Posted , 10 users are following.
Hello all,
I 've been on prednisone for just over 4 months for PMR.
I had a bone mineral density scan at that time and I would like to know if now is a useful time for a re- scan, or should I wait a little longer to check for any change due to the medication.
Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks
0 likes, 25 replies
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nick67069 jack1949
Posted
If you are taking K2 D and Calcium, there is a very good chance that your bone density will be fine, especially if you live active life. I have been on pred for almost 4 years and my second dexa scan shows no problem at all. In fact my score is 5% above average for the age and at par with young adult bone density,
jack1949 nick67069
Posted
That's very good to hear!!
ptolemy nick67069
Posted
Interestingly enough it does seem that the fatter you are in general the better your bone density, possibly the only advantage of being overweight!
nick67069 ptolemy
Posted
now I am hurt... you called me fat 😃 .
Actually I attribute my bone density to life long exercise regiment which I continue even after getting PMR. I am 70 now and my kids ( now in 30's still have hard time keeping up with me in biking and swimming; first time they could keep up with me in running was when I was about 60 or so...
Talking about fat, it turns out that my weight did not change, my waist stayed pretty much the same while on pred, BUT I have visibly lost muscles, so I did become "fatter" and it is hiding somewhere.
ptolemy nick67069
Posted
😃 . I think on the other hand the skinnier you are tends to lean towards low bone density.
Michdonn ptolemy
Posted
Ptolemy, I think it is weight not necessarily fat that helps with bone density. My BMI has always shown me overweight, I run 25-28, even when it was tested with 14% body fat. I still workout 3 days a week at the gym, speed walk, I use to ride the bike 3 days, still recovering from last year. My DEXA Scan has always been good. I now quickly approaching my 82 birthday. I believe the key is being active, I have watched friends, who have not stayed active fail. If you want to stay in the game you have to work at; sometimes it is not easy. 🙂
ptolemy Michdonn
Posted
You are right I should have said weight, the thinner you are the more likely you are to suffer from osteoporosis. The more you weigh the less likely. That is a generality though. Being active makes a world of difference to your health, particularly when you are older.
Michdonn ptolemy
Posted
Yes, but still young a heart, maybe one of these day I grow up, but I hope not! 🙂
EileenH Michdonn
Posted
Stay as you are Mich!!!!!!
Anhaga jack1949
Posted
Concur with what the others have said.. Some doctors seem to think that bone loss is inevitable with prednisone. I was totally freaked out by the possibility and because of all I did (no medications, just what you are doing, I actually increased my bone density in a year between two DXA scans (first three months into Pred treatment so I didn't have a proper baseline).