The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

Ron my last calcium level was 9.7, right where it is supposed to be and I take 5,000 units of vitamin D3 daily. When I start the Prolia, from what I have read, I will have to start taking Calcium also.

Doctor is going to do a D3 level at some point in time but I think the rhuemy did include a Ca in my last labs. He told me they would call if anything was abnormal. No call. I see him the day before Thanksgiving.

@Latestarter, do you do sinus irrigation? I do it every evening. Totally unpleasant but like you I have the sinuses from hades and have to throw the whole medicine cabinet at them to get some relief. The irrigations do help. As to Flonase inhalers.I also highly recommend zyrtec and if you haven't tried it yet, Singulair tablets. The latter are RX only but they handle a broad number of sinus related allergies along with system related reactions and congestion. I am allergic to just about everything in the environment along with tree nuts and sinus surgery would only last about 4-5 years before having to be redone so I avoid it like the plague.

I've lived with bad sinuses since 1983 and feel great empathic sympathy for those who are in the same boat.

Keep an eye on that number to make sure it does not climb. It should stay +/- .2 from that level. Going over 10.2 is a problem

 

[microchick]

Yep, the arthritis association says not to take more than 1200 mg of Ca per day. Greater than that can cause heart attacks.Especially if your level goes above the 10.5 high normal.

I'm pretty good about eating a diet high in calcium, which is what they recommend. Love me them milk products especially my skimmed milk and light ice cream.

Got on the scale yesterday. Lost another 1.5 pounds. down to 127.5. Goal is 120-125. MTX kills my appetite. Haven't eaten anything more substantial than a bowl of cereal and a banana for breakfast since noon yesterday. Just not hungry so I expect to hit my goal soon. Started at 148 pounds. The good news is that 75% of my clothes no longer fit. Bad news is that 75% of my clothes no longer fitMy big concern is keeping my weight between 125 and 120 while taking the MTX and having a reduced appetite.

Don't ya just hate people who NEED to eat to keep their weight up?

 

[ronott1]

Yep, the arthritis association says not to take more than 1200 mg of Ca per day. Greater than that can cause heart attacks.Especially if your level goes above the 10.5 high normal.

I'm pretty good about eating a diet high in calcium, which is what they recommend. Love me them milk products especially my skimmed milk and light ice cream.

Got on the scale yesterday. Lost another 1.5 pounds. down to 127.5. Goal is 120-125. MTX kills my appetite. Haven't eaten anything more substantial than a bowl of cereal and a banana for breakfast since noon yesterday. Just not hungry so I expect to hit my goal soon. Started at 148 pounds. The good news is that 75% of my clothes no longer fit. Bad news is that 75% of my clothes no longer fitMy big concern is keeping my weight between 125 and 120 while taking the MTX and having a reduced appetite.

Don't ya just hate people who NEED to eat to keep their weight up?

Taking calcium will not raise your blood calcium levels. Anyone with a level of 10.5 has a tumor

 

[1muttsfan]

Ron, what kind of tumor?

 

[ronott1]

Ron, what kind of tumor?

An endocrine tumor on one of the 4 little paratyroid glands--They sit close to the thyroid gland but have nothing to do with that gland.

The tumor starts pumping out Para thyroid hormone(PTH). The unregulated PTH hormone mines calcium from the bones and then the kidneys work hard to remove the calcium from the blood. Depending on how good your kidneys are, the effect of the tumor can be masked for a long time...but you are being hurt by the tumor. Kidney failure will happen and then the levels will go up. 11 to 12 is associated with a very high stroke risk

If the system is working correctly, when calcium levels in the 9 range go up or down .2, the PTH hormone moves up and down to keep it there.

The range is tightly regulated close to the range that sodium is in your blood. Tight regulation equals importance of a level. Going 1 point above or below 9 is very bad for you. If your levels are in the 10s for a long time, You will be miserable and die within 10 to 20 years. Basically speaking, 9s are good and 10s and higer are bad.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Ron my last calcium level was 9.7, right where it is supposed to be and I take 5,000 units of vitamin D3 daily. When I start the Prolia, from what I have read, I will have to start taking Calcium also.

Doctor is going to do a D3 level at some point in time but I think the rhuemy did include a Ca in my last labs. He told me they would call if anything was abnormal. No call. I see him the day before Thanksgiving.

@Latestarter, do you do sinus irrigation? I do it every evening. Totally unpleasant but like you I have the sinuses from hades and have to throw the whole medicine cabinet at them to get some relief. The irrigations do help. As to Flonase inhalers.I also highly recommend zyrtec and if you haven't tried it yet, Singulair tablets. The latter are RX only but they handle a broad number of sinus related allergies along with system related reactions and congestion. I am allergic to just about everything in the environment along with tree nuts and sinus surgery would only last about 4-5 years before having to be redone so I avoid it like the plague.

I've lived with bad sinuses since 1983 and feel great empathic sympathy for those who are in the same boat.

I was suffering a lot of sinus infections until i changed my allergy medication to Allegra. Have not had one since.

 

[chickadoodles]

Ron please remind me next week and I'll look at my last blood work and message you.
Thanks, Cheryl

I know you have said your blood calcium level was good, but please send me a pm with the actual number. Like I posted before, most Dr.s discount this and will often admit you have a tumor but will not tell you and will not suggest getting it removed.

Did they tell you to load up on Vit. D? That is another indication that they are secretly treating a tumor...in the worst possible way

 

[CapricornFarm]

Today is NFC 's birthday!

 

[ronott1]

Ron please remind me next week and I'll look at my last blood work and message you.
Thanks, Cheryl

I Will!

You have a lot going on this week

 

[chickadoodles]

PT came in per Dr. Got dh up walking a bit. He is still having pain in both legs. Dr. Will be in this evening to discuss surgery in the Morning.