Actonel injections

John, I had a dexascan and it was borderline.  I told him that I would not want to take the Actonal as a pill because it would be tough on my stomach.  He said that a yearly Actonal injection would work better. But I do wonder.....which side effects it might have.

Thanks for your input!

Erika

Hi Oregonjohn, Can I ask you have you moved to another med. for OP or have you stopped all meds.?   J.

 

Only stopped the AA, still take the Calcium +D3. 

Now I'm down to 6 mg of pred, and feeling fine, the chances of OP have lessen somewhat. 

My doc just srugged his shoulders when I said I had stopped the AA and when ask 'Why?' I replied 'Sure I need to take them, because I need a scan first? I will give his answer!!  'It usually only women who ask!'  He did justify it my saying it's more common in women - quick get out!!

I have had osteoporosis for 10 yrs and have been looked after by a world expert. I took Actonel and had terrible side effects after two years. Stopped that, took strontium renalate (think that the spelling) for four years which I found really easy with no side effects at all. The Prof then changed me to Denosumab injections twice a year and I have been on that for three years. I now have horrible side effects from and have done so since October. My next inj is due in January so have to suffer until drug leaves my system as nothing anyone can do. Prof says you only take drug for short periods. Too long makes drugs ineffective. I will now not take anything but wait five years and then have a repeat scan. Have also been on Amitriptyline to relax muscles at night. Small dose of 10 - 20 mgs, have stopped that too as want to be drug free. Apparently taking calcium and vit d is no longer advised either. I have 9 fractures in my spine and broke my hip 8 years ago (but through being thrown in air by racing dog not just falling!). I have just learnt to live with it and take great care if what I do and rest when I need to. I don't ski or horse ride anymore but do most other things including going to gym each day. I try not to take pain killers but if I have to I do. Only thing I can't do without is omeprazole for my stomach and I just don't carry anything heavy. I have Bowen therapy and a chiropractor who is extremely careful with me ( a but whacky but never crunches me). Otherwise get on with life. Think osteoporosis is mainly about management and having understanding friends and family.?

"Apparently taking calcium and vit d is no longer advised either"

It is in all the guidelines for patients on long term pcorticosteroids - what WAS an item in the media some time ago which led to headlines suggesting that calcium supplements were bad for you. The origin was a study that had found that healthy women with a good dietary calcium intake were also taking calcium on its own as part of a range of supplements, beleiving that the more you took the better it is - and calcium was being laid down in the wrong places because they were taking in too much. It wasn't found in women taking calcium WITH vit D so it is important to take the combined supplement if you are going to take one at all and if you require more vit D supplementation than you get from 2 tablets of AdCal a day (800 IU) you shouldn't take another combined pill but add in just vit D. The 1200 mg calcium in those tablets is the maximum you should take in total and it is absorbed better if you take the tablets at 2 separate times a few hours apart and they should also not be taken at the same time as your prednisolone - it interferes with the absorption of the pred.

You do know I assume that omeprazole is a primary cause of osteoporosis - it leads to next to no calcium being absorbed in the gut? 

Thanks John, I read what the forum is saying about Actonel or alendronic acid.  Scary! I had a recent scan which said that I am osteopenia.  I think, I will stick to the Calcium, Mag. and Vitamin D and hope for the best.

 Have you heard of a topical gel called Diclofenac Sodium which is supposed to help for pain? 

Thanks Christina!  Good to get your opinion!

Erika

I hope, I don't need this scary injection.  I have osteopena which I have had for more than 10 years, and I was recently diagnosed with it again.  I think, I will just keep popping my calcium ! :-)

Hi, Just reading your first post again. You didn't say that your doc. actually advised you to  take Actonel or any other med. for your bones apart from Calcium etc. You don't have OP (happily) so OP meds. not for you. . . So calcium (preferably from your food,) weight-bearing exercise, and Vit.D if your levels are low is the usual advice .. . . . J

I am in exactly the same situation as you, and told my Rheumy I don`t tolerate medication at all, so how do we know how the injection won`t  affect me as well, as once it`s in it`s in!!...she just looked at me and said, (in March) well, you had better be down to 10 mg when I see you in August or you will have to have it!  (I was on 14mg then) I am O steopena as well......I`m not having it full stop!

Hi Linda, I am glad that I hear the same opinion like I have about an injection of this drug.  With a tablet or pill one can stop taking it, but not once the drug was injected into the body.  I am on 15 mg of prednisone, tapering with 1 mg to 14 in two weeks.  I still have "side pain" on both sides in my back --- kind of a burning pain but bearable.  Some of the  rheumies tend to be very set in their ways, and we have every right to quedstion them.