Bone Health After Transplant

My transplant was 4/6/18. At my last checkup I saw an endocrinologist who put me on Fosamax after being diagnosed with osteopenia. I also have been taking 5 mg of Prednisone. About a month ago I broke a bone in my foot just walking up the deck stairs, but didn’t see the doctor about it until two weeks ago. It had been hurting, but it didn’t seem bad enough to have broken it.The radiologist report said that I had considerable thinning of the bones of my feet. Needless to say I’m concerned about It. I’ll be seeing the foot doctor tomorrow.

@cmael how long have you been on 5mg of presidone?

I’ve been on Prednisone since my transplant. I started at a higher dose and gradually tapered off to 5mg. once a day. I also take Prograf and Cellcept for immunosuppressants.

@cmael

Thanks for the response. I have never been referred to an endocrinologist but I appreciate the info on Fosamax I will research it a bit more. Has the medication worked? Any side-effects?
Thanks - J

I had a liver transplant in December of 2019. I still take the Prograf and Cellcept, but have been off the Prednisone now for months. Why are you still on it?

I had my liver transplant Nov 28 2018. I was taken off prednisone and cellcept after 4 months. I only take .5 mg prograf. Each of our bodies have different reactions and needs for medications.

Morning, I had my transplant in 2016, bone density showed osteopena my endocrinologist started me on Prolia every 6 months. No problems. Plus I have gone back to weight lifting which helps also.

@cmael and @rwalkie

With Fosamax or Proila do you still take calcium or is that part of the medication? Have either of you seen bone health improvements?

Also does anyone know it Calcium Citrate or Calcium Carbonate is better? I remember a long time ago someone saying that one of them can lead to kidney stones but I wonder if that was just pre-transplant?

Before my transplant I was taking calcium citrate, but then my calcium levels were too high. When you have kidney disease, you can also have high parathyroid hormone levels which can also cause high calcium levels. No more calcium after that. During that time I also had a parathyroid adenoma removed. I guess my case is a bit different. I was asked when I made my appointment for my 2year checkup if I’d like to see an endocrinologist in addition. I said yes. Since my parathyroid levels are still a bit high, I was told to get at least 1200 mg of calcium with food daily, along with Fosamax. but no additional calcium as a supplement. It seems that liver transplant patients can reduce the immunosuppressants easier than kidney transplant patients.

Morning. Yes I still take a calcium supplement, and my last bone density did show improvement.