Alendronic Acid and ears

[Daffodilia]

I have chronic ear ache in one ear - seeing private consultant soon- audiologist thinks may be bones problem. Have takes AA for 5 years. Saw on Google could damage ears like jaw - believe should not take before and after extraction. It’s rare - should I stop AA for now - scans showed bone density borderline (I am 70) - any thoughts?

[SheffieldJane]

I would stop the AA, take medical advice it it makes you feel better about it. This drug, I believe, should not be taken for more than 5 years at a stretch. I hope it turns out ok. Let us know.

[Daffodilia in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have taken it for 5 years. Stopped last week as I had some dental treatment - not extraction but forgot to ask dentist. Dentist suggested ear ache could be related to teeth cos of nerves but ear ache predates tooth ache by months and teeth ok now. Just occurred to me if affects jaw could affect ears and audiologist said could be bones in ear. It is in the side effects as rare. I am going to stop for now. Waiting for referral letter for private consultant. GP not really interested when I asked him some time ago and long ENT waiting list here (Suffolk) - up to a year

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

it’s recommended you have a rest from AA at the 4 or 5 year mark -so please discuss with doctor,

[Daffodilia in reply to DorsetLady]

Will do - have taken it for 5 years

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Certainly discuss it with a doctor. Stopping it doesn't get it out of your system though.

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

How long before out of system please?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Daffodilia]

NHS states this -

Once you stop taking alendronic acid, the effects of the medicine will gradually wear off. Your bones may continue to benefit for up to 5 years afterwards.

The longer you take the medicine, the longer the effects will last.

Most sites say you still reap the benefit for 3-5 years.

However this states it stay in bones for a lot longer -

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

Totally out of the system? Never - it is incorporated into your bones and so far the monitoring finds it still present 15 years after stopping taking a bisphosphonate.

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

Not much hope if it has affected my ears ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

Hearing loss isn't uncommon at our age anyway and while some sources mention hearing loss in association with bisphosphonates - osteoporosis can also lead to hearing loss and bisphosphonates have been postulated for use to modify the bone remodelling involved.

Data from the Nurses Health Study doesn't suggest much of a role in hearing loss however

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

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

Hearing loss isn't uncommon at our age anyway and while some sources mention hearing loss in association with bisphosphonates - osteoporosis can also lead to hearing loss and bisphosphonates have been postulated for use to modify the bone remodelling involved.

Data from the Nurses Health Study doesn't suggest much of a role in hearing loss however

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

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

I have a hearing aid but the ear ache started a year ago after a bad cold and continued off and on this year. Audiologist has suggested seeing specialist cos of various features of my problem so I have a referral letter for private consultant to avoid long nhs waiting list here.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

Good luck

[Exflex in reply to PMRpro]

Having taken Bisphosphonate for 3 years (stopped taking 12 months ago) I’m sorry I didn’t take the advice of the forum, eg from PMRPro. My dentist shook her head when I told her I had been pushed into AA without a DEXA scan. Unfortunately the effects of AA stays with you for 10 or more years.

[Daffodilia in reply to Exflex]

I have had scans - wrists, ankles and pelvis which show borderline for osteoporosis so followed GP advice - will stop now and check with him once finished with ENT consultant - dentist was interested but not concerned

[Exflex in reply to Daffodilia]

Unfortunately it precludes a dental implant. To be honest I’m fairly annoyed I wasn’t told about the downside of bisphosphonates. 😳