I would urge anyone who has had lyme for quite a while to ask your doctor for a bone density scan. Simple...painless, and quick test..but
to catch it in early stages can avoid serious problems later on.

Women should be taking 1200-1500 mg. of calcium per day. Take no more than 500-600 mg. at a time because that's all your body will absorb.

There are no symptoms of osteoporosis in beginning stages.

 

You are absolutely right. I've had osteoporosis pre-Lyme, but it was always controlled with Fosamax, lots of Calcium and exercise.

Since Lyme, my bone density tests have been worse even with all the meds and exercise.

So, true, Lyme does affect your bones...anyway, it did mine.

lifeline
 

I could not take the fozamax...terrible pain...am now on Miacalcin.
If you are an older woman these drugs can be helpful...but doctors don't like to prescribe them to younger women as they don't know the long term effects of them.

One friend with chronic lyme is in her early 40's and I urged her to get a bone density scan. She was shocked to find out that she had it and went to a specialist.
She has been taking her calcium and exercising while fighting her lyme.

Her latest test shows that her osteoporosis has worsened. I am almost afraid to get another one since hearing her results.

Wonder why this occurs with us? Is it the abx? or inflammation? or what? Do you know?
Nan
 

I've had lyme for 20 years, but didn't know until last Nov. still had it. Diagnosed and "cured" in 80's.

We could not figure out how I continued to have so many odd symptoms. One was that i have lost almost 4 inches in height in last few years. My spine is slowly compressing. I'm 40ish.

Don't quote me, I believe this has to do with the very delicate balance between Mag., Calcium and Vit. D. ...in addition to all of the the other vitamin/mineral insufficiencies.

I have been doing DEXA scans (bone scans) since learning about my bone loss. Still losing, but not as quickly. I am on Fosomax w/Vit. D. and of course calcium.

I also inadvertently learned that all of the dairy products that I was consuming for calcium actually may have backfired and caused additional bone loss. I can't explain at the moment, but if you would like this info. I can probably dig it up.

Best of health
regards
paisley
 

No, I don't really know why osteoporosis can be a problem with Lyme, but in my case, I believe a lot of it is the fact that I have been on thyroid (Synthroid) meds since a teen; I am a "senior".

My Synthroid has been changed on 3 occasions since Lyme. I believe Lyme messes with all of our hormones to the point that, again, in my case, it takes a lot of "trial & error" to reach a balance. I am still not there, yet.

Abx, of course, is not good for the bones, either, but who wants Lyme! So, we're in a Catch 22...sort of...

But, maybe with me, it is because I am early 60's, and have had (irregular) hormones all my life...thyroid, estrogen.

I am off abx right now (5 months), doing well on the German protocol of Diflucan, plus tons of supplements, herbs, exercise, etc.

Good luck, and do get those bone density tests. You might consider thyroid testing, also.

lifeline

Guess I have a few years on you. Your comments on thyroid interested me. My LLMD diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and has me taking Armour Thyroid. There may be a connection!

I did some research when the hypothyroidism came up...and discovered that, like you, people were having problems striking a balance with the synthetics. I have had no problems with the Armour Thyroid and feel so much better on it!

And you're right...no choice about abx when it comes to the lyme! Glad to hear you are doing well after 5 months off!
 

Hard to remember tho a once a week pill. And not eating, drinking or laying down for an hour afterward is a problem, sometimes, also, here.

So guys, get your bones scanned. It doesnt hurt a bit, you just lay there.

I think it happens to us because the keets eat up our calcium at a huge rate. Thats what makes my joints and hands hurt.

I take two Citricale every day and IF I dont I pay the price!!! It hurts worse than now.

And osteo- biflex with glucosomine and chlondridian(sp) is essential for me to lessen pain!!!

I also take "good" magnesium cause that is a major player too. I was taking Walmart stuff and that is worthless. Stay away from there for supplements.

Stick with your trusty dusty drug store where you get Rx's.

FWIW --just don--

[This message has been edited by just don (edited 30 January 2005).]
 

WORST thing I'd every done in my life. They put me on a machine that went up/down the machine & wanted to STRAP me in as I was 200 lbs. NO WAY! Then it SHOOK violently the entire I was in there...nearly passed out since I'm claustrophic!

I too was taking calcium, vit. B, and glucosamine/MSM pills. I've been off all supplements since Aug. 04 when my LLMD started treating me w/abx and benicar.

Glucoasamine really helped w/my total body pain! I miss it.

Just Don, thanks for contributing from a man's point also! Could you edit your post and make paragraphs of 6-8 lines only for our brain fog! Thanks so much.

Betty G., Iowa
 

My last bone scan was 13 months ago and I dread taking another test. I used to be a long distance runner and still managed to get this awful disease and I'm early 40's.

My MD said Ipriflavone helps alot who knows.
 

Quicky ones can be done by checking your feet like at a health screening day - but it's not the full real test like described above.

This is an important test for *all* (not just Lyme patients) women (and some men) to have done on a routine basis - probably about age 50 or so - talk with your primary doctors.

Lynn Lymemom
 

Anyway it is in some way nice to know there is probably a lyme reason behind this by the sound of it.It is not something dreadful I did or didn't do it is just this crappy disease.

I am only 40 and my normal doc was shocked.

Get the results soon ,shall be interested,

Take care,Sue from Downunder.