Does reducing dosage of steroids help recover from low bone density?
Many years of steroids may have caused my low bone density. I am an 80 year old male in pretty good heath. The steroids are for treating lung diseases. What treatments work best? I increased my dosage of Calcium citrate with Vitamin D3 from 1 tablet to 3 tablets per day. I will start alendronate on Tuesday. My diagnosis was early this week. Weight training?
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I found it difficult to get simple information. I was confused by people celebrating 3% gains. After much searching I found out that -2.5 T score means 25% bone density less than normal. Even McCormick's book did not make that clear. So 3% gain means 22% more to go, not 97%. Assuming 3% annual gain is realistic I will be normal in 5 to 8 years; and then I can be normal for 12 years, assuming nothing else comes along. I am almost 81.
I finally received Great Bones yesterday. that with guidance from other sources on what exercises and poses to avoid and how to exercise without hurting the spine, I am writing my 6 year plan.