If you start the prednisone be absolutely sure to take the calcium with vitamin D for your bones. If your insurance allows maybe get a bone scan now for a baseline. If your insurance allows for them yearly as ours does then take another one then for a comparison.
My hubby was on the pred off and on for a year or so and tapering again. We had a bone scan done and it showed the oste
openia of the spine - mild - even with the calcium (although he wasn't as religious about
taking it before -- he does now) but he needs Fosamax once a week.
I understand the bone mass can improve with the fosamax and weight bearing exercise (which he has not been able to do yet - I stress even walking as much as he can).
There is a certain vitamin that is supposed to be good for bones....Vitamin A???? If you start the prednisone, even though it is a dose on the lower side fortunately and hopefully that will do it for you I think the calcium supplements are important. Talk to your doctor.
We like the caramel calcium chews...kind of like having a piece of candy instead of another "horse" pill as we call them. The publix brand we buy is identical to Viactin brand and less
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