Have been diagnosed with PMR a year, had frequent calls from and visits to Dr. My first visit to rheumatologist was a month ago,who has arranged for me to have a Dexa Scan....She was very insistant on me taking Risidronate pills straight away, I stopped taking them some time ago it did not like the side effects, I took them once a week and it took several days before I felt ok by that time the next pill was due. I have decided to see what the scan reveals before taking any more. She did however give me some sensible advice on how to reduce the steroid pills. I look forward to seeing the outcome of results.
I am also on Alendronic Asid Tablets one a week,Which sound the same as yours, And was also going to ask my Rheumatologist about a Dextra Scan, So will be interested to know how you get on, Like you after I take the Pill it takes a few Days for every thing to settle back down,And then I have to take the thing and start again,mind you I think its getting a bit better after 5 weeks,But I still feel I should not be taking it if I don't need it.
Hi tisser, would you mind sharing the 'sensible advice' you received for reducing the prednisone? Thank you.
Had you been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia? It seems a bit mad to give you osteoporosis tablets if you have not. It is normal to have a Dexascan when you start on steroids. I agree with you wait until you get the results from your Dexascan before going back onto any tablets for it.
Hi Tlsser,
I think you are wise to wait to see what the scan shows. I think the general consensus is that you don't take anything for Osteo unless you have it. The way to determine if you have bone loss is from a DEXA scan. AA has some nasty side effects for many people and I think you can only take it for 5 yrs. It is also important to let your dentist know you take it if you're having any major work done.
I was diagnosed with osteopenia pre pred and take calcium with magnesium and Vit D. So far so good but will have another DEXA scan done in October to make sure.
Good luck with your test. Hope you don't have to take any more drugs😕.
Hugs, Diana🌸
Hi Padada. She gave me a chart with the days of the week on (which I lost going to car park !) but the idea was to take your normal ml of predisolone on the first day and take 1ml less on two days then go to normal ml rest of week. Over a period slowly decrease dose. Keep on a static dose for a period of weeks then try and reduce in the same way. This way you can fool your body into accepting a lower dose. I have completed one week in this way, so far so good. I was on 10 ml and had a flare up so had to go back to 12ml...I hope I can reduce slowly successfully. Best of luck, might be an idea to run it past your Dr. I would hate to cause you any more pain. Regards
No never had a broken bone ... Have a little arthritis in one ankle result of an injury, but never broke my ankle... Am looking forward to results of scan... Wil let you know the results...
If you are on steroids it is normal to take vit D and calcium supplement, if you have given up taking Risedronate. A side effect of steroids can be to reduce bone density, although some people are lucky and are OK. Good luck with the scan.