Are AA side effects reversible? - Bone Health and O...

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Are AA side effects reversible?

Verauk profile image
25 Replies

I´ve been discusing side effects of AA, that I just take one dose, last month. Some of you reported no side effects at all and others some side effects.

I wonder if you can tell me if these side effects are reversible ( if we stop the medication) or not.

Does any one have experienced this?

Thanks to all

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Verauk profile image
Verauk
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25 Replies
Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

Well, I struggled along for four months with a lot of side effects. Eventually I decided I had had enough and stopped. The side effects stopped and I got back to being my old self in two or three weeks.

I imagine the alendronic acid will be in your bones forever so I have no idea what will happen with that but physically and mentally I feel like I used to, thank goodness.

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toFruitandnutcase

Thanks a lot🌸🩵

Sunseaandsand profile image
Sunseaandsand

Hi, any side effects I have had with the treatments have all cleared after stopping them.

Some have taken a short while and others within days.x

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toSunseaandsand

Thank you

Claret10 profile image
Claret10

I took AA for about 6 months and I really struggled and then was put on Risedronate instead for few months, still had bad side effects. I stopped them with my consultants agreement as I couldn’t live with the pain I was in, it really was no life & mentally it took its toll.

Everyone tolerates them differently & it’s ok for some but it wasn’t for me.

I was worried I would never feel better, & I think it prob took a good couple of months to actually start to feel myself again but the side effects went. I’m on HRT now instead to help me.

One-Blue-Lady profile image
One-Blue-Lady in reply toClaret10

Presumably you are younger than 65 because from what I’ve read HRT isn’t prescribed to anyone older, I’m trying to find a way round that, if anyone knows of a supplement that has similar effects to HRT could they let me know. Thanks

Claret10 profile image
Claret10 in reply toOne-Blue-Lady

Yes, that’s correct, I was put on them at 50.

One-Blue-Lady profile image
One-Blue-Lady in reply toClaret10

To old now at 90 but think it’s a better bet than all the other chemicals they offer and the side effects with them all. I’m sure there must be better options. I have a swallowing problem so some are ruled out anyway.

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toOne-Blue-Lady

Could you tell wich drugs have you taken? Any broken bones? With 90 you are a good reference for us. How have progressed your scores during time?

One-Blue-Lady profile image
One-Blue-Lady in reply toVerauk

Oh well, thanks! Nice to know I’m being a help for someone! HRT is hormone replacement therapy, so I’m a forty years past the sell by date (sbd)! 🤞no broken bones, although have had a couple of falls but escaped relatively unharmed! I have been to hospital and offered either injection infusion or tablets for the osteoporosis, but not told what it entails and the only information I have has been found here! I have a-3 in the left upper arm, so I feel that what I’m being offered is somewhat excessive! I put the blame on the omprazol I was taking without any reviews for five years for reflux, I stopped them when I got the osteoporosis diagnosis, I also have had to have the tube from my throat to my stomach stretched (can’t spell it!) due to the reflux, the thought it might be cancer so did a biopsy and fortunately it came back negative!

I’m supposed to go back to get the lower part done, they couldn’t manage to do it last time, but as I am managing by being very careful what I eat (I keep to soft food and no rump steaks!) up to now I am keeping well away! Traveling times, waiting times and mostly no information is off putting and at my age I think I have had enough. Best wishes to all x

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toOne-Blue-Lady

What drug is HRT? Sorry if it is a silly question.I feel confused with all these abreviations.

Sandy33 profile image
Sandy33 in reply toVerauk

Hormone replacement therapy

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toSandy33

I'm 68 and I never did the HRT, afraid of breast cancer. Now my doc says it is too late. 🥹

Sandy33 profile image
Sandy33 in reply toVerauk

That is the same situation for me, unfortunately. There are a lot of different opinions concerning whether it causes breast cancer or not now so who knows. The bottom line apparently, we are both in the too old category. 🙁 And just my opinion, but from everything I read on this forum, it seems HRT is definitely a good direction to go if there is really no concern of breast cancer being caused by that treatment.

One-Blue-Lady profile image
One-Blue-Lady in reply toClaret10

Wondering if you are under 60, doubt if nhs would advise anyone over be referred for HRT but good luck, if it was still available for my age I would definitely prefer that to all the other options.

Pinky-6 profile image
Pinky-6 in reply toOne-Blue-Lady

I’m 64 and put on HRT by my Consultant (NHS) said it was the best thing I could do for my bones and heart health. I wish I hadn’t been taken off it when the scare round breast cancer hit the headlines. I might not have severe OP.

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply toPinky-6

When did you start HRT? Sorry to ask but it was not clear for me. What are your scores ( Tscores for spinal and femur) sorry to ask ir also, is just to understand better. Thanks for your time

Exflex profile image
Exflex

I had pain in fingers and wrists when on AA. Resolved when Dr switched me to Risedronate.

Recently a maxillofacial surgeon informed me the half life of bisphosphonates is 10 years. I was taking mainly Risedronate for 3 years and wish I had been better informed before accepting the medicine.

Deb967 profile image
Deb967

What is AA?

Verauk profile image
Verauk

alendronic acid. As far as I Know.

Purplegrey44 profile image
Purplegrey44

I've been taken it for just over a month & luckily no side affects with it 🤞

nottowell profile image
nottowell

I know that the dental side effects are not revrsable

Verauk profile image
Verauk in reply tonottowell

But do you know if this side effect are for those who take for more than 2-5 years?

nottowell profile image
nottowell

I am aware the question was not how long to take it for but how long side effects last

Green_girl profile image
Green_girl

I didn't want to go onto AA as I know I have a dodgy stomach, so was sent to the Rheumatologist....offered an infusion of Zoledronate (a Bisphosphonate like AA), as apparently this doesn't usually cause the stomach issues you can get on AA, due to the drug not going into the stomach, but through the veins instead.

.....well, it took some of the stomach lining (proved by a gastroscopy late in the day organised by the GP) and gave me Gastritis, messed up my taste, took my appetite and I couldn't eat a full meal due to the pain caused.... and the effects lasted for over a year. No help from the Rheumy, but thankfully has a good nutritionist who helped me - at a cost of course - I think the issue is if you know you have a very dodgy gut, give chapter and verse on it to the doctors to prove this isn't just in your head - then ask lots of questions and do research.

If you don't have any serious stomach issues, then you should be OK

Sadly, due to only a small number of folk having bad side effects, these are not looked into as there's no money in it for the drug companies to research why we have them and what can be done to help us. So you will be thrown back onto the GP who may or may not know anything about the drugs and has to do all the investigating from scratch - and may never be confident about labelling the drug as the culprit, as not enough is known about side effects.

I repeat - if you don't have any current stomach issues you should be fine with an infusion. You may get some discomfort and issues, but these should go within a few days or a week or so.

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