alendronic acid

[jill16]

I have just been to the doctor and have had pmr for 4 years in september he said that the thinking is that if you are below 7.5/7 premeds that it is not necessary to take alendronic acid

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Whereas I have been told by a physiotherapist that there is evidence that there is still some loss even at 5mg.

On the other hand - you should have had a dexascan before been put on AA and repeats every couple of years to monitor if there was any change in the status if it was initially found there was not yet a need. I've not needed AA - the dexascan was acceptable after 2 months of 15mg pred and was still so nearly 4 years later. Result - no AA at all.

[Skihexen]

Hi Jill,

I've not read anything regarding this but my GP advised me this week that once I'm safely below 5mg prednisolone (currently struggling but persevering with 5mg) then I'll no longer need the Alendronic.

[Maisiek in reply to Skihexen]

Yes Prof Dasgupta agrees.

[mk14]

I was on AA for a few years (Pred 15mg down to about 7mg) then the rheumy said the practice is now to have a two year holiday off AA after being on it for three (or was it five) years, because in children taking it for years for a different reason it has been found to make bones super-hard and more liable to fracture. She also did a dexascan to check, which was normal, and she hasn't suggested going back on AA.