sternum pain??

[Lightwarrior]

Thanks for the correction, I did already have bone loss and you are right bisphosphonates are harsh.

[JanW]

I remember reading in regards to this class of drugs as well that their makers are going to great lengths to get as many people as possible diagnosed with the percursor to osteoperosis, but the reality is that taking these drugs in hopes of not developing osteoperosis hasn't been proven effective (definitely should be taken if you have that clinical diagnosis though). I have bone loss from previous steroid exposure, but my rheumo isn't putting me on these -- yet, anyway.

[stikker]

I only gave the short list of meds. I am and omeprazole for acid, and fosamax, and Ca with D and a ton of other things. I didn't think it was acid but it does hurt when I run the sternum.
I don't have a gallbladder.
The heart one scares me. My father died at 50 of a heart attack and I had my 50th 4 days berfore diagnosis. Lovely.
I work in a Lab and have a little bit of medical background. Sometimes thats worse. I also think breast cancer often spreads to the sternum.
I think I'll bury my head in the sand until I see the specialist. It's the end of the week. I'll live.
Thanks everyone for your input. I feel like I have my very own specialists.
stikker

[Terri]

Thanks everyone for your input. I feel like I have my very own specialists.
stikker[/QUOTE]

Yes Stikker, that's what I like about this place. Many caring souls and informative people. I luv em!
My question today... Nose bleeds were mentioned. I have been having minor nose bleeds usually in the morning when I clear my nose and it is when maybe I blow too hard and only lasts 30 sec. or so. The right side more often then the left side. The bleeding has been more frequent since I've started to take a 81mg aspirin daily. I quess I have two questions. Should I be concerned and do others take the regime of a daily aspirin?

[Sangye]

Stikker-- I'm sorry to hear about your dad dying so young. I understand the anxiety that can produce. I'm glad you're seeing a doc this week. You know the drill-- if anything changes/worsens, get to a doctor faster. I don't recall breast cancer spreading to the sternum as it does to the spine and ribs. I could be wrong on that.

Terri-- why are you taking aspirin? I don't know how daily aspirin works with vasculitis. It "thins" the blood (ie, makes it harder to clot) which may not be a good thing when the blood vessels are inflamed. Does you doc know you're taking it? It could be that you broke some capillaries and the aspirin is making it easier to bleed.

[Terri]

Sangye, I wasn't sure about aspirin. I've always heard an aspirin a day supposed to help prevent heart attacks. I was trying to avoid another unwanted problems and my doc didn't tell me to take it. I just thought I should.? I have appt. in April, I will quit taking aspirin until I see him.
Today was a beautiful day in Pa. Finally I was able to absorb some Vitamin D. It's been awhile since I've seen that big shiny ball in the sky. What about you Sangye? Still have snow? We're down to about 4 feet.

[elephant]

Terri, my primary wanted me on aspirin, but I won't take it. I have enough meds and sides effects and on top of that I am getting my gallbladder out soon. I have a slightly swollen arm and left lower calf ( I recently had ultrasound done on the calf) so the primary doctor wanted me on aspirin for that.
I have osteopenia from the prednisone, the doctors want me back on boniva. I have not started it yet, I was on it for 7 months but then stopped.
Hope I am making good decisions...

[Sangye]

It's hard to know what to do with aspirin. Weggies are 23% more likely to get blood clots and aspirin does help prevent that. But there are downsides to taking it daily, too. I haven't heard Wegs specialists specifically recommending it, but I'd definitely ask your doc.

Beautiful here today, too. I spent the day either at my computer or in bed, so I didn't enjoy it. Yup, still a lot of snow on the ground. Really shows how much we had in those 2 blizzards!

[elephant]

Sangye glad you spent the day inside and just relaxing. Is today better?

[Sangye]

I'm still really shaky and retaining a ton of fluid. If I had tried to do anything it would have been like yesterday. I've had to take 20mg lasix each day since the infusion which is odd. I normally take 2-3 lasix a week to keep fluid from building up. I'm getting potassium (lasix dumps it) but just feeling totally wiped out. Hoping tomorrow is better-- I gotta function!