Steroids and alendronic acid

Hi,

It is one of the recommended medications because Pred (steroids) can cause osteoporosis in some people.

What we recommend on here is to check if you actually need it, a DEXA scan with confirm either way. If you don't need it, don't take it, it can cause problems in some people.

I took it for 4 years with no problem, but I needed to, many don't.

You should be prescribed VitD and Calcium tablets - Adcal-D3 chewable is one type. Those will protect your bones as well.

Sure others will be along with further advice.

Anyone taking Alendronic Acid (or other bisphosphonate) should make sure they inform their dentist at their next appointment. Some GP's provide a really helpful guide which the patient is advised to hand to their dentist.

The reason dentists need to know is that there is a very very slight risk of complications following surgery or extractions and if these can be avoided , by say root canal treatment instead, then this may be a better option.

Hi Koalajane, I am so sorry you may have PMR. There has been a lot of press about AA recently, basically think twice before taking it and ensure you really need it.

If you are taking vit D you should have it with something fatty to eat eg yogurt to help absorption. Also if you are taking prednisolone you should leave at least two hours if not longer between taking the pred and taking the vit D. With pred you really should have a combination of vit D and calcium because of possible pred side effects.

It does seem that people with auto immune diseases have low Vit D levels, although they reckon over twenty five per cent of the population are deficient in fact! Probably all sitting inside playing with their iPads! What was your vit D reading?