Tag Archives: osteoporosis

A Foggy Future

01 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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To see the accompanying nail art, click here.

 

Do you remember my second dexa-scan? Well…I got the results in the mail a couple of days and it is not good.

I am still in the normal range for most of my bone density except I am at the cusp of osteoporosis in my lower spine, making me three times more likely to fracture that part of my back. I also have osteopenia in my hips, with a 9% decrease in my left one since my last scan.

The decrease in my bone density is a direct result of the prednisone.

 

What is happening?

 

I am in my 20s and I can’t fall. If I do, if my own dog knocks me over, I take a rock-climbing fall, I twist something the wrong way, I can break my spine.

This does not even have to do with the arthritis right now. There are so many other complications running through my head.

I am not scared and sometimes act irrationally because why should I worry? What ever happens will happen and if it is going to happen anyways why shouldn’t I be rash? It will not affect whether I deteriorate or not.

Now I am afraid. If I fracture my spine I could experience nerve damage….I know I will eventually lose my mobility but I never thought I would lose my physical ability.

There are ways around this, I always have options, but I need to find a new dream. My current dreams, though they are slipping further as I lose more of my strength, require me to be physically fit (I want to be a veterinarian and do professional technical theater). I know I am lucky to have my physical ability. I could worsen more quickly, progress much faster but I cannot help but feel stressed about this news.

Now, all I can think about is every time I get pushed around by a dog, every time I trip over my own feet or lose my balance, every time I rock-climb, I risk so much.

 

I am trying to see the bright side. I know why my back, shoulders and hips hurt so much! I am more informed and can be more careful. And, I am already on preventative medications. Sure, I will never get retrieve what was lost but I can slow the progression.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Second Dexa-Scan

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

≈ 8 Comments

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If you are on corticoid steroids long-term, have hit menopause, or have osteoporosis chances are your doctor has recommended a yearly dexa-scan.

I had my first one two years ago. My prednisone dose varied over those two years so I never saw the need to get another one. With my most recent flare and spine difficulty my doctor ordered another one. My symptoms were consistent with a regular flare except for the acute spinal pain.

 

My Dexa came back more or less normal. No osteoporosis!! …yet.

 

While my bone density levels are still “normal” they have decreased in the last two years. I am no closer to lowering my prednisone dose (crossing my fingers for Spring!) so I have to start osteoporosis prevention.

I started Actonel at the end of December and hopefully will be on a generic alternative starting next month. (Troubles in insurance land – I will follow up with another blog post soon).

 

This is good news but it makes me laugh. Three years ago, I was that person who refused to take pain relievers or vitamin supplements. Now I am taking 15+ pills a day and because they are eroding every inch of me I have to add more.

Not only was I that person who wouldn’t take pain killers, I couldn’t even swallow them! I was incapable of swallowing a single candy-coated Advil pill. Incapable, as in, I kept gagging it up involuntarily. (TMI??)

Look how far I’ve come! 😛

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.