Risedronate

Hi all, anyone take risedronate 5mg daily instead of alendronic acid? How do u get on with it? Side effects etc

[jinasc]

Karen

Do you have Osteoporosis?

If not ask for a Dexa Scan, this tells you your bone density and whether you need any medication.

Take a look at the Royal National Osteoporosis site.

With a bit of luck you may not need anything and Heron might come along as she has been dealing with Osteo and is my 'go to'.

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

I'm being prescribed this as a precaution while waiting for dexa scan, which is taking longer due to covid

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

That's fine as long as you aren't having problems due to the bisphosphonate - but in my book, no dexascan result showing I need it, no bisphosphonate.

[Bcol]

Hi Karen, my doc suggested it, but I wasn't keen and suggested a DEXA scan first, she was happy with that. The scan came back with excellent results so she was happy to drop the idea.

[Manihiki]

I take risedronate because my scan showed osteopenia. I take it once a week and stay upright for a half hour and have no side effects

[Pinklady45 in reply to Manihiki]

Can I ask please do you get any headaches, sore blurry eyes, tiredness or brain fade with Risedronate? My doctor wants me to try it as AA is really giving me a bad time.

[Manihiki in reply to Pinklady45]

None of those thank goodness

[Exflex]

Yes, with AA I was having problems with joint pains, predominantly in my hands. Dr switched me to Risedronate 35mg and hand problems improved, and after 2 or so months gone. Miracle? I don’t know, but if you compare the patient info of AA cf Risedronate there’s something like a 10:1 reduction in reported joint issues. (I’m on 8mg of Pred due to PMR.)

[Pinklady45 in reply to Exflex]

Can I ask please the same questions I asked Manihiki, do you get sore eyes, headaches or brain fog and fatigue with this treatment?

[Exflex in reply to Pinklady45]

None of those fortunately.

[AliDeJ]

Yes, I'm taking that. I had to have a break from Alendronic Acid because it was giving me tummy pain, as though I were cooking up an ulcer. No problems yet with Risendronate. I have bi-annual dexascans. I have lost a bit of bone density during the last 4 years of pred treatment, but still acceptable, so I think it's wise for me to persist with the Risendronate.

[Pinklady45 in reply to AliDeJ]

Can I also ask if you have experienced any sore eyes, headaches, brain fog and extreme tiredness on this treatment?

[AliDeJ in reply to Pinklady45]

My eyes and much are very dry. I have special eyedrops, hyloforte, to help with this. Not sure is Risendronate is to blame. I am very tired sometimes, but that's due to low ferritin. I have a pain at the back of my head, on the right. It's difficult to work out cause and effect sometimes, isn't it!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AliDeJ]

Sicca syndrome (the dryness) is a common effect in many autoimmune disorders and can be Sjoegrens syndrome if the body produces antibodies.

[AliDeJ in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed. I've had two tests for sjrogens, both negative. It's a mystery.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AliDeJ]

Mmmm - but there is also sicca syndrome - sero-negative Sjoegrens I suppose in a way. And this dryness really is very common alongside autoimmune disorders

[AliDeJ in reply to PMRpro]

Oh. Thank you. I'll look into that. I thought they were one and the same.

[Pinklady45 in reply to AliDeJ]

Thanks for your reply, guess we all are taking so many pills it is difficult to work out what is causing anything! Take care stay safe.❤🌞❤

[AliDeJ in reply to Pinklady45]

Eyes and mouth

[Rugger]

I've been on Risedronate 35mg once a week for the past 4 years and am not aware of any side effects. I do have proven osteoporosis and have DEXA scans every 2 years.

[Pinklady45 in reply to Rugger]

Please may I also ask you if this treatment gives you sore eyes, headaches, brain fog or tiredness?

[Rugger in reply to Pinklady45]

I don't know if these are side-effects of Risedronate - I must check the leaflet in the packet. I don't get headaches, but that can be a sign of GCA. I sometimes get dry eyes, so use drops for that. Brain fog and tiredness are features of our autoimmune conditions and the prednisolone that we take for them.

You could start a new post and ask the questions, or look in the FAQ in the Pinned Posts on the right of this page.

[Pinklady45 in reply to Rugger]

Thank you so much for replying to me, at least I do not feel so alone now!

[Rugger in reply to Pinklady45]

We're never alone on this Forum!

I've just noticed that you did put up a new post. I hope you get some useful replies.

[Hidden]

I'm suppose to take risedronate 5mg daily starting today. I have taken 1 this morning, I'm really not sure what to think k about taking it before I have dexa scan, but after scan if I do need to take it I already got it in my system and if I don't need it I can always stop. Not sure if that the right way to think about thou

[Hidden]

Not sure if it down to risedronate or not but for the last 4 days cant stay off the toilet so didn't take 1 yesterday or today and a lot better, my weekly appointment got cancelled today due to dr on training course didn't want to speak to another 1 si appointment Monday now instead so will see what she says then

[Manihiki]

I only take risedronate once a week

[Hidden in reply to Manihiki]

I was taking 5mg daily so my body could get used to new meds slowly, dr thought daily would be better than a weekly dose as I didn't get on with aa weekly, how much do u take weekly? If u dont mind me asking?

[Manihiki]

I take 35mg once a week. The only annoying thing is that it has to be taken on an empty stomach and you have to be upright for an hour after