Nycii

[Nyci]

Anyone have experience of Alendronic acid .? Good or bad please ?

[Bcol]

There a many posts regarding AA on the forum. If you ask the question in the title rather than your name the related posts will show up. You do not need to add your name in the title, it will show up automatically. If you click on the "more" button at the bottom of your post you can edit what you have written.

[Nyci in reply to Bcol]

Thank you

[Nyci in reply to Bcol]

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I took it for 4 years with no issues whatsoever - but it’s doesn’t suit everyone.

But do you really need to take it? Have you had a DEXA scan showing you have osteoporosis?

As Bcol has said plenty of chat about it here - if you had put AA in title it would have brought up related posts. Plus if you use search facility you’ll bring up plenty.

[Nyci in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you

[Oldoaktree]

i unfortunately had a bad reaction to it , it affected all my joints which took two weeks to resolve . I was sent for a dexa scan and it was decided to just put me on the calcium and vit D tablets . Most people i know are ok on it though .

[Nyci in reply to Oldoaktree]

Thank you

[Oh-my]

I found talking to the nurses on the Royal Society for Osteoporosis web site really helpful. They helped alleviate my anxieties.

I initially suffered headaches and was waking up super early the day allotted to take it but after a chat with my pharmacist too I realised it was self inflicted due to worry about taking the stuff. Anxiety has a lot to answer for.

[Nyci in reply to Oh-my]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

And the link for ROS

theros.org.uk/

There is a role for AA - if it is shown you need it. Otherwise calcium and vit D may be enough.

[Nyci in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[PatriMac]

Hi Nyci

I consider myself a super-healthy 66 year old with a perfect diet who does lots of running and dancing. A routine dexa scan (after which I had agonising inter-scapular pain ) disclosed I had osteoporosis and my doctor assumed I would just take them. Instead I have consulted a homeopath and osteopath and now feel pain-free( I have not yet been invited for a follow-up scan). I have a family history of stomach, bowel and oesophogal cancer so have decided I don't want to take the alendronic acid -which wipes out stomach flora, inflames the throat and gives many people piles. I urge you to make your own judgement based on your own family medical history.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PatriMac]

Are you on corticosteroids [Prednisolone]? If not then  Nyci may be in a different situation to you.

They had/has GCA so has taken high doses of prednisolone which decreases the absorption of calcium within the body and therefore can accelerate osteoporosis in some patients. That needs to be addressed, sometimes a VitD/Calcium supplement is sufficient, but for others a bisphosphonate is required as well, which is why we have advised contacting Royal Society for Osteoporosis for more information.

[Nyci in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PatriMac]

I'd love to know where you get your information from.

It may CHANGE the balance of the microbiome but it doesn't "wipe it out", it MAY cause reflux, it doesn't for everyone, andi t will cause a sore throat if you don't take the tablet in the specified manner, and as for piles - it MAY increase the risk of lower gut bleeding but that isn't necessarily because it caused haemorrhoids and I can't find a single link between piles in particular and AA,

[Nyci in reply to PatriMac]

Thank you

[Mellow-Yellow]

I had a severe reaction to AA, and subsequently had a Dexascan,the results of which were good.A better idea would be to have a Dexascan beforehand!

I don’t take bisphosphonates at all after developing Actinomycosis.

Many people do seem to tolerate it well,but not me!

Good luck with your decision making and do hope all goes well for you..

[Nyci in reply to Mellow-Yellow]

Thank you very much .Still undecided .

[Nyci in reply to Mellow-Yellow]

Thank you

[Nyci in reply to Mellow-Yellow]

Thank you

[Nyci in reply to Mellow-Yellow]

Thank you

[Thelmarina]

I take Ibandronic acid once a month as weekly Alendronic acid was too intrusive. I have not had a problem with it. I have osteoporosis and have been on steroids for over 5 years, so was grateful for a fracture preventative option. However, I shall come off them when they have served their purpose. It’s worth having a dexa scan to confirm the necessity and dental work beforehand if you do take it. Some doctors put PMR patients on it automatically. Only take it if you need it! Hope this helps 😀

[Nyci in reply to Thelmarina]

Thankyou

[Mimigirl19]

I had dexa scan which diagnosed osteoporosis. Have now two fractures and offered weekly Alendronic Acid. I only wish I’d been given it when first diagnosed. We all react differently to medications but for me this offers reassurance and I have suffered no real adverse side effects.

[Nyci in reply to Mimigirl19]

Thank you

[Nyci]

Thank you

[Nyci]

Thank you

[Monkey321]

Hi, I am 48 yrs old, had a DEXA SCAN a few months ago, determined I have oestoporosis. My Dr prescribed AA for me but after researching it, I decided not to take it. I'm on Vit D and Calcium. My decision and it may have been fine for my body to take but I wasn't prepared to risk the side effects.

[Nyci in reply to Monkey321]

Thank you