Problems with Alendronic Acid

[Stkeyna]

Hi, Just looking for some advice as regards taking alendronic acid or risedronate acid. The story so far:

I have had GCA for 11 years. I went along to a talk, some years ago, by a highly regards Surrey rheumy who stated you should never be on AA for longer than 5 years without having a 6 months break. I, at that point, had been on it for over 7 years!! I consequently took a 6 month break but was then put back on to AA. Recently, after 10 years of taking AA, I started getting stomach problems and a persistent cough. At this point, I had an endoscopy which showed I had esophagitis possibly caused by the AA and acid reflux. My highly respected rheumy then decided I should move over to risedronate acid as apparently, it was easier to tolerate.

On top of this I had kidney stones difficulties two years ago and was told to stop taking my Ad-cal as it might have led to the kidney stones due to the calcium content. So I have only been taking vitamin D tablets since then. I am on 11 mgs of pred. at the moment and struggle to get much lower.

Any thoughts are most welcome!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

After all that time - why do you need to be on anything on a permanent basis? I would be querying that for a start - if they haven't worked thus far, they never will.

[Stkeyna in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. Difficult to know whether over the years the AA has helped or not. Just had a bone density test done via bloods which should be interesting.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stkeyna]

The bloods don't replace a dexascan - that is the only way of knowing bone density. I do hope doctors don't think knowing the turnover of bone is the same as knowing the baseline density.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2...

[Stkeyna in reply to PMRpro]

It would appear this might be the case. I just suggested to the consultant that I hadn't had a check on my bone condition for some time and could I have one. I was surprised I was being sent for bloods. I'll go to my doctors and ask for a dexascan. Thanks!