Picked up AA, pharmacist no help

[Jennymary]

Collected my AA earlier today and asked to chat with a pharmacist, the chat lasted about 2 minutes and went like this, I say just diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine and what alternatives to meds are available, the reply, see GP!!!!

I've written an email that I'm going to send to the ROS today or tomorrow but there's one big side effect that's shouting don't take it at me, if I get eye problems, I know I may not, they're treated with steroid eye drops, I've got glaucoma which doesn't take well to steroid drops, unfortunately with all the eye problems over the last couple of years they've been treated with steroids and at one point I had 5 glaucoma meds putting 10 drops a day into my bad eye to counteract the side effects of steroids, so if I get eye probs I could be looking at at least 6 visits to hospital which I really cannot face doing, with the possibly of lots of drops, water tablets and, worse case, eye surgery to sort the pressure out

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi Jennymary, You don't say what your T-Score is.

I presume you have had your Dexa scan.

Are you taking any supplements, for instance calcium and Vitamin D, and have you had blood tests to check them??

The pharmacist can not advise you really without knowing your full history.

[Jennymary in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Hi Sunseaandsand. I had a dexa scan in 2014 with T scores of

Lumbar spine -2.2 now -3.0 right total hip -1.7 now -2.0, right femoral neck -2.1 now -2.4, left total hip -2.0 now -2.1, left femoral neck -2.4 now -2.1. the 2014 letter states risk of osteoporotic fractures 6%, risk of hip fractures 1.3%.

The letter I received in 2014 stated that I'm at intermediate risk of fractures of sustaining a fracture, don't need any specific treatment just another scan in 3-5 yrs this letter had no mention on T scores. When I visited GP earlier this year she casually dropped them into the conversation and that -2.5 is osteoporosis, I had a vitamin D blood test earlier this year and put on Vitamin D and calcium supplements, although I feel it's 5 yrs too late!!!

This week I've been back for a repeat blood test, although GP asked for full blood count, all ok apart from low protein levels so going back for a urune and blood test to check my kidneys.

[Gillymar]

So sorry to hear about your problems. Pharmacists are usually very helpful. Mine is and I can ask him anything and he listens.

I too have glaucoma as well as osteoporosis and lymphodema . I was on AA for 7 years before having two femur fractures a year apart. That's when I stopped the AA.

I put a drop of lansoprast ( spelling ?) in each eye nightly and hoping to have cataracts done soon. I too had to stop driving which is very restricting. Re eyesight, my optician and the glaucoma specialist are both reluctant to do the cataract op as I have small eyes. Does anyone know about this or has a similar problem. I can insist if I like but am anxious as to what to do.

[Jennymary in reply to Gillymar]

Hi Gillymar, thank you for your reply, yes i know the drops you mean I was on them for a few years, now I'm in a different one and at my last check up a couple of months ago all was well. I'm the last person to advise on your cataract but I wish you well with your decision, with regard the osteoporosis I haven't fractured any bones in about 30yrs, could the AA have caused the fractures do you know

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Jennymary]

Hi Jennymary,

Please read my posts and the replies.

I think you will find them really interesting and a big help to you.