Alendronic acid

[Alandronic]

Been on prednisilone for 9 years along with alendronic acid. Weaning off pred. Now down to 2 and half mg daily. Leaving me with swollen, knobbly, Painful hand thumb finger joints . Quite a change of life really. Now need to come of AA. Has anyone experienced side effects of coming off AA please. ? Thanks.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Well, I just stopped it but I hadn’t been taking it for very long.

The pharmacy assistant was shocked when I said to take it back because I didn’t want to take it, she asked the pharmacist if it was ok to stop it etc and I just said - too late, I haven’t taken it for a month.

Have to say she was distinctly cool the following month but it may just have been a bad day for her.

[Alandronic in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you..

[HeronNS]

As far as I know there is no problem coming off a bisphosphonate. Just stop taking it. You don't have to taper. You don't (as you would with several other kinds of bone meds like denosumab or teriparatide) have to substitute another bone med.

[Alandronic in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks. Sounds hopeful.

[Sunseaandsand]

Why would you want to stop taking it??

Are you suffering side effects?

After you stop taking any kind of treatment for the bones, you will lose bone at a quicker rate than before you began it.

If you have been taking it for 3 years, depending on your personal situation the consultants or doctor will put you on a drug holiday.

After this rest period you will be then put back on it or something else in it's place.

My advice DON'T take chances with your bones.

,Do whatever you can to protect them.

I have just had my 7th spinal fracture.

I am in horrific pain that even the strongest cocktail of pain meds will not take away.

Think hard about what you are doing.x

[Alandronic in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Mmmm, I'll chew these helpful comments over. Decisions, decisions ! Thank you.

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Alandronic]

Have you had a recent dexa scan, if so do you know what your T scores are?

I am afraid we do get conflicting advice on any question we post.

On the osteoporosis site you will have replies from people who have never had a fracture, and others from people like myself who have fractured.

I have been on different treatments for years and despite this have now had 7 possibly 8 fractures.

From my own experience, specialists opinions and much research the bone density does decline without further treatment.

Yes the bisphosphonates are taken up by the bones and can remain for a very long time, but this is not a guarantee you will not fracture in the future.

I have been on Bisphosponates twice.

My last injection of a bisphosphonate was in November 2018,

I fractured in January 2019, May 2020, July 2020, and another 10 days ago.

My advice would be to go on your T scores if you are in the Osteopenia range stay off the treatments and work very hard on the natural route.

If you have osteoporosis and you have found your T scores to be much improved with no side effects from the Aldronic then have a drug holiday , and see what your scores are after the holiday, at least you know you have the option of going back on it if needed.

Take care and good luck .

[Alandronic in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Ok thanks for yr response. I don't know what T score is. I'll Google it. Cheers. Lots to consider here.

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Alandronic]

Your T scores are given as part of your dexa scan results.

They are not something that can be googled.

Perhaps you should request them from the person who arranges your scans.

I you are on steroids then you really need to continue with the Aldronic.

Steroids do have a negative effect on the bones.

Take care.

[Met00]

I agree with Heron. From everything I've read, there's no problem stopping Alendronic Acid whenever you like. Bisphosphonates stay in your bones for quite a long time, which is why they're able to give a medication "holiday" for a couple of years, sometimes longer, with no detrimental effect. If you've reduced your other medication to such a low level, it sounds like the reason for taking the AA in the first place no longer exists.

[Alandronic in reply to Met00]

We'll I'm taking AA still because I'm still taking the steroid. Was hoping to get off both eventually. Lots to think about. Thanks.