Had anyone had a bad reaction to Alendronate_

[ncfaaeos]

I was prescribed Alendronate at the beginning of the year when I started taking it once a week. Since then I have had increasing pain mainly in my thigh muscles, groins and shins. It has become so bad that I have difficulty in walkking. I mentioned the possibility of a connection between these pains and this drug to my rheumatologist last week and asked if she had experienced such a reaction in others. The response was vague and she said she wouldn't like me to stop taking it (seemingly, I have pre-osteoporosis). I have decided to give the pills a miss for a couple of weeks to see if I can feel a difference but I wondered if anyone in the HealthUnlocked Community had felt side effects to Alendronate.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Muscle and joint pain is a listed side effect - it is of many medications.

What was the evidence of "pre-osteoporosis" - otherwise usually called osteopenia? Have you had a dexascan? If so - what were your t-scores?

[ncfaaeos in reply to PMRpro]

It was the result of a scan but I do not know the actual results, only that I was in a pre-osteoporosis stage.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ncfaaeos]

Osoteopenia ranges from a t-score of -1.0 to -2.5. If your score is -1.1 that is absolutely normal for our age group and barely any different from the -0.9 that wouldn't be described as "pre-osteoporosis". If, on the other hand the score is -2.5, with -2.6 being osteoeporosis, then I might feel it was a reasonable comment.

Nothing would induce me to take a bisphosphonate with the t-scores I have: -1.1 a couple of months after starting pred and -1.3 7 years later after being on pred the whole time. Both are osteopenia readings, but not the sort to cause concern.

Bisphosphonates shouldn't be taken for more than 3 years at most without a holiday - and I would have taken them for no reason at all. They have potentially serious long term effects. I'm not saying they should never be used - I am saying they should only be used when needed.

[ncfaaeos in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much for this PMTpro. I shall try to get a hold of my readings and consider future moves in their light. In the meantime, I am not taking the pills (first week) and hoping to feel improvement (less pain). I'll report back in due course.

[Soraya_PMR]

I’d do the same as you, stop the pills then wait and watch.

Commit your energies to benefitting your bones: exercise, good diet, and prunes! These IMO are going to be as beneficial without the side effects.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Thank you, Soraya. I do follow a very healthy diet and have always included lots of exercise in my daily routine. Hopefully, I'll feel less pain soon and be able to walk more again.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to ncfaaeos]

I hope so.

I’ve found it’s a fine line with exercise and PMR. Too little and I feel bad; too much and I feel bad! Somewhere in the middle, and BINGO!

[jinasc]

Follow PMRpro's advice.............AA is given often before you need it as what I call 'a just in case'.

Insist on the Dexa Scan take someone with you and I would ask how do they know you have pre osteoporosis.

BTW if you do find you need anything for any 'Osteo's then always look at the Nationa Osteoporosis website. Accurate information to let you gain knowledge = power.

[ncfaaeos in reply to jinasc]

Many thanks, Jinasc. I'll certainly check that website out.

[SheffieldJane]

These are well known side effects. Oh dear! Why are our doctors so dazzled by these drugs. I am afraid that I would be disinclined to persevere in your shoes, especially as your bones are not too bad. Then move onto a programme of building up the bone with good diet, supplements and appropriate exercise. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[ncfaaeos in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, SheffieldJane - sound advice.

[Chihuahua1]

I started Alendronic acid and over 4 weeks each time I took a dose I got increasingly more poainful stomach cramps that completely doubled me up on the last dose. The doctor swapped me onto Risedronate and it was fine. No more adverse reactions.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Chihuahua1]

Thanks, Chihuahua1 - I'll not the name of the other med. and bring it up with my rheumy.

[Kjdsg in reply to Chihuahua1]

I started alendronate 3 weeks ago and 3 days in week 3 I am experiencing diarrhea, sometimes uncontrollable unless I take Imodium. I’ve taken this 4 years ago for 4 weeksand experienced no side effects. I wonder long I should wait to get use to it. Trying to avoid prolia. Has anyone experienced diarrhea using alendronate? And I noticed the inactive ingredients are different across generic brands. Has anyone changed generic brands fir better results, no side effects? I’ve not heard of Risedronate. How is it taken?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kjdsg]

If you want responses to your questions you probably need to post as a new thread - this thread is 2 years old and few people will see it.

[Kjdsg in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I will.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Kjdsg]

Hi Kjdsg. Risedronate is a tablet taken once a week if I remember rightly. I found it to be much kinder on the gut and experienced no other side effects with it either. Several people I have spoken to who changed to it after issues with alendronate have said the same thing.

[Kjdsg in reply to Chihuahua1]

This is encouraging news. My doctor took me off Alendronate and added tums or Prilosec. Don’t know how I never thought to take tums… already feel Some relief, but that med does not work for me. Thank you for your response.

[Kjdsg in reply to Kjdsg]

We’ll have to discuss next steps after my stomach heals a bit

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kjdsg]

The Tums are a double benefit - and antacid AND source of calcium!

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Kjdsg]

Kjdsg you are very welcome

[Hidden]

Morning. I took it for a year before I stopped taking it to see if it was the source of very serious breathing issues. In winter I had to stop going out as I couldn't catch my breath in the cold. Come Spring and after riding bike to my Doctors office I had to sit and gasp for air. I was put on puffers , one to treat infection and the other to open the airway that did nothing for me. That summer we had forest fires and I was isolated inside for two months. In Fall I had enough and quit the Alendronate as the first step of elimination. It stays in your system for years so I knew that I did not expect any result for at least 3 months. Result , my breathing went back to normal. I have to rely on Calcium/Vit D and K2 and exercise for my bones.

GCA/Temporal Arteritis 4 years

Note: My Rheumatologist was consulted at every step.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the feedback, lindanna. May I ask ow long it took for the side effects to subside after you stopped taking the drug?

[Hidden in reply to ncfaaeos]

Within 6 weeks I could draw a deeper breath and 8 weeks I could have a walk in the cold without fear of having to stop and catch my breath.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Hidden]

Good to know - thanks, lindanna.

[Marijo1951]

I didn't have the effects that you mention but I only took it for two weeks. It gave me the most appalling burning and painful sensation in the oesophagus - more like swallowing sulphuric acid. I don't ever want to take it again, especially as its benefits are, according to many, dubious to say the least.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Marijo1951]

Thanks for the feedback, Mariho 1951. Actually, I have also had similar symptoms - maybe not as strongly as you describe, but they are there from time to time, like heartburn.

[ClarkB in reply to Marijo1951]

Despite being scared by what the doctor told me would happen if I didn’t take Alendronic acid, I have refused it. I have osteoporosis, diagnosed before PMR. Have read various articles on the pros and cons of taking it, but it’s worth reading ‘Your Bones’ by Lara Pizzorno, for her views, in a book recommended on this site.

[Marijo1951 in reply to ClarkB]

Yes, it's an excellent book with a lot of good advice about lifestyle changes re diet, supplements, exercise etc

[ncfaaeos in reply to Marijo1951]

Am looking forward to reading it, Marijo1951.

[ncfaaeos in reply to ClarkB]

Many thanks, ClarkB; I'll look into that book.

[Thomas45]

I had awful painful reactions to taking bisphosphonates and gave up after a few weeks.

I've been off prednisolone for PMR for about three years but I don't feel like I did before PMR due in part to lymphoedema in my lower legs and in part due to my Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation becoming permanent. It's also due to the triggering of urticaria by a beta blocker, which I stopped taking on medical advice a year ago. I also think that my height doesn't help. I'm 6'7" tall. PMR has left my body but I still have days when I have little enthusiasm to do anything but sleep.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Thomas45]

Thanks for the feedeback, Thomas45. I am glad to note that you do not have PMR anymore but sorry you are feeling so tired a lot of the time. I hope your doctor will come up with something that can help this. Spring often makes one feel tired before better weather really sets in. We can look forward to that. Being only 5 ft tall, I don't have the height problem - at least not in the same way !

[daw50]

I was prescribed Alendronic Acid tablets but could not tolerate them. Instead I had Zolendronate infusions once a year for 3 years. I had no adverse side effects from the infusions.

[ncfaaeos in reply to daw50]

Thanks, daw50. I'll mention that possibility to my rheumatologist.

[Marijo1951 in reply to ncfaaeos]

There is an alternative oral tablet as well, Risedronate Sodium, which you have to take in just the same way as Allendronic Acid. I tried it and it didn't have the horrible side effects that AA had, but I wasn't comfortable with it, so I only took it once. If you're happy to try it, it might be worth suggesting it to your doctor.

[ncfaaeos in reply to Marijo1951]

Thanks, Marijo. It's good to know about it.

[Dream21]

No. I have not experienced that.