Please advise re : alendronic acid . See below . Thank you

[Hollyhockhattie]

Following a course of IV steroids over 3dsys ,I was prescribed alendronic acid . I have since declined to take due to side effects as am already on enough meds . My pulmonary nurse tells me that if I get a chest infection I am now at risk of broken ribs and a pneumothorax from coughing and that I should take them . Any advice would be gratefully received . I have pulmonary fibrosis. . Thank you in advance .

[soppysokes]

As with so many meds there are pro's and con's that need serious consideration before starting or declining treatment and it must be a personal choice. Myself, before useing AA I would have a dexa scan to get a baseline of bone density which would give a bit more info to make the decision on.

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to soppysokes]

I agree .

[Hidden]

You should be offered a DEXA scan before being offered Alendronate. Try increasing your Vitamin D and Calcium. If they think you're at risk from Osteoporosis this should have been the first point of call. I do have Osteoporosis but my steroid levels have been much higher than yours because of Vasculitis. 3 years of 40mg prednisalone a day with 5 days 1gram IV methylpred, and I'm still on pred as well as the inhalers etc. I was given a DEXA scan and xrays which showed I had 4 spinal fractures. If you'd like more advice, visit theros.org.uk/ where they have a nurses helpline plus several downloads to read. They can't force you to take the bisphonates and if you are offered Prolia, steer well clear. There is an osteooporosis group on HU, search for Bone Health and ask the members on there. All the best.

[AngieB72]

I have this once a year as I have been on long term steroids for 10 years. No side effects this time, the first time my bones ‘ached’ for about 48 hours and that was it. I have PF too.

[Mavary]

Hi! I took one alendronic tablet and was sick on and off for about twenty four hours. I have now been put on teraparatide injections which I have to give myself daily. I have no side effects from that. I must point out though that I have severe osteoporosis and due to having steroids i had two fractures. The second one putting me in hospital for eleven days.

[hallentine47]

I take Alendronic acid once a week but only after a DEXA scan showed Osteoporosis developing due to long term steroid use.

[Skatergirl1]

Hi, I broke my wrist last year (ice skating) and had a dexa scan, which showed I have osteopenia in my hips, spine Ok. Hospital report said follow up in 5 years, no medication offered. However, I started taking Vit d3 and K2, and have no problems. I saw a new doctor a few weeks ago, who never asked any probing questions, just asked if I had taken Pred in the last year (which I had in November due to be admitted into hospital with chest infection) and he prescribed calcium tablets and Alendrotnic Acid (on reading info sheet, I have decided not to take them due to side effects, and also read, that it is also bad for you if you take to much calcium) not once did to doctor ask if I was taking Vit D supplements) so I am continuing with them until I see someone at the hospital. x