Oh no not again!

[Gillymar]

Had a successful op in May to insert a steel rod in my left femur fractured due to taking alendronic acid tabs (bisphophonates). Now experiencing same symptoms in right thigh so had an xray yesterday . Query how long does this medication stay in the System? I do not want to have the intense pain I had until the op cured it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - I KNOW you don't want to hear what I'm about to tell you: once bisphosphonates are in the bone it appears they probably stay there. The last time they did a review paper in the end of last decade they said 10 years. They didn't start using them widely until the mid-1990s - so the 10 years was after about 15 years of widespread use.

I assume that this time they will move rather quicker to pin it if there is any sign of an atypical fracture? But really not what you want either at this time of year (or any other of course).

This is claimed to be "a very rare occurrence" - but there are 2 people on this forum who have had the same problem, one after less than 2 years of alendronic acid. How long had you been on it?

I really do hope it isn't another fracture though. You will update us won't you?

[Gillymar in reply to PMRpro]

I was on it for 5 or 6 years before it was realised what the problem was. I was on every kind of alternative remedy available as I was told it was muscular. A new Dr at my surgery spotted it or I should still be in intense pain. Thanks for your message I will update you when the X-ray result arrives.

[Gillymar in reply to PMRpro]

I had been on alendronic for 6 years. The op re the steel rod was successful. But now I am having similar pain in my right leg. Waiting to have an MRI scan asap. Hence oh no not again! It seems true that bisphonates stay in the system for a very long time . Another problem has been given a steroid inhaler for wheeziness etc which dr says

is asthma. After some months became quite hoarse and have discovered it is known result. I stopped inhaler but am now wheezing again. What to do please?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gillymar]

Do you use the inhaler with a spacer? It is one possible suggestion:

healthcentral.com/asthma/c/...

as is washing out your mouth after every use.

My husband has a nebuliser - that would use different carriers perhaps.

But - are you sure it is just the steroids? Yes, i know it is listed but I had hoarseness because of PMR and there are other causes as the link above explains.

[Gillymar]

Thanks for reply. Tell me again what is PMR. Tried drinking water but was still.hoarse. Glad of any help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gillymar]

Polymyalgia rheumatica - one of the two illnesses this forum is devoted to. It and giant cell arteritis are closely related and due to inflamed arteries. If the arteries in the chest and supplying the neck area a are affected they can affect the throat - and cause hoarseness.

[Gillymar]

Thanks to all who responded re my query of AAs and fractured femur. Am waiting for MRI scan as xray showed thickening of lateral femoral cortex with possibility of lytic line which may be a fracture. I cannot visualise another spell of the pain I had with the left leg and now to find the right one is going the same way is devastating.

Re hoarseness, have stopped inhaler but am seeing asthma nurse to ask for replacement. Voice now restored but am aware that I should be on some sort of inhaler.