Aledronic Acid - Should i take it or not
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi all, i have asked this question before but did not get a response. I requested .a Dexa scan 11mths after developing PMR and have just gone down in .5 and now at 4mg just experiencing a bit of stiffness but trying to ignore it, will have a blood test soon(mine usually shows up). It showed Osteoporosis in Femoral Neck(left) i believe that is the hip 0.570 -2,5 -0.3 and Osteopenia in AP Spine, it says Total Hip(left) 0.710 - 1.9 - 0.3 Ostepenia does anyone know if this is bad, should i continue with AA as i dont read any thing good on here about it, i do take Calcium tablets. I would be grateful for any advice on my results and what people think about staying on AA.
0 likes, 33 replies
ptolemy liz12234
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Anhaga liz12234
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What you have is "low bone mass" which does not say anything at all about the health of your bones. There's no way to find that out really. If you have had no fractures as an adult, that's one risk factor you are free of. Other risk factors include weight - small women are more vulnerable - and medications like pred, as you know. Lots of people never have any bone problems while on pred. The rest of us should take care to make sure our diet is good, we get the right supplements and we do the right exercise.
So purely as a layperson with no medical knowledge, I would say you should not take aa or any other similar medication. I think the risks, although claimed to be rare, are just not worth it. There is so much we can do to preserve our bone health without resorting to the medications.
Have a peek at the osteoporosis forum as well. You'll find some interesting discussions there.
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
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Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
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Knowing the risks immediately after starting pred I began to walk over an hour every day and, of course, being highly motivated and energetic because I felt so much better did a lot of heavyish exercise, like lawn mowing and stuff. Possibly bad for PMR but helpful for the skeleton.
EileenH Anhaga
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I don't take any "bone protection" drugs other than calcium and vit D, my bone density didn't change over a period of 4 years so I'm pleased that I did reject them when I did. I'm due another - who knows what it will be. But I WOULD consider taking something if my bone density had fallen to osteoporitic levels and my balance and other risk factors were bad.
Many orthopaedic specialists DO support their use - they are, when all is said and done, the people who have to pick up the pieces when an elderly person has broken a hip. Even these days it is a major operation and many such elderly patients are never able to live independently again. Many specialists are convinced of their value - it isn't a simple debate however.
Anhaga EileenH
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Juno-Irl-Dub
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I remember just after my PMR diagnosis,( and while on my 20mg. of Pred.), I went off to our holiday cottage and spent 2 weeks shifting 2 tons of gravel in barrowfulls to improve the driveway. No doctor had even said to avoid heavy work, let alone suggest medication for a short period. Three months later I had a scan and all I could think then was ' God, this was extremely risky behaviour. Ignorance was bliss. . . . . Of course, maybe my bones are stronger than they seem, or maybe I was just lucky, very lucky. . J
Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
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Second point, thin bones do not necessarily mean brittle bones. In fact they could be healthy and flexible and less likely to break than those of someone with better bone density as measured by the machine, but less flexible. We were told at the clinic that there's no way to tell how healthy the bones really are without a sample of bone tissue being extracted from deep inside the bone. Not going to happen!
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
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Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
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Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
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kathy67492 Anhaga
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ptolemy kathy67492
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Anhaga kathy67492
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kathy67492 Anhaga
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I am not, at this time, willing to take the bone density drugs....period.
If the scan showed osteoporosis I still would not take the drug.
You see, I also do not trust the DEXA machines.....financed by the very pharmaceutical companies that promote the bone density drugs. Your "bone density" measure does not mean "good" density. My opinion.
snapperblue kathy67492
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There are alternatives to AAs for preserving bone strength- vitamins, diet
(perhaps some benefits to gluten-free), weight-bearing exercise, and avoiding medications that make you more susceptible. Even if you are doing these things, I think it is a good idea to find out whether the steps are adequately protcting your bones and to provide a baseline for comparison in case the prednisone makes things worse.
I'm not pro-AA, but I think the dangers of osteoporosis are underestimated. This is just my opinion in this morass of pros and cons.
EileenH kathy67492
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If you have a scan and the results are fine you may find doctors accept your refusal to take the drugs and, like me, you know where you are. If you have a scan and it is very bad you can look at other options.
Snapperblue has listed the other reasons - because if you have severe osteoporosis and develop spinal fractures it is a very different matter.
Anhaga kathy67492
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I do believe that there should be a lot more support from the medical profession for people like us who would appreciate guidance regarding exercise, diet and other factors affecting bone health. Just having a questionable pill tossed at us does not, to my mind, constitute good care.
ptolemy kathy67492
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marian-colorado kathy67492
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Exactly my sentiments. I refuse to take another DEXA .I know I have ospeoporosis but refuse to take the AA. If I take another scan and it has gotten worse I will worrry myself sick abuot moving around. And with all that's going on in my bodyI can't take that (I have PMR for the second time and in denial that I have GCA) (Tender scalp and neck pain but normal blood tests.)
Anhaga marian-colorado
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marian-colorado Anhaga
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