Bone Density - Crohns Disease Forum - Support group and forum for IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

RafHam · 03-30-2009, 09:10 AM

Hi all

I posted this question in my story but I thought I might get more answers here. I was diagnosed with low bone density (borderline osteoperosis) early last year, caused by long term prednisone use. I'm currently on pamidronate infusions every 3 months as well as vitamin D and calcium supplements.

I was wondering what the chances were of recovering bone density to normal levels? Has anyone else been on a similar course of medication? What were the results?

Thanks

D Bergy · 03-30-2009, 01:16 PM

I do not know how fast or if you can increase bone density. It depends on how intact your intestinal system is, what medications you are taking, exercise, age, etc.

From what I have read you need a lot of vitamin D-3, way more than the RDA amount of 400 iu a day. Natural sun light is the best way of doing this, but that is not always possible. You also lose your ability to convert vitamin D through the skin as you get older. If you take a supplement for it then you should have periodic blood tests to know what your level is. Dr. Mercola's web site has a great deal of information on vitamin D-3 and how it affects bone density among other things.

I am taking 2,400 iu of D-3 and probably could take twice that much, but summer is coming and I will not need any during the summer months. I had my D level checked and it was in what is now considered normal, but going by the recent science it would be considered low.

You also need Calcium and Magnesium so the body can use the Calcium. Vitamin K is also needed. Weight bearing exercise is one of the best ways of increasing bone density

Look up Horsetail for osteoporosis. This is used mostly in Europe for Osteoporosis, but is used in the U.S. though much less. Alta Silica is supposed to be one of the better products for this. This is used by quite a few actresses and other people who frequent Europe for Bone Density problems.

Now you have a place to start.

Dan

RafHam · 03-31-2009, 06:04 AM

Much thanks D Bergy, I'll look into all of those.

TammySue62 · 04-03-2009, 09:26 PM

There is also an infusion that you can get once a year,which I do
its called Alasta (sp)?

dingbat · 04-03-2009, 09:50 PM

i have the same diagnosis - borderline osteoporosis.. i am due for another bone density scan soon so i may well have left 'borderline' now

i'm taking calcium & vit D, was taking Phozomax (sp?) but the docs took me off that after a few months.

i was told that some bone strength can indeed be restored with the right treatments, and also exercise which impacts the skeletal structure such as walking, jogging etc.

just to add.... it was initially thought my bone density state was due to Crohn's, but that theory has since been dismissed as both my sisters (not Crohn's sufferers) also had early onset osteoporosis, and my father had Paget's Disease, which is similar, so now they think mine is genetic.

TammySue62 · 04-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingbat

i have the same diagnosis - borderline osteoporosis.. i am due for another bone density scan soon so i may well have left 'borderline' now

i'm taking calcium & vit D, was taking Phozomax (sp?) but the docs took me off that after a few months.

i was told that some bone strength can indeed be restored with the right treatments, and also exercise which impacts the skeletal structure such as walking, jogging etc.

just to add.... it was initially thought my bone density state was due to Crohn's, but that theory has since been dismissed as both my sisters (not Crohn's sufferers) also had early onset osteoporosis, and my father had Paget's Disease, which is similar, so now they think mine is genetic.

You should be looking into the infusion that I just posted Alasta

dingbat · 04-03-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TammySue62

You should be looking into the infusion that I just posted Alasta

i will ask about it when i see my specialist, thanks

i didn't actually know there was a yearly infusion.. they have mentioned monthly ones to me before.

RafHam · 04-03-2009, 11:59 PM

I have my next BMD scan in June, I'll see my specialist soon after that. Hopefully I'll have recovered a bit, or at least it hasn't gotten any worse. I had the option of taking Fosamax but the PBS (Aus. gov subsidy scheme) only pays for it if you've had a fracture, otherwise you can only get Pamidronate. It wouldn't have cost me that much (compared to other meds) but I figured I already spend enough on my health as it is. It's a bit ironic as I used to work in the factory that packages Fosamax.

dingbat · 04-04-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafHam

I had the option of taking Fosamax but the PBS (Aus. gov subsidy scheme) only pays for it if you've had a fracture, otherwise you can only get Pamidronate.

that confirms the genetic link that i mentioned earlier - my father received Pamidronate for his Paget's Disease.

MsSickandTired · 04-18-2009, 03:30 PM

what is a bone density test like? what do they do?

i am wondering if i should ask for a bone density test... last time i asked my doc about it, she said i should get one if i have been on prednisone for about a year... well, over 2 years, i have had 4 flares, and been on pred for probably a year out of the last 2 years (but not continuously)... i notice my hands and knees are sore and cracking a lot. what do you think?

RafHam · 04-19-2009, 05:11 AM

You lie down with your feet up on this support cushion thing (a bit like the one in Burn After Reading

). An imaging head then scans over your lower section from above. I think there was a second part but I can't remember it for the life of me.

ladyB · 04-19-2009, 03:29 PM

I haven't had a bmd done either. I
would think after nearly 20 years of CD and a few times on and off pred my Gi would have ordered one for me.
I will ask next time I go in for sure!

03-30-2009, 09:10 AM	#1
RafHam Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 83	Bone Density Hi all I posted this question in my story but I thought I might get more answers here. I was diagnosed with low bone density (borderline osteoperosis) early last year, caused by long term prednisone use. I'm currently on pamidronate infusions every 3 months as well as vitamin D and calcium supplements. I was wondering what the chances were of recovering bone density to normal levels? Has anyone else been on a similar course of medication? What were the results? Thanks

04-03-2009, 09:26 PM	#4
TammySue62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 512	There is also an infusion that you can get once a year,which I do its called Alasta (sp)? __________________ TAMMY ------------------------ HAVE HAD CROHN'S DISEASE FOR 30 YEARS AND STILL GOIN

04-18-2009, 03:30 PM	#10
MsSickandTired Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 648	what is a bone density test like? what do they do? i am wondering if i should ask for a bone density test... last time i asked my doc about it, she said i should get one if i have been on prednisone for about a year... well, over 2 years, i have had 4 flares, and been on pred for probably a year out of the last 2 years (but not continuously)... i notice my hands and knees are sore and cracking a lot. what do you think? __________________ -Sharon _______________________________ Diagnosis: Crohn's Disease (May 2007) Meds: Humira (40mg/every 2 weeks), Methotrexate (15mg/once a week), Calcium (1,200 units), Vitamin D (1,000 units), Folic Acid (1mg)... NO MORE PRED, yippeeeee!

04-19-2009, 03:29 PM	#12
ladyB Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 891	I haven't had a bmd done either. I would think after nearly 20 years of CD and a few times on and off pred my Gi would have ordered one for me. I will ask next time I go in for sure! __________________ molly http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/...8093921&v=wall

03-30-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
D Bergy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Minnesota USA Posts: 2,443	I do not know how fast or if you can increase bone density. It depends on how intact your intestinal system is, what medications you are taking, exercise, age, etc. From what I have read you need a lot of vitamin D-3, way more than the RDA amount of 400 iu a day. Natural sun light is the best way of doing this, but that is not always possible. You also lose your ability to convert vitamin D through the skin as you get older. If you take a supplement for it then you should have periodic blood tests to know what your level is. Dr. Mercola's web site has a great deal of information on vitamin D-3 and how it affects bone density among other things. I am taking 2,400 iu of D-3 and probably could take twice that much, but summer is coming and I will not need any during the summer months. I had my D level checked and it was in what is now considered normal, but going by the recent science it would be considered low. You also need Calcium and Magnesium so the body can use the Calcium. Vitamin K is also needed. Weight bearing exercise is one of the best ways of increasing bone density Look up Horsetail for osteoporosis. This is used mostly in Europe for Osteoporosis, but is used in the U.S. though much less. Alta Silica is supposed to be one of the better products for this. This is used by quite a few actresses and other people who frequent Europe for Bone Density problems. Now you have a place to start. Dan

03-31-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
RafHam Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 83	Much thanks D Bergy, I'll look into all of those.

04-03-2009, 09:50 PM	#5
dingbat Forum Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Planet Confusion Posts: 4,313	i have the same diagnosis - borderline osteoporosis.. i am due for another bone density scan soon so i may well have left 'borderline' now i'm taking calcium & vit D, was taking Phozomax (sp?) but the docs took me off that after a few months. i was told that some bone strength can indeed be restored with the right treatments, and also exercise which impacts the skeletal structure such as walking, jogging etc. just to add.... it was initially thought my bone density state was due to Crohn's, but that theory has since been dismissed as both my sisters (not Crohn's sufferers) also had early onset osteoporosis, and my father had Paget's Disease, which is similar, so now they think mine is genetic.

04-03-2009, 11:59 PM	#8
RafHam Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 83	I have my next BMD scan in June, I'll see my specialist soon after that. Hopefully I'll have recovered a bit, or at least it hasn't gotten any worse. I had the option of taking Fosamax but the PBS (Aus. gov subsidy scheme) only pays for it if you've had a fracture, otherwise you can only get Pamidronate. It wouldn't have cost me that much (compared to other meds) but I figured I already spend enough on my health as it is. It's a bit ironic as I used to work in the factory that packages Fosamax.

04-19-2009, 05:11 AM	#11
RafHam Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 83	You lie down with your feet up on this support cushion thing (a bit like the one in Burn After Reading ). An imaging head then scans over your lower section from above. I think there was a second part but I can't remember it for the life of me.