Re: Digest Number 3521

[Guest guest]

Also, keep if the blood test for CD should be negative and you still have celiac-like symptoms, discuss an endoscopy. False negatives are extremely common for CD. Do NOT eliminate gluten before having the test or endoscopy, as this would invalidate the results.

Harper

n a message dated 3/9/2004 2:36:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Message: 5 Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 17:55:39 -0800 From: "tdcc2000" <tdcc2000@...>Subject: RE: hi againnne, PLEASE be sure to ask him about Celiac. With you losing weight,he would be justified in giving you the blood test to screen forCeliac.good luck.Debby

[Guest guest]

Ruth, we try to remember to remind people often about the problems with Prednisone use and calcium loss. Perhaps we haven't done so recently. This is a common problem. All of you on Prednisone, PLEASE talk with your doctor about ways to compensate for the calcium loss. Incidentally, my doctor recommends calcium citrate (as opposed to other forms of calcium) with Vitamin D. I use calcium citrate with Vitamin D AND Magnesium. Get as much weight-bearing exercise as you can. And dietary calcium, as from leafy greens and dairy products, helps.

Also, we must watch for cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetes, hypertension, all of which are associated with Prednisone use.

Now, for the good news: Three years ago I had fairly severe osteoporosis. I assumed that was permanent and would become worse. Now, I have only osteopenia, a far less serious degree of bone loss. This enormous improvement may be due to calcium and Fosamax (which I can no longer take), or it may be due to my diagnosis and treatment for celiac disease, which hinders calcium absorption. What ever the cause, I am elated.

Incidentally, Prednisone leaches calcium from the bones and deposits that calcium in the bloodstream, where the kidneys pick it up. Therefore, our incidence of kidney stones is rather high.

Another reminder: having one of the basic reference books, such as the one by Palmer or the one by Worman, is a good idea. The above problems are discussed in these books, which are available through Amazon.com if you can't get them locally.

Harper

In a message dated 3/9/2004 2:36:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Hi there, I just wanted to warn people who may not know that it is important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements while on prednisone. Last week, I found out that I have osteoporosis now which was caused by the prednisone use. I have lost over 12 percent bone loss near L-4 and some in my neck. I am now taking 1500 mg of calcium and 800 mg of vitamin D and a once a week dose of Fosamax. Anyone else who has Osteoporosis in the group notice any pain in their spine from it? I have had severe back pain for a year and a half and it feels like it is deep, just wondering if the osteoporosis could be what is causing it. Thanks for your help.Ruth

[Guest guest]

Harper,

I am encouraged to hear that you have improved so much from the Osteoporosis and it is now Osteopenia. Did you get any fractures during the time period in which you had Osteoporosis? I am going to schedule an eye appointment to have my eyes checked. Besides the prednisone risk, I was on plaquinol which also can cause glaucoma. The bone density test sure is a good tool to use to see how your bone mass is. I also take Calcium Citrate, but my doctor had me also add 300 mg more of Vitamin D, for a total dosage of 800 mg daily. Another benefit of Calcium is that it can help lower blood pressure, especially if taken with potassium and magnesium, my blood pressure was starting to climb a couple of years ago, now I usually have a reading of 120/80 or 110/70.

Ruthflatcat9@... wrote:

Ruth, we try to remember to remind people often about the problems with Prednisone use and calcium loss. Perhaps we haven't done so recently. This is a common problem. All of you on Prednisone, PLEASE talk with your doctor about ways to compensate for the calcium loss. Incidentally, my doctor recommends calcium citrate (as opposed to other forms of calcium) with Vitamin D. I use calcium citrate with Vitamin D AND Magnesium. Get as much weight-bearing exercise as you can. And dietary calcium, as from leafy greens and dairy products, helps.

Also, we must watch for cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetes, hypertension, all of which are associated with Prednisone use.

Now, for the good news: Three years ago I had fairly severe osteoporosis. I assumed that was permanent and would become worse. Now, I have only osteopenia, a far less serious degree of bone loss. This enormous improvement may be due to calcium and Fosamax (which I can no longer take), or it may be due to my diagnosis and treatment for celiac disease, which hinders calcium absorption. What ever the cause, I am elated.

Incidentally, Prednisone leaches calcium from the bones and deposits that calcium in the bloodstream, where the kidneys pick it up. Therefore, our incidence of kidney stones is rather high.

Another reminder: having one of the basic reference books, such as the one by Palmer or the one by Worman, is a good idea. The above problems are discussed in these books, which are available through Amazon.com if you can't get them locally.

Harper

In a message dated 3/9/2004 2:36:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Hi there, I just wanted to warn people who may not know that it is important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements while on prednisone. Last week, I found out that I have osteoporosis now which was caused by the prednisone use. I have lost over 12 percent bone loss near L-4 and some in my neck. I am now taking 1500 mg of calcium and 800 mg of vitamin D and a once a week dose of Fosamax. Anyone else who has Osteoporosis in the group notice any pain in their spine from it? I have had severe back pain for a year and a half and it feels like it is deep, just wondering if the osteoporosis could be what is causing it. Thanks for your help.Ruth