reminder about the importance of checking your bone density...

August 3, 2007

....as recommended by your GP. Most of us have used way too much

prednisone, which can contribute to bone loss.

I'm not even 40, and as of yesterday was diagnosed with osteoporosis,

thanks to the dexascan I had. It's crucial for me to do everything I

can to prevent further deterioration.

Talk to your doctor if you haven't had your bones scanned lately. It's

important.

Addy

Group co-owner

August 4, 2007

Addy, I'm so sorry you now have one more thing to worry about,

especially at such a young age. I strongly agree with your message

encouraging everyone to have their bone densitiy evaluated if they

have been treated with steroids. I also developed osteoporosis in my

early 40s from only a 4 month course of 40 mg prednissone daily (my

first course of steroids ever). My bone density had been tested

previously because of a foot fracture from only minor trauma and was

great, " like an 18-year-old's " .

I've now been on Fosamax for about 5 years as well as 1200 mg calcium

citrate (in addition to dairy in my diet) and 1600 I.U. Vitamin D

daily. And I walk, though not always as consistently as I should. I

should also be doing weight training but haven't started that yet. My

bone density has improved only slightly but at least has not continued

to deteriorate on this regimen.

I take the higher than usual amount of vit D because when my bone

density was not improving significantly on the rest of the treatment,

my doc tested my vit D levels and I was found to be deficient.

Adequate vit D is necessary for absorption of calcium by the body.

Recent studies have shown that in fact many Americans are deficient in

vitamin D and probably new guidelines will be coming out in the near

future recommending as much as 1600 IU rather than 400 daily for

everyone. Something to consider for anyone with poor bone density, I

believe (both checking vit D levels and boosting sumpplementation).

FRan

>

> ...as recommended by your GP. Most of us have used way too much

> prednisone, which can contribute to bone loss.

>

> I'm not even 40, and as of yesterday was diagnosed with osteoporosis,

> thanks to the dexascan I had. It's crucial for me to do everything I

> can to prevent further deterioration.

>

> Talk to your doctor if you haven't had your bones scanned lately. It's

> important.

>

> Addy

> Group co-owner

>

August 4, 2007

Thank you, Fran, and thank you as always for bringing the details to

the party.

My doc wants me on a calcium/vit D supplement three x daily along w/

walking and weight training. Good point about getting levels checked.

I HAVE been doing the weight training pretty well, although not the

walking. A year ago I bought some hand weights second hand (about $3

each - 3lbs each as well) and got some exercises off the net. Mayo

clinic's website has some exercises for osteoporosis that are good.

Another benefit to that is that I don't have underarm flab any

more!!!! Especially great since I live in the South!

Take care, all,

Addy

> >

> > ...as recommended by your GP. Most of us have used way too much

> > prednisone, which can contribute to bone loss.

> >

> > I'm not even 40, and as of yesterday was diagnosed with

osteoporosis,

> > thanks to the dexascan I had. It's crucial for me to do

everything I

> > can to prevent further deterioration.

> >

> > Talk to your doctor if you haven't had your bones scanned lately.

It's

> > important.

> >

> > Addy

> > Group co-owner

> >

>

August 4, 2007

I agree. I had to have a bone density test prior to being approved for X

and found out that I to had osteoporosis brought on from

the asthma drugs. I never even knew that was a side effect. So now I have

one more drug to remeber to take.

-----Original Message-----

From: [mailto: ]On

Behalf Of tiredofsteroids

Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:25 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: reminder about the importance of checking your

bone density...