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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / October 2005long time prednisone use
For most of thirty yeears I have been taking prednisone for severe rheumatoid arthritis, always the minimum dose possible. Neither my RD or regular doctor ever suggested a bone density test. Finally, I asked them both to do the test which showed I had osteoporosis. They prescribed Actonel and I have been taking it for several years. My RD now thinks I need something stronger and much more expensive. It seems that maybe this could have been prevented by earlier testing. Do not depend on your Dr. to prevent osteoporosis, if you are taking prednisone. Ask for a bone density test. > For most of thirty yeears I have been taking prednisone for severe > rheumatoid arthritis, always the minimum dose possible. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > earlier testing. Do not depend on your Dr. to prevent osteoporosis, if > you are taking prednisone. Ask for a bone density test. Well said and oh so true. The reason many people come to this newsgroup is so that people can be their own best advocate by having the information to make good decisions which includes making doctors do their job. Harv Wow an RD not organising bone density tests when your pred is terrible. Ive only been on pred 6 months and the RD has said I should be having one of these tests every 6-12 months so long as im taking pred. Im glad you finally got one and started on treatment. What did your RD say when you asked them about why they hadnt suggested it a lot earlier? Kim > For most of thirty yeears I have been taking prednisone for severe > rheumatoid arthritis, always the minimum dose possible. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > earlier testing. Do not depend on your Dr. to prevent osteoporosis, if > you are taking prednisone. Ask for a bone density test. > For most of thirty yeears I have been taking prednisone for severe > rheumatoid arthritis, always the minimum dose possible. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > earlier testing. Do not depend on your Dr. to prevent osteoporosis, if > you are taking prednisone. Ask for a bone density test. Given that you have been taking actonel for several years, it sounds like something has been being done about this for a while. Bone density testing and treatment for bone loss hasn't been available forever. Today I'd be shocked if a doctor didn't test for bone loss with long term prednisone use. The clinic I use has had routine free screening scans available annually for several years now. Not the full test but it does indicate if you need further testing. My RD was not only determined that I get a proper scan two years ago but did some extra research to make sure I went to a radiology place that had the state of the art test available. Jo >> For most of thirty yeears I have been taking prednisone for severe >> rheumatoid arthritis, always the minimum dose possible. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > >Jo My RD (my mom's, too) makes sure that we both get a bone scan once a year. Mom has osteoporosis, so I could be prone to it. My GYN prescribes one at the same place and time I get my mammogram (personally considered a pinch-o-gram!), so I can't miss getting one. The last one said I was slipping toward minimum density, so am supposed to be doing weight bearing exercises. Well, as soon as I get my son married, my contract work done, and finish up reloading my programs on my computer that decided to crash the day of my son's wedding.......I'll see about it. Actually, we have a new senior center opening about 5 miles from us and they have a pool with a wheelchair ramp and the steps have bars on both sides, so Mom and I can go. We're going to sign up for one of their exercise classes for senior citizens. Loujean |
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