Alendronic acid

[Lilact]

I am fit but have osteoporosis

Not on alendronic acid yet

Have it in my spine don't want to take tablets scared of side effects what should I do ??

[Kaarina]

Hi Lilact

Did you receive your diagnosis after a DEXA scan? If so why did you have the scan?

Were you also prescribed calceos (calcium /Vit D) or similar too at the same time as AA?

What are your fears about taking AA? You will not know if you suffer any side effects if you do not try the drug. Many OP sufferers have no symptoms at all from taking it.

If you prefer not to take any OP drug then that is of course your choice, but you have not actually said that.

I seem to have asked you quite a few questions. If you tell us more we may be able to help you.

[ianwoowoo]

Hi, I have been taking AA for just over 3 months now and so far I haven't experienced any side effects. That doesn't mean there isn't something going on inside of course. You have to take the tablet once a week before any food, drink a glass of water and then stay upright for at least half an hour. This is so none of the drug comes out of the stomach which can cause heartburn type symptoms. I stick to the advice and so far all is good 👍. Others may have other stories.

[Lilact in reply to ianwoowoo]

Ian and karina this is encouraging for me I have ibd and due to prednosolone I took ovet 3 years on and off

I now have osteoporosis I had dexa scan and I thave it in my spine -4 something so its quite bad

I dont know why I am scared of taking alendronic acid I guess its long term effects

Yes I am on calcium and vit d

How long have you been on this alendronic acid for long and how long do u have to stay on them I read some side effects and they are frightening

[Kaarina in reply to Lilact]

Hi Lilact

I believe the current trend now is to take AA for three years and have a drug holiday for a period of time.

I did try AA but it gave me stomach and bowel issues. On returning to the GP he prescribed Risedronate which also did not agree with me. I was then prescribed strontium ranelate and am still taking this without any known side effects. Unfortunately this was withdrawn at the end of August so now I shall be in limbo when my prescription runs out.......

It is frustrating to learn that having taken a drug for another condition it has caused OP. This can also happen after taking, as you mention steroids and also drugs for cancer, omeprazole/lansoprazole and thyroxine medication and there may well be others too.

[Christopher1962 in reply to ianwoowoo]

I'm in a similar position to Ianwoowoo ... been taking AA for 6 months without any noticeable side effects. The only frustration is that in a recent consultant review, found out that I won't be getting a dexa scan to see if AA is having any effect for 3 years. Seems a long time to find out whether or not it's working.

[Pam-51]

Hello,

Discovered I had osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis) aged 54 following a stress fracture in my right leg. Had had a left ankle fusion four months previously so my right leg had been working a lot harder than normal. Was put on AA, which I took for 4 years. My bone density was monitored, scans every 2 years and after 4 years was within normal range for my age.

I have had RA for 45 years and taken prednisolone for over 40 years, now on maintenance dose of 5 mg. a day, so that is the probable cause of the problem. I tolerated AA well and had no side effects. Am so glad I took the drug which restored my bone density to normal. Came off the drug 2012 and continue to have regular scans to monitor my bone density. There is a lot of bad publicity about this drug and it's side effects but it worked for me. You may also find it suits you but you won't know unless you try it. Leaving osteoporosis untreated is not an option and AA is usually the first treatment option which is tried.

Wishing you all the best. Pam

[Lilact in reply to Pam-51]

I had ibd so was put on steroids which gave me osteoporosis now have to yo take AA

Of which one of the side effects are ibd type symptoms so gone full circle

Hopefully I wont get that side effect haha

Thanks everyone for the encouraging advice

[Kaarina in reply to Lilact]

Fingers crossed for you Lilact. Do let us know how you get on.

[Kaarina]

I second Pam's comment regarding if you wish to take an OP drug then AA is the first drug that will be prescribed by a medic and to try it. If it does not suit you, then you are in a position to go back to the GP, discuss and take it from there. If the next drug offered, again does not agree with you, return to the GP and discuss further.

If you wish to take an OP drug and do not try the AA you have reached a stumbling block more or less immediately.

[HeronNS]

Anyone who takes a drug for osteoporosis should also do everything they can to strengthen their bones naturally. There's no doubt that will give you a head start when the drug needs to be discontinued after two or three years, and perhaps even mean that you will not need to be switched to another one. Take your D and calcium, but add Vitamin K2, and also do as much appropriate weight bearing exercise as you can manage - even a daily walk is helpful.

[Kaarina in reply to HeronNS]

Definitely. Even standing is better than sitting/lying down! Try not to fall either - like I did two weeks ago! Nothing fractured. Phew!

[HeronNS in reply to Kaarina]

Yikes! Glad you are okay - not too bruised I hope.

[Kaarina in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you Heron. Bruising inside nose and on one side of nose and knees. Cut elbow and grazed knuckles on the other hand but otherwise OK. It was a shock though! Luckily I was near home.

[DizzyDoll36 in reply to HeronNS]

Help! What do the dexa scan results mean?? I have total lumbar spineT score -2.9

Total Hip T score (L) -2.5 Femoral neck T score -3.2 Distal 1/3 radius T score (L)

I have endplate fractures inT10 & T11 - it looks really bad to me...........

[HeronNS in reply to DizzyDoll36]

Sorry, DizzyDoll, all I really know is that the rather randomly selected number of -2.5 is the boundary between low bone mass,aka osteopenia, and osteoporosis. I think your numbers look fairly serious but they aren't as dire as some people's. Do you know if your fractures were "spontaneous" or do you remember doing something which might have caused them?

If you post your question in a new post you will reach more people as this may only be seen by people who have been taking part in the earlier discussion.

[DizzyDoll36 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you Heron for your prompt reply and advice about posting. I don't know how the fractures occurred- when I fell I didn't even have back ache, just a bruised nose & cheek. I think the fractures were spontaneous.

[Ginnylight]

After being diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine, -4.3, and osteopenia of my neck and hip, I was advised by my doctor not to bend over but I could walk my dogs. I haven't been doing a lot of exercise in case I fractured another vertebrae having fractured T6 and T8 through bowling outdoors. Now I have put on weight which I hate. I have decided to forget I have osteoporosis and carry on as before. I am taking herbal supplements from a registered herbalist and feeling good. I do not intend to take AA until I have given the herbs a chance and of course a good diet. I have ordered a rowing machine and ŵalk 3 miles a day and do light weights. If after a couple of years I have not improved, I will try the treatment they recommend. On reading the literature, it appears that AA coats the bones to prevent further calcium loss but the coating becomes brittle after a while and this is why they recommend not staying on it for more than 5 years. Bones are supposed to renew themselves regularly and I think that it is best to try diet and exercise first and let nature take its course but I may regret my decision if I get worse. I am feeling really well and have no pain so will persevere.

[Lilact in reply to Ginnylight]

I am the same been given aa but want to carry on as normal with exercise and diet

I can bend with no problem so dont want to stop as feel like once you stop doing things

It gets restrictiing

Hoping to do more re diet

I already do pillates and yoga 3 times a week and also walk

I hsve been suffering from back psin tho

[Christopher1962 in reply to Ginnylight]

Great to hear that you are doing lots of exercise like walking, but would be wary of rowing if you already have fractures as it could put pressure on your spine. Have you a physio / gp you can get some advice from?

[Ginnylight in reply to Christopher1962]

I have seen a chiropractor this week and he advised me to keep exercising to build my muscles to support my spine. He said the worst thing would be to do nothing as my doctor advised. He said I fractured T6 and T8 through chronic stress which was right as my partner is very ill. My fractures have healed now and I am walking 3 miles a day and using my rowing machine as well as eating well. I take herbal medicine and vitamin D and am feeling better each day. Fingers crossed!

[Christopher1962 in reply to Ginnylight]

Good to hear that your active and positive approach is working well.

[Ginnylight]

Hi Lilact

I am now taking Vit D3 and upping my calcium even though I am lactose intolerant and eating dairy gives me catarrh and makes me chesty. I have been looking into the calcium levels of foods and take tahini in my smoothie every day and am eating sardines frequently. I eat watercress and most vegetables but am not a big meat eater. Apparently calcium carbonate supplement is not readily absorbed and can lead to blocking of the arteries so I am staying away from that. I have ordered boron tablets and I also take pumpkin seeds in my smoothie which has a good mineral content. My rowing machine has arrived and I have started using that but gently. I am not sure whether I will be able to continue with my yoga class but am going to give it a try anyway. Good luck to you.