Giving myself a month's holiday from ... - Bone Health and O...

Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK

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Giving myself a month's holiday from bisphosphonates

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I've been on Risedronate less than a year. Because of other pre-existing health issues, worsening, I don't know whether that is because of ageing or because of bisphosphonate side effects I decided to have a month's holiday to find out. But when my best friend (doesn't have op) told me that she had had a bad tooth ache and had rung the dentist who wouldn't see her and told her to pick up a prescription that would be sent to the chemist. It has made me worried about what you do when you have op and on bisphosphonate and the dentist cannot help you and you have to go to hospital for dental treatment.

I take supplements, do exercise and eat as healthily as possible depending on how upset my gut is that day (have a lot of gut problems caused my intolerances) so it has not been an easy decision to make.

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11 Replies

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Met005 years ago

I took risedronate for a year, during which time my IBS gradually worsened. It was such a slow progression that I assumed it was due to my food intolerances getting worse. However, when I stopped risedronate (due to other side effects) my IBS suddenly improved markedly and I realised it had, in fact, been the risedronate that had been making my digestive issues so much worse.

• in reply toMet005 years ago

Thanks, I think that when you are not eating as well as you know you should or just don't want to eat for op, because you don't want to aggravate your gut if you have IBS or an inflammatory bowel disease, I would have thought that it must have an impact on your whole system. I think, for me, anxiety plays a part too, so your reply was a great, help so positive, thank you.

Fruitandnutcase• in reply toMet005 years ago

I started my calcium and vitamin D tablets almost a week before I started my alendronic acid and discovered that calcium really irritated my IBS. I was given a different type from my GP and although it was more pleasant to take it also messed with my IBS.

Had a chat with my Fracture Liaison nurse the other day and was told it would be ok to increase my dietary intake of calcium - my calcium levels were near the top of their ranges- so that’s what I’m doing now and I’m just taking vitamin D and K2.

If I hadn’t started with the calcium / vitamin D tablets i know I would have been convinced it was the alendronic acid that was the culprit.

springcross5 years ago

I was on Pamidronate infusions for about eight years and they suddenly changed it to Zolendronic acid (because the Pamid was three monthly and the ZA was annual). I asked for a drug holiday and my consultant said a year. When I went back I asked for another year and it went on like that until he signed me off as I said I didn't want to go back on the drugs because of the side effects. He offered me Denosumab but I refused and that was that. I always had stomach problems whilst I was on them, it was never ending but much better after a couple of years. Once they are in your system, they are there for a very long time.

Sunseaandsand5 years ago

Hi,

I am not sure of your reason for having a months holiday from your treatment.

You seem very concerned about what will happen if you need dental treatment whilst having treatment with Bisphosphonates.

These treatments can stay in the bones for a very long time. Which means that once you have had treatment and you need a tooth extracting or root canal work doing then it has to be done by a specialist dentist.

This is to try to avoid ONJ developing.

Any other routine work can be done by your own dentist.

Regardless if you stop your bone treatment or not you would still need to see a specialist.

This is an extremely anxious time for all us and we can soon begin to worry about other things too.

Try to think of how likely it would be that you would need dental treatment over the coming months.

You will probably find that the chances would not be that great especially if you follow good oral hygene which I'm sure you do.

I wish you and your loved ones well.

Keep safe and take care x

• in reply toSunseaandsand5 years ago

Sorry if I didn't make my post clear, I have stopped taking Risedronate for a (trial) month because it is the only way I will know if it the cause of my other health conditions worsening or whether it is just ageing. I am having a lot more digestion issues and I don't know whether it is Bisphosphonates that is the cause. I have Sjogren's Syndrome, (dry eyes and dry mouth. That causes a lot of sufferers to have mouth infections because they do not produce enough saliva, which is a protection against gum disease and tooth decay). I see a periodontal hygienist every four months, but of course I can't during the lockdown.

starsafta• in reply to5 years ago

I take a cancer drug that causes mouth sores. I have found that dropping 2 drops of Organic Oil of Oregano on the toothpaste squeezed onto my toothbrush, twice a day, healed the existing sores and, after 3 years, have prevented new ones. A few months ago, I stopped using it to see if there would be consequences. New sores developed within 3-4 days. Won't be running that test again. The Oil is too strong to use on its own, and needs to be diluted with the toothpaste. Don't know if it will help in your case, but maybe it's worth a try?

• in reply tostarsafta5 years ago

Thank you. I take a supplement my dry mouth and I use xylimelts which do help too, and use a high fluoride count toothpaste which I get on prescription. I will look into your Organic Oil O Oregano thank you. .

starsafta• in reply to5 years ago

Hope it works for you.

Just took note of your list name. Truffle is the name my granddaughter gave to her adorable and sweet puppy. Her dad (my son) makes the most amazing chocolate truffles for special occasions. Hmm. Wonder how long it will be before we have a gathering when we can enjoy them.

5 years ago

I used to love chocolate truffles and savoury truffles too, but couldn't call myself truffles as the name wasn't available. Lovely apt name for a puppy.

Deanroad5 years ago

I know it’s a hard decision to make I’ve only been on Risedronate a couple of months but I don’t like I need to talk to my doctor but that ain’t gonna happen!