ScampSimba

[Scampmummy]

hi, Newly diagnosed 74 female who has undergone thyroid removal, hysterectomy, gallbladder removal, 2 operations on left hip replacement, mastectomy all leaving me relying on levothyroxine, calceos chewable tablets, Anastrole, Folic Acid, Rosuvastin, Amitriptyline and Hydroxocobalamin injections every 12 weeks for Pernicious Anemia.

I have been prescribed Risedronate Sodium 35mg tablets but GP didn’t have time to go through side effects. I have therefore not started these yet.

side effects are really scary. I have trouble swallowing tablets without breaking them and having a warm drink. I very often cough them back up. I also suffer with acid reflux, luckily I have adjustable bed and suck a peppermint, which works.

I am booked in to see another doctor next Monday who I hope will have more time to talk to me.

My question is: is there anything else I could take instead of what was prescribed? Bearing in mind, my breast cancer was hormonal and my hysterectomy hasn’t helped.

Sorry for such long post but I’m so distressed with my diagnosis.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Gosh, you have a lot going on haven’t you!

Why don’t you give the ROS nurses a call and see what they can advise about osteoporosis medicines theros.org.uk

The ROS website is also excellent - it covers every aspect of osteoporosis and worth having a read through. .

[Scampmummy in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you so much for quick reply. I will certainly take your advice as I really don’t know what to do. So many of my medications affect my joints and the cancer and hysterectomy have made my skin so thin it bleeds but I need the medication.

You could say I’ve had my fair share and want to avoid hospital stays.

[Rooruby]

Agree with other posts the nurses at ROS are so well informed have a chat with them I find them much more knowledgeable than most GPs good luck

[Scampmummy in reply to Rooruby]

Thank you. I will phone and get advice before my GP visit next Monday.

[Jumpey]

Huge good luck with your health generally.Hope ROS can help.xxxx

[1000Miler]

Your acid reflux and a difficulty with swallowing tablets are contraindications for taking oral bisphosphonates. I would expect that you need a referral to a rheumatologist, who will look at suitable alternative treatments for you.

[Verauk]

Scampmummy Hello. I also did a Hysterectomy 32 years ago , and a thyroid removal 20 years ago that maybe I didnt needed since biopsy didnt detected cancer( I´m now 68). As I decided not follow the HRT( since at that time it was related to breast cancer), my bone density has decreased with time ( and according to my Doctor not superior to any other post menopause women..) .

But in May 2024 my DEXA scores showed a -3,2 in spinal . I atributte it to my change in diet since I become vegetarin 10 yeas ago, and my ingestion of protein have decreased since them. I´m trying to reforce my protein ingestion now ( animal and plant base protein) as well as started with streinght exercises, that we know helps prevent and sometimes stop bone density decreases.

Note that since May 2024 I started with Risedronate 35 mg each week. Any side effects so far.

Regarding you, first of all I would recommend that you watch the ROS videos and visit NHS web page , to understand side effects of all types or families of medication for Osteo available.

Not every one fells side efects at all , and depending on the case, this will prevent you to have a fracture.

ROS : theros.org.uk/information-a...

[Scampmummy in reply to Verauk]

Thank you for replying. My thyroid op was in 1976 and I was told they had taken too much away. I knew I had a thyroid problem before the op as my mum had it and also my granddad, but was told it wasn’t hereditary!!

My hysterectomy was due to heavy bleeding so I had everything taken away in 2005 when I was 55 years. I too was worried about HRT and only stayed in it for few months. Mum also had hysterectomy. My breast cancer was hormone related in 2012 and I have been taking Anastrole tablets ever since. I was given a Dexa scan after finishing chemo & radiotherapy and was told my bones were good.

I had Dexa scan last year as my knees are bad. I’ve had 2 ops on left hip replacement which has left me walking bad. Dexa showed -2.7 on my right hip. I was not prepared for this diagnosis. Don’t know how long I’ve had it or why I wasn’t checked earlier.

I’ve also had gallbladder removed and all the stress over the years has resulted in diagnosis of IBS.

I really appreciate all the replies on here.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Scampmummy ,

Just dropping by to wish you the warmest welcome to our community, we're so glad to see you here

Thank you for sharing with us what's been going on for you, it sounds like it's been a long and difficult health journey, and it's really understandable to feel nervous or uncertain about the next steps - especially with a new diagnosis!

As our wonderful members have already mentioned, we have lots of information and support for living with osteoporosis, including our helpline of friendly specialist nurses: theros.org.uk/information-a...

We hope this might feel helpful

Wishing you the very best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator

[Scampmummy in reply to ROSModerator]

Thank you Lulu. I have a terrible fear of hospitals which doesn’t help. Seems like every op I have had doesn’t go well for me.

I am phoning theros.org nurse today so hopefully will have more info before seeing my GP next Monday.

Really pleased I found this site.

[love42france]

Yes there are annual Infusions of the drug. I have the gastric reflux problem and was put on the annual drug. It is finally making a difference to my pain which is caused by a trapped nerve. I will get another DEXA scan this summer via my doctor. I saw a Rheumatologist who prescribed the annual drug but I am not in the UK.

As an aside, peppermint actually makes gastric reflux worse. Bit like tomatoes and all citrus fruit (I am allergic to the tomato family and the citrus family and was told by a gastric specialist that a lot of people with GERD are but don't realise it).

[Scampmummy in reply to love42france]

Thank you for replying. I only seem to get heartburn when I eat late at night or have a glass of wine late. I’m trying to eat small dinners and occasionally get acid reflux. Must admit I didn’t know about the peppermint, but it seems to work for me.

Will be phoning the nurses for advice today.

Such a lovely bunch of people on this site so thank you.