Alondric acid

[Rosina1871]

My doc, who I have complete faith in , wants me to go on alondric acid following my recent bone scan. There have been lots of negative comments about this medication. Is anyone taking it and feels ok . Would like to try to find some positives. Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Rosina 1871, while we do bash AA a bit its only when it prescribed unnecessarily before a scan. I am sure some successful users will step forward.

Got to say if I was borderline on t scores I would be trying diet and exercise first. I only say that because it is the type of drug that if you don't NEED to take, it's like all drugs, it's pointless taking it.

[Rosina1871 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks poopadoop. My blood tests are all good. I have no deficiency and I exercise daily. My doc was very surprised by my bone scan results as she is aware of my diet etc. Thanks again. All replies are helpful x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

I took it for 4 years with no problem whatsoever. But then I do have a constitution like an ox - very little upsets it.

If you follow the instructions and make sure you sit down and let it get through the oesophagus properly you shouldn't get any reflux problems.

As for the adverse problems with bones, then you won’t know until you try.

I would agree that make sure it is required before you actually take it - as Poopadoop says why add in another drug if not necessary.

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

I really didn’t want another drug and my doc was surprised by dexa scan results. She ordered a full blood count plus everything else possible following the result and all good with no vitamin deficiency. I think I must give it a go . Thanks for your reply x

[jinasc]

theros.org.uk/information-a...

Explore the alternatives at the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

In the USA, the FDA issued an edict no longer than 2 or 3 years, cannot remember how long exactly.

If you do decide to take AA visit your Dentist first and have any work done necessary.

[Rosina1871 in reply to jinasc]

Thanks. Just been to dentist and advised her of AA. All good at present and she doesn’t anticipate any work in the near future

[Scilly]

Hi Rosina - I was put on this medication briefly but discovered that it can cause UTI's so my Doc. took me off. But I do take Calcium/VitD. I think it was also because UTI's are more common if the patient is also taking steroids combined with the Alendronic, which I have to take for Polymyalgia. Can't win eh ! Although I took it only for a short while I wasn't too happy about it.

[Rosina1871]

Thanks Scilly. Not heard many positive comments so far but I don’t want to end up with a broken hip! Thanks for your reply

[Longtimer in reply to Rosina1871]

I don`t take it, and have been diagnosed Osteoporosis, it`s a matter of choice....I recently watched a video on Better Bones....it was the for and against of these drugs..this should help to make up your mind...Good luck

[pmrgcavictim]

Hello Rosina1871, negative comment on the way. PMR/GCAer, given prednisolone (miracle stuff) and GP gave Alendronic Acid as a matter of course, didn't bother checking if I needed it. Only on AA for a few months, as the chest pains, 12 hours after taking it, got worse than my heart attack pain. End of AA, end of chest pain. Hope this is of some help in your decision to try it or not. Trevor.

[Marijo1951]

I had a terrible reaction when I took AA. My chest burned as if I'd swallowed battery acid. In any case, despite being diagnosed with osteoporosis, I wasn't happy about taking bisphosphonates, because of what I read about them. I was offered and declined an intravenous infusion and then was persuaded to try an alternative tablet, risedronate sodium, which didn't give me the horrible side effects of AA. Nevertheless it evidently carried the same long term risks as AA, so I stopped taking it after one dose. My rheumatologist tried to persuade me that I needed this type of medication but, once she realised that I'd made up my mind and accepted full responsibility for my decision, she stopped doing so.

[Pongo13]

I take it and I feel fine - no side effects other than a little early morning burping but usually over before I go public! X

[Rosina1871 in reply to Pongo13]

Oh that’s so reassuring. I did request positive comments and most have been negative 🤣. I think I will give it a go and see how I get on. Thanks

Pongo . Will watch out for the early morning burping x

[peace_lover]

I take Risedronate which is similar to Alendronic Acid but better for me as I also have a liver disease. It does aggravate my indigestion a bit but I’m sticking it out for now as the next step would be an infusion, i.e. probably Prolia, and there have been problems with rebound fractures when people stop having these after a few years. My reasoning is that at least I can stop Risedronate (or Alendronic) when I want with probably no ill effects.

I also take the usual AdcalD3 supplement plus magnesium and K2 and try to do as much suitable exercise as I can. Having PMR and taking Predisolone presents a problem with exercise, especially for my spinal osteoporosis as the suggested weight lifting exercises are almost impossible at the moment due to my muscles being intolerant of exercise and I’m struggling with Golfers Elbow due to gardening.

So, do what is best for you, after due consideration. Most people with PMR/GCA have other illnesses that complicate things so don’t be in a hurry to decide. Give the National Osteoporosis line a call and discuss with them if you need to.

Good luck!

[Rusty8]

Sorry to say I stopped it but you must remember we are not all the same I believe it is something you have to find out for yourself

Take care

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Out of interest - what were your t-scores?

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Can’t remember them all but a couple were -3

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

If they really were that low then you don't have osteopenia, you have osteoporosis and AA probably would be called for. But do ask for the numbers - they are important in the decision of how you approach this.

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Osteoporotic . T scores below

Lumbar -2.4

Rt neck -3.1

Rt hip -2.1

Left neck -3.1

Left hip -2.4

[Rosina1871 in reply to Rosina1871]

Guess osteoporotic is the same as osteoporosis. Just read the results again

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

Osteoporosis is the disease - osteoporitic is the adjective.

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I understand now. Just misread the original results

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosina1871]

That fits and so does the alendronic acid - although there are other bisphosphonates if you struggle with it. All you can do is try it, following the instructions carefully. I'm assuming that you don't have any contraindications?

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

No I don’t. Will give it a go. The dexa scan results were a shock to me and my doc. On 6mg of pred now so at least it’s a reasonably low dose .

[Rosina1871 in reply to Rosina1871]

Thanks for all your responses. Ive decided to give it a go and was encouraged this morning talking to two ladies from my keep fit class who took alendronic acid for many years without a problem. Both now in their 80s , so fingers crossed

[piglette]

Have you been given the results of your Dexascan? It is helpful if you know them, as then any decision is easier to make. The receptionist usually prints mine out for me. In fact I ask for printouts of all my blood tests etc. It is surprising how often you might need them.

[Rosina1871 in reply to piglette]

A couple were -3 but I don’t have osteoporosis but have, is it called ostoperenia. Sorry about spelling

[piglette in reply to Rosina1871]

Osteopenia is a higher score than osteoporosis. As they measure different parts of you, you can have a mixture!

T-score of +1 to -1: normal bone mineral density.

A T-score of -1 to -2.5: osteopenia.

A T-score of -2.5 or lower: osteoporosis.

Severe Osteoporosis is diagnosed when the T-score is -2.5 or lower, and the person has already suffered a fragility fracture.

[Rosina1871 in reply to piglette]

Fortunately never had a fracture. Perhaps because I declinedHRT and had an early menopause it has a bearing on my results. However, I have always exercised and had a good diet. The steroids must have also had an impact

[piglette in reply to Rosina1871]

They say the steroids have an impact. People seem to help bone density by weight carrying, there was something on vests you could wear on this forum a while back. There are several people on this forum who are very knowledgable about improving bone density without drugs. I think if the results get very low though drugs may be worth considering.

[Rosina1871 in reply to piglette]

Thank you

[scrambledegg]

I was prescribed it when first diagnosed with PMR. My bone density was fine and I was prescribed calcium supplements too but my GP said I needed the AA as well - as a precaution I presume. Anyway - positive comment coming up. I've had no problems with it at all.

[Rosina1871 in reply to scrambledegg]

Thank you

[Louisepenygraig]

I've had no problems with it either in spite of having a tendency to heartburn. My biggest problem is being upright for 30 minutes before I've had my coffee!

[Rosina1871 in reply to Louisepenygraig]

Thank you

[sennetta]

Hi,

I recommend you don't go near it until you have read a book called "Your Bones" by Lara Pizzorna. Only then will you be able to make a reasonably well informed decision. Clinicians should be handing out free copies of this instead of pills - it would save the NHS a fortune in prescription drugs and follow on treatment further down the line.

Good luck with it.

[Rosina1871]

I have exercised all my life, taken supplements and kept to an excellent diet. There is nothing more I can do naturally.

[Hidden in reply to Rosina1871]

The only thing left then is look at all the different ones and the way they are administered. Hope you find one that suits you.🌻