alendronic problems

[Doggiegirl]

just trying to check my stomach ache, dizziness at times, reflux and chest pain are all from alendronic acid, as I take statins as well. Feel bloated and lack of appetite. What alternatives are there to increase bone strength? Anyone have these symptoms ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is another oral bisphosphonate which is said to be easier on the stomach and there are annual infusions.

However - have you had a dexascan to show whether you need alendronate at all? The doctors handied it out to me but a dexascan showed I didn't need it then and my dexascans since have all been fine too and all I took was calcium and vit D.

[piglette]

Bone strength can be improved a bit with weights. Carrying heavy shopping for example! What are the results of your Dexascan?

[Daffodilia]

I hear you can have Alendronic Acid as an infusion rather than orally

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Daffodilia]

Not AA - think that comes in oral form only, but there are other bisphosphonates -

Info from versusarthritis sure -

If you can't tolerate bisphosphonates by mouth it's possible to have them through a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) or as an injection:

Pamidronate is given as an infusion – this takes about an hour and can be repeated every three months.

Zoledronate is also given as an infusion – this takes 20 minutes or more but is only given once a year.

Ibandronate can be given by mouth (monthly) or by intravenous injection (every three months). The injection takes seconds.

[Calliope22]

Do you take Omeprazole or similar as well? That, with Accrete, induced all the above problems in me. With the help of this site and my pharmacist, I stopped the Omeprazole and took Gaviscon instead and changed my calcium to a well known supplement which included vitamins D3 and K2. I have tapered to a low dose now and don’t even need the Gaviscon.

[Pixix]

I had side effects with alendronic acid…stomach quite unhappy! My doctor suggested trying risenodrate, which was fine…for me!

[Narducci]

I had infusions of Alendronic Acid for three consecutive years, thinking that

I was doing the right thing to help my bones. The clue is in the 'Acid' - I have ended

up with Osteonecrosis (bone death!). I had dental pain and it was similar to a

tooth coming through, but it was the bone coming up through my gums as they

were receding! I was not made aware that it was a rare side effect of Alendronic

Acid!

I can only warn you that I was one of those patients that suffered this

side effect. Please be sure that you do not have this problem and continue

with the treatment. Speak to your doctor/consultant if you are worried.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Narducci]

You did NOT have infusions of alendronic acid - it was another bisphosphonate. But just because something is called an acid does NOT mean it causes problems - you use vinegar, acetic acid, and lemon juice which is citric acid, in cooking.

You are quite correct that osteonecrosis is a very rare adverse effect of bisphosphonates but there is a wide range of potential causes - including being on steroids.

pennmedicine.org/for-patien....

and in the case of AA therapy it is most likely in patients who have cancer where bisphopsphonates are used as adjuvant therapy.

"The risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw is greater for patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonates for cancer than for patients receiving oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis "

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[pink123floyd in reply to Narducci]

Agree Narducci i have lost all my teeth 100%bo e lose on topand 95% on bottom once my healthy teeth fell out my gums receaded and am told i dont qualify for the inplants i was on it for 10yrs shpuld have only been 5 max so was transfered to the Dansumba injection for 3 yrs now back on AA for 12months then bk to injections for life..Never know whats coming next take care all.xx

[pink123floyd in reply to pink123floyd]

Sorry should say lost top bone 100% and bottom bone 95%

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have a look at this link -

theros.org.uk/

[Narducci in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for the link. I think the person who dismissed my comments should use

this link and check that what I said is true. She should read the treatments and Alendronic Acid rare side effect.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Narducci]

If you had read MY links you would see I didn't disagree it is a rare effect.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Narducci]

I don't think the side effects are being disputed, I think it's the fact you mentioned infusions - Alendronic Acid only comes as tablets or oral solution [taken weekly].

[marionofnorwich]

When i first took Alendronic acid i got really bloated to the extent each time i took it that i now have a protruding belly button. It did settle down after the first few times but i stopped taking it after a year. However i have just discovered that i have a subchondral fracture of my knee, at least the knee end of the femur and some bone oedema. Not sure what is going to happen now but pretty sure is a side effect of steroids. Wish i had been more conscientious about calcium intake and monitoring in the 2nd year ( coming up to three years now)

[Sharitone]

I also had stomach problems and so my GP switched me from AA to Denosumab injections 6-monthly. Much more pleaant!

However, when you eventually come off Dmab, you have to take somthing like AA for a while. The rheumatologist told me that there is no experience of effect on patients after 12 years.

[Narducci]

Apologies. Having a bit of a relapse. It was Zolendronate (liquid version of Alendronic) acid

as I was told by my rheumatologist. The infusion was one hour, once a year for 3 years.

Unfortunately I got the rare side effect - the osteonecrosis, which they cannot reverse.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Narducci]

Thank you;