Alternatives to Alendronate?

[jennifer15]

Hi,

I wrote a few months ago and received very helpful advice from you, thanks.

I had GCA diagnosed in September. I had my first review from the rheumatologist this week. I live in Oxford and he is very good. He is mentioned in the PMR and GCA survival guide, he is called Professor Luqmani.

I was concerned about taking alendronate (isn't everyone?). I have had a history of gastroesophageal reflux for about 15 years and used to take ranitidine and lansoprazole but had to stop as they caused colitis in 2015 so I had to take steroids.I still have gastric symptoms and I find alendronate gives me stomach pain and diarrhoea. He suggested changing to risedronate but this is also a bisphosphonate and seems to have the same side affects. Has anyone taken any other medication to prevent osteoporosis? I read about prolia which I think is new, has anyone any views on this? He said that anyone taking steroids, especially high doses, should take something.

He did not mention having a bone density screen and I felt too awkward to ask?! Do you think that it is a good idea as I could ask my GP.

Sorry to be so pathetic and any advice will be gratefully received.

Thanks, Jenny

[SnazzyD]

Hello, with your reaction to the so called stomach protectors I would say the bone scan (DEXA) is essential. Otherwise, you won’t know if you actually need it or any later bone thinning is due to Pred or was there before. I refused to even consider Bisphosphonates without one, which wasn’t nice to have to do but I decided a few moments of awkwardness was worth it for my body. Turned out I have osteopaenia not osteoporosis and came in at just under the treatment recommended level. I also had a very low vitamin D level which was probably the case for years, so I wasn’t absorbing calcium properly. Have you had yours checked? You should be on Vit D and calcium as routine anyway though.

[jennifer15 in reply to SnazzyD]

Dear Snazzy D,

Thank you. I will ask my GP for a scan and vitamin D test.

Do you take anything for your osteopaenia?

Many thanks,

Jenny

[SnazzyD in reply to jennifer15]

Do have a read of the post by HeronNS today called My “osteoporosis” Journey. That sums up my approach too. I have no proof yet that it has worked. The proof will be in the DEXA scan in a year or two.

[jennifer15 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks ever so SnazzyD

Yes, the post from HeronNS is very informative.

Thanks,

Jenny

[Soraya_PMR]

Definitely push for a dexa scan. If all is well, problem solved.

I had both GP and rheum badgering me re AA. I refused until they proved I needed it. Results of dexa knocked their argument into a cocked hat.

[jennifer15 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Dear Sir as,

Thanks for your reply.

Do you not take anything re osteoporosis?

Do you have follow up DEXA?

Many thanks

jenny

[Soraya_PMR in reply to jennifer15]

Dexa results did not indicate osteoporosis or osteopaenia

I take VitD3, VitK2, try to keep mobile, prunes.

GP thinks I probably don’t need calcium (LOL what a turn around from ‘you MUST take AA’!!!!) But don’t base anything on what my GP says!!! It’s because he can’t find a calcium prep that doesn’t have artificial sweeteners in. I buy them from H&B and take when I remember. I drink a lot of FF milk, eat a lot of cheese and yogurt, oily fish and nuts.

Dexa was about 6 months ago so I’ll worry about a repeat in 18+ months

[jennifer15 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Thank you Soraya. Sorry, I had not tied you up with your post. I am still finding my way round this site. It is very helpful to have your advice and support.

Thanks, jenny

[jinasc]

I can assure you that you can ask Professor Raschid Lugmani anything in the world.

You could not have a better Consultant, a close friend would have lost his sight without Raschid.

[Hindags]

There was a study in Japan that showed that 4-5 prunes a day actually helped rebuild bones as well as protecting them from loss. AA does not rebuild. Don't know if prunes would stand up to Pred though.

I've taken prunes as a supplement the last few months, on and off, but wonder if all that sugar is worth the trade off.

[jennifer15 in reply to Hindags]

Dear Hindags,

Thanks ever so. I will have prunes will my breakfast and the other side effects may be useful!

Anything natural is worth a try.

Thanks, jenny

[HeronNS]

Another useful tip, and I think I got it from DorsetLady, is that a little yoghurt taken with calcium supplements helps the calcium to be absorbed. There has been some research to prove this is actually the case.

[jennifer15 in reply to HeronNS]

Dear Heron NS,

Thank you. Your post is so helpful, thank you.

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Ask your GP about the dexascan if you don't feel comfortable asking at the hospital - but he is a very good guy! What on earth is ANYONE doing giving oral bisphosphonates to someone with a 15 year history of reflux? There are injectable forms. Contact the NOS and discuss your options on their helpline:

nos.org.uk/help-and-support...

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Dear PMRpro,

I must admit I could not face my really bad gastric symptoms flaring up again on top of the GCA and steroids.

Thanks for your help, I will look on the NOS website.

Thanks again, Jenny

[Carrollee]

Hi Jennifer. I live in Witney and have seen prof luqmani for GCA. I first saw Lorraine ONeill who works with him in clinic. I didn't want to take AA so I asked my doc for a dexa scan which he thought was a good idea and have recently had another one (2 years later) as it was recommended by the dexa team. So once you are in the system you will get looked after. It's done in a room that's just before you go round to the GCA clinic. All the best cc 🤗

[jennifer15 in reply to Carrollee]

Dear Carrollee,

Thank you, I will ask my GP.

Was the result of your DEXA scan OK? Did you take anything else. Professor Luqmani seems wonderful but I was hugely disappointed when I got home and read up that risedronate is also a bisphosphonate as I had told him about my gastric history (poor soul)!

There is not a support group in our area is there?

Thanks, jenny

[Carrollee in reply to jennifer15]

Your welcome Jenny. I havnt seen any evidence of a support group in Oxford. During the 3 years of treatment I have noticed only about 5 of us on this site going to the Nuffield for GCA. Judging by how busy the two clinics are there must be hundreds of us 😱. Have they put you on mtx as well? My dexa showed osteopenia which initially disappointed me but realised it wasn't the end of the world and the dexa team didn't push me to take AA in their write up. I take D3, calcium and k2. Keep meaning to get prunes (see write ups). Read HeronNS info it's the best. Did they do a biopsy or temple ultrasound? I initially had a biopsy but now have ultrasounds every 6 months. Keep smiling cc 🤗 💐

[jennifer15]

Thanks,

Professor Luqmani said mtx etc only used in cases that did not respond easily but I had been advised that it could cause more complications.

It might be good to meet up if there are even six of us in this area, just for a coffee or something.

I had an ultrasound to diagnose. I had described all my symptoms to my GP, she said to come back in a couple of months if symptoms had not cleared up. Then my son, an anaesthetist visited and said that I had temporal arteritis ( as my temporal arteries were very enlarged) and it was a medical emergency. Saw another GP who said he did not think that I had temporal arteritis but bloods were taken and when levels elevated I was referred to JR.

Many thanks,

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

Shame your son isn't a GP or a rheumy is all I can say!!!!

It depends on the country - in some places they use mtx from the start, the UK is not so keen. I have mixed feelings...

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I was very lucky that he visited that day as we do not see him very often and I had not told him that I was not feeling well as no one seemed to think I had anything wrong.

Thanks, Jenny

[Carrollee]

Ps I stopped omeprazole and took ranitidine but stopped that as it caused severe heartburn/reflux etc. Since then have only used live plain yog to take my pred (ewes milk) and unless I pig out on fatty or gluten foods I have no digestive problems. If you want to read up on another of prof luqmani's patients then go to "Retailmonkeys" profile. Many years ago I had gastritis and NEVER want to experience that again so can understand your fears. Take care and let us know how you get on re the dexa scan cc 🤗

[jennifer15 in reply to Carrollee]

Dear Carrollee and all the kind people who wrote to me,

I saw my GP who said it was good that my consultant had changed my medication.

I then pointed out that the new medication was also a bisphosphonate with the same side affects. She therefore said that she would prescribe a 6 monthly injection.

I asked about a DEXA scan and she said that whatever the result I would need something to prevent osteoporosis. I pleaded and said that it would be so helpful to know my reading from the start. My GP eventually said that I could have a DEXA scan but I felt drained and as though I had been unnecessarily demanding.

So be it, see if I get one and if so what the result is.

Thanks everyone once again,

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

"whatever the result I would need something to prevent osteoporosis"

Not if it is in normal range you won't...

In over 7 years on pred my bone density readings as per dexascan have barely changed. Osteoporosis is NOT an inevitable part of being on pred.

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that.

If my result of a DEXA scan is OK I will press not to have any osteoporosis medication. Why are the consultant and GP so keen for me to have it?

How do people get through this if they are not on this site and get advice?

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

The cynic in me says they were convinced by some excellent marketing by the drug company and the way they have been taught.

I follow a medics' info site - and yesterday there was an article (by a doctor) saying that doctors no longer read journals to keep up to date. So all the newer stuff about bisphosphonates (and anything else) passes them by - unless they work in the dexa unit (I hope).

They don't know they aren't badly off I suppose!

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I will see what the result is and then state my case.

Jenny

[Carrollee in reply to jennifer15]

Hi Jennifer sorry you had such a draining experience. I agree with PMRpro that if normal why would you need a bisphosphonate. The dexa team didn't push me to have one with osteopenia. They should recommend another one in two years if still on steroids so you will be looked after. All the best cc

[jennifer15 in reply to Carrollee]

Thank you.

I will see what the result is. I do not want to take anything that I do not need.

Jenny

[tgca]

Definitely push for coated pred... I really noticed the difference when it was suggested on this forum. Good luck

[jennifer15 in reply to tgca]

Thanks. I did ask my GP but she said that the 1mg does not come in a coated form.I do not know why I did not ask for the 5mg to be coated. I will do so when I next request my meds.

Jenny

[piglette in reply to jennifer15]

Hi Jennifer, your GP is WRONG if you live in UK. I do agree they have only been available for a relatively short time, but they are now available! Suggest your GP look it up.

[jennifer15 in reply to piglette]

Hmm, it is so sad not to be able to rely on what ones GP says. Thanks for letting me know.

When I put my next request for repeat prednisolone I will ask for coated and take it from there. Shame we often have to fight for everything.

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

It has only been available for about 18 months - even pharmacists don't always know!

[Zampalion]

I was taking AA on doctors advice not for very long though made me very nauseous stopped straight away. Have been taking Risondrate since no problems with side effects.

[jennifer15 in reply to Zampalion]

You are sensible. I do not know why I kept taking something that gave me tummy pains. Hopefully the new medication will be OK until I get the result if the DEXA scan.

Jenny