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Aledronic Acid - Should i take it or not

Posted , 9 users are following.

liz12234
liz12234

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

33 Replies

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  • maid_mariane
    maid_mariane liz12234

    Posted

    I totally agree with Anhaga and so does my GP. He is totally against them.
  • snapperblue
    snapperblue liz12234

    Posted

    Hi, Liz:  Like so many things in  PMR, the decsion about taking AA involves balancing pros and cons.  You know the possible negatives- at worst, bone necrosis. Also, there is a question of whether the "denser" bone that forms with AA is really sturdier or is brittle and likely to break.  However, osteoporosis can be crippling and should not be underestimated. (Read up on that if you want a real scare!) Your choice, the devil or the deep blue sea!  

    In your case, if I understand correctly, you are taking only 4 mg of prednisone, when I think your corticosteroid level is about what would be produced by your adrenals if you were not on prednisone.  

    At that dose, I'd question the need to continue the AA. That is just my lay opinion and I don't fully understand the scan results. You did not say what your doctor thinks, but it seems like you'd have a good case to drop the AA. 

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga liz12234

    Posted

    If I read your numbers right I think your left hip is just on the number which is called osteoporosis, so borderline.  -2.5?
  • liz12234
    liz12234

    Posted

    Hi all, thanks to all who replied to my question, im still not sure what to do, there does seem to be more against than for.   I saw my Dr today, Appt  made yesterday (still cant fault the service) she is in favour but is going to refer me to the bone Dr, I also asked if i can have blood test see why i am so stiff  thats on Monday hopefully my inflamation isnt raised. I have found it takes a few days to settle down after changing the dose , this time its taking longer and more severe. Ive also suffered from a really dry mouth lately and had a dose of oral thrush in, ive stopped the Vesicare tablets that i was taking and now take Omeprazole every other day, has anyone else had this problem. Its a little better but still there.
    • Juno-Irl-Dub
      Juno-Irl-Dub liz12234

      Posted

      Liz, please ask your doctor about Omeprazole as ongoing use of this family of meds. can affect the bones making them more likely to fracture.   Another effective med. called Zantac (Ranitidine) is much safer. Just check all this out.  . . . 
    • marian-colorado
      marian-colorado liz12234

      Posted

      I have a terrible bitter taste in my mouth most of the time. Don't know if this is the Prednisone or the Tamazapam (20mg) I take to help me sleep.

    • maid_mariane
      maid_mariane marian-colorado

      Posted

      Hi marianne

      I find the bad taste for me is from all the vitamins. Its not daily but its very metallic.

      Mariane

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy maid_mariane

      Posted

      Lots of meds can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, also blood can if gums are bleeding for example.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy marian-colorado

      Posted

      A bitter taste can be caused by an yeast infection which can be a side effect of pred. There are other causes too of course including oral problems. 

      Also if you are taking Temazepam you should be careful as it is addictive, it is normally suggested to not take it for more than a week or so. If you take it for a while you need to be wheaned off it. 

    • marian-colorado
      marian-colorado ptolemy

      Posted

      Can't sleep without it. Been taking it for years 15 mgs.Not sleeping is not an option for me! The only time I am painfree! So be it if it shortens my life some. Thanks for the advise though! smile

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