Alendronic Acid

I am being pressurised to take alendronic acid tablets. Does anyone know a natural alternative?

[Kaarina]

Hi there, why are you so against trying AA? Have you fractured? Have you had a dexa? Is it your GP who is "pressurising" you? Sorry for the questions but you have not divulged much in your posting.

There are alternatives, exercise, change in diet, definitely get your Vit D levels checked out, taking K2, magnesium, eating prunes daily. There is lots of information on the NOS site and information to download. You can also phone the helpline and speak with a nurse.

I did not want to take AA but did so that I could see if I got side effects. I did so went back to my GP. He put me on Risedronate and I had the same bowel/stomach issues. I asked to be put on Strontium Ranelate as personally I feel this is the best OP drug available, for me anyway and that is what I take now.

[olive2709]

Contact the NOS help line give them results of dexa scan if you have not had one insist GP sort it out. Hit home page button on left hand side for contact numbers

[Hidden]

I started AA in October but had to have full dental first. So far so good, maybe some constipation and a little bone pain which is manageable. I am walking and also adding fortified milk and juice to my diet and yogurts or cream cheese daily

[HealthStrength]

HeronNS has written some very helpful posts about improving bone density (if that is the reason why you have been prescribed AA). I'm a fan of gentle exercise (if body and health permits) in support of improved bone density and overall wellbeing.

[Hidden in reply to HealthStrength]

Many thanks and that sound really interesting. I will try and find HeronNS.

[siennasea]

I believe a healthy diet including lots of fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish etc. is far beter than any of the drugs which doctors keep prescribing.

You have to question their motivation in doing this, since they are aware that the pharmacutical companies are effectively bankrupting the NHS yet they continue to prescribe, drugs which could be doing more harm than good.

When you look up these drugs and read about the shocking side effects you question the motives of the doctors who are so eager to prescribe them, especially the injections which remain in your body for up to a year.

Natural sunlight, exercise and a healthy diet is the best way to enhance your health and prevent fractures.

[Hidden in reply to siennasea]

Hi sienna sea thanks for your reply and I agree with absolutely everything you say. At last someone who agrees with me!

[HeronNS]

What the others have said about diet and exercise is quite true! I've just managed to improve my bone density without medication, in spite of being on low dose prednisone for treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. Went from -2 to -1.6 in one year. They are no longer recommending I take bone drugs! I don't know if there's a place for the drugs for people who are in really dire straits, but even then it doesn't hurt to do everything you can to make your bones healthy.

Here's a little bibliography I've accumulated. There is, of course, lots more info on the internet: Books:

Kate Rheaume-Bleue, Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox

Lara Pizzorno, Strong Bones (good book but she undermines her credibility by promoting certain supplements and a specific Zumba version)

Dennis Goodman, Vitamin K2 the Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health

Dean, Carolyn, The Magnesium Miracle (2014 edition)

Websites:

australianprescriber.com/ma...

betterbones.com/osteoporosis/

osteopenia3.com/Natural-Ost...

saveourbones.com/about/ BUT note authoritynutrition.com/the-... Also, as I do more reading I begin to wonder if she is as up to date with recent research as she should be. There are some good exercises on her website, however.

researchgate.net/publicatio...

metadocs.com/pdf/pp_stronti...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

authoritynutrition.com/vita...

[kulina in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you for all this info!

[HeronNS in reply to kulina]

This is a better link than the researchgate one I provided, same article:

hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2...

[kulina in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you so much for all this really useful information ... very much appreciated.

[OldCrumbly]

I was also advised to take AA for osteoporosis - afer a bone density scan - don't know what my readings are - I don't go into it - but then after x ray on spine, discovered I had a moderate fracture (level 4 in my back) had consultation with Specialist, result, Aclasta infusion once a year. Have to say, there were NO SIDE EFFECTS - BUT I have serious problems with my teeth and as everyone on here know you should see your dentist regularly (I nearly had a season ticket I saw mine so much last year) I have been waiting for 2 or 3 months to have tooth extracted - dentists wont take them out, so going to hospital - extractions don't normally bother me, but if anyone has heard the term "Jaw Death" you will know how I feel. Haven't said this to frighten people just think patients should be given ALL THE INFORMATION before taking these drugs.