I have (among other problems) bad pains on both sides of my T8.
Ortho suggested possible fractures in ribs. Bone mapping (the stronstium test) suggested (among other problems) fractures in T8 transvere process.
They say it is a by-product of the prednisone - I am taking for years (against RA, among other meds) - which might cause osteoporosis.
However, my bone density measures rose (because of Fossamax?) from 109% to 111%.
How can this be explain with spinal (or other) fractures caused by osteoporosis?
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Yona , what does your doc say about the results and how the use of the Fossamax plays into it???
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Helen Keller
So far I have spoken with GP & Rheumi & ND.
Tomorrow I'm doing a CT to see if I do have T8 fracture. When I get the results - I shall meet an Ortho.
Tomorrow, just before my CT I am seeing a Neuro because of the oains near the T8 ribs and a pain along my left leg which may be sciatica (how do they check this? can CT help diagnose it?).
Prednisone reduces bone density and this could explain osteoporotic fractures.
Osteoporotic fractures can come 'naturally' with aging.
Fossamax enhances Calcium absorbance by the bones and should prevent fractures.
The fact that my bone density is really good and yet there might be spine fracture - is against logic.
My only explanation is: Medicine is more of an art than exact science.
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Pmazz, your post was very informative, and it sounds like you know much!! Do you have any opinion as to which bisphosphonate works best? I recently switched from Fosamax to Boniva. Do you have any opinion? Thanks for your input---Mazy
I used to be a chemist (not as in the UK were they use this word for a pharmacist).
I can understand part of what you say.
I didn't realise that the bisphosphante is not working evenly in all directions of the bones.
I perfectly understand that once such a fracture comes, the possibility of other fractures is even higher.
I was never told that Calcium can NOT be taken the same day with fosomax but, my intuition said to take Ca only once, in the evening of the day I take the bisphosphante.
I take Ca + Vit D twice a day.
Few months ago they found that I have Vit D defficiency so I am taking extra vit D and I am still under the desired level.
I don't understand much in the physiology of it all (I also don't understand how different painkillers work)
I had high bone density when I started with 1 Ca/day.
Started to take 2 Ca/day when I started to be on Prednisone + Fossamax from the very beginning of the Prednisone taking more than 3 years ago.
And still...
Had CT done yesterday. Will have the results explaining the problem in my D8 in a few days. I had unbearable pains there about a month ago. Bone radioactive mapping gave all sorts off "extra absorbing".
I still feel the pain but it isn't as bad.
They CT'ed yesterday also my L2-L4 in order to find an explanation for my very bad leg pains which are lasting for more than 2 months.
When these started, I thought they were RA pains.
I became aware of spine problems with my neck. Had C6 corpectomy (because of spinal stenosis & osteophytes) 11 months ago.
I am trying to lower the prednisone maybe stop it.
Will it be possible to stop taking the Fossamax?
Is there a connection between all my spine problems?
Any relation between them and my RA?
I am realy full of questions...
Just one more: What did you mean when you wrote "dissipates", the pain or the fracture?
Thanks a lot.
Yona
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Pmazz10,
I had a long reply (because you explain things so nicely) and it was erased!
So Sorry. I'll have to write it all over again. Some other time.
Please try again to sign up as my buddy I did all I can from my side.
Yona
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Thank you for all of this info! I hope I get enough Vitamin D! I get it with my calcium daily, and I get out in the sun every day. I heard recently that if you wear sunglasses all the time, your body doesn't absorb enough Vitamin D and it can contribute to depression. Don't know if that is true or not. Does anyone know which is REALLY better--calcium carbonate or calcium citrate?? I hear different things about which is absorbed better. Now I am taking calcium carbonate with D. I wish I had paid more attention to this stuff when I was younger!! (unfortunately MORE wisdom does come with age...)Mazy
Living in Israel doesn't help me much with the vitamin D...
Perhaps it's because I cannot stand the heat.
BTW, are fossamax and Actonel interchangable?
We have Teva's generic for Fossamax. Any idea if it is as good as the Merck's original?
Thanks.
Yona
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
I appreciate you answers.
You are a very good teacher take it as a big complement!
I haven't still rewrite my lost post.
Y.
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Osteoporosis is something I have been diagnosed with as well. My dr has me take Fosamax plus D as she felt it was better than just Fosamax. I also take calcium. I think there is a once yearly drug but I am not sure about this. jade
I also sells Actonel. Some of the information that you have been recieving is old and we now know to be inacurate. First, only Fosamax and Actonel have ever been studied in steroid induced osteoporosis. Both are indicated for the treatment of steroid induced osteoporosis, but only Actonel is approved in the US for prevention of steroid induced osteoporosis. Second, hip fractures have been studied with Boniva, in the study used to get Boniva FDA approval, the reduction of nonvertebral fractures with Boniva was similar to placebo and this was consistant across all sites studied including hip (this is taken from the Boniva PI). Third, if your doctor did blood D levels and they were low he will recomend suplimentation. Most likly this will be oral, not a shot, as it is cheaper and easier as well as more available. Only oral is available in the US right now. Fourth, the latest data indicates nearly 25% of patients with a fracture will fracture again within 12 months. According to the American College of Rheumatology Actonel is the only treatment to be shown to work at 12 months. Fosamax took 2 years to reduce fracture. I hope this helps.