alendronic acid

[Mollywoo]

hello . This is my first post although I have been reading posts .I have fairly severe osteoporosis with T scores of - 3.7 in my spine and -3.3 in my hips. I started alendronic acid 7 weeks ago after hesitating for a while and so far things were ok . My stomach was affected a little but not too bad.

Four days ago I started with diarrhoea. I am due my tablet today and don’t know what to do. I can not get a G P appointment for 4 weeks, I am in the UK. Should I miss a week then try again.

Can alendronic acid cause this sort of diarrhoea I was so bad I fainted , luckily not breaking anything.

sorry if this is jumbled but I am feeling worried and uncertain what to do.

[Met00]

If you have diarrhoea I would definitely miss the next dose of AA. It might be something else that caused the diarrhoea, but it's very common for AA to cause digestive issues, so even if AA wasn't the cause, you need to allow time for your stomach to settle down. I would make an appointment with your GP to discuss this, and while you wait it's up to you whether you try AA again. You can ask for an alternative tablet, risedronate, which is often gentler on the stomach, or ask for a referral for an infusion instead, which bypasses the digestive system. You could also phone the ROS free specialist nurse helpline (theros.org.uk) for advice.

[Mollywoo in reply to Met00]

thank you for the reply . I have made a GP appointment but it will be in 4 weeks. In the mean time I will ring the help line. Thank you again

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi Mollywoo,

If I was in your position I would not stop taking your treatment without speaking to one of the ROS nurses first as they are qualified to advise you.

Added that I have been treated over many years with just about every treatment going.

ALL of them have given me different side effects but I can honestly say Diarrhoea has never been one of them.

Also the side effects from any medications will usually present themselves in the first few days of starting them.

You say you have been ok for 7 weeks so it does seem most unlikely to be the treatment.

Is it possible you could have picked up one of the many stomach bugs up that are circulating at the moment?? Or eaten anything different to the norm.

I would not worry overly because if it is the treatment that is the issue then you can request to have the infusion which bypasses the stomach.

The only way to be sure would be to continue with it because if you stop it now and the Diarrhoea clears up you will blame the treatment for it.

If it is a bug or something you have eaten it will clear up on its own.

In these situations it really can be difficult to know what to do for the best.

I would definitely speak to the nurses though and ask their expert advice.

[Mollywoo in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for taking time to reply. I have not eaten anything different but I agree the cause could be something different. The last few days I have only managed toast and rehydration drinks and it has settled a little.

I was feeling shaken as I am covered in bruises from fainting and thank God I didn’t break anything.

I am going to discuss it with my GP and consider changing to the infusion. I did take my tablet today , one day late, so I will see how things go.

Thank you again.

[Paris100 in reply to Mollywoo]

Before you decide on an infusion, check with your dentist as well as your GP.I was worried about taking alendronic acid because i had read about side effects. When I told my dentist that I was concerned about dental work whilst taking this drug, Her view was that the infusion was more of a worry than the tablet. I have taken the tablets for 2 years now.I haven't had a follow up dexa scan so haven't any idea whether they have helped. I haven't had noticeable gastric problems which I could relate to the tablet. I have missed odd ones here and there if I have a stomach issue though . I take one tablet a week.

[Mollywoo in reply to Paris100]

Thank you for your advice I will make sure I do this. I hope you have improvements on your next scan.

[Helsbels2428]

Morning ! Email alert received regarding AA. I took it for all of 4 weeks, my experience was not good…. Felt marginally sick but don’t remember diarrhoea. It was body aching especially in my arms I remember the most and just felt really out of sorts! I knew this drug was the cause. I worried about my teeth more than anything as have spent a fortune on them over the years and reading side effects decided I couldn’t handle it! I think although don’t quote me on this there is a class action in Canada against AA !? I went privately to an Endocrinologist armed with the alternatives and have been on HRT for 10 months . I take Vitamin K2 as well.

Hope this helps somewhat!

[Mollywoo in reply to Helsbels2428]

Thank you for replying. May I ask how old you are? I will be 70 in a few weeks and think I may be too old to consider HRT although it sounds a good option. Yes your comments have helped .Thank you.

I have not seen a doctor face to face since my diagnosis only two telephone appointments with my GP. I am going to ask for a referral but maybe seeing someone private is the way to go.

[Helsbels2428 in reply to Mollywoo]

hi! I am 65 !! So was 64 when had compression fracture T12.. my T scores in back quite bad but hips not so.. my diet good and my Vit D ok … I just think AA is what you get whacked on to start and rarely given alternative… I was quite annoyed. My son is a Dr and he had said a couple of yrs ago HRT linked to breast cancer .. I told him the endocrinologist said several new studies proved this not case now.. but not advised if history of breast cancer in family. I do get very tender breasts and occasional light period but anything better than AA! I have a patch and take a daily progesterone tablet. Not sure what cut off age is.. well worth the £220 seeing the Endocrinologist last year is how I see it! Hope this helps!

[Mollywoo in reply to Helsbels2428]

Thank you . Something for me to think about and discuss with the doctor.