Hello, I am 49 years old and a woman. I have alot of joint pain, in hips, shoulders, and feet hurt also. Told it is osteoarthritus. I took a pack of prednisone. When I took the ten pills for a couple of days, I felt so much better, but then as they tapered down back in alot of pain. I take a lot of Ibuprofen also. The doctor said my bone density test showed I have oseopenia. I am 130 pounds 5’3”. Lately especially at night , my arms near shoulder area will kinda jerk for no reason, sometimes arm jerks back kinda like a spasm, not painful just makes me feel real edgy and upset. Legs do this some too. If I use my arms alot or stand for very long hips hurt and shoulders and hard to raise my hands over my head. I have a 12 year old son and would love to play ball ect. with him but when i even pitch my arms ache really bad and even hard to sleep on them at night. Has a test for Lupus and Rhuematoid arthritus and they said they were negative. Please help. Bones make noise climbing stairs etc, a crinkly sound.
With a diagnosis of osteopenia, you have a decreased overall level of calcium in your body. Your body requires calcium to regulate its nerves and if you have low calcium, your body will break down bones to release calcium. Electrolyte abnormalities such hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia (low calcium or low magnesium) can cause your muscles to twitch as the nerves become “twitchy” without the calcium or magnesium to stabilize it.
Given your osteopenia, calcium supplementation is indicated. There are other drugs such as bisphosphonates that may increase bone density in those who are osteopenic. You should discuss your options with your doctor as well as discuss options to relieve joint pain. Taking steroids long term is extremely damaging to the body and taking high dose ibuprofen will make you at high risk for stomach ulcers. Additional testing is warranted to rule out parathyroid disorders (which can decrease your bone density.
