Broken bones due to Prednisone?

I've been battling a flare now for about two months.  Started on the Prednisone five weeks ago.  Went up to 40 mg a week ago because 30 mg wasn't doing the trick.  about two weeks ago, my PCP tells me to think about a bone density test because of the Prednisone and three nights ago, I went to my Dad's to bring him something after work and I twisted my foot on a sidewalk and broke my foot!  I've never broken a bone in my life and have always had very strong bones.  I'm assuming it's due to the steroids.  My bm's have now increased and what a struggle it is to try to get to the bathroom all the time before having an accident while trying to maneuver a broken foot.  I can't even believe this.  Now, I'm told that a possible side effect of Prednisone is a blood clot and having a broken foot, it puts me at double risk.  I'm very scared and can't even believe this is happening.  Through two months of this flare, I've only missed work twice and now I have no choice but to be out of work.  My boss asked me if maybe a cab could bring me in but the doctor told me he doesn't want me at work period.  He said I can do some work from home if I feel like it but my boss did not like that idea that much.  I was out on disability two years ago for 10 weeks when I was first diagnosed with the UC so I'm afraid he's going to fire me over this one.  The doc also told me this break would probably have healed in three weeks but because of the Prednisone it may take up to six weeks! 

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38 years old - female

diagnosed 9/05

Asacol

Prednisone

Canasa

6-MP

I agree. I don't think you've been on pred long enough or at a high enough dose to affect bone density, UNLESS you've been on it before for an extended time and/or high dose. However, if you're a small-boned, white female at perimenopausal age, you're already at risk for osteoporosis, pred or no pred.

If you have a doctor's note and are willing to work from home, I don't see how your boss could object.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

No explanation for right side pain and thickening of bowel wall

 

Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years

Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.

I was on pred for about eight months (40mg) tapering on and off during the whole time.   I was sent for a bone density test and found out to my dismay that I'd gone from strong healthy bones to skinny fragile ones, all thanks to the wonderdrug prednisone.

Now I'm on daily calcium and 'D' plus a fortnightly dose of fosavance (70mg) just to ensure they don't get any worse.

My knees and hips are starting to give me some gyp too but I suspect that is a joint/cartilage problem (probably arthritis) and might have nothing to do with prednisone, although it makes you wonder.

I can only hope I never have to take it again.

Considering your age you should be able to get your bones back to normal with calcium.

Eight months is a long time to be on pred, although 20 mg is a relatatively low dose. Bone thinning could have taken place during that time, although you won't know for sure what's going on until you have a scan. That's definitely a good idea... and it's quick, non-invasive and painless.

If you do find you have osteopenia - the precusor to osteoporosis - calcium supplementation will help, but more importantly... weight bearing exercise and weight training made a huge difference for me.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

No explanation for right side pain and thickening of bowel wall

 

Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years

Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.

I'm so sorry that you feel so alone. I've felt that way and it's a horrible feeling. In my case, it was my brain imagining I was alone. Not saying that's what's happening to you because I don't know, but I will concede that it is an awful feeling.

Please know that others here would be there for you physically were you close by, but in the meantime, we would like to be there for you via cyberspace. We all know what you are going through with this illness, and some of us understand the aloneness that you are feeling as well.

It always helps me to imagine that others are thinking about me, as I think about them, and recognize that we are never so alone as we think we are. Some people just do not understand that you really, really need help unless you hit them over the head with it. Perhaps it's time to be more assertive and/or explain to them that their lack of response makes you feel alone, and that on top of your illness really hurts you. Ask them if you can count on them for X, Y or Z (be very particular) and see if they don't respond.

If they don't, I'm sure that will hurt. But remember that we are here for you, albeit not in the face-to-face way.

Mitz

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Sporadic proctitis since about 1985. Mother had UC, then J-pouch surgery 1983.
DX'd with clostridium difficile in 2000. Prednisone, two courses of Flagyl, then Vancomycin finally got rid of it. Symptomatic with UC after that.
Colonoscopy in 2001 dx'd left-sided UC. Was pretty darn ill at that time. Treated with prednisone, Rowasa, Asacol. Asacol not working so switched to Imuran. Three small flares since in 2002, 2005, and 2007.
Gall bladder attack 6/13; ultrasound showed stones; surgery before end of 2007.
100 mg Azathioprine and 225 mg Effexor XR (for chronic, longstanding depression) daily.