AVN

[leeslay]

Has anyone been tested for this? My Dr. wants to do an MRI to check for it because my lower back, hips and knees have been very sore. Percocet doesn't even help the pain.

Thanks

[Laura]

I was tested for it when I had severe shoulder pain. They did an MRI and found I had bursitis instead.

Good luck. I hope it isn't AVN.

Laura

[Ari Finander]

What treatments have you had that might predispose you to osteonecrosis? High dose corticosteroids can cause it, as can iron overload. Iron overload took both my hips, and I ended up with sites of osteonecrosis in my knees and left wrist. However, these secondary sites seemed to get better when we got my iron down and started me on Actonel to strengthen my bones (I was osteoporotic with multiple fractures at the time, too - the bone density was fine when the hips died, though). An MRI will show what the doctor needs to see.

[leeslay]

I did rabbit ATG and took prednisone for a few months. My Dr. says that ATG can cause AVN. I had an MRI last week and will talk to my Dr on Monday about the results. My Dr did say something about Iron Overload too, did it affect any of your organs? How did they test for that? What treatments options do you have for that? Sorry, it seems like when people actually go through things they have more "real" opionions.

[Ari Finander]

Originally Posted by leeslay

My Dr did say something about Iron Overload too, did it affect any of your organs? How did they test for that? What treatments options do you have for that? Sorry, it seems like when people actually go through things they have more "real" opionions.

Yes, it damaged my heart and possibly my liver and pancreas. The heart was tested using ultrasound, ECG, and angiogram. I take a nitro type pill twice a day to help deal with some of the issues, and try and keep myself fit and healthy to avoid the problems getting worse. My coronary arteries are apparently 'just beautiful', but the heart muscle is another matter.

My liver is going to be biopsied next year to assess any lasting damage. Getting the iron out saved it.

My blood sugar began having issues with regulation in 2005 (the year we got the iron down) so the pancreas may not be in tip top shape, either.

We should have put a central line in (port) YEARS before we put in a temporary trilumen catheter in 2005 in order to do 24 hour desferoxamine infusions two days on/one day off (it would have made transfusions easier, too). Oral iron chelators weren't available here in Australia except in clinical trials during 2005.

[Lbrown]

Is AVN avascular necrosis? I don't know much about that. My dr wants me to try ATG.

[Hopeful]

AVN is avascular necrosis. It is caused by the prednisone given to prevent serum sickness and not by the ATG itself.

[leeslay]

Well I don't have AVN but I do have iron overload. I am going to start on Exjade in the next 2-3 weeks. Has anyone taken this medication? Also going to the Dr in Denver on the 7th of December to meet with the allergist about the desensitization to the horse ATG. Has anyone done the desensitization? Are there side bad side effects? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[Marlene]

There are many post on Exjade in the Iron Overload section that you should read through. The experience varies so much by each individual but it's a good idea to know what others have experienced.

[Ari Finander]

Just to clarify, the iron overload killed my femoral heads before ATG, so it definitely wasn't the ATG or the prednisone that caused the osteonecrosis (osteonecrosis = AVN = avascular necrosis). It's not uncommon for people with iron overload caused by genetic haemachromatosis to end up with osteonecrosis of the femoral heads. Exjade would've been a blessing ten years ago!