Re: Prednisone effects

[Guest guest]

I just did a quick search on scheuermanns. On the surface it looks a lot like scoliosis. I don't know about that particular diagnosis, but I have some compression deformities to that sort. I have a "widow's hump" or "buffalo's hump" or whatever you want to call it. I have lost about an inch and a half in height with it. (The good news is that it does seem to be slowly reverting as I stay on the lower doses of steroids.)MadelineTo: asthma Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 1:55:52 PMSubject: prednisone effects

those who have been on prednisone often do you have any bone problems or compression deformities of the spine from the use? has anyone ever heard of scheuermanns disease and if yes do you know if pred. use can be a cause of this. I am going to cross post this to another goupe. thanks for any replies.

Happy Mothers Day tomorrow Jean

[Guest guest]

I have a neighbor who developed severe osteoporosis from long-term Prednisone

use to control asthma and Lupus. She fractured three vertebrae just getting

into her son's car one Christmas. It got so bad that no one could hug her

without fear of breaking something.

Not a place that anyone should have to be...

JoAnn

PS: Happy Mother's Day to you too!

[Guest guest]

Thanks Madeline. It makes me feel a little better knowing it can slowly revert

on lower doses of steroids. she use to use pred. for her severe skin issues but

hasnt used for this in a long time but when her asthma gets bad there isnt much

choice jean

>

> I just did a quick search on scheuermanns. On the surface it looks a lot like

> scoliosis. I don't know about that particular diagnosis, but I have some

> compression deformities to that sort. I have a " widow's hump " or " buffalo's

> hump " or whatever you want to call it. I have lost about an inch and a half

in

> height with it. (The good news is that it does seem to be slowly reverting as

I

> stay on the lower doses of steroids.)

>

> Madeline

[Guest guest]

hi JoAnn/

my dd had a dexa scan and it said she did not have osteoporisis...the ct scan

did however show compression and schmorls (sp) node. it just stinks..she is too

young for all this j

>

>

>

> I have a neighbor who developed severe osteoporosis from long-term Prednisone

use to control asthma and Lupus. She fractured three vertebrae just getting

into her son's car one Christmas. It got so bad that no one could hug her

without fear of breaking something.

>

> Not a place that anyone should have to be...

>

> JoAnn

>

> PS: Happy Mother's Day to you too!

>

[Guest guest]

My orthopedic doctor did an MRI to check me for Avascular Necrosis in my hip joint. I'll know the results next week when I see him again.To: asthma Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 1:55:52 PMSubject: prednisone effects

those who have been on prednisone often do you have any bone problems or compression deformities of the spine from the use? has anyone ever heard of scheuermanns disease and if yes do you know if pred. use can be a cause of this. I am going to cross post this to another goupe. thanks for any replies.

Happy Mothers Day tomorrow Jean

[Guest guest]

Hi and JoAnn,I have a combination of lung problems from Sjogren's & Lupus in my lungs to asthma and so much more. I've been on Prednisone and Methotrexate since 1998 and started out on 60mg. of Pred. My lungs would not begin to cooperate until my rheumy added methotrexate and finally after 2 1/2 of being on such a high dose she was able to slowly bring me down. I have been on 5mg. for the past 9 years. Consequently I developed osteoporosis and all I can do at this point is do treadmill walking, hatha yoga and then lift light weights. My mother did not have Sjogren's or Lupus but she did have severe osteoporosis. I can remember one night when my father came home from work my mother was at the kitchen sink when he put his arms around her chest to give her a big hug and the next thing was that my father broke 3 of her ribs. After that she had many fractures. With myself I don't know whether to blame it on overuse of prednisone or what because I lost all of my body fat around my chest. I am and was always on the thin side but I believe that the prednisone is to blame for what happened to me. I'm sure that I could fill out if I were to go back to the gym but I don't know if I will have the energy to do it.Happy Mother's Day to both of you,Sharon/NYFrom:gigles_1955 Subject: Re: prednisone effectsDate:May 7, 2011 4:21:23 PM EDTTo:asthma hi JoAnn/my dd had a dexa scan and it said she did not have osteoporisis...the ct scan did however show compression and schmorls (sp) node. it just stinks..she is too young for all this j>> > > I have a neighbor who developed severe osteoporosis from long-term Prednisone use to control asthma and Lupus. She fractured three vertebrae just getting into her son's car one Christmas. It got so bad that no one could hug her without fear of breaking something.> > Not a place that anyone should have to be...> > JoAnn> > PS: Happy Mother's Day to you too!>

[Guest guest]



My cousin who suffered from asthma was given prednisone.......and he had an adverse reaction to the prednisone which caused his back/spine to completely bend ...... so that he could not look up because of the complete collapse of the spine. There was nothing they could do at that point because the damage had been done. This happened several years ago ...... but after I read your e-mail regarding prednisone ..... I remembered what had happened to my cousin.

prednisone effects

those who have been on prednisone often do you have any bone problems or compression deformities of the spine from the use? has anyone ever heard of scheuermanns disease and if yes do you know if pred. use can be a cause of this. I am going to cross post this to another goupe. thanks for any replies. Happy Mothers Day tomorrow Jean

[Guest guest]

Im sorry this happened to your cousin..thats awful. jean

>

> My cousin who suffered from asthma was given prednisone.......and he had an

adverse reaction to the prednisone which caused his back/spine to completely

bend ...... so that he could not look up because of the complete collapse of the

spine. There was nothing they could do at that point because the damage had

been done. This happened several years ago ...... but after I read your e-mail

regarding prednisone ..... I remembered what had happened to my cousin.

>

>

>

>

>

> Re: prednisone effects

>

>

>

>

> My orthopedic doctor did an MRI to check me for Avascular Necrosis in my hip

joint. I'll know the results next week when I see him again.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

let us know how you make out . jean

>

> My orthopedic doctor did an MRI to check me for Avascular Necrosis in my hip

> joint. I'll know the results next week when I see him again.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: asthma

> Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 1:55:52 PM

> Subject: prednisone effects

>

>

> those who have been on prednisone often do you have any bone problems or

> compression deformities of the spine from the use? has anyone ever heard of

> scheuermanns disease and if yes do you know if pred. use can be a cause of

this.

> I am going to cross post this to another goupe. thanks for any replies.

>

>

> Happy Mothers Day tomorrow Jean

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon.

thanks for sharing this with us. pred. is such a necc. drug in helping

asthma..the only thing that has helped..same with her severe puritis..but the

long term side effects are just awful as you well know. its hard to tell if

this caused your osteoporosis..it may just run in the family but it did prob.

make things worse.

my mom never took any meds. in here life other than tylenol and she had severe

osteroporosis.

I wish you the best..jean

> >

> >

> > 

> > I have a neighbor who developed severe osteoporosis from long-term

Prednisone use to control asthma and Lupus. She fractured three vertebrae just

getting into her son's car one Christmas. It got so bad that no one could hug

her without fear of breaking something.

> > 

> > Not a place that anyone should have to be...

> > 

> > JoAnn

> > 

> > PS: Happy Mother's Day to you too!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Anyone who's on prednisone often or regularly and is not also on a bisphosphonate should either fire their doctor or get to an endocrinologist ASAP. There's no need for these fractures. They're a result, not just of prednisone, but of bad health care. Don't let your doc get away with it. And don't let him/her say "let's see if you develop bone loss". By then you'll have to take bisphosphonates for years, like I did, just to get your bone density back. Docs can also order n-telepeptide tests to see if you're losing bone too fast and if the bisphohonates are slowing the loss down enough. This is the standard of practice. All they have to do is read their own journals. There's also calcium and vitamin D. Necessary but usually not enough.

[Guest guest]

Larry, you might to read up on the side effects of bisphosphanates before

recommending them so freely.

Barb

>

> Anyone who's on prednisone often or regularly and is not also on a

bisphosphonate should either fire their doctor or get to an endocrinologist

ASAP. There's no need for these fractures. They're a result, not just of

prednisone, but of bad health care. Don't let your doc get away with it. And

don't let him/her say " let's see if you develop bone loss " . By then you'll have

to take bisphosphonates for years, like I did, just to get your bone density

back. Docs can also order n-telepeptide tests to see if you're losing bone too

fast and if the bisphohonates are slowing the loss down enough. This is the

standard of practice. All they have to do is read their own journals. There's

also calcium and vitamin D. Necessary but usually not enough.

>

[Guest guest]

my dd does see an endo. for hypothyroid and although she doesnt prescribe pred.

she knows my dd is on it often.

the prob. with the dr is my dd has three different ones that have all pres. the

pred. and all know the others do as well and then my dd had a peditrician up to

age 17 that pres. pred for asthma so i would have to go after a lot of drs. ALL

of them knew how often she was on pred. I never heard of bisphosphonates but

will look up. as far as vit D and calcium my dd takes both and has for at lease

3 years now..should have been longer.

dds dexa scan came back normal.

thanks for the info. jean

>

> Anyone who's on prednisone often or regularly and is not also on a

bisphosphonate should either fire their doctor or get to an endocrinologist

ASAP. There's no need for these fractures. They're a result, not just of

prednisone, but of bad health care. Don't let your doc get away with it. And

don't let him/her say " let's see if you develop bone loss " . By then you'll have

to take bisphosphonates for years, like I did, just to get your bone density

back. Docs can also order n-telepeptide tests to see if you're losing bone too

fast and if the bisphohonates are slowing the loss down enough. This is the

standard of practice. All they have to do is read their own journals. There's

also calcium and vitamin D. Necessary but usually not enough.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reminder Larry. I am on Actonel once monthly along with a vitamin d supplement. I have developed the widow's hump and have some issues with my bones and joints, but no bone loss. So, I guess it is all good in the long run. As I said, the widows hump has improved some since being on the lower doses.MadelineTo:

asthma Sent: Sun, May 8, 2011 9:24:02 AMSubject: Re: prednisone effects

Anyone who's on prednisone often or regularly and is not also on a bisphosphonate should either fire their doctor or get to an endocrinologist ASAP. There's no need for these fractures. They're a result, not just of prednisone, but of bad health care. Don't let your doc get away with it. And don't let him/her say "let's see if you develop bone loss". By then you'll have to take bisphosphonates for years, like I did, just to get your bone density back. Docs can also order n-telepeptide tests to see if you're losing bone too fast and if the bisphohonates are slowing the loss down enough. This is the standard of practice. All they have to do is read their own journals. There's also calcium and vitamin D. Necessary but usually not enough.

[Guest guest]

thanks Barb.

I always do a lot of research before trying or reccomending anything jean

> >

> > Anyone who's on prednisone often or regularly and is not also on a

bisphosphonate should either fire their doctor or get to an endocrinologist

ASAP. There's no need for these fractures. They're a result, not just of

prednisone, but of bad health care. Don't let your doc get away with it. And

don't let him/her say " let's see if you develop bone loss " . By then you'll have

to take bisphosphonates for years, like I did, just to get your bone density

back. Docs can also order n-telepeptide tests to see if you're losing bone too

fast and if the bisphohonates are slowing the loss down enough. This is the

standard of practice. All they have to do is read their own journals. There's

also calcium and vitamin D. Necessary but usually not enough.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I will!To: asthma Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 9:16:55 PMSubject: Re: prednisone effects

let us know how you make out . jean

>

> My orthopedic doctor did an MRI to check me for Avascular Necrosis in my hip

> joint. I'll know the results next week when I see him again.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: asthma

> Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 1:55:52 PM

> Subject: prednisone effects

>

>

> those who have been on prednisone often do you have any bone problems or

> compression deformities of the spine from the use? has anyone ever heard of

> scheuermanns disease and if yes do you know if pred. use can be a cause of this.

> I am going to cross post this to another goupe. thanks for any replies.

>

>

> Happy Mothers Day tomorrow Jean

>

[Guest guest]

Barb and

Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach altogether.

Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not. If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side effects with that either.

I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape. Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Larry, I'm glad the bisphosphonates are working for you. My concern is that

people are not looking into the root cause of problems. You have to trace

everything backwards from your symptoms.

Low thyroid can cause osteoporosis

Low thyroid can cause asthma

Low hormones (testosterone for men, estrogen/progesterone for women) can also

cause osteoporosis

Taking prednisone can help the asthma, but also has the effect of causing bone

loss.

If you combine low thyroid, low hormones, and add prednisone, there would be a

very high probability of osteoporosis. Taking a bisphosphante may diminish this

symptom, but you still haven't fixed the possible underlying cause that started

the cascade in the first place.

I would want some baseline tests run before I'd start on such serious meds.

http://tiredthyroid.com/what-labs.html

I realize not everyone will agree.

Just food for thought,

Barb

>

>

> Barb and

> Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore

stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or

lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I

already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates

(pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach

altogether.

>

> Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get

osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the

way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities

as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I

opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone

density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

>

> The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second

morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not.

If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're

forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side

effects with that either.

>

> I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should

carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of

osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape.

Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried

calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's

usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> Larry

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all of the information. Interesting reading, like I say, I always learn something from this website. willothewispl@...From: Larry To: asthma Sent: Mon, May 9, 2011 7:50:56 AMSubject: Re: Prednisone effects

Barb and

Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach altogether.

Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not. If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side effects with that either.

I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape. Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

Larry

[Guest guest]

So what WOULD you have someone take when they are flaring and need something to control the flares or have exhausted other options? Not everyone with asthma has low thyroid. Its just one of many causes of asthma. Prednisone is not something given lightly in my experiences...both through school and with my own asthma. However, it is something that is needed when it is needed. The bottom line is if you arent breathing nothing else matters does it....Sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks. Im sure the folks here who do take prednisone on a daily basis tried many other options before they had to resort to prednisone. It seems to me that you seem to feel that low thyroid is the root of all problems. Im just curious, because you never actually relate your own experiences with asthma, do you even have asthma?Ann Re: Prednisone effects

Larry, I'm glad the bisphosphonates are working for you. My concern is that people are not looking into the root cause of problems. You have to trace everything backwards from your symptoms.

Low thyroid can cause osteoporosis

Low thyroid can cause asthma

Low hormones (testosterone for men, estrogen/progesterone for women) can also cause osteoporosis

Taking prednisone can help the asthma, but also has the effect of causing bone loss.

If you combine low thyroid, low hormones, and add prednisone, there would be a very high probability of osteoporosis. Taking a bisphosphante may diminish this symptom, but you still haven't fixed the possible underlying cause that started the cascade in the first place.

I would want some baseline tests run before I'd start on such serious meds. http://tiredthyroid.com/what-labs.html

I realize not everyone will agree.

Just food for thought,

Barb

>

>

> Barb and

> Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach altogether.

>

> Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

>

> The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not. If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side effects with that either.

>

> I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape. Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> Larry

>

[Guest guest]

I have been taking it for well over a year now with zero side effects.MadelineTo: asthma Sent: Mon, May 9, 2011 7:50:56 AMSubject: Re: Prednisone effects

Barb and

Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach altogether.

Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not. If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side effects with that either.

I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape. Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

Larry

[Guest guest]

hi Larry,

I dont feel like you're preaching..I appreciate all the info. i can get. If

it comes to my dd needing this med. the info you gave will be a great help. I

need to make an appt. with a bone spec. but wanted to wait until dd appt

tomorrow with her gp. I will have a heads up if any of these test are suggested

and if they're now I will ask them about it. thanks. jean

>

>

> Barb and

> Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore

stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or

lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I

already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates

(pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach

altogether.

>

> Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get

osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the

way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities

as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I

opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone

density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

>

> The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second

morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not.

If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're

forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side

effects with that either.

>

> I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should

carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of

osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape.

Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried

calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's

usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> Larry

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Ann. I've had to take prednisone several times when I just couldn't breathe without it. I have diabetes and the stuff rips my blood sugar control to shreds. My doctor only prescribes pred when nothing else helps. As for my thyroid function, my last blood work showed it to be completely normal. My last bone density tests were also normal.To:

asthma Sent: Mon, May 9, 2011 8:03:22 PMSubject: RE: Re: Prednisone effects

So what WOULD you have someone take when they are flaring and need something to control the flares or have exhausted other options? Not everyone with asthma has low thyroid. Its just one of many causes of asthma. Prednisone is not something given lightly in my experiences...both through school and with my own asthma. However, it is something that is needed when it is needed. The bottom line is if you arent breathing nothing else matters does it....Sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks. Im sure the folks here who do take prednisone on a daily basis tried many other options before they had to resort to prednisone. It seems to me that you seem to feel that low thyroid is the root of all problems. Im just curious, because you never actually relate your own experiences with asthma, do you even have asthma?Ann Re: Prednisone effects

Larry, I'm glad the bisphosphonates are working for you. My concern is that people are not looking into the root cause of problems. You have to trace everything backwards from your symptoms.

Low thyroid can cause osteoporosis

Low thyroid can cause asthma

Low hormones (testosterone for men, estrogen/progesterone for women) can also cause osteoporosis

Taking prednisone can help the asthma, but also has the effect of causing bone loss.

If you combine low thyroid, low hormones, and add prednisone, there would be a very high probability of osteoporosis. Taking a bisphosphante may diminish this symptom, but you still haven't fixed the possible underlying cause that started the cascade in the first place.

I would want some baseline tests run before I'd start on such serious meds. http://tiredthyroid.com/what-labs.html

I realize not everyone will agree.

Just food for thought,

Barb

>

>

> Barb and

> Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach or lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach. I already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach altogether.

>

> Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it the way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge quantities as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density. I opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

>

> The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or not. If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side effects with that either.

>

> I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people should carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad shape. Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> Larry

>

[Guest guest]

When I was having trouble breathing every single night, I did not want to go the

steroid route if I could help it. I knew if it got bad enough I would have no

choice. But I still had some time to do some research. I was wheezing and

whistling, but even taking a Vit C would help some. And I found not one, but

several studies where asthma was triggered by low thyroid. Sure enough, after

my dose was raised so that my Free T3 and Free T4 levels came up, the asthma

stopped. Yes, stopped. Bringing the free thyroid levels up meant my TSH became

suppressed, or was lower than the range on the labs. THAT is the error in

doctors' thinking, that a " normal " TSH is considered to be fine. With

asthmatics, it's usually a false " normal " and that's what I've been trying to

convey to everyone here, in case they were interested. Again, a normal TSH does

NOT mean your thyroid levels are fine. Especially when you can answer yes to

other hypothyroid symptoms like cold hands/feet, hair loss, thin eyebrows, brain

fog, weight problems, dry skin, constipation, etc.

If someone had told me earlier that I should check my thyroid levels, and NOT

just the TSH, I would certainly have looked into it, and not just dismissed it.

It is human nature to want to share something that works, with others who are

suffering from the same problems. That was my only intent.

Barb

> >

> >

> > Barb and

> > Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a sore

> >stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty stomach

or

> >lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the stomach.

I

> >already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV

bisphosphonates

> >(pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach

> >altogether.

> >

> >

> > Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get

> >osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it

the

> >way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge

quantities

> >as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone density.

I

> >opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my bone

> >density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

> >

> >

> > The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your second

> >morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or

not.

> >If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're

> >forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side

> >effects with that either.

> >

> > I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people

should

> >carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of

> >osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad

shape.

> >Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried

> >calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said it's

> >usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> > Larry

> >

>

[Guest guest]

These are my " normal " thyroid labs when I was whistling and wheezing every

night, while taking 1.5 grain Armour Thyroid. (My dose was reduced from 1.75

grain because at that dose, my TSH went below range.)

TSH .59 (.4-5.5)

Free T3 323 (230-420)

Free T4 .8 (.8-1.8)

These are my latest labs taking 1-1/8 grain Erfa Thyroid + 75 mcg levothyroxine.

TSH .01 L (.4-4.5)

Free T3 400 (230-420)

Free T4 1.4 (.8-1.8)

Now my labs are " abnormal " if you believe in the TSH, which is not even a

thyroid, but pituitary hormone. Free T3 and Free T4 are actually still in

range, just much higher in range. And my body's response? Nightly asthma with

the first set of labs, NONE (I don't own an inhaler) with the second set.

If you want to explore this further, check out the medical journal references

#11-14 here: http://tiredthyroid.com/asthma.html

Then read some of the other sections so you can talk intelligently to your

doctor about this and maybe get more testing.

I felt compelled to share this because I no longer have hives since avoiding

yellow #5, and no longer have asthma since I brought my thyroid levels up. But

I can only present the information as something worth looking into. You are all

free to believe what you want and to make your own health choices.

Wishing everyone better health,

Barb

> > >

> > >

> > > Barb and

> > > Some people who take oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, etc) get a

sore

> > >stomach or esophagus, especially if they don't take them on an empty

stomach

> >or

> >

> > >lay down without first waiting 1/2 hour for them to get through the

stomach. I

> >

> > >already had stomach problems so my endocrinologist gives me IV

bisphosphonates

> >

> > >(pamidronate, Zometa, ec) a couple of times a year and bypasses the stomach

> > >altogether.

> > >

> > >

> > > Some people get a flu-like feeling right after the IV. People can get

> > >osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect but they're usually not taking it

> >the

> >

> > >way we would. Necrosis seems mostly to happen to people who take huge

> >quantities

> >

> > >as part of their cancer treatment, much more than you need for bone

density. I

> >

> > >opted for IV pamidronate, a small dose of 30 mg 4X a year, then after my

bone

>

> > >density went up, 2X a year. No side effects at all.

> > >

> > >

> > > The N-telopeptide test has no side effects. You simply give them your

second

>

> > >morning urine and they tell you if your bone is breaking down too fast or

not.

> >

> > >If you want to get fancy they have another test to tell you how well you're

> > >forming new bone - a bone specific alkaline phosphatase blood test. No side

> > >effects with that either.

> > >

> > > I really don't want to sound obnoxious or like a know it all but people

> >should

> >

> > >carefully weigh the side effect potential against the devastation of

> > >osteoporosis. For me it was a no brainer. My hips and spine were in bad

shape.

> >

> > >Approx 50% of men with broken hips die within a year. I had already tried

> > >calcium and vitamin D. They weren't enough and the endocrinologist said

it's

> > >usually not when you're on prednisone. Sorry for the preaching.

> > > Larry

> > >

> >

>