other options....

My husband's  prednisone off and on for the past year gave him osteopenia which is a result from the prednisone and he has been taking calcium too.  Prior to all of this he played 6 days a week - a combination of 2 days of golf and 4 days of pickelball (a downsized version of tennis) very strong and very active.  So be sure to take the calcium.

60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided UC now, fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  July 07 good days & bad days 75mg Imuran 40  mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night. Fosamax and mthly B12 shots folic acid 1mg

Optimal calcium intake is most important from childhood through the mid-twenties, when bones grow fastest. Scientists believe that an increased calcium intake starting at about age 6 will produce a skeleton that ultimately resists bone fractures. Only in youth can the skeleton grow appreciably stronger, reaching what researchers refer to as "peak bone mass" - the stage where bones have reached their ultimate density - at about age 24.

Wouldn't likely hurt if you also took vitamin D supplements and weight bearing exercising is also good to keep bones healthy and prolong or even prevent osteo.

:)

Post Edited (pb4) : 8/28/2007 11:34:23 PM (GMT-6)