1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Should I take Alendronic Acid

Posted , 14 users are following.

gladioli30
gladioli30

Hi, My doctor and rheumatologist wants me to take Alendronic Acid. But I am very reluctant, mostly because of the side effects which may affect my stomach, which honestly is delicate enough. The rheumy suggested a yearly injection. Although I have the tablets, I have not as yet taken them. Besides my tummy probs, I don't fancy a full glass of water and standing up for half an hour. Would value any of your comments please.  

2 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

Prev
  • Angela345
    Angela345 gladioli30

    Posted

    Hi there. I have been on pred for one year and Alendronic acid for around six months. It gives me wind but that's about all. I am worried about what it's doing to my body though. I have had gum problems in the past and have lost a lot of bone there. I'm thinking of having a chat with my dentist this month because I may need to lose a back tooth at some point and I need to know where I stand. Angela. 
    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall Angela345

      Posted

      Yes Angela, definitely speak with your dentist re the alendronic problems with teeth. As I said extractions are the problems. Also, see the links above, do you really need AA could you not simply benefit from a bone density scan then periodic check ups then take it from there, not the other way round. Christina 
    • Angela345
      Angela345 tina-uk_cwall

      Posted

      That's what I'm thinking Christina. I am 61 so it could be my Rheumy thinks it's best, but I haven't had a Dexa scan yet. I see him in February so will mention my concerns. 
  • artie50
    artie50 gladioli30

    Posted

    hi i have been taking alendrinic acic since july when i was diagnosed with GCA 

    I have no side effects i sit for half an hour and take it with a glsaa half pint of water,

    I also take Lansoprazole to protect my stomach.  Hope this helps

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey gladioli30

    Posted

    Gladioli, as Eileen has said, do ask for a DEXA scan to check your bone density BEFORE agreeing to take any bone protection meds.  I was initially refused a DEXA by both my GP and rheumatologist so I paid to have one done privately as I felt it important to get a baseline reading in order to judge the continuing effect of the steroids on my bones.  The results were good so I took nothing.  I wasn't even offered calcium or Vit D throughout 5+ years of Pred treatment - apparently both my GP and rheumy believed the other had put me on the supplements!  I had repeat DEXAs during the next few years and only suffered a very small deterioration in my bone density into the osteopenia stage but not needing any treatment.  I do now take a Vit D supplement for 3 months every winter.  During my years on steroids, I ate loads of calcium-rich foods, including yoghurt and oily fish - all can help our bones. 
  • angela192
    angela192 gladioli30

    Posted

    I have been on Alendronic Acid for nearly a year, have suffered no side effects and I have a sensitive stomach.

    You have to weigh up the pros and cons.    I have osteoporosis and being 72 years old, don't want to fall and break something.   People are too ready to scaremonger people.    Osteoporisis if not treated and is advanced can kill.  Yes, it is a pain swallowing a glass of water with the pill, but it is a small price to pay if you protect your bones.   Like somebody else on here, I check my emails while waiting for the 30 minutes after taking.  So long as you sit upright, it is OK.  Good luck !

  • teenyjeeny
    teenyjeeny gladioli30

    Posted

    Hi  I am on the Alendronic Acid have been for a year now as my ostioporosis is worse from the steriods its ok. it has not affected my tummy  so far you can sit down  for half an hour I do  as I did not like standing
  • kezzabird30
    kezzabird30 gladioli30

    Posted

    Sorry to jump in on this discussion but my 62 year old mum has just been prescribed Aledronic Acid after they found she had 4 fractured bones in her spine. They did not do a dexa scan but only a MRI. She has taken the 1 a week tablet twice, ie two weeks in a row but even in this short time, she seems to have severce reactions. Her bones ache all over, her elbows, her shoulders and she still has the pain in the spine from the 4 damaged bones. I want her to stop taking these as i have read such bad things about the effects of this drug.

    Couple of questions, Am i right in thinking this prevents any further damage to the bones (supposedly) rather than it helping the existing broken bones in her spine?

    Also is the injection the same? Does this mean the side effects last a year? She already has a mulitued of health problems and i just dont want to make it worse for her by allowing her to take this drug. Any advise given would be greatly appreciated.

    Regadrs

    Kerry

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH kezzabird30

      Posted

      I'm a bit surprised they have used alendronic acid - I'm not even sure it wil prevent future fractures as it doesn't actively build bone. Only a drug called Forsteo does that and I do know of people with spinal fractures who have been put on that. There is a hierarchy of medications in the UK, you start with alendronic acid and move along the list to try the next if you can't take the one you are on. 

      I think your best bet is to call the National Osteoporosis Society UK helpline - google it to get the details of the site or just follow this link:

      https://nos.org.uk/

      and a specialist nurse will discuss all the options for your mother with you and give you advice on how to proceed as well as answering your questions.

      If the pains your mother has are due to the AA and too much for her to cope with she should be offered the next medication on the list to see if that suits her better. So do tell her doctors AA isn't suiting her at all. It's bad enough being in pain from fractured vertebrae but to add to it is really not on. However, all the medications have some side effects athough everyone is different and some people have no bother at all. With the injections the side effects usually last for a few days, not the entire year. 

      Who put her on to the AA? Has she seen an osteoporosis specialist?

    • kezzabird30
      kezzabird30 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks for response Eileen. I had actually about 5 minutes ago jotted down the number for NOS helpline.

      It is her GP that has put her on this plus calium tablets. She has not seen an osteoporosis specialist. She also has rhumatoid arthritus. She is due to see her GP on the 8th Dec. Until then, i have told her not to take another dose. I do hope that as it was only 2 weeks worth, that the pain she has encountered will stop now.. Do you think it will? I am also going to insist they do a dexa scan and then be refrerred to the osteoporosis specialist.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH kezzabird30

      Posted

      I honestly don't know about the pain - but I would think it will at least improve. 

      I'm not convinced that a dexascan will tell them a lot at this stage that will alter the need for bone protection medication - she obviously has osteoporosis in the spine at least. If she has RA then she might be better served by seeing her rheumatologist rather than her GP - though I'd want to talk to an orthopaedic specialist I'd have thought. Not sure who's best in the UK but the Osteoporosis Society will know.

      Good luck and do tell us how you get on.

    • kezzabird30
      kezzabird30 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen for responding. I will ring the NOS Helpline and go from there. I will be so upset if the pain does not go away. I will feel bad I let her take it. I will let you all know what happens

      Kerry

      x

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH kezzabird30

      Posted

      Now then - don't go blaming yourself! She has a problem, her GP has taken one of the possible approaches - whether it is right or not is another matter but it is NOT your fault she has developed one of the side effects to AA. She might have been fine, probably a majority are. 
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.