Worries about alendronic acid

Hi there .... I took my first pill this morning! It is 9.30 pm now and I feel terrible!! I feel achy and fluey .... my tummy feels sore and my throat is sore too! All this after just one tablet!

I am calling my GP first thing tomorrow morning. I came on this site hoping to find out about the side effects of this drug and it is horrifying to read about everyone's experiences.Surely there must be an alternative drug to this? I am 58 years old and broke an ankle by just falling over about 5 years ago. Was diagnosed with early onset Oesteoporis and now it has progressed into the real thing in my spine ....

The perils of old age!!

59, female. Well, I took AA for 6 weeks with no side effects, unless you count concern about the scary side-affects. Nevertheless, I decided that I did not want to embark on such a serious drug without further discussion - with an expert rather than a recently qualified GP in her 20s. I saw an endocrinologist, the Head of Nuclear Medicine at my local hospital who said "your GP is treating your T scores rather than you as a whole person". "You are fit and well and active, with no family history of osteoporosis, you do not need this drug". He took me off AA with immediate effect ("its overkill") and said he would recommend raloxifene instead "but if you wanted to take nothing, I would support that too". My t-scores had showed I had osteopaenia and my GP immediately prescribed AA as though she was prescribing aspirin for a headache and a plaster for a skin cut. Without thought or asking about my lifestyle or family history. The endocrinologist recommended another scan in 2 years on the same machine as apparently the machines can vary. Then reconsideration.

WARNING ..

Sorry for the dramatics but this must not be missed.

I am 44 PRE menopausal and I was diagnosed worth Osteoposrosis June last year. I was low risk. I was though prescribed AA by a new GP. ( not the diagnosing GP). After reading lots of negative press about AA .. Ie the stuff of threads like this, I decided not to take it. I was otherwise fit and well and figured diet and exercise would take of it.

WRONG

I am presently recovering from a severely shattered broken in multiple places wrist. I am Now HIGH RISK osteoporosis.

I have been told by GP and Pharmacist and Fracture Cinsultant, things would lt be so bad as this ( re my broken wrist) had I been taking the AA.

SO, I am now one month in on the AA. only side effect is slight tiredness the following day of taking it. Otherwise no side effects I am aware of.

I am posting this as a warning because I ignored the advice of the only person prepared to prescribe to me as a PRE menopausal female and am now paying a hefty price. Consider not taking AA very carefully. The choice as always is yours.

Sorry for all those nasty typos, one finger typist presently!

One thing to also note re the five yr break ( my GP has told me I will be on it continuously ) is that AA only protects the bones while you're taking it. So what do you do when you're taking a break? Have a break perhaps?

Hi Toon,

I am in the same position you were at twelve month ago,not knowing if to take AA or not,

It's made me think reading your post maybe I should go on it, what was your T-score befor and what

Is it now?did you take extra vitD and calcium after you were diagnosed and the recommend exercise?

It would be interesting to know!

Hope you wrist gets better soon.Ann

Have been on Alendronic Acid for about six and a half years. Visited GP last week and told her that I understood there had been new guidelines issued with regard to length of time that is beneficial for taking these tablets. She confirmed that that is the case and seemed mildly surprised that I was aware of this. As it is now believed that the bulk of the benefits occur within the first five years and that the drug stays in the body for a good number of years, in consultation with her, I am now taking a one year break from the medication and will have a DEXA scan in 12 months to see what, if any, change there has been. If thought appropriate, I can, of course, re-commence the medication.

Hi Ann, it is a difficult decision. I don't know off the top of my head what t score was but I won't be scanned again for two yrs. all I know is it was diagnosis osteoporosis and at the time it was thought I was 'low risk'. Consultant who treated my fracture said my bone condition was 'poor'.

Meanwhile Steve, I read that AA is only effective while being taken, so not sure about the 'staying in body for yrs after etc.' there is no protection without it as far I am aware. My fracture nurse was concerned about my situation as no one is meant to be on and off AA for what might be forty yrs. and yet that is presently my prognosis though my GP has no intention of giving me the five yr gap. That is only a guideline and not a ruling.

Oh yes Ann, I am on calcium and vit d supplements as prescribed and I take an extra vit d supplement of my own choosing. I have had four blood tests re vit d but the hospital refuses to do the test. Their attitude is simply I need vit D, I am getting vit D, no need to do expensive test. I believe I had osteomalacia which led to osteoporosis but no way of knowing this for sure. When I see fracture consultant next week for my six week check he might refer me back to osteo clinic. GP doesn't see the point! It is a battle with gps that's for sure!