Anxiety About Testing, Medicine, and Doctors

It’s that time of year again — time for my yearly bone density check. I am really dreading the bone scan this year, but it is not because the test is hard. It is pretty much one of the easiest procedures that we, as Crohn’s patients, have to take. I am dreading the scan, because I am dreading the results. I just don’t want any more bad news. I don’t want to have to take the Reclast infusion again, and I know that if my test comes out worse, the rheumatologist is going to insist that I do. Recently, the FDA has begun studying drugs like Reclast, Boniva, and Fosamax due to signs that the drugs can cause abnormal heart rhythms. There is also some controversy about whether or not these drugs can actually increase the chance of thigh bone fracture after five years or more. My general doctor has told me not to take the next infusion, and just take my calcium supplements and do weight-bearing exercises daily. I have re-started tap dancing and am also taking hip hop class, so I hope this will strengthen my bones the natural way. I was supposed to get my last infusion in August, but I did not do it on the advice of my general doctor with my anxiety about taking the drug. Another possible side effect of Reclast (and Boniva) is that it can cause serious heartburn and GERD. When I was taking Reclast, I had the worst heartburn and stomach problems. I didn’t realize at the time that it could have been caused by the Reclast, but now I think that it just may have be...
Source: Life with Crohn's - Category: Other Conditions Authors: Tags: Crohn's disease bone density check Crohn's disease blog Crohn's disease community Crohn's disease1 Crohn's treatment reclast infusion Source Type: blogs