I came off Alendronic Acid because I didn’t think it was agreeable with me, it was a couple of months ago and I can’t remember the exact reason but it was on the suggestion of a consultant I was seeing for another reason and I have been fine.
I started to take it again 3 weeks ago because I knew I should be taking it, but I am starting to feel depressed, so thinking back I think that’s why I might of come off it, does anybody else feel depressed on this tablet.
I did, I felt absolutely awful. Pretty much lost the will to live - I started during the first covid phase and I honestly didn’t care if I got covid or not and I told my husband I did not want to take up any hospital resources or be resuscitated.
It probably sounds dramatic but I felt as if I was waiting to die. I could barely walk - had to cling on to my husband when we went out etc. I know I’m older - I was 71 /2 when I started taking it but I felt like a very frail, very unfit, 100 year old person. My muscles hurt, my bones hurt, my ears hurt, I was so tired - the day I took it I slept all day and the next day my bones ached. I had three lots of antibiotics for sinus infections in a row. For me it was a total nightmare really and I was a shadow of my former self. The only symptom I didn’t have was problems with my gut - that was the only symptom I was worried about.
I took it for four months and then after a lot of angst I stopped taking it. I discovered I went back to my old pre-AA self very quickly. I got pleasure from doing the sort of things I’d always done. I could walk by myself - no need to cling to my other half and I just felt great all round.
I’ve since been offered infusions which I declined. The rheumatologist I spoke to actually said she couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t feel the same with infusions . I thought that was incredibly honest of her - however in spite of all that even as I was leaving her office she was still telling me how nice the nurses who gave the infusions were and that I could have an infusion any time I liked - just to say the word.
It is a very difficult decision to make though and you come under a colossal amount of pressure to take osteoporosis medication and people give you very funny looks if they find out you’ve stopped - I just keep quiet about it now - but to answer your question - yes, I felt very depressed and I’m not normally a depressed person. Good luck with your decision.
Thankyou for your reply, I’m definitely different since I started back on it, feeling fed up, bad tempered, irritable and depressed and I haven’t got anything to be depressed about, also I think it’s making me worse with my other ailments I’m seeing my consultant about.
I’m going to come off it again to see if I feel better, then I will go back to the doctor. X
I had most side effects listed apart from stomach problems. I felt awful for 5 days of each week. Side effects from head to toe. I felt it was affecting my mental health too so stopped taking AA. That was 2 yrs ago and promised myself I’d try Risedronate but keep putting it off. I only managed 4 weeks of AA.
thank you for your reply, think I’m going to stop taking them, I don’t like feeling like this. Xx
I've finally just plucked up the courage to try Risedronate. Took the first one today. I'll post how it goes
I took AA for 8 weeks following an incorrect diagnosis of OP. Like other posters I had horrendous side effects, but no stomach issues. I did feel down, but it would have been strange not to have felt down with aching bones/joints, tinnitus, twitching eye, hair loss and that previously mentioned feeling of rapid ageing. It was a truly horrible experience. Although I am fortunate to not have OP, I do know that if I develop it at some time in the future, I will not take AA again.
I would like to hear more about your incorrect diagnosis of OP.
I had a DEXA scan which gave result of -2.6. The computer systems were down at the scan centre on the day I had my scan. The height and weight measurement on scan report was incorrect - coupled with the fact that I hadn’t had any fractures and there hadn’t been any positioning adjustments in light of my mild scoliosis, I was concerned about the accuracy of the results. More concerned after I had started taking AA which made me very unwell.
I researched scans and went for a REMS scan by a well respected orthopaedic consultant - Dr Nick Birch. The scan gave a reading of -1.6 so in osteopoenic range. I then commenced hrt, looked at diet and undertook weight bearing exercise . I repeated the scan 12 months later and it was broadly the same - so a positive outcome. I have more confidence in the REMS scan than the DEXA and it is not as a result of having a more favourable reading. I also have confidence in the competence and ability of the scan operator - Dr Birch as well as the technology which looks at bone strength as well as density. I only wish that I had had a REMS scan prior to commencing AA.
Very interesting, thank you!
I took AA for 4 months, can’t describe how ill I felt. I’m now on Risedronate, 1 tablet every day took a while to get used to it, but ok now ( I think) . Scan in September to see what’s happening with my bones. Good luck, it’s a bit of a minefield deciding what to do . X
Reading this and other threads, I was wondering if some people were only ever offered alendronate or if all bisphosphonates had the same side-effects with people, but seems not. I'm on risedronate too, but weekly, and was put on this from the start. Apart from some relatively small side effects that are disappearing, I'm fine so far. Obviously, that's just me, and maybe I'd be fine on AA I don't know, but interesting to see that you were offered ris too and you're better on that than on AA. It's all individual but if people aren't good on one type of tablet, I don't understand why alternative bisphosphonates don't appear to be offered.
My doctor actually confessed that AA is so much cheaper than Risedronate, and so its always offered first dispite knowing some people are seriously effected by it.
That could explain it, although there is a generic option of Ris.
I’ve had no side effects apart from slight joint pain which I had before I started the medication but not as frequently, I tried diet and supplements for 3 years before I started AA but repeat scan was significantly worse. I recommend Nordic walking which is good weight bearing exercise and also helps mental well being , I walk in a friendly group.
Good luck x
I have only ever had a headache on the day I take the tablet and that is all, no other side affects. I am sorry that you are feeling depressed and hope you find the right solution for you.
yes I did … as well as other unpleasant side effects. I persevered for about 4 weeks then life felt very miserable and I stopped taking it. I was referred to rheumatologist and he recommended other meds which I have resisted so far. I am to have a second d dexa scan in October this year. I’ll see what that shows. I dread having to take anything else in case the same thing happens.
I had almost exactly the same things as Fruitandnutcase. When I told the doctor I was suicidal, i was intially "dismissed" and told to carry on with it. I stopped anyway; Within 2 weeks of stopping my body was back to normal.
I'm still utterly terrified of taking any "osteoporosis meds" even though i constantly get nagged to do so.
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Alendronic Acid 2 years on.
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