Alendrotnic acid

[Libbet]

Is it really wise my GP has prescribed again Alendronic acid to my 84 year old mum who has a big hiatus hernia & had major bowel surgery last year? She weighs 6 stone and can only eat small diet due to severe nausea & sickness. She was first prescribed this 12 yrs ago 7 couldn't tolerate then.

[HeronNS]

Perhaps you can find out if you would be eligible for one of the versions of the bisphosphonates which are given through infusion? Do you know what her t-scores are? Has she ever had a fracture? Sometimes these drugs are prescribed but they aren't really needed. The biggest risk for fracture isn't osteoporosis, it's falling. So keeping her environment safe, removing tripping hazards, and maintaining a good sense of balance and doing what exercise she can manage to maintain body strength, these are helpful, not to mention diet and supplements. Unfortunately it seems the bone meds are least effective in the aged, the very people who may need them most, so alternatives are good anyway, whether instead of or in addition to the medications.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

And it's shocking that someone with your mother's health issues would be prescribed medication which potentially could make them much worse.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

You can also get a liquid form of Alendronate Acid so mum could drink it.

[Libbet]

Thank you for your reply. My mother has suffered fractures to both wrists in the last 12 years & is recovering now from a fracture to the head of humerus, all of these from falling. She has a scoliosis of her spine so is in pain most of the time & is very bent, hence the falling.

She has supplements to her diet all the time, I take her for a walk each day & I do her physio exercises every day too.

I'm just not convinced taking this drug is going to help matters now, I'm so anxious about her other health problems & the impact this drug will have on them. Is it worth running the risk I wonder?

[MiaLee]

agingcare.com/articles/doct...

Read this article above by a doctor who specializes in geriatrics about medical over treatment of elderly patients, and choosing wisely for their care. This guided me when my mom’s doctor wanted her to undergo a colonoscopy recently.

“Common Types of Overtreatment in the Elderly

In an effort to encourage honest, informed communication between doctors and their patients, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) created “Choosing Wisely,” a campaign that enables different medical societies to create lists of “Things Physicians and Patients Should Question.” The initiative contains information and recommendations from about 50 different national medical organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA).

The following five treatments and tests are common recommendations for aging adults, but the “Choosing Wisely” campaign cautions physicians, seniors and their family caregivers to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of each before making a decision. Keep in mind that each patient is different. While these interventions do come with risks, they may be necessary for some seniors. ... “click through above to read article

You are allowed to say no to any drug. Doctors rarely take into account the extremely pronounced susceptibility to drugs and their side effects that the elderly are always more prone too. They have a list of protocol for prescribing and they follow it without much thought for variables like being an elderly patient. Do not forget, that the third leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease is prescription drugs. And that statistic only counts death, not harm.

[angryandfrustrated]

I would not. Too many side effects on a body already weak.

[MiaLee]

Falls are usually the main cause of fractures, rather than osteoporosis. Here is a checklist to help prevent falls:

At any age, people can make changes in their environment to reduce their risk of falling and breaking a bone. The following safety checklists for fall prevention in the home can provide a few tips that should help:

Use nightlights throughout your home

Keep all rooms free from clutter, especially the floors

Keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery

Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes even at home.

Avoid walking around in socks, stockings, or floppy slippers

Check that all carpets and area rugs have skid-proof backing

Keep electrical cords and telephone lines out of walkways

Keep stairways are well lit, with handrails on both sides

Install grab bars on bathroom walls beside tubs, showers, and toilets

Use a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub.

Keep a flashlight with extra batteries beside the bed.

Use at least 100-watt bulbs

In winter, wear warm boots with rubber soles for added traction.

Look carefully at floor surfaces in public buildings, watching for highly polished marble or tile that can be slippery.

Stop at curbs to check height before stepping up or down.

Simple physio for helping to improve balance would also help.

There are also ‘hip pads’ that are specifically for geriatric care that are worn like underwear and help protect the hips from fracture in patients prone to falls.

Many drugs also cause less cognitive awareness , and therefore more instability in mobility, (excessively) in the elderly ( including even drugs like cough meds or allergy meds).

[sweetsusie]

At 84 years old, I would not put my Mother on any kind of bone med!

[Libbet]

Thank you for all your comments and information. After a chat with mum this morning she has decided not to have the treatment. I showed her all your posts we went through & discussed. I informed the surgery & the GP has called this evening to say mum is being referred to a Rheumatologist so we can discuss her options further, I’ll let you know how we get on! Many thanks again.

[Hidden]

If she couldn't tolerate the drug 12 years ago why take it again?