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Posted 4/23/2009 5:25 PM (GMT -7)
 

Hi,

Has anyone ever been doagnosed with Osteopaenia (in the US: Osteopenia) before?  I have it, and I'm slightly worried about my health in general.  I think that I'm running myself into the ground and my gastroenterologist has ordered a colonoscopy in a few weeks for me.  i've had a flare up constantly for months.  I'm only 26 for God's sake... ...

Posted 4/23/2009 7:05 PM (GMT -7)

Hi

Yes.. I was also diagnosed with osteopenia at the age of 35.  The cause was said to be my use of Prednisone.  Some people, my GI said, have a more severe reaction than others (ie. the osteopenia)  I am not sure if this was the cause but my bone scan showed the start of it.  I have been on Boniva since.

Best of Luck

Posted 4/23/2009 7:30 PM (GMT -7)
I have Osteopenia as well - from pred use. My doctors have said - increase your calcium intake and do weight bearing exercise. Osteopenia is reversible.
Posted 4/23/2009 9:16 PM (GMT -7)
Osteopenia is a common side effect from steroid use. In addition to calcium and exercise, be sure you are getting plenty of vitamin D. I take 600 mg. of calcium with 400 IU of vitamin D daily, plus a 1000 IU vitamin D supplement. This is far above the recommendations you may see in various places, however recent findings have shown that many people are deficient and the recommendation is being raised. Your doctor can do a vitamin D level on you to check this. D is needed in order for your body to use the calcium.
Posted 4/24/2009 7:42 AM (GMT -7)

Yes, I was diagnosed with osteopenia caused by high doses of prednisone when I was first diagnosed and was very ill. I was already at risk, being a small-boned, white female.

Since that time, I have successfully reversed my bone loss through healing the gut, improved nutrition, cardio and weight training. I did it without using osteoporosis drugs or even calcium supplements, so take heart. It is within your control to improve your bone density... especially since you've become aware of the problem before it becomes full blown osteoporosis.

Posted 4/24/2009 11:08 AM (GMT -7)
Osteopenia IS reversible, but only up to a point. Luckily for you, you're still relatively young and your bones haven't achieved their maximum density yet, this usually happens in mid-thirties. So, what you need to do is increase your calcium intake, spend more time in the sun (vitamin D is created this way, and is essential for calcium metabolism), exercise with weights regularly (stress strengthens bones), and MOST IMPORTANTLY, stop using steroids. Yeah, that could be a problem, I know, but it's absolutely necessary.
Posted 4/24/2009 2:17 PM (GMT -7)
 

Hi guys,

Your replies me a lot to me - I thank you very much (Go rabh míle maith agat (in Irish)).  In my case, I think that it was due to prednisolone usage too.  I have to admit too that I went against my doctor's advice and took it (prednisolone) longer than I was supposed to.  I have been taking Calcium supplements regularly for a long time too, so I don't know why I am this way.  My diet is generally poor though - i am bulimic too.

Kevin

Posted 4/25/2009 10:23 AM (GMT -7)
     I had osteopenia ten years ago before even being diagnosed with UC.  After the prednisone use I now have osteoporosis.  I can't take Fosamax or Actonel, they give me terrible heartburn.  I don't need ulcerations in my esophagus, I suffer enough with them in my rectum.  I do take calcium plus vitamin D.  My doctor ran a Vitamin D level count on me a few months back and it is fine.  I already took a flop four years ago and suffered a compressed fracture of the lumbar spine.  Quite painful at the time but ok now.
Posted 4/25/2009 1:22 PM (GMT -7)
Join the club... Have you been on Prednisone? It really is the drug we love to hate! I used to be the only thing that would stop my flares but now, like all my other meds, it doesn't do much even at the highest dose.

I haven't had any problems with my Osteopenia. But I have stopped snow boarding and worry about if I fall (again!). The good thing is that it is the start of bone loss. I started taking a calcium supplement and haven't noticed any problems... I also haven't had my bones check again so I couldn't tell you if it worked or not.
Posted 4/25/2009 2:06 PM (GMT -7)
 

Yeh, it was prednisolone.  Wait, is prednisone the same as prednisolone?  It's the steroid with the trade-name:  Deltacortril enteric.  I was always aware of it's ability to increase the rate of Calcium loss from the bones, but I didn't think that it'd affect me considering how people always commented on how good/defined my bone structure is.  I guess I have really compromised that now.

 

Posted 4/25/2009 8:01 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Kevin,

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis of osteopenia. I have osteopenia, too. I've never been on pred, but I have a very small frame so I think my bones might be naturally less dense compared to average. My doctor put me on a calcium & vit. D supplement and I do weight-bearing exercises to try to gain some bone mass or at least decrease further loss at this point.

Are you on any meds for your UC right now? I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time right now. It sucks having this disease and being young. Well, I'm sure it would suck at any point...

p.s. - I think prednisone (US) is the same as prednisolone.
Posted 4/26/2009 2:09 PM (GMT -7)

I'm on Olsalazine (anti-inflammatory) and Calcium tablets - That's all.  The Calcium tablets go by the trade name of Ideos, and the anti-inflammatories are called Dipentum.  i still have a stash of steroids in my 'cabinet' from the last time I used them.  Do you typically hang onto medication that you don't need?  I have anti-depressants there too, but I've been off them for 6 months now.

Kevin

Posted 4/26/2009 3:12 PM (GMT -7)
It depends what kind of medication it is. I always hang onto my UC meds (like Canasa if I've tapered off it) in case I'll need them again. I guess I would probably hang onto the steroids if I thought I might need them again in the future. Check the expiration dates though and throw out any that are passed the date. Hopefully, after your colonoscopy, your doctor can give you some options for other meds/dosages so that you can head towards remission.
Posted 4/26/2009 3:49 PM (GMT -7)
 

Yeh, I have the colonoscopy to look forward to now after my exams.  When my doctor mentioned it, I said under my breath: "...a thrilling encounter...", regarding the colonoscopy.  She heard me and laughed.  rolleyes

Posted 4/27/2009 7:09 AM (GMT -7)
Bulimia can also cause bone loss. Are you being treated for it and/or receiving therapy?
Posted 4/27/2009 1:55 PM (GMT -7)
 

Yep, I received quite a few sessions of CBT for my OCD and bulimia.  I also have Asperger's Syndrome, which does'nt make things easy.  I generally regard myself as ridden with bad genes; but you guys have been the nicest here.  Honestly, I didn't expect this response.

Take care,

Kevin

Posted 4/27/2009 3:57 PM (GMT -7)
It's because we've all got the tee-shirt, Kevster cool
Posted 4/27/2009 4:58 PM (GMT -7)
Good point!  You might be wondering why I've only got 80+ posts and have been a member since 2005.  Well, the answer is that I'm a moderator on a different forum and have amassed 13000+ posts there.  It's a psychological help website.  Don't worry, I'm not here to advertise it!

Thanks you guys,

Kevin

 

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