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
The changes in density are relatively slow and normally a dexascan would not be repeated for at least a year and under the NHS it would be at least 2 or even 3 years. To some extent it would also depend on the results you had in the baseline test.
Jack, in my experience it is to soon for a re-scan, especially if no problems were detected on first scan. Take your supplements, walk and do a little weight training. I have done this a increased my density with one Zoledronic Acid injection three years ago. Try and stay as active as you can without over doing it. I been on as 30 mg of Prednisone with no bone density issues. We are all different and each case is different, but that is my experience. Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 
Thanks Michdonn
I’ve been on cal , mag, k2 and d3 sincecstarting on pred thanks to this site!
Also keeping fit and active and doing some resistance exercises
my first dexascan showed mikd osteopenia but this have o correlation with the prednisone
In spite of warnings that pred can lead to weight gain, I’m happy to say that I’m at my lowest and healthiest weight in 30 years thanks to intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet
Thanks Eileen. I had guessed that would be premature .
I’m hoping that the dose of pred I’m on now, 9 mg tapering 1mg/month, may not affect my bone mineral density that much
As the others say checking every two to three years is normal. Do you know the results of your first test? Were you given medication for Osteoporosis?
Thanks Ptolemy Yes, I do have the results of my first scan - minimal bone density loss
My doc did suggest a med for osteoporosis, but I feel he is generally too eager to prescribe, so I declined
You are welcome Jack, I also take MSM for my bones.
My surgery doctors seem obsessed with bisphosphonates I had another argument with one of the doctors yesterday. She said you have been on steroids a long time you should take them. I then said what about my bone scan, which she had totally ignored. She then grudgingly said your bones are quite good! So we go along until the next time, which will probably be the next time I talk to them.
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,
That’s very good to hear!!
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).
Interestingly enough it does seem that the fatter you are in general the better your bone density, possibly the only advantage of being overweight!
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.
In over 7 years, mostly at above 10mg my bone density barely changed. It’s about time for another check I suppose…
. I think on the other hand the skinnier you are tends to lean towards low bone density.
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.
Good Luck Eileenh!
Thank you!
You are welcome, glad you are safe at home!