[Crohnie]

I just had a bone density mass test done and found out that I am in the moderate to high range of developing osteoporosis due to my Crohn's and probably Prednisone use. Just wondering if any others out there are being treated for this, and if so what has your Dr. prescribed for you. I am meeting with my Dr. next week and he has mentioned putting me on Fosamax or something similar. I would also like to know if anyone has had any side effects from these meds and what they might be. Crohn's sucks, and this disease is really pissing me off this week!

[pushinweight]

i have a great site that you should read my friend ..its all about diet and how that can cure you...i personally was getting ticked off by the way the meds were effecting my additude on life and body...so i quickly took myself off my meds and went on this diet and have noticed a huge improvement and its only been 2 months ...they say it takes 2 years to fully heal yourself...but hey check out this diet .... this is an article on preventing osteoporosis

http://www.biblelife.org/boneloss.htm


http://www.biblelife.org/bowel.htm (chrons diet, u must follow it exactly or else it wont work)

[pushinweight]

here is some info about sugar that may shock most of you... enjoy

78 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health


The following list was contributed by Nancy Appleton, Ph.D. who has a web site at www.nancyappleton.com

She is also the author of the book Lick The Sugar Habit

In addition to throwing off the body's homeostasis, excess sugar may result in a number of other significant consequences. The following is a listing of some of sugar's metabolic consequences from a variety of medical journals and other scientific publications.

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.

2. Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.

3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.

4. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.

5. Sugar can adversely affect children's school grades.

6. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

7. Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.

8. Sugar can cause kidney damage.

9. Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).

10. Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).

11. Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.

12. Sugar can cause copper deficiency.

13. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

14. Sugar may lead to cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, and rectum.

15. Sugar can cause colon cancer, with an increased risk in women.

16. Sugar can be a risk factor in gall bladder cancer.

17. Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.

18. Sugar can weaken eyesight.

19. Sugar raises the level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which can narrow blood vessels.

20. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

21. Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.

22. Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.

23. Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

24. Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.

25. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.

26. Sugar can promote tooth decay.

27. Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

28. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

29. Sugar can cause a raw, inflamed intestinal tract in persons with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

30. Sugar can cause arthritis

31. Sugar can cause asthma.

32. Sugar can cause candidiasis (yeast infection).

33. Sugar can lead to the formation of gallstones.

34. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

35. Sugar can cause ischemic heart disease.

36. Sugar can cause appendicitis.

37. Sugar can exacerbate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

38. Sugar can indirectly cause hemorrhoids.

39. Sugar can cause varicose veins.

40. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraception users.

41. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

42. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

43. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.

44. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

45. Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.

46. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.

47. Sugar can increase total cholesterol.

48. Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.

49. Sugar can change the structure of protein causing interference with protein absorption.

50. Sugar causes food allergies.

51. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

52. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

53. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

54. Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.

55. Sugar can impair the structure of DNA.

56. Sugar can cause cataracts.

57. Sugar can cause emphysema.

58. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.

59. Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.

60. Sugar lowers the enzymes' ability to function.

61. Sugar can cause loss of tissue elasticity and function.

62. Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.

63. Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.

64. Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.

65. Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.

66. Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.

67. Sugar can cause constipation.

68. Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).

69. Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.

70. Sugar can cause hypertension.

71. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

72. Sugar can cause an increase in delat, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.

73. Sugar can cause depression.

74. Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.

75. Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

76. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.

77. Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots.

78. Sugar increases the risk of Alzheimer Disease.

[Crohnie]

Thanks for all the info pushinweight, much appreciated.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Crohnie

I just had a bone density mass test done and found out that I am in the moderate to high range of developing osteoporosis due to my Crohn's and probably Prednisone use. Just wondering if any others out there are being treated for this, and if so what has your Dr. prescribed for you. I am meeting with my Dr. next week and he has mentioned putting me on Fosamax or something similar. I would also like to know if anyone has had any side effects from these meds and what they might be. Crohn's sucks, and this disease is really pissing me off this week!

I am sorry to hear that. This happens to many long term Crohn's sufferers, especially in conjunction with steroid useage.

Try the following link and do a search for "Fosamax." This link will offer you lots of other good medical info.

www.mayoclinic.com

Also, from the manufacturer's website, go to "Prescribing Information" (a PDF file) and look under side effects and adverse reactions, as well as reading the contraindications. It's hard reading but worth it.

http://www.fosamax.com/alendronate_s...n/pi/index.jsp

I hope you feel better and have a great Turducken Day!

[tokermom]

I was wondering if digestive disorders are a symptom of Chrohns? I have a ver bad digestive system and when they did the bone screening, they told me my bones are comparable to a 70 year olds ( I am only 50) and have had these problems as a teen. How do they test for Chroans? I tried the Fosamax, but, it made me really sick. Hope it works for you, but, there are many more of similar meds, like once a month Boniva. Good Luck and I wish that whatever measure you take to combat this works for you. Hugs from tokermom

[WanderingMD]

Originally Posted by Crohnie

I just had a bone density mass test done and found out that I am in the moderate to high range of developing osteoporosis due to my Crohn's and probably Prednisone use. Just wondering if any others out there are being treated for this, and if so what has your Dr. prescribed for you. I am meeting with my Dr. next week and he has mentioned putting me on Fosamax or something similar. I would also like to know if anyone has had any side effects from these meds and what they might be. Crohn's sucks, and this disease is really pissing me off this week!

Likely due to long term prednisone use, as you say. Fosamax and other bisphosphonate meds are the most common treatment and several studies demonstrate good results, but there is the possibility of some severe side effects, including mandibular necrosis (jaw rot sort of thing). There is also calcitonin which is injected or inhaled. Less side effects, but less effective as well.

The most important aspect of treating osteoporosis is weight bearing exercise, which means it's time to lift some iron. Also, make sure you're getting enough calcium which can be a problem with Crohn's since there can be malabsorbtion problems. Calcium carbonate (the cheap stuff in the grocery store) is not too well absorbed even with a healthy gut, but most food sources of calcium (yogurt, cheese, etc) work better. In any case, get your doctor to refer you to a clinical nutritionist who understands Crohn's. it may be worthwhile to do more extensive testing to insure you're getting all the nutrients you need, since the usual assumptions don't always work in the face of malabsorption. There are no magic bullets in treating Crohn's.

The overall idea is to avoid surgery as much as possible, and avoid steroids as much as possible without increasing the need for surgery, which is easy to say but hard to do. The national clearinghouse for treatment and research is at the Cleveland Clinic, and they have some resources available for patients which can help direct therapy. Good luck with all this, it is indeed a tough chronic condition to deal with.

[Crohnie]

Originally Posted by WanderingMD

Likely due to long term prednisone use, as you say. Fosamax and other bisphosphonate meds are the most common treatment and several studies demonstrate good results, but there is the possibility of some severe side effects, including mandibular necrosis (jaw rot sort of thing). There is also calcitonin which is injected or inhaled. Less side effects, but less effective as well.

The most important aspect of treating osteoporosis is weight bearing exercise, which means it's time to lift some iron. Also, make sure you're getting enough calcium which can be a problem with Crohn's since there can be malabsorbtion problems. Calcium carbonate (the cheap stuff in the grocery store) is not too well absorbed even with a healthy gut, but most food sources of calcium (yogurt, cheese, etc) work better. In any case, get your doctor to refer you to a clinical nutritionist who understands Crohn's. it may be worthwhile to do more extensive testing to insure you're getting all the nutrients you need, since the usual assumptions don't always work in the face of malabsorption. There are no magic bullets in treating Crohn's.

The overall idea is to avoid surgery as much as possible, and avoid steroids as much as possible without increasing the need for surgery, which is easy to say but hard to do. The national clearinghouse for treatment and research is at the Cleveland Clinic, and they have some resources available for patients which can help direct therapy. Good luck with all this, it is indeed a tough chronic condition to deal with.

Thanks for the info WanderingMD. I saw my Dr. last week and he doesn't think that the prednisone is the culprit because I was only on it for 6-7 months. But it is most likely Crohn's related. I have also learned this week that I may be anemic from the Crohn's as well.
Unfortunatley I have had surgery too, I had an abcess in my colon in Jan '06, and had my appendix removed along with some of the small intestines, so I know all too well that this is indeed a tough condition to deal with. Interestingly enough I haven't been able to find a nutritionist who is well versed in Crohn's, but I think it's time to do some serious looking!

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Crohnie

Thanks for the info WanderingMD. I saw my Dr. last week and he doesn't think that the prednisone is the culprit because I was only on it for 6-7 months. But it is most likely Crohn's related. I have also learned this week that I may be anemic from the Crohn's as well.
Unfortunatley I have had surgery too, I had an abcess in my colon in Jan '06, and had my appendix removed along with some of the small intestines, so I know all too well that this is indeed a tough condition to deal with. Interestingly enough I haven't been able to find a nutritionist who is well versed in Crohn's, but I think it's time to do some serious looking!

Entirely untrue on the prednisone, your doc may be protecting himself. Some people are flat out allergic and others can take as much as you give them, and everyone else is in that continuum. You are somewhere in there. If you are having doubts, get a 2nd opinion. I think wandering md'd give you that same rec.

My sister had a few pred treatments and wound up with some bone necrosis and a gluteal detachment (yes!). I got some done for my back's djd and the relief only lasted 10 days! Based on my experience I believe steroids are dangerous and should be used only as last resort.

Get on the web and look at the bios of medical professionals in the teaching hospitals in your area; you will probably find at least two or three nutritionists that have Crohn's expertise.