Advice needed

[JulDeb7374]

To frightened to take ibandronic acid for my diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

[Tues]

Hi JulDeb7374. I feel the same regarding starting my meds of alendronic acid due to the side effects. . Prescription dated 7 May and meds still sat in my drawer. I don’t want to lose any more of my life due to side effects, especially after the time we’ve all lost during the pandemic. Can anyone tell me whether side effects (if any) would be ‘constant ’ or ‘the day u take the tablet’? I keep putting it off. Hope you find peace soon JulDeb7374.

[Biofreak in reply to Tues]

I have been taking alendronic Acid for many years and don't have any side effects. As long as you take it with a full glass of water on an empty stomach and wait for about half an hour before you eat your breakfast you shouldn't have side effects. I know some people have side effects but many, like me, don't. It's your decision but I would just give it a try and it's only one day a week.

[JulDeb7374 in reply to Biofreak]

Thank you my doctor prescribed the one a month tablet, ibandronic acid, I am so scared to take it after reading the common side effects, I am 77 never broken a bone nor have any of my family, all lived into their 90s if they had osteoporosis we never knew about it. I need to balance how many people like you with no side effects and how many people suffer so badly. Will keep researching. So glad to hear you are coping well.

[Tues in reply to Biofreak]

That is so good to hear. I’ll start tomorrow morning. 🤞 I can tolerate it. Thankyou.

[Biofreak in reply to Tues]

I think it's worth a try at least. If it gives you side effects you can always stop it. I hope you can tolerate it.

[JulDeb7374 in reply to Tues]

Thank you it appears we are both in the same boat, my good friend has warned me not to take them as her 4 years of taking them, giving her horrific heartburn and stomach problems, she had now got a lot of damage to her oesophagus, she now has yearly infusion which she has tolerated well. My doctor said your friend was very unlucky , I told him I can't even tolerate taking calcium they really cause me problems, changed to calcium citrate but still have problems. So I just take vitamin D and vit K2 , also tumeric capsules and a proboitic. At 77 years of age I think I will do my best to keep as active and eat well. Try enjoy life, try my best not to worry. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Tues in reply to JulDeb7374]

You too.

[Kaarina]

What were your results from the dexa scan? You say you have not fractured. I am wondering why you have been prescribed any OP drug?

[JulDeb7374 in reply to Kaarina]

Well I know I have osteoporosis but don't really know how bad it is. My report says. Lumbar spine not scanned due to query degenerative changes ?

Rt Femoral Neck T score -2.3 Z score -02

Rt Total Hip T score -1.2 Z score -0.4

Lt Femoral Neck T score -2.6 Z score -0.4

Lt Total Hip T score -1,3 Z score 0.6

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Kaarina in reply to JulDeb7374]

I am sure someone else will be able to answer your question much better than me. On looking at those results it does not look like you have really bad osteoporosis at all. When I have a dexa they cannot take into account the result of my spine as I have scoliosis.

[Met00 in reply to JulDeb7374]

I don't know why you've been told you have osteoporosis. Only one of your four scores is in the osteoporosis range (left femoral neck -2.6) and that is only just. Given that your other scores are clearly osteopenia, I don't see how they can diagnose osteoporosis on the basis of one score. I've also read that the total hip score is more reliable than femoral neck, because the femoral neck is so tiny it's difficult to get an accurate measurement. As you say you haven't fractured and there's no known family history of osteoporosis, can I ask why you had a DEXA scan? Are you taking any medication for another condition that would raise your fracture risk? I would definitely ask your doctor to explain the basis for the diagnosis and ask for your fracture risk score (eg 10% risk of fracture in the next 10 years). You could work that out for yourself using the FRAX tool, which is what doctors use: sheffield.ac.uk/FRAX/tool.aspx

[Kaarina in reply to JulDeb7374]

There you go, You received a good reply from Met00 and unless there is another reason then you really need to get answers as to why your doctor is so keen for you to take OP medication.

[JulDeb7374 in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you,