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[AmberAliona]

Hi all, just diagnosed with PMR. quite a shock. Now on pred but also have Barrett’s Oesophagus. Been prescribed Alendronic Acid as in the past 18 months I have had 2 fractures in left foot. Have also had several fractures during the last 40 years. I am now nearly 74 and used to a fairly active life being the owner of a young dog we are used to walking miles each day. She has been living with my son for the past 10 days as I have felt too poorly to look after her. I am scared of taking the Alendronic Acid but I have faith in my doctor so will give it a go. Good to read about so many other sufferers experiences.

[SheffieldJane]

Hello and welcome AmberAliona, I hope you find that joining this site is a big help. There is always someone to give view on your experiences while this disease runs its course. So post away. I remember the numbed shock as the implications of diagnosis sunk in. I also rememer the profound relief that finally my symptoms had a name. I was really greatful that the diagnosis wasn’t something even worse. Best wishes Jane

[Soraya_PMR]

Welcome AmberAliona, do you have the ‘magic’ relief afforded by the pred yet?

Your dog will soon be home, and will be a great asset in your recovery. I find walking my dogs very helpful. Out and about in the fresh air during the morning affords me a better day.

Have you been prescribed enteric coated pred?

[SnazzyD]

Hello, it is such a shock but it will settle once your symptoms are under control and you become used to the Pred if you’ve not had it before. Hopefully, you’ll get your doggy companion back soon to boost your spirits.

With the AA I have a few questions. Have you had a DEXA scan to say you need the AA? It seems that often even some good doctors seem to prescribe AA without doing one so the patient needs to demand it. Many on here have and have found their bones did not require it; I was the same.

If you are on it, has your doc prescribed Vit D and calcium to give you some of the building blocks for the bone? Have you had a Vit D blood test done? A low level won’t be helping your bone health or your general health at all.

These fractures over 40 years, are they proportional to some sort of trauma or spontaneous/not expected or actually due to osteoporosis? I’ve had a few over the years but all of them were to be expected given the situation and not due to bone thinning (had DEXA baseline years ago so I know my bones were ok).

My sister who has another condition needing AA had oesophagitis so they gave her infusions instead of tablets. Perhaps this is worth asking for if you do need this medication.

Good luck and I expect others more knowledgeable than me will reply soon.

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

I have had a few fractures of ribs (3 times) fingers and leg over past few years but dexa scan was fine. Thus I rejected Acid and take calcium and d3.

I don't know what bbarretts is but if it in that throat downwards area I would think twice and get Dr to refer to scan.

Hopefully you will be up and about soon. Get all reference from charity and use to inform Dr. Issues of tapering pred very important.

I will be waiting for a post when your hound returns. I would miss my pal terribly. Fortunately she is 10 and used to periods when she just gets a ball thrown rather than walk.

[AmberAliona in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Barretts is severe reflux. However discussing with Dr. In light of my fractures we decided to go for the extra treatment. I am on Esomaprazole plus calcium so fingers crossed. Getting my fur baby back on Friday. She is only 22 months and just beautiful.

[marytommo]

Hello AmberAliona, 2013 I was diagnosed with PMR. I am now clear and off all PMR drugs for the past 2 months

[marytommo]

October 2013 I was diagnosed with PMR I am now clear and off all PMR drugs since October 2017. (Alendronic acid, Omeprazole, Prednisilone, Adcal). I personally had no ill effects from any of them except for tiredness and lack of energy which I managed somehow. I am 82 years old and still bowl outdoors and indoors and croquet. Yes, I have the usual aches and pains associated with age but no broken bones. Sorry to hear of your experiences and hope you can master them with the right drugs and dosages to correct the PMR condition. Have a second opinion if you are not sure about these worries you are experiencing. Good wishes for peace of mind and recovery... Mary

[AmberAliona in reply to marytommo]

All the same meds I’m on! Great, thank you x

[marytommo]

Sorry about the first reply. A slip of the hand!!...

Mary

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Please DON'T have faith in your doctor in this particular case. Having Barretts oesophagus is a direct contraindication for taking AA. It is not the only stuff you can take and there are a few that come as infusions.

The fractures during the last 40 years are immaterial in this context although the more recent ones are not. However, I'm surprised the fracture clinic didn't react to them if they were concerned.

[Bj2016]

Hello, AmberAliona. Very glad you've found this site. As PMRpro says, AA is not recommended for people who have Barrett's Oesophagus. Sometimes these drugs seem to be handed out as if by rote and doctors don't always look at the whole patient. Bisphosphonates can make stomach acid much worse. If possible you should have a Dexa scan to check for osteoporosis, but good luck with that, it seems to depend where you live. If you need drugs for osteoporosis, your hospital should be able to arrange an infusion.

I would echo the advice about gastro-resistant (coated) prednisolone. When you already have Barrett's you really don't need anything else to increase the stomach acid. You may need to point this out to your doctor. In a short consultation time they don't always think about your other health conditions and how new drugs may affect you.

Good luck and best wishes, b

[AmberAliona]

Yes, I have the Gastro resistant pred. I had a long consultation with my doctor and we discussed all the pros and cons regarding AA.....It has been my decision to just try one this week and see how I go. She totally understands my situation and has been in touch with my gastro consultant. So.....I will let you know. Thank you for your concern.

[Patience47 in reply to AmberAliona]

Amber, I too have PMR and Barrett's Esophagus. Barrett's is a precancerous condition, although I did read that it rarely turns into dysplasia / cancer. Hopefully, you aren't in a lot of pain. Wishing you well, Edward

[AmberAliona in reply to Patience47]

Thank you for your good wishes.

[Patience47 in reply to AmberAliona]

👍

[Barjac]

Hello AmberAliona

I have taken Alendronic Acid for many years without side effects except for a mildly rough throat - at times I seem to have to clear my throat a lot. Definitly not painful and I forget about it most of the time. It has helped keep my osteoporosis at bay. The worst thing is remembering to take it once a week! ( Must get grandchild to help me set my phone alarm).

Best wishes!