Alunduric acid and timing of AF meds, any advice?

[wilsond]

Morning all!

I recently mentioned I had a dexa scan,at which the radiographer told me ,unofficially, that I had osteoporosis in my left hip ( but not spine) she gave me some leaflets to read while awaiting report from consultant to GP.

Yesterday I had a rather off hand call from a Clinical Pharmacist informing me of the above, and saying the meducation required was alunduric acid,plus calcium and vit d tablets. He repeated what I'd read,acid first thing,with glass full of tap water. Sit or stand 30 mins. Once a week.

I said what was the t score" 3.1 left hip 3.0 spine" so obviously radiographer had been mistaken.

I was a bit surprised at that and forgot to ask about taking my morning AF and other drugs on the day I take the acid. How long for food and these meds

I can check at surgery I expect but I thought to ask on here meantime if anyone has the same ? I think CD has some knowledge of this?

I have osteoarthritis in the 5 lumbar vertebrae too

Any comments appreciated as ever

Hope you all have a nice and 'settled' weekend 💗 💛 💓

[CDreamer]

Hi - please qualify your T score - do you mean -3.1?

I’ll pm you tomorrow, many people now have concerns about taking Calcium D3, I wouldn’t take it with heart condition. I posted links on Bone Health forum recently about this but plenty of studies showing not helpful and can harm.

Before you even start AA - ensure you have dental exam and have any work done before you start taking it as taking AA can make having dental work done somewhat risky. Jaw bone necrosis is very rare but can happen as risk rises as we age. My dentist was not happy I took AA as I had implant. As it happens I am experiencing some bone loss which my dentist is monitoring carefully.

I took AA for about 6 months only - about 2-3 years ago. I took on a Sunday and got up at 6.00 am so I could take well away from other meds which I then took after eating breakfast. I didn’t experience any stomach upsets but I was very careful and ensured I stayed upright.

I now have gone down the Lifestyle route with supplements. ROS has really good info - it’s worth joining to get access to members area where they suggest nutrition, have recipes and food with calcium recommendations. Also Live Stream Q&A on subjects such as various pros and cons of DXA scans & REMS analysis.

I now take a Bone supplement recommended by Dr Nick Birch who I saw privately.

If you look at my posts on the Bone Health forum I received some great replies which I found very helpful. There are a few AFers there who also post.

For specific exercises look up Margaret Martin - Canadian physio - ROS also have some basic routines on their site - you need to do weight bearing exercises to build bone. Exercising is the best thing you can do to build bone, DXA only scans for bone density not bone strength which is also important.

Like AF it’s a steep learning curve and you learn as much from the forum members, if not more, than you get from the medics. The meds for Osteo are really horrible and I decided best avoided - my scores are between -2 - -2.5 but REMs had me at low to medium risk of fragility fractures which are the ones you need to worry about and why exercise is so important.

Hope that helps.

[Jishuang44 in reply to CDreamer]

I can really sympathise as I received an identical diagnosis about lower spine & left hip this week. Very frustrating and surprising as I eat a good diet, take bone supplements as my mum had osteoporosis, and do a lot of weight bearing exercise - but I am now on Amiadarone which is known to be bad for the bones. I have been recommended to take the same drug as you but I have enough nasty side effects with my heart meds so will be trying something alternative. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[wilsond in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much CD,much appreciated. Joined ROS!I like to be aware of the situation in any health issue and be able to support/ understand/agree with any medical intervention alongside other measures I can take, like yourself.

I feel more armed already!

Take care CD x

[Ppiman]

I can't help but my elderly friend has just been prescribed AA although not started taking it yet. I just thought I would write to say bad luck on getting such an offhand pharmacist - and in general for getting this condition. Life, eh? But what a throughly useful reply you have had from CDreamer. We are so lucky on this forum to have people willing to tell of their own experiences.

Steve

[CDreamer]

Have PM’d you with links - pay especial attention to second Chat post with link to specific info on AA, how to take it, what to do and not do and how it works.

[pusillanimous]

I am currently on 'holiday' from a five year span of monthly Boniva 150mg ( Ibandronic acid). This is to prevent the possibility of osteonecrosis of the jaw, but I Ihave at least 9 implants which were placed 15 years ago, 10 years before the bone density treatment and there is no loss of bone or signs of mobility in either my mandible or maxilla. I also started and still do take a weekly Calferal (Vit D and other components). The five year treatment showed an improvement in my bone density which the orthopaedic surgeon tells me will not be reversed by the 'holiday'. I have a Dexa every two years as recommended by the Radiologist and am due another sometime soon !

[opal11uk]

have been on this now 2 years, since breaking my hip together with the tablets, I take anticoagulants and various other drugs of which there has been no reaction .