MY BONE SCAN!!!!

[tex]

Charlotte,

The corticosteroids are notorious for contributing to osteoporosis, and budesonide is indeed a corticosteroid. As Grannyh points out, though, due to the way that Entocort EC delivers the budesonide, that risk is much lower for Entocort. Additionally, trials show that budesonide in general, carries a much lower risk of side effects than conventional corticosteroids, so presumably, it has an inherent lower risk of contributing to bone loss.

Here is an report on a study which shows the use of inhaled budesonide, (for asthma), to cause negligible bone loss:

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/252F7A.htm

Of course, you have to recognize that the study was funded by AstraZeneca, (the manufacturers of budesonide), but it's still better than no study at all.

Tex

[ant]

My bone scan that DXed osteoporosis was 4 months after starting to take entocort, BUT my first (low stress induced) fracture was befor I started entocort. So I attribute the osteoporisis to MC rather than entocort. In fact, if the entocort reduces inflamation and increases absorbition it my be a net benefit in the fight against osteoporosis IMHO.

Best ant

[grannyh]

Ant,
Thank you for your observation that better absorption via use of entocort might, indeed, be a net benefit!
grannyh

[wonderwoman]

The nurse called yesterday with my DEXA results. She said it was NORMAL.

I asked her for the number and she said -0.2

I asked her to give me the NORMAL range so I could see if I was low or high NORMAL. She couldn't figure out the report. SO---

In researching the internet http://lesann.tripod.com/dexa%20scans.htm
I found these are the ranges

normal, between +1 and -1

oteopenia, between -1 and 2.5

osteoporosis, between -2.5 or lower

With my number of -0.2 I can't figure out where I am on the scale. I think it's low normal. Is that right???

Then the internet talks about T score and Z score

I know about 4 years ago I had some bone loss and then two years ago it had risen which I was happy about. I can't find those reports.

PCP ordered the test. I see the GI doctor on Thursday and will ask for copies of all my reports the last few months to add to my records. That way I can read the reports myself.

[ant]

I think that means you are fine (someone correct me if I am wrong). If normal is between +1.00 and -1.00 and you are -0.20 you are more or less in the middle of normal. And osteoporisis only starts at 2.50. I assume these were T scores.

To put your results in perceptive my results were:

Lumbar spine (Osteoporosis)
L1: t -2.4,
L2: t -1.8,
L3: t -2.4,
L4: t -3.7,

Left Hip: (normal accept for hip neck which is Osteopenia)
Hip Neck: t -1.7.

In fact as I (hopefully) get control of MC, what scares me the most is the osteoporosis. The fact that you have put on bone density gives hope.

I do not want to build "dead bone" density which looks good on the scan but could still be brittle. I am hoping increasing vitamins and minerals rather than taking bisphosphonates will do the trick.

Best, Ant

[Stanz]

So happy to hear these results. I do hope Mr. Louie is careful when he is soldering lead. Lead poisoning is no fun and I know that my biggest exposure was heat stripping lead paint w/o a mask or gloves, but you can never be too careful. I've got boxes of glass, I really need to get back to being creative. It's a really art and I've missed it.