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Alendronic Acid and side effects - useful reading

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Guest
Guest

Thought it may be of help to get matters in perspective. Do look at the site at **** on bonehealth and osteoporosis. Wish I had read more before I started taking the drug. I have now stopped it, convinced that my joint and tendon problems, racing heart and general and increasing awful feelings of fatigue and illness are linked to the start of taking alendronic acid. I understand now why my GP was a bit reluctant to prescribe it in the first place but I trusted my hospital consultant and believed he would be looking after me for the good. Maybe this trust was a bit misplaced?

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  • philip367
    philip367 Guest

    Posted

    Hi, Guest - am looking for info on alendronic acid, as my 89 year old father has been prescribed it after having a fractured lumbar vertebra, where xrays showed partial collapse and thinning.  How do I PM you? - am new to this. Would be interested in the link above. Also, any further info on it?  Cheers
  • cli
    cli Guest

    Posted

    An update from me just to say two things, firstly I came off the AA after 6 weeks as my GP agreed it's impact on fertility would really hamper further attempts at conception. I will wait and hopefully be lucky enough to add to my little family before going back on it. I'm currently using Fentanyl (Matrifen) transdermal pain patches as well as CoCodamol and Diclofenac to manage pain levels, but at least I don't feel as yuck as when on the AA.

    Secondly my Mum was put on AA in Ireland for 5 years as that is the current recommendation over there too and her spine has improved from established Osteoporosis to not showing g signs of even Osteopenia so it has proved to be very successful for her. Fingers crossed for you all.

    Cli x

  • Val_Bargery
    Val_Bargery Guest

    Posted

    Have been taking AA since 2006 and for some years experienced frequent leg cramps and aching limbs.  Over past 2/3  years have reported aching limbst to my very conscientious GP and despite blood tests no cause could be identified.  It was attributed to osteoarthritis which I had to accept.  However I was dubious and mentioned that the List of side affects included aching limbs.  Was prescribed painkiller to take at night.  Not happy with this diagnosis  I researched on Internet and read others experiences.  Hence decided to give myself a break;  after 3 months reported to GP as I like to be co-operative, and GP has agreed for a 6 month break.  I am far less stiff and aching , 4 months on,  that convinces me the AA has had negative side effects and hope I can replace it with continuation of Adcal tablets prescribed for the 'break'.

     

  • Minnimum0
    Minnimum0 Guest

    Posted

    I took steroids for Polymyalgia for 6 years, alongside this I was prescribed Alendronic Acid.  After three years of taking these drugs I developed severe back ache which was investigated by several MRI scans. I eventually ended up in a wheelchair.  All this time I was complaining to orthopaedic consultants and GPs about pain in my hips. They discounted my concerns saying it was referred pain from my back.  Emotionally I was a wreck.  Eventually I saw a locum orthopaedic consultant when my consultant was on holiday. He organised an MRI of my hips.  This showed I had avascular necrosis of both hips. I underwent total hip replacements in 2012 and 2013. At the same time I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia and am now on replacement B12.  Do I blame my avascular necrosis on the steroids or the alendronic acid?  I was unaware alendronic acid could cause such devastation.
  • Soozib
    Soozib Guest

    Posted

    I'm 69 and have never had any illness or taken any medication in my life. I have been very active with regular tennis, weightlifting, cycling and golf. I have a healthy, natural diet and have never smoked. I have no signs of arthritis or joint pain. Unfortunately, I tripped and broke my patella and suddenly I am firmly in the clutches of the "health" service. My knee has healed naturally and quickly but a DEXA scan shows osteoporosis present. My GP has prescribed AA. Having read comments on this forum and trawled through research papers and journals, I am horrified. The scan tests for bone density and not bone strength. As far as I can see, the medication is a poison with multiple side effects. The rules about administration of it should send alarm bells ringing. My GP was obviously keen that I should start the medication and told me that he has to take tablets to regulate his blood pressure.  So what?! I am going to do everything in my power to continue to follow a healthy lifestyle and gradually build up my muscles so that I am able to do more weight bearing exercises but I refuse absolutely to poison myself and risk damage to my bones and digestive system.
  • lyn61850
    lyn61850 Guest

    Posted

    I've just found this forum,and I am very pleased to find out that I'm not the only one having problems! I do have oesteo arthritis in many joints as well as oestoporosis and oesteopenia. I was first prescribed AA and adcal nearly 2 years ago, and have felt really unwell ever since. I have spent 8 months this year having invasive heart tests due to severe chest pains, pleased to say my heart is healthy, so as I suspected its probably the AA causing it.  I have also had cramp in my leg so bad it has left bruises.

    I dont know if others have noticed, but depending on which brand is dispensed the side effect notices vary slightly in AA packets and the food advice varies in the adcal. I have just looked on the internet re oxalic acid and to my surprise tea and coffee is also mentioned to be advoided for 2 hours!! I am going to start this week with the one a day10mg AA, it does mean the same practices, ie half a pint of water , nothing to eat/drink for half  hour and taking adcal much later and trying to juggle diet work social life around it, but hopefully the side effects may be less taking a smaller dose daily. If anyone is interested I will let you know how it goes.

    • Soozib
      Soozib lyn61850

      Posted

      Hi Lyn,

      I'm so grateful for the forum too and for all the informed comments from contributors who are actually taking AA, rather than comments from doctors who are prescribing the medication and who say that their patients have no problem with it. Really? I'm so sorry that you have had such awful side effects and hope that you have no problem with the new dose. It is a pity that you did not realise that it might have been the AA causing your discomfort before now. Good luck razz

    • lyn61850
      lyn61850 Soozib

      Posted

      Hi Soozib

      Thats just it  I did ask the doctor if it could be the AA as the problems started shortly after taking the AA, and although it was agreed it would not be helping the arthritic pain etc it would not be causing the chest pains. I was dispensed a different brand and noticed on the front of the leaflet (not under side effects) that it could cause chest pains that worsen with continued use.  The cardiologist tended to agree with me but due to family history ran a full range of tests to completely eliminate an underlying heart problem, which has now been done and all clear. It is with his recommendation that we are now trying the one a day treatment. Thanks for the good wishes and I will let everyone know how the new treatment goes, best wishes Lyn

  • Audit
    Audit Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I am 56 woman and have only just stopped taking Alendeonic Acid after 20 years. I have since got a non accidental hairline stress fracture in my foot and the consultant treating me for Rheumatoid Arthritis had discovered this fracture due to my severe foot pain and she said being on AA for 20 years would have an adverse effect causing this fracture. Does anyone think I should seek legal advice ? Please advise regards Audit
    • yvonne8
      yvonne8 Audit

      Posted

      Hey Audit, well, I guess it is worth getting some advise , but I dont think that you will get far with it.  It is so difficult to know what to do.  I wish you luck, but AA stays in the system for sooo long... 
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 Audit

      Posted

      AA should be thoroughly looked into. Rare side effects seems a lie.

      Do you know your t score? Was it bad enough to justify taking AA in the first place?

      It would be worthwhile people commenting on this thread to check out other ones on here where there are some good people making great inroads into research. 

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK Audit

      Posted

      Are you aware, or even your MD/GP, that AA shouldn't be taken for more than 5 years?
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Audit

      Posted

      There have been legal cases involving fosamax.  I think there was a successful class action suit in Canada for example.  So, yes, you should seek legal advice.  Even if you personally don't get far it is one more step towards much needed closer regulation of this drug.
    • lee63556
      lee63556 Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      Yes my previous GP didn't even bother to give me the bone density scan until I shown him the result from a path lab abroad. And he said that don't count. So the hip density scan from the hospital shown I did has osteoporosis, after the second scan from abroad again and the path lab was quite annoyed with me for not taking care of myself. Demand the second scan but didn't gave me the results but carry on the AA and adcal. Now my new GP wants to look into the matter and I got PMR. I will look into this next week when I see my doctor in charge of my case. Thank you for everyone been so concert of me. 
  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 Guest

    Posted

    Check out other threads on this topic where there are some wonderful people researching and sharing.

     

    • yvonne8
      yvonne8 kathleen65757

      Posted

      Hi Kathleen, I have been trying to get some good advice / find some answers / get some answers since 2008 when I was diagnosed . But I read myself round I circles . I have not started any drugs just thought in could manage with exercise and diet. But having just had another scan it's getting worse 😳
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 yvonne8

      Posted

      Ah so sorry Yvonne! What is your t score now!

      Are you having vitamin K2 as well as magnesium and vitamin D 3?

      It is a difficult decision but I am holding out so far too. I had an X-ray which showed my bone strength was okay which is different from bone density.

      I have started another thread to urge people to get together because there are other threads with this on here too.

    • Soozib
      Soozib kathleen65757

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about Yvonne too. Kathleen, I'm glad you are still holding out because I am too. I am interested to hear that you had an x-ray for bone strength because I think it is important to recognise the difference between bone strength and bone density. How did you manage to get an x-ray for bone strength? Was it requested by your doctor? 
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 Soozib

      Posted

      Yes, my doctor said if it showed anything to do with strength or frailty I would need to rethink my decision not to take fosamax. 

      I have two herniated discs and mild scoliosis but no mention made of bones being frail or thin etc.

      Apparently half the people have mild scoliosis which is a relief.

      The discs are an issue though because I have a trapped nerve in the sacroiliac which comes from the bulging discs.

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