So today I finally got complete results for both last year and this year DXA scans. As hoped there has been improvement and they are no longer recommending taking medication, nor any further scan for I think it's three to five years. So nutrition and exercise do work, at least when on low dose long term steroids.
Hi,
That is such good news,
Hope you are well.
Julia
Hi,
That is such good news,
Hope you are well.
Julia
What were/are your dexascan reading?
Thank you. Yes, I'm pretty well. Had a longish list of things to go through very quickly with my gp this morning, so we didn't spend long on the DXA results, but she asked me how I did it! The improvement was from -2 last year to -1.6 this year. I took no OP drugs.
As above! In my excitement I forgot to post the relevant details. I do have everything now, and all but one of the spine readings has improved, the one that hasn't is statistically so small that the reading is effectively the same as last year. Both femoral neck, which seems to be the one the bones people put most stock in, and trochanter have improved.
Only one other question: was it on the same machine?
But it is really good news - even if all it does is keep them off your back! And i hope it registers with them - it doesn't HAVE to be AA and co.
Great to know, Anhaga. Thank you you for sharing.
Yes, same machine. But my back has been so much improved by physiotherapy she had trouble placing my spine in exactly the same position as before - and it was painful for me to hold the position! However the hip measurements are the key and they are definitely accurately positioned and significantly better!
I plan to write out a little paragraph for my doctor outlining exactly what I've been doing. I also convinced her to let me have Vitamin D checked again, because I think in my case that was an extra factor, high vitamin D having the opposite effect on bones than we want.
That's wonderful, it gives us all hope that we can maintain bone health without drugs whilst on steroids. My dr was pushing for drugs, she didn't approve of me pushing back with diet and exercise.
Well at least you can say you know of a person who didn't take recommended drugs and in one year was able to improve bone density this much. Sorry I'm no good at math, but it seems like I improved by a measureable percentage. 
Oh grt news, well done you. Timely for me as I want to stop AA (losing my hair and scalp showing ) I see my gp on weds, will be interested to see your write up about it.
Yes, I'm not sure how often my insurance company allows one to have a DX, but I'd be interested in seeing if there was any progress. Hopefully as good as yours.
Basically, Clare, I bought a pedometer and for over a year have tried to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Sometimes it's more, much less often a bit lower. It's all my daily activity, not just a dedicated walk. I bought a weighted walking vest which I wear every few days, and gradually over time you can increase the weight, this stimulates bone construction! I get a special bone health supplement from an organics food store, it has calcium hydroxyapatite which is supposed to be absorbed better than other kinds by people on prednisone, but calcium citrate is also a recommended kind. I take Vitamin K2, had to cut back my D3 because of a high level of D, but nearly everyone needs D supplementation. I also take magnesium occasionally, or have a bath with Epsom salts, and eat a diet high in leafy greens among other healthy things. I eat cheese and yoghurt, etc, but do not drink liquid milk except in tea or on cereal. I have for many years avoided soft drinks, and am a vegetarian (eat fish, eggs, dairy products). With pred I have also drastically cut back on grains, especially foods like bread or breakfast cereals. I drink ginger tea (fresh ginger root) recently started taking a liquid kelp supplement. I also have to take iron - liquid supplement - and I also take glucosamine for osteoarthritis, mixed tocopherol Vitamin E and every second day a complete B supplement.
I took up Nordic walking and tai chi and practice these several times a week if not every day.
Think that's everything....
Hi, wonderful news
Keep up a good work! I am so glad that everything you are doing is finally paying off. It also shows that doing reserch and learning about PMR helps us to understand and treat it better. It is uplifting to see some good news on this site, gives us hope for better days to come.
What are your suggestions with nutrition, what web site, what foods, anything please?
Great news! I too had an improved DEX a scan in the same machine, from 2 years ago, and my bone density has improved 3.5%. I exercise about 1/2 as much as I did before PMR so I think it is the calcium, taken with the Vitamin D. The technician had me get up off the table to look at the screen to see the improvement😊
Woohoo! Another great success without drugs!
See my reply to Clare above. There are books about vitamin K2, and websites which give ideas about exercise.