Re: risedronate and prednisolone induced osteoporosis

I have steroid induced severe osteoporisis as a result of 
treatments for severe pain / spine and nerve damage. I have 
been on Fosamax for years with minimal improvement but at 
least it has been for the most part increased density rather 
 than decreses which are a normal part of growing older.

I take exception to the way you take it. ( or at least what 
you typed) Drugs such as this require a 30 (thirty) minute 
minimum wait before eaiting, should be taken with a full 
glass of tap water and once taken, you need to remain 
upright either sitting or standing for the time interval.
It is well known that an hour gives better results.

The fact that you have not had fractures is encouraging.

Residronate is a member of the newer group of osteoporosis 
drugs that seem to be effective in slowing down the rate of 
bone density loss. It does NOT grow bone density - nor do 
any of the other medicines in this class.

They tend to be decently received by most patients as long 
as the patient strictly follows the prescribing 
instructions.  The side effects we most often hear about is 
upset stomach/intestinal system and bone pain but it is my 
experience after swapping email with many who had these 
concerns, that once  they started taking it exactly as 
called for that tehe stomach troubles were minimized.

The new parathyroid drug ( trade name = Forteo ) is touted 
to be able to actually grow bone density but a nasty side 
effect is carcenoma (cancer) in some patients so many 
doctors are still watching this drug instead of prescribing 
it. Many here are monitoring it as well for possible future use.

Rebounders (mini trampolines) are not the desired way to
help fight this disease rather weight training to induce 
bone muscle which induces bone growth is the most medically 
desired exercise.

I also question what you have NOT written. Are you on 
increased calcium and vitamin D intake? Did your physician 
test your blood and urine for various levels that can lead 
to a better treatment?

Lastly this fight against osteoporosis is a long term 
committment. Trying to get OFF any drug is often thought of 
as commendable but in this case results will not be readily 
seen or measured for many years. Many doctors repeat DXA 
scans every two (2) years and even then see minimal change. 
It is CRITICAL to keep your test results and then have any 
new scans done on the same exact scanner and preferably by 
the same technician . Test result variances need to be 
minimized and this is the best procedure i am aware of.

Sincerely


John M
moderator sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis.newsgroup
http://www.jmadura.com/osteofaq.htm



herbwormwood wrote:
> I have prednisolone induced osteoporosis. I am on prednisolone for Lupus. 
> I have been on calcium supplements for a few  years now, prescribed by my 
> consultant.  My last bone  scan showed a very tiny improvement but it 
> still shows  osteoporosis, I am 37 btw. I have had osteoporosis for a good 
> few years now, it was because I had been on prednisolone since I was 13 
> that I was sent for a scan on the first place a few years ago. I have not 
> had any fractures and it is just the test results which are abnormal, but 
> very definitely so, it is osteoporosis not osteopenia. The consultant  
> asked me to take this new drug called risedronate. I expressed some 
> reservations. I am trying to get off meds, not start new ones! He showed 
> me my latest scan result and pointed out why my scan was abnormal. So I 
> said ok,  if you really think so.  I took the risedronate this morning. 
> Its supposed to be taken 3 mins before any food, with a lot of water so I 
> got up and took it then sat in bed listening to the radio. After taking it 
> you are supposed to sit or stand for half and hour. it's made by Proctor 
> and Gamble, which are notorious for their animal testing. I do care about 
> this.
>
>  Can anyone here tell me more about risedronate? I have the UK patient 
> leaflet.
>
> My man has recently bought a rebounder, they are supposed to be good for 
> osteoporosis. I will try to go on it whenever I am at his place.
> I am trying to reduce the prednisolone, under the supervision of my 
> consultant.
> Please post any thoughts on this!