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Prednisone and bone loss. I was diagnosed with PMR
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 29, 2023 | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
My two cents: My bones were 135% of a 40 year old 3 years ago. I was 78 yrs. old.
Then I struggled with 2.5 years of Medrol (Methylprednisolone, like Prednisone but slightly stronger) for PMR. I'm not off yet, at 5 mg/day.
Now I have osteopenia in my right hip. BTW had I also had almost 2 years of Methotrexate in an effort to get off the d...n Medrol. Elevated liver Enzymes kept me from ever achieving any results. Now I'm on Leflunomide, and hope for Kevzara eventually.
I have horrific skin damage from the steroid. And still have PMR at a moderate level.
Elaine
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I'll add my experience. I started Prednisone 2 years ago. I had osteopenia, which means between 10 and 20% lower bone density than a young person. It had been very slowly dropping over time. My rheumatologist put me on Fosamax, calcium and vitamin D as soon as I started prednisone. He then tested my D level and it was low so I increased the dose. After a year on prednisone a new DEXA scan showed a 15% INCREASE in bone density. I'm now off the Fosamax since I'm down to 5mg prednisone. I didn't want to take it because that made 3 drugs that affect my GI tract (along with prednisone and methotrexate). Next year I'll get another scan and go back on Fosamax if I need to.