Newbie!!

I am 71. Three years ago I started taking Atorvastatin as a precautionary measure, I'm assuming they are doing me some good.

I broke my wrist Nov 11th 2016 and was sent for a dexascan. Results showed the onset of osteoporosis so I was prescribed a weekly Alendronic Acid tablet and Adcal-D3, to be taken twice a day.

Age 9, I broke both my humerus bones and my parents were warned that I might suffer arthritic pain with in later life. This duly happened about 12 years ago so, on the advice of my mother who is a qualified nurse and has chronic osteoarthritis, I started taking a fish oil capsule daily - and it helped! When I started the Acid and Adcal, I stopped taking the oil - doc said I didn't need it. The pain returned to my right arm, making it difficult to sleep, so I went back on the oil and solved that problem. Three days ago I saw an article in the paper about the NHS making some medicines unprescribable and Adcal was listed. So I started a search for the cheapest available and found the PDF, which I had never seen due to my only having 60 tablets on my repeat prescription. When I read about no food for 4 hours after Adcal, and no oxalic acid this caused me immediate problems. I had viewed the Adcal as just another health supplement and most of those are an 'as and when you want' dose. So I have spent a year taking one after my breakfast - granola, frozen fruits, sesame, sunflower and chia seeds and natural Greek yoghurt - and the other after my evening meal.

Should I move the first dose, permanently to lunchtime - which happens on the day I take the AA tablet - or is there a better time? If I take it on waking, does his prevent me from having my early morning coffee - a luxury, as it;s the only me-time I get!! And does it follow, that my second dose also needs moving?

If you have got this far then I'm hopeful that you might have an answer for me or, at least, some suggestions. Thank you for your time!

[SheffieldJane]

The no food for 4 hours after Adcal is news to me and I've rarely achieved it if at all. So I am having a re- think too. You know that it needs to be several hours away from Pred too. It gets almost impossible to organise doesn't it? I have to fit Thyroxine in on an empty stomach too. The Pred as early as I can in the morning with a lined stomach. Impossible. I might add fish oil in but I do have Mackerel, Sardines and wild salmon most weeks - my body likes it.

Useful research Mouse - can you link us to the article at all?

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

I just Googled it and got several 1,000 offerings. The 'Patient info' leaflet was there as a download. So I did! Thanks for replying though

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your input mouse, it triggered a useful conversation. I wish you well.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi mouse118,

Not sure you’re on the correct forum, this one deals with PMR and GCA, and you don’t say you have either nor mention taking corticosteroids (Prednisolone).

However as many of us take Adcal and AA we may be able to answer your question.

You should leave 4 hours between the AA and Adcal, so you are correct in what you are doing. In fact if you’re on Pred, then the same applies. The second dose is usually taken in the evening.

The paperwork refers to not taking Adcal within 2 hrs of eating foods rich in oxalic Acid (spinach, rhubarb) or bran or whole cereals, but not food per se.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DorsetLady. This website was offered when I Googled Adcal-D3 and the conversation looked as if it might help me. So I signed up and told my story.

[Hidden]

I can only comment on the atorvatatin and alendronic acid. The station was the first one I was prescribed and we didn't get on. It caused severe arm pain and this was at least ten years before PMR. I also read research last year then statins don't serve women well even if they have had cardiac episode. Men get more benefit as preventative measure.

The alendronic acid must be taken before anything with plain tap water not mineral water. I took it 5 times and had terrible hip pain. I always left an hour...sitting up watch tv programme....before I ate or drank anything. Post dexa scan I only have to take d3- calcium supplement. Mine says with main meal. Suppose each is different.hope this helps a little.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Poopadoop. I can manage 30 mins standing up, the rest I sit at the table. I hate this getting older bit!! I am using tap water though and I have a pint of it with the alendronic.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi again, you don’t actually have to stand up -although my late husband always called it “your standy-uppy tablet”. Just ensure you don’t lay down. That’s to ensure you don’t get a reflux action with it, and if you take it with plenty of water it seems okay. I used to take it first thing on a Sunday then sit in chair going through emails or even have a shower - no problems.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I took my adcal with a meal for about 7 years and my bone density did not deteriorate so I doubt it makes much difference to be honest. I still have to as otherwise it causes UTI symptoms!

You should leave 2-3 hours at least between pred and calcium supplements as pred interferes with the calcium uptake and also foods with phytates or oxalic acid (cereals and spinach/rhubarb)

But are you sure you have read it correctly? This is a link to a data sheet:

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

and the only mention of 4 hours is "If you are taking thyroxine, bisphosphonates, iron or fluoride medicines, tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics make sure your doctor knows this. When taking these medicines leave a period of about 4 hours before taking your Adcal-D3 tablets. Do not take them at the same time."

We have alsways said "Pred for breakfast, adcal for lunch and tea/dinner" And it has been fine for most of us as far as i know!

Oh yes - and as poopadoop says, statins have no preventative effect for women who have not yet had a cardiovascular event. I was put on atorvastatin for just over a week by the ward doctors, much against my will - and was almost in a wheelchair. The cardiologist was fine about me stopping: atrial fibrillation does not count as a cardiac event,

At least one statin lists PMR as an adverse event.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. The emc info was very helpful. I did know about emc, but couldn't remember the letters!! I put it down to yet another 'senior moment'. I'm not sure the statin is doing me any good, but I'm happy to plod on with it whilst I don't have to pay for it

[yogabonnie]

The wisdom and knowledge and research on this forum is astounding. Thank you all.

[Hidden in reply to yogabonnie]

Amen to that yogabonnie!!!

[Hidden]

The info on uti and calcium just went off like light bulb in my. Thanks for that. Agreed info knowledge experience really helps.

[SheffieldJane]

I get those symptoms too Poopadoop. It took me ages to make the link and fruitless trips to the GP for non existent infections.

[HeronNS]

A good article explaining why phytic acid and phytates are something to consider.

healthline.com/nutrition/ph...

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you Heron, the article was very interesting

[Koalajane]

I take Aviticol, should that be taken the same as Adcal?