Osteoporosis/alendronic acid

I think many people are scared off by the side effects. Some have had bad experiences already and others like me are weighing up the pros and cons which are very debatable. Some bones are made worse. How long have you been taking AA? What is your t score? Did you research much before taking? 

My t score is -3.4.

I don't have Osteoporosis, my mom is

And I'm very curious to research and know about drugs and medical conditions

A tscore of -3.4 is indicative of osteoporosis and treatment should be initiated along with vit d and calcium supplementation.

Exercising is also advised as your muscles pritect your bones and weak muscles mean higher risk of injury and fracture

Have your kidney function monitored (creatinine clearance) and report to your doctor all side effects.

You could be having problems with adherence (not taking medications as told by the physician) or taking higher doses

Always refer back to ur healthcare provider before making any decision concerning your therapy

What are your qualifications?

Are you giving advice or wanting other people's experiences?

I'm a pharmacy student

I was reading the posts and thought of offering advice. However i always state to refer back to ur healthcare provider as he is responsible for ur therapy and u and him should modify therapy together if u think it's ineffective/unsafe/have problems adhering to it....

Hi Mw92.  I was told I had osteoporosis, given Alendronic Acid, had all sorts of side effects, the worst being dizziness that was so bad that I nearly fell over several times, BUT then when I went back and got my bone density scan numbers I didn't even have osteoporosis!  OK, it was close to borderline, but as far as I'm concerned I'm happy to try the calcium, D3, VitK and magnesium and there are studies that have proved this to improve bone density, so that's the route I'm going on.  When I did tell my doctor about the side effects I'd had he simply thrust a new prescription of the same thing under a different name at me.  But as well as the dizziness I also had severe joint problems  - I thought it was the arthritis getting much worse suddenly but only later realised it was the AA.

Yes unfortunately some doctors do not respect the autonomy of their patients and their right to be the decision makers in their therapy

Supplementation with calcium and vit D is very essential if ur borderline. Never forget to get enough sun exposure

All my best wishes

Regards

What really annoys me is that they thrust a prescription at you with no opportunity to discuss any side effects you might get, or any other options.  There's just not time and you feel like something on a production line.  There's been a big thing about a huge amount of money wasted on prescriptions that people don't take.  That's why!

People on here have researched and they are not uneducated people. Adherence has nothing to do with our issues!

I am a mature lady and you sound like a student telling intelligent people what you learnt in class.

Are you doing a PhD in osteoporosis? If not, you probably know a lot less than people like Allison!

Kathleen, your comment to Mw is rather rude. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is an open discussion based on our own experiences. I try to keep an open mind and have chosen to take AA because all the supplements in the world are not going to stop me fracturing more vertebrae. 2 before diagnosis and I went back to running 2 weeks later. Yes I run and do everything that should have prevented this condition, but I honestly believe we have the right, as individuals, to make an informed choice. I am a retired nurse.

Well I felt she was being rather rude. And I considered that for a while before sending. We are not idiots on here and that is how I interpreted her advising us. It is open for sure but usually that is for people who have osteoporosis not someone assuming that we need to be told basic things like are we following the correct way to take fosamax. I do not differences of,opinion or different decisions to take or not to take but I do not need to be lectured!

I understood this discussion was open to anyone with an interest in osteoperosis and not a private club, only open to those unfortunate enough to have this condition. I also contribute to the Multiple Sclerosis forum, because my mother had this disease, so feel I have some valuable contributions which may or may not be of interest to others. I can see no indication of Mw treating anyone one like an idiot. You are coming across like a spoiled child and thats not benificial to either side of this debate

I am not going to engage with you. End of discussion.

Fine. Lets let others make up their own mind. As my T score is only marginly worse than yours, only time will tell. I wish you luck.

 

I am in Australia and we have only been offered three choices that I know of and that was not one of them.

Are you in UK or USA?

I considered AA but have cold feet after reading what people have written on other sites.

someone on here will respond to you about Proletos but I am unfamiliar with it. Sorry!

Kathleen , Strontium Ranelate is only licenced as an OP medication in the UK and Europe. Strontium Citrate which is an over the counter supplement (and therefore not regulated ) is used widely in the US. Perhaps as a supplement it is available in Australia? I'm in the UK and I used SR for a short time and had no side effects but gave it up after a few months as I found it difficult to observe the user protocol - ie to take away from any form of calcium for at least 2 hours. Also was worried as there is a caution attached to this drug re DVT and blood clots for anyone who may have a history. I don't but my father did so am wary. Shame. Now on EVISTA but same cautions apply so only taking ocasionally. Oh for a drug that could help your bones without damaging the rest of you!!!

Hi Sue, I started to reply to this and then answered the phone and can't remember if I sent or not, BUT, anyway, assuming I lost the reply I started, despite being given AA,  I am borderline osteopenia/osteoporosis and from the graph I got from the receptionist at the GP UNDER the treatment line, so am hoping that the Vit D3, calcium, magnesium and K2 will do the job.  I have read about Protelos, but nothing I could find other than the regime I'm on now, was without any side effects, so for me, I felt it was the best bet.  My husband did contact a National Health Medic who did stress that I need my calcium and VitD levels tested so I should push for that to be done with my next review, so I will do that at least.  It is all so difficult because I think generally the feeling is that we're left to make our own decisions because GP's aren't trusted to decide for us what's best - we're taking responsibility into our own hands, rightfully so, I think, having had so many medications prescribed that have caused more harm than the condition they were prescribed for!