Alendontrate

[Gary1310]

Have been on Alendontrate sp for about a yr. Rheumatologist put me o it because of Prednisone and Osteoporosis. Last week I started with Fermur and leg pain...read it could be associated with Alendontrate. I decided to quit. Wonder how long this leg pain will last.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think if it is severe and you suspect anything to do with the alendronate you need to speak to your doctor and possibly have an x-ray to be sure there is nothing untoward going on.

Once you start taking alendronic acid it remains in your bones indefinitely so it is a bit difficult to hazard a guess as to how long any associated side effects might last.

[Gary1310 in reply to PMRpro]

I plan to wait4 days the go to our local hospital for an X-ray. I did not realize how powerful Alendronate is. Read the adverse reactions...not good. Many lawsuits regarding. Jerk not notifying patients of connection to Femur fractures and hairline fractures.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gary1310]

We do talk about it a fair bit on here - but doctors will always insist the adverse effects are very rare. They possibly are - unless it is you that is affected.

[Gary1310 in reply to PMRpro]

Than you...Do you feel that it is OK to just stop taking Alendronate?

[YuliK in reply to Gary1310]

Evening Gary

I don’t think there are any medications that should be abruptly halted. Alway check with your treating Doctor first.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gary1310]

You can stop it abruptly but you really do need to discuss it all with your doctor because if you have severe osteoporosis you need something and the current pain may not be due to AA.

[YuliK]

Osteoporosis is very very painful ..

[Gary1310 in reply to YuliK]

Thank y ou.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to YuliK]

What are the osteoporosis pains like and how are they different from PMR?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DogAgilityObsessed]

Osteoporosis itself isn't painful - but the compression fractures that can occur in the vertebrae as a result of osteoporosis ARE extremely painful. Other bones may show pain if they develop microcracks - and one of the effects of long term alendronate can be the formation of microcracks which weaken the bone. And there may be effects due to the poor posture on both bones and muscles

osteoporosis.ca/bone-health...

[YuliK]

Gary hi again

I looked up alendontrate and this link below is very interesting indeed. 👇

rxlist.com/fosamax-drug/pat...

It mentions that prednisone and alendontrate are not compatible.

YuliK 😷

This medicine may cause jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis). The risk is highest in people with cancer, blood cell disorders, pre-existing dental problems, or people treated with steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation. Ask your doctor about your own risk.

[Gary1310 in reply to YuliK]

Thank you for this information. Apparently Merk does not inform Doctors about the connection to Fractures.

[Horizon12 in reply to YuliK]

Interesting read.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YuliK]

The risk group is particularly cancer patients treated with corticosteroids, something that is done very often. The combination of steroids, chemo and bisphosphonates, which are also used in certain cancers, does greatly increase the risk. Lower doses of steroids are steroids are usually less of a problem.

[HeronNS]

The recommendation which was in place recently, although someone mentioned it seems to have been removed, is to take a bisphosponate for only two years, at the very most three. This is because you would derive the greatest benefit in those first couple of years, but then the risks associated with the fact that new bone is being laid down over an increasingly aging matrix (bisphosphonates prevent the removal and normal renewal of older bone) start to develop. Concerning side effects should not develop before that time, so fingers crossed nothing serious will be found. I think you are wise to discontinue the drug as it seems to be causing some issues already.

[Gary1310 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you....My Rheumatologist did not inform me of serious adverse reactions. In August he was leaving Marshfield Clinic. I was doing well and off Prednisone. He said: “ your new Rheumatologist will want you to stay on Alendronic.....so I thought it important ...started having loose bowels but thought it was part of healing from inflamation. It has continued until I stopped taking Alendronic this past two weeks so apparently, that is a side affect also. This leg pain started about 5 days ago...seems to move from hip to calf....very painful when up and about. I rest a lot and that helps.

[Gary1310]

Found out yesterday that my problem is a slipped disc. Put back on Prednisone at our local emergency room.....60 mg to start! What a journey this PMR has been.