. I've not even had a bone density scan in a while as my bones are slowly getting better by themselves. I don't take calcium or anything and they are still getting better.

 

[LindaS]

I have osteoporosis, too, from years of predisone and CD. I take calcium and vitamin D daily, and when I am not too sick, I try to walk daily. Low impact exercise and calcium and vitamin D can help maintain what you have, and since you are young, will help reverse the bone damage.

As I'm in perimenopause now, I don't have much chance to rebuild my bones, but I try to keep them as healthy as possible.