Trial Run

[Oldman-1]

Back from a consultant today, As yesterday was a bad day, today was hung over. Still, I`ve got a 6 week trial of Medication. One first thing with only water of Alendronic Acid @ 70mg. Next, Adcal-D3 which is Calcium. lastly, boxes of Prednisolone starting with 40mg par day all in one hit. Then slowly reducing by 5mg per week.

[Soraya_PMR]

Am I correct thinking you were on pred already? 40mg is a high dose, do they think GCA.

You might want to think twice about the AA. Do you know you are osteoporotic? If not you may not need it, and the calcium and Vit D may suffice. A dexa scan will enlighten you as to the state of your bones if you can persuade your doc to arrange one. It is best practice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

To add to Soraya's thoughts: I would start with just the pred, calcium and vit D and see what happens. I would keep the AA for later - once you know how you feel on the pred so if anything changes you can tell. Then I would request a dexascan first - I'd want to know how my bones were really before starting on AA.

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Hello, just to back that up, when I told my Rheumy I wanted to think about it (the AA) and asked how long it would be before the Pred started to affect my bones in any big way, they said about 3 months. So there’s no hurry and you really need to know what side effects are what in case any are more extreme.

[SheffieldJane]

They have said it all Oldman, I had just formulated the thought " he's going to feel so ill, a hangover will seem like a walk in the park".

[Hidden]

Like many others I was strongarmed into trying to take AA . I tried 5 weekly doses across several months but found I got really bad hip pain for at least 3 days after. Having found this forum I got the advice to at least ask for dexa scan. I did and it was "normal " for age group. I was relieved and forgot to ask for numbers but will at next gp appt. I now just take d3 and calcium. I would think about it for a few days and see what you think. It's not pleasant to take and staying upright first thing on a morning not my strong suit at the time.

[yogabonnie]

Our dexa scans are never compared to our own age groups always to 30 year olds. I think it is ridiculous. And gp says oh, you'll break a bone in 10 years 12% chance better take AA and I say... that's an 88% chance I won't!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to yogabonnie]

Plus they don’t differentiate fractures. A finger, a wrist (painful but not totally debilitating) is quite different to a #hip requiring surgery and a GA.

[Hidden in reply to yogabonnie]

Right on yogabonnie Percentages are a cause of a lot of misunderstanding & choice now in NHS. Stats are fickle things which don't measure meaningful human reality. Often skewed to push some agenda. My view anyway.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

It's the "increase in risk" side the media don't get the hang of: double a vanishing small risk still leaves it very very samll...

[greenheath]

Hello Oldman-1

I'm a bit confused about how you're taking your AA. Did your GP tell you to take AA only on an empty stomach in the morning, with tap water, only standing or sitting upright, and not to take anything else (i.e. food, medications, other drinks) for at least 30 minutes?

From your email, I'm unsure as to whether you are doing all the above. If in doubt, look at the instruction leaflet inside the box of AA.

I've had a bit of a rocky road with AA - especially with my teeth.

I've had a couple of broken teeth, which my dentist put down to AA. In fact when I told him I was on AA, he screeched!

Good luck with your journey

Greenheath

[Oldman-1]

Yes to your first paragraph. I also have calcium and Vitamin D+3