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Osteosporosis pros and cons of Adcal and Alendronic Acid

Posted , 4 users are following.

shiela23693
shiela23693

I am 78 yrs old, After losing 1 and half inches in height over 18 months I was diagnosed with osteosporosis ( 3 weeks ago) in all I am now 4" shorter than I was in the 1960s.  This is having a knock on affect on my breathing as lungs are somewhat short of space.  I have been put on Ad-cal and Alendronic Acid but am not tolerating it well, feeling pretty grotty at times.  Also concerned about Oxalic acid restrictions on this regime, any advice on balancing meds and diet alongside meds for High BP Thyroxine etc would be most helpfull

 

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • georgeGG
    georgeGG shiela23693

    Posted

    Sorry to hear of your acute troubles. I settled down to Alendronic acid on my third weekly pill. addcal no problem
  • georgeGG
    georgeGG shiela23693

    Posted

    I cannot help with Thyroxin point. I have been eating rhubarb recently with pleasure and without any ill effects. Taste too is OK alough for some food my taste is sadly altered. For example oranges no longer taste orangy. Most savoury food is OK
  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 shiela23693

    Posted

    I am 70 Shiela, and not long been diagnosed with osteoporosis with a t score of -3.4. Did you have a bone density test and what was your t score?I am yet to start my medication which will probably be fosamax. It is a big decision to take the medication but brittle bones are not good either.mi am on other medications too. Your doctor would have checked they were all compatible. 
    • georgeGG
      georgeGG kathleen65757

      Posted

      I am only T-2 but I did not hesitate long. Crumbled lumbar bones can come with advanced prostate cancer. I want to reduce that risk while time is on my side. Any spinal crumble is bad bad news. Don't fancy thigh fractures or anywhere else for that matter.
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 georgeGG

      Posted

      Oh ok George. Here in Australia you are not put on medication unless your t score is above -2.5. Below that is osteopenia, not yet osteoporosis. Maybe they looked at other issues with you if you have prostrate cancer for example.
    • georgeGG
      georgeGG kathleen65757

      Posted

      Hi Kathleen, I should have mentioned that I am on hormone therapy, 10 months into a  three year course. That therapy thins bones in men. So we are balancing one risk against another. All threaments for prostate cancer are risk juggling.
  • shiela23693
    shiela23693

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for input.  Yes Kathleen had bone density scan at Whitehaven, I have been told score on hips minus 2.5 and spine minus 2.8 though not sure what this fortells? or where on the scales this put me High or low? maybe I did not ask enough questions!   I have also had Sarcoidosis many years ago not sure if this is relevent now but it is mentioned in literature.  I am finding it just a might confusing working out when to take what.  Good luck with your new meds hope all goes well
    • kathleen65757
      kathleen65757 shiela23693

      Posted

      I am in Australia. Where are you? I think your t scores are medium as mine are medium to high. 
    • shiela23693
      shiela23693 kathleen65757

      Posted

      I've  been doing lots of research on internet, but sites seem contradictory how about you.   I am in Cumbria far North UK
    • georgeGG
      georgeGG shiela23693

      Posted

      Hi Shiela, I too was treated for Sarcoidosis decades ago. I had 22mg of Predisolone daily (3 moths is considered maximum today) for 10 years. My GP agrees that the steroids are probably the main cause of the T-2 but hormone therapy will also be thining my bones now/
    • shiela23693
      shiela23693 georgeGG

      Posted

      Hi George, I only had steroids for under a year with my sarcoidosis, so maybe I was luckier than you.  it was in 1962 ish so maybe taht is when the problem with bone set in as I was just over 5ft tall then.   From your earlier reply to me I have re-read the literature and find I misunderstood some of the info, so am getting it a bit staighter in my head now, but it will still take some juggling to work out timing regime.

       

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