Should I take Alendronic Acid?

I have PMR, I have been on pred for over 5 years. In the first almost 3 1/2 years I was on above 10mg pred the entire time and my bone density has not changed noticeably in that time: I had a dexascan 3 months into pred and another a couple of years ago on a different machine so they can't be compared directly but both were acceptable. I have only ever taken calcium and vit D supplements.

You should request a dexascan to assess your bone density status. If it is fine then you can continue as you are. If you are already osteoporitic or borderline, then make your considerations on that basis. 

Taken carefully in accordance with the instructions AA is found by many patients to be OK. For some years it was touted as the miracle to avoid every fractured hip in the elderly - more recently it has been realised that, while it is good, it is not THAT good. It has side effects (like every drug) and some of them mean it is better not to take it continuously for ever, it is recommended it not be taken for more than 5 years without a break. 

First of all, ask for a dexascan. If your GP is difficult about it, it is possible to get them done privately and they aren't desperately expensive in the great scheme of things. 

If you are shown to be immediately in need of "bone protection" medication then discuss it. There are other options. There are other bisphosphonates with differing profiles and there are other substances - but to be considered for them you have to have "failed" the first line things (to use medical parlance) or there must be a good reason for you not being put on them (preexisting gastric problems such as reflux etc) or allergy. All have some side effects.

Hi Steve.  First of all I am sorry to hear of ill health.  I joined this forum 18 months ago in responce to my own father's experience with alendronic acid.  My father was diagnosed in his early fifities (he will turn 76 shortly) with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and fibromyalgia and an underactive thyroid.  He has been on prednisolone ever since and calcium tablets and up until 18 months ago he was on alendronic acid.   Other than dental problems he was able to take it with comparitively few side effects,  however,  18 months ago the pharmacist couldn't get hold of his usual brand so gave him a generic brand.  Within half an hour of taking these he experienced serious chest pains and awful head pain.  He decided it was his imagination and the following week took another tablet - he was n weekly doses.  The same thing happende again,  only this time slightly worse.  Still,  thinking he had to get used to them,  the third week he took the tablet again and collapsed.  Enormous head pain, chest pain,  could not breathe,  dreadful muscle pains in arms and legs and could barely walk.  Heart attack was ruled out.  Every doctor denied the link between the oset of the symptoms and the tablets BUT  immediately took him off them and he has not been put back on them.  Fast forward to the November of 2013,  about five months later.  He had recovered sufficiently,  but began to develop chillblains according to the doctor.  Unbeknownst to me he had also collapsed on myriad occasions in the coupleof months prior to this. The "chillblains" got worse and worse and a few days before Christmas the doctor realized he had misdiagnosed him and he had critical limb ischaemia and was in danger of losing his feet.  The vascular surgeon was brilliant ,  but in the course of his investigations discovered what looked to be four blockages in his abdomianl arteries which had been causing the attacks.  It is not out of the question that they were caused by the alendronic acid and although we cannot get a doctor to confirm this,  neither will they deny it as a possibility.  Eventually it turned out that my father had never had PMR but peripheral arterial disease.  The surgeons performed a life saving arterial graft on Christmas Eve and praise God he is still with us. As a result,  althugh he no longer needs the prednisolone he has to now stay on it for life due to being on it so  long. My advice and that of my father's is 1) do not touch alendroic acid and 2) get your doctor to rule out peripheral arterial disease which can mimic PMR. I hope htis has been of interest if not of help.  I wish you well,  Beulah.

PS  They are trying to ban this drug in the States.

Sorry,  Steve,  it is Beulah again.  Have jsut realized that my post was riddled with spellng mistakes.  I pressed send before checking the spelling.  I'm not usually so illiterate.