Pred and Alendronic Acid

[Smilie67]

Hi everyone, I haven't been on here for quite a while. I have at last got down to 1mg of pred which 6 months ago I thought it would never happen. I stumbled on 5mgs for ages but eventually I was able to keep lowering and being at 1mg after 22months from my diagnosis of Poly mialgia, I think I 've been very fortunate when I read how some of you have suffered or still suffering.Would anyone one please be able to tell me once you've finished with pred does that mean you can stop taking Alendronic Acid?

I now have very bad wear and tear in my neck and right hand, but al least I don't have to take steroids for it so I feel I can put up with it until I get some physio.

Wishing you all to get better as soon as possible and be free from this horrible disease dragging you down on a daily basis and ruling your lives sometimes. I really do wish you the best.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Short answer - yes….provided your bone health is okay.

Have you have a DEXA scan to know the situation? And are you on VitaminD /Calcium supplement?

[Smilie67 in reply to DorsetLady]

I've never had a dexa scan and I've been on calcium and vitamin d all the way through. I will certainly be glad to give up steroids and alendronic acid hopefully soon but also now I have become diabetic, it seems in life one thing gives way to another and its all sent to try, having said that I'm grateful for my lot.

Thankyou for your reply DL, I will ask about having a dexa scan, and hopefully, I can stop some of these tablets.

You are a mind of very useful information, it's an amazing sight for which I've felt very fortunate to use.

[pammy_hyland]

You can come off alandronic acid at 5mg and lower as long as your bone density is good ..I haven't been on it for years thank god and I'm on a 4mg maintenance dose xx

[Smilie67 in reply to pammy_hyland]

Thanks for that pammy, I can't wait to get off AA myself.I hope I'll soon be at the end of this PMR journey, but I also realise I could have had something far worse. Take care and good luck with your journey too.