Does Risedronic Acid have less side effects than Alendronic Acid?

Hi Margaret, I took the Alendronic Acid twice. The day I took it I seemed OK but the next day was terrible.  I felt awful when I first woke up and when I stood up I nearly passed out.  I was desperate to get to the bathroom (diarrhoea) and had to hang on to the walls to get there. I just wanted to lie down.  This went on all day.  If I sat still it would pass off but every time I stood up the fainting would start again.

I can't face going through that every week on top of everything else.  I am really reluctant to even try the Risedronic Acid as the side effects sound pretty much the same.

My reaction was breathing problems. Coughed and wheezed and I'm a lifelong non smoker who has never had a cough in her life. 

I think I should be OK on a calcium and vitamin D supplement.  I am tempted to tell my GP the side effects were too much without actually trying it!  It seems daft to put my self through that on a "just in case" basis.  I might feel differently if I had osteoporosis.

 

Kate, have you had a bone density scan? I personally would not take any form of Bisphosphonate derivatives without a bone density scan. Stay positive, active and smile.☺️

Hi Michdonn, I asked my GP today if he would arrange for me to have a dexascan but he said it wouldn't be helpful as it couldn't predict whether or not I would lose bone density by taking pred!

GPs here have quite a bit of power. They stand between the patient and all the specialists, unless you can go privately or have private insurance.

Kate, I understand that. My primary care physician (PCP) is my neurologist, when I first went to her, she asked if I had Bone Density Scan. I had not so then got one as a base line. When starting on Prednisone, I had another scan, plus a drip, for protection. I waiting the results of my last scan, must be okay, I have not received a call. I will see her before ski season. So her feel is it is a way to monitor my bones, to me relaxes my mind and I can go out and act like a kid again! Think positive with a smile. ☺️

Yes it gives you peace of mind. \it seems a very sensible approach. Have fun.

Quite right, Kate.  

A baseline DXA scan is recommended.  How else will you ever know if pred has an effect?  It's the follow up scan in a couple of years which tells the tale.  My second scan, after one year, showed an improvement in my t-score WITHOUT any medication, just some easy alterations in my life - food, supplements and exercise.  

No, I don't have osteoporosis. The rheumatologist suggested that  my GP prescribe as a bone protection.   

I think it's a common experience to be prescribed " just in case" and not just bone protection. My recently diagnosed PMR sister was prescribed omeprazole for stomach protection. I got on just fine taking my Pred. with a big dollop of organic natural yoghurt.

Kate, at the risk of boring everyone with repetition, I was told by the surgeon that did my hip replacement  five years ago after more than seven years on Pred.    ( aged 81.... me, not the surgeon!) that I had "amazing bone density for (  my  ) age " So obviously bone loss is not inevitable.

Thanks for this Betty. It is very reassuring.

I know it's common practice that's why I asked.  My dr. wanted me on AA but I insisted on the DXA scan first and did a lot of research and refused the drugs.

Similar suggestion to my husband when he was discharged from the Assessment unit with his PMR diagnosis, probable GCA (later confirmed by biopsy) and on 40mg pd Pred.

When he said to his GP that he did not wish to take AA unless a bonescan proved it to be necessary.he was told that AA is prescribed for patients over 65 and on Pred as a matter of course and no scan is taken. (this is in Wales but others have said that it is becoming policy in the UK)

So he's not taking AA - he's on a prescription for Calcichew D3 since leaving the Assessment unit anyway.

I looked up the NICE guidelines for a dexascan and that seems to be the policy now.  Only do a dexascan in certain, quite narrow circumstances. I am in North Yorkshire by the way.

Part of the cutbacks I suppose.

I hope your husband is doing will. From other posts I have read about GCA (I don't have it) he is on quite a low dose of Pred.

Has anyone suggested he take Methotrexate?  That is another drug I really do not want to take. It has been suggested to me but no-one is pushing it at the moment.

Hello Kate - there's been no mention of Methotrexate to date.

I 've no idea how long it will be befoe his GP asks why he's not requesting AA  on the online repeat prescription request.

He's just atarted reducing the Pred so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

When I had my Dexascan the surgery had a form with about twelve things that met the Dexascan criteria which amazingly included PMR. I wonder if this is the general case or just in my area. 

Now that is very interesting..

I think these  criteria lists are a snare and a delusion.

In theory it means that any nurse, however inexperienced, can make a judgement. Will that judgement be valid? Some of the time probably yes but how much attention will have been paid to the rest of the patient's history?

Will it save money?   Depends which part of the balance sheet you look at. If I fall over and break my leg  because my  sight is deteriorating due to cataracts that do not meet the criteria I'm going to cost the NHS a lot more than fixing them  would  have done and I'll be clogging up A+E as well. If I have to give up many of my activities and become depressed and overweight how much will that cost?

But I think the thing that troubles me most is the devaluing of qualified practitioners. Does a check list make  a more accurate assessment than the optometrist who told me a year ago it was time to see my GP?

I'm tempted to just pay but will hold out for as long as I can because the cynic in me says that that's all part of the scheme.

Hi Betty, I couldn't agree with you more. The check lists leave no room for anyone to use their discretion.

I did get both my eyes done. The second one last year so maybe North Yorks is better at funding cataracts or I just got in before the criteria changed.

I still have double vision which my glasses correct but it's fun in the shower when I can't wear them!

Like you, I just don't want to play into their hands while they gradually disband the health service behind our backs.

Doesn't taking pred meet the requirements for providing a DXA scan?

It used to.