Morning all,
I was wondering if anyone else experiences a surge in anxiety symptoms on the day they take AA. I definitely feel my mood nose diving in the day when I take it. The next day I feel weak and exhausted. Then gradually better until the next week. I am speaking to my GP later on today. I have been on AA for 5 weeks.
I am taking HRT and Adcal and wondering if I can do without AA?
My osteoporosis was discovered after a spinal fracture, T- 3.4. I’m 53 yrs old.
Thanks for any replies.
Hi Teddy, I’ve been taking Alendronic Acid for 2.5 years and am happy to say my Osteoporosis has improved by 3.8% which is much better than standing still or getting worse. I was blaming anything unusual on the tablets at first but kept taking them, got used to them and haven’t had side effects at all. I have always been prone to anxiety but for the last few years I’ve been doing Headspace with Andy PUddicome - and I highly recommend it. I cope with everything so much. better. My husband also does it .Google ‘Andy puddicome Ted Talk’ and ‘Headspace dot com’
Hope I’ve helped, Barb
Ps, my anxiety level is very low now, I rarely feel anxious but when I do, I use breathing and techniques form headspace
Thanks so much for replying.
I should have said I have a long history of depression for which I’ve often needed medication. Recently, last 4 years, I have managed without. I am used to using CBT etc for anxiety when it comes. This however is a very specific physical sensation that is always at the end of the day I’ve taken AA though?
I’m sorry, anxiety is a horrible feeling. Hope your GP can help re AA
When I took AA I used to fall asleep for the rest of that day - I was totally out for the count for the entire day. Next day onwards my bones hurt. I felt very depressed too. I gave up with the AA after four months. I half expected to have gut problems which I didn’t, I just seemed to have everything else - sore ears, sore teeth etc. the new pain in my hipbone worried me a lot. I was offered infusions but didn’t want to risk a whole years worth going in at once, at least I was able to stop.
I was surprised about how depressed I felt as I have no history of being depressed but my world was grey. Fortunately I went back to my normal self within a short while once I stopped.
It could be that AdCal isn’t helping. I started off with one called Acrette, then was prescribed AdCal both of which were calcium carbonate which can be tough to take and both of them upset my gut. In the end I spoke to my fracture liaison nurse and we worked out how much calcium I was taking - lots and it was decided I didn’t really need the calcium supplement.
I started the calcium and vitamins before I started the AA so I knew it was definitely that which was the problem and not the AA. Now I take half the recommended amount of a seaweed based calcium so I buy that plus my own vitamin D3 I’m fine with that.
It’s interesting that you are taking HRT - I would love to have been able to take that but at 75 I’m afraid I am too old to start.
No one can really advise you but as your T score is - 3.4 and you have already had a spinal fracture you should probably speak to your doctor before you make a decision or even speak to someone on the ROS helpline - you will find the contact details on the right hand side of this page
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, I also have the bloating/ burping/ constipation with AA. As you say, Adcal is causing similar problems too, and I’d really rather not, as I get lots of calcium in my diet. I like the sound of the seaweed based calcium, not heard of that before. I’ve just been taking the Vit D by itself for a few days to give my gut a break whilst feeling so rubbish. I know I need to weigh these decisions up carefully with my GP; as at 53 I’ve got a long way to go with OP ( God willing!).
This is the one I’ve been using for four years now - it’s not all that cheap but I only take one a day and get the rest of my calcium from calcium rich foods togetherhealth.co.uk/produc...
If the AA is affecting your gut I’m quite sure you would be able to get an annual infusion. Just read as much as you can about all the various treatments and exercise and don’t panic and rush into anything.
It could be that the AA causes your vitD and calcium levels to flux considerably on the day you take it. This can cause mood changes.
Thanks all.
Gp phoned yesterday, has stopped AA and prescribed Risendronate (? Sorry haven’t got the spelling in front of me!) instead. Just to see if a different biphosphinate works better for me. But, yes, I do need to take some kind of OP drug, due to age and fracture risk. She also wants to test me for coeliac disease as well. Apparently earlier onset OP can be caused by CD. Having to add it back into my diet as I eat low carb usually!!!
HiTeddysamson2, just thought I would let you know I’ve been taking Risedronate for just three weeks. So far I’ve had no sad effects at all thankfully. Don’t know if it will stay this way but hoping it does! Just recently diagnosed with OP.
Thank you,
Good to get first hand experience from someone taking the drug. Hope you continue to feel good on it; and that I follow suit!!
Sorry that should read side effects
Yes, CD can lead to OP. While the doctor is testing for that ask to have your thyroid - overactive thyroid can lead to OP and parathyroids can too (parathyroids are not the same as thyroid) checked out too.
So sorry I cannot be of help as I have never taken AA and did not know that I had Osteoporosis until i incurred 3 spinal fractures after a minor fall. I am going to be prescribed Teriparatide (Forsteo) and wonder if anyone is taking that and how do they feel they are progressing? I would be very grateful for any feedback. M
Hi I have just finished the 2 year course of Teriparatide, I had no side effects and it has improved my bone density by 17.5% now on yearly infusion for 3 years, hope all goes well for you
Hi Lilbil, thank you so much for your prompt response which is also so positive. Always avoided drugs if I can and so was feeling a little uncertain and your information is really helpful. Thank you.
Hi Ketchikan, hope your treatment goes as well as mine, I was diagnosed after severe back pain which turned out to be a vertebrae fracture when I had my MRI I had 7 old vertebrae fractures, my dexa scan only showed osteopenia, but my consultant who specialises in osteoporosis said my bones were in a bad state and Teriparatide was the best treatment. I have a back brace which supports my spine and helps with my kyphosis and helps with the pain. Hope you can see that the treatment does work best wishes
My goodness Lilbil you have been through the mill. there was I feeling sorry for myself with three fractures and then I read about yourself. Thank goodness for a good consultant but concerning that the Dexa scan was so innacurate. I sincerely hope that your pain recedes, it is the most horrible pain making it hard to remain with optimism. Good luck and I would be interested to know how you get on if you would like to let me know some time. A bit of support never goes amiss. Best wishes.
Hi Ketchican I would love to keep you updated. Let me know how your Teriparatide injection go hopefully like me you’ll have no side effect. My consultant did say there are very few side effect with this treatment.
I no longer take AA. I have denosumab injections twice yearly, but just started in July. I can't say I noticed any symptoms after taking AA that I didn't put down to my other conditions.
I started with AA( risedronate) two months ago. No side effects at all. I' m 67 and spinal Dexa of -3.4.No fractures.
Hi Teddysamson2
Thank you for joining us here! 
It's great to see the support and experiences our wonderful members have shared already. We just wanted to let you know that we have lots of information and support on our website, including about different osteoporosis drug treatments: theros.org.uk/information-a...
It's so important to not feel on your own with this experience, so I hope you are able to continue to connect and share in our community.
Wishing you all the best,
Lulu
ROS Moderator
Hi, I was diagnosed with OP in April. Am taking AA once a week and finding im getting anxious and increased migraines but not sure if its linked. I take ADHD meds and anti-depressants as well. Will keep a diary to try see if I can see any patterns...
Hi I've been taking AA for a few months now - I am on medication for depression and have been for a few years now. The only side effect I noticed was vertigo, I asked the chemist about it and he checked as at first he didn't think it was related to the AA. Turns out it is and he said I should see how things went as it might be that it would settle but if not then I should speak to my GP and they could change the tablets. Glad to say that after another couple of weeks or so the vertigo disappeared. So it's worth asking your GP or Pharmicist if you're having side effects and see if you need a different type of tablet. BTW I use Calm for meditation and follow ACT therapy now instead of CBT. Wishing you luck and I hope you find answers from your GP.
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