Alendronic acid

[Sleeplessinlife]

I have just started alendronic tabs, only had 2! Someone please tell me I will feel better if I persevere? Definate constipation/sluggish gut. I already have osteo tum and this is not making that easy to bear...

[Cal66]

Hi, when I took the tablets I didn't have those symptoms, however the tablets didn't agree with me as I had uncontrollable shivers and feeling ice cold & sickness because of my hiatus hernia. I now have annual infusions , but this is my 3rd time and final infusion. My sister is on it and up to now has hadn't side effects.

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Cal66]

Thank you cal66, both my sister and sister in law are on same meds which they tolerate ok. I will persevere a bit longer, it's hard to assess as I still have pain from original fractures and having been weaning self off low dose codiene ,now I'm not sure if I need to stay on codiene for a bit. All these drugs cause just as much side effects as the original fractures

[Lunasgran in reply to Sleeplessinlife]

I have been on alendronic acid tablets for nearly three years and don’t have any side effects. They don’t affect the chronic pain I have in my spine from fractures unfortunately but are hopefully helping my bones to be less fragile! I have a couple of prunes with my breakfast which help my digestion.

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Lunasgran]

Thank you for your reply, prunes, I forgot about trying those...next purchase!

[Knitbone in reply to Sleeplessinlife]

Codeine always makes me constipated and generally unwell. Maybe that's the problem.

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi Sleeplessinlife,

The constipation and sluggish gut is more than likely to be a combination of other meds, supplements, and the fractures you have had and the changes to your body plus lack of movement owing to the pain of the fractures.

I have had 15 fractures in the spine now and the gut problems and constipation have increased more with each fracture.

You mention in your other posts and replies that you are taking codeine( well known for causing constipation) Calcium supplements too can cause constipation for some people and the changes that come with losing height also add to the problem.

I look like I am 9 months pregnant now and yes the problems the osteo tummy can cause are unbearable I can see and feel the faeces and wind moving the intestines.

There is no easy fix unfortunately.

We need meds to help control the pain.

To get on top of the constipation I have a sachet of Movicol morning and evening, two mugs of herbal tea at breakfast, one mid morning and also a warm mug of juice. Lunchtime two more mugs of tea followed by a second movicol and that is followed by another mug of warm juice !!

I finish with two mugs of tea ( all herbal) in an evening.

Wow!! it does sound a lot to me when it is down in black and white🤣🤣

Even though the veg give me wind I persevere with them most days.

I REALLY DO KNOW HOW BAD CONSTIPATION CAN BE after almost being admitted to hospital.

It is being between a rock and a hard place because getting the drinks and the meals in is so hard to do.

Every drink or bite of food my stomach just gets bigger and stretches and this of course pulls around my back, but not emptying the bowel causes more pains of a different kind as well as feeling sick.

Knowing you are not on your own does help us and this is a brilliant forum for having the support from others like ourselves ☺️☺️

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your insight and support, I've already ditched the calcium tabs, diet alone for me now, I only take 3 , 8/500 a day of codiene, tried to stop, but pains been awful, still got amytryptilline at night...which causes..you've guessed it. Constipation! Onwards we go..must go have some peppermint tea, I get more help from this brilliant forum than anywhere else!

[Hagrimony]

Hello, I had constipation and sluggish gut with the Alendronic Acid pills, I recently stopped them and started Romosozunab and my gut feels so much better. I drank lots of prune juice while taking Alendronic acid which definitely helped.

[ABwn in reply to Hagrimony]

Does prune juice act as well as semi-dried prunes? I eat semi dried prunes, figs and dates but still on 2 different types of constipation powder. Take codeine 4 times a day and amitriptyline at night!!

[Hagrimony in reply to ABwn]

I found the juice worked a lot better than the dried fruit

[ABwn in reply to Hagrimony]

Thank you Hagrimony. Have added the juice to my order for this week, along with the dried fruit. Slightly over the top. 😅👍

[Hagrimony in reply to ABwn]

Good luck!

[Icholta]

HiI have no problems with this tablet, if you do then speak to your doctor. I was put on this one as others agitated my stomach

[superbones]

I couldnt take them nor the Risedronate tablets and ended up having the infusion. i had the first in March with no symptoms and will have 2 more next March and the following one. My view is that if you have had a reaction that fast you will not tolerate it. I hope this helps.

[Mileydog]

Hi I only had a headache sometimes, the day I took the tablet so can not really help you there but I can help you ease the constipation. I have been taking ground flaxseed for a couple of months because I read how good it is for us and I have to say after suffering with constipation for 50 years I have finally found the solution. The recommended dose ( for health) is 2 tablespoons but probably try a smaller amount at first to see how it affects you. Good luck.

[Knitbone in reply to Mileydog]

It's a very good, gentle laxative isn't it? The 2 tablespoons are recommended for getting enough omega 3. However, I've looked online and done the sums and one tablespoon a day is enough for that. Also, I find 2 tablespoons is too powerful a laxative for me. But then I'm on a plant-based diet and get a lot of fibre anyway.

[LynneH-19]

I stopped taking AA after about 8 weeks, because I had previously had a bleeding duodenal ulcer and the symptoms appeared to be starting again.

My Mum took AA for years and didn’t have any problems from it.

[GadgetBuster]

Hi, you said you only had 2 calcium tablets and then dropped them. If you definitely get enough calcium from your diet then fine, but if not, I would encourage you to try again. My experience was that the calcium tablets caused constipation so I went to the doctor and was told to give it a month as your body takes time to adjust, and in the meantime was prescribed a month of laxative - I can't remember which one - as I'd already upped my fibre intake and water which helped, but only a bit. In fact I didn't need it (the laxative) for more than 10 days as my body did adjust and I haven't looked back and continue to take the calcium.

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to GadgetBuster]

Thanks for your insight. It was the alendronic acid I had just had 2 of, still on them, but previously gave up on the calcium tabs. Now not sure what's causing my symptoms. Huge jump in my dairy intake from what I used to have, maybe it's just that. I'm trying to do what's best for me..and getting a bit tied in knots!

[Verauk]

I have take two dosis of Risedronate 150mg( once a month) that as far as I know is the same of AA. No side efects at all, so far...

[Slotmachine33]

Hello sleeplessinlife I do feel for you, I couldn't take the tablets because of side effects I have an infusion Instead so I'm not sure how long these horrible symptoms last, I would go to your doctor and say I can't tolerate this medication there's not many people I've heard of who can tolerate it ,don't suffer see your doctor x

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Slotmachine33]

It's so peculiar, I had a good second half of this week, out managing walks etc, feeling a bit better over all, took my alendronic acid this morning 7am..empty stomach, lots of water, waited an hour before food, just back in from a walk, struggled badly today. Aches everywhere, muscles not enjoying it. I must work out if this is a set pattern on pill day, or just an u fortunate blip. It's exhausting living with this. My fractures were in January this year, 8 months on life is still a struggle

[Slotmachine33]

I understand completely that's why I opted for the infusion instead I didn't like the sound of the tablets,just tell your doctor how they are effecting you and hopefully put you forward for the yearly infusion in its place,the infusion lasts a year then you have the next one and it can give you a couple of side effects but can only last a few days ,that's if you get any at all x