Alendronic Acid prescribed for osteoporosis

elnafinn

Anyone on this at the moment? Very reluctantly I have taken three lots of this med. (Taken once a week on a set day chosen by oneself. )

I would like to hear some positives about being on this med as so far I feel rubbish on it but that may be because I do not want to take it because of what I have read about it.

I have been given a stomach protector to take since I complained to the gp about nausea for at least two days, being off my food (very unusual for me) and bowel problems after taking AA. I now have found out that taking stomach protectors for too long is not good regarding the body's absorption of calcium.

Elna x

stickywicket

I can't comment on the Alendronic Acid, Elna but, as for stomach protectors, I think I must have been on them since they first replaced ranitidine and I'm now on a double dose of omep. I do believe in not taking any unnecessary meds but, as for the necessary ones, I just swallow and forget.

dreamdaisy

I apologise if I am being dense here: how long have you been on the stomach protector for? When I was on AA it had to be taken on an empty stomach, sit up for at least 30 minutes, and I found that sipping a full-fat cola helped to ease the nausea. I also (admittedly when I remember!) munch a calcium tablet or two, use skimmed milk as that has extra calcium and eat lots of pilchards (just as well I like those!)

It's not easy at times, is it? We know these meds are necessary to stop long-term troubles but they often come at their own costs. ((())) DD

Numptydumpty

I've been taking AA for several years now, and stomach protectors. I always drink two glasses of water with the AA, and as DD says, stay upright and don't eat or drink for half an hour. The only side effect I get is belching :oops: and feeling slightly sick for about half an hour after.
Numpty

salamander

Hi Elna, I took this for a year and didn't like what I read about it so came off. Bone scan showed osteopenia so I take 2 x calcium tabs a day. Am also on steroids and lansoprazole and last blood test show high levels of calcium in my blood so not sure about the latter preventing absorption....

I thought there was a yearly drug one could take for osteoporosis. Might be worth checking to see if I am correct.

Sparkys6887

Hi Elna. I'm supposed to be taking AA but often forget, probably a reflection of my ambivalence towards taking it. I was told recently by my RA nurse specialist that the reason for taking it is to help our system absorb the calcium. I'm very weary about taking any of these meds but have also broken bones due to Osteoporosis. I would rather take the monthly tablet which is available but cost more. Apparently it's difficult to get it prescribed unless you can conjour up a reason for not taking the weekly one. There is a daily AA tablet to though why anyone would want that is beyond me??

ichabod6

Hello Elna,

I was prescribed AA some 12 months ago, but didnt take it immediately
after reading some scary postings on the osteoprosis web sites.
When I saw my ra consultant some three months later she advised very
strongly to take it so I did and have done so ever since.
I take it weekly as prescribed and chew one adcal tablet daily.
I am not aware of any side effects and have a feeing of assurance that
it works for me, which is my criteria for taking any medication.

elnafinn

Thank you for your replies.

I know the procedure of taking the drug. I have no bother with that. I was prescribed the stomach protector to take a couple of days beforehand and a couple after because I mentioned to the gp that I feel sick for two days, the day I take the pill and the following one too. I am also suffering from diarrhea some days another possible side effect from this drug. Today was horrenduous and thank goodness I was home actually standing in the bathroom. It came on that quickly. I have been prescribed calcium tabs too on script. I had to complete a form that most definitely needs revising as it was so vague with the questions it was laughable. GP decided on looking at my replies on the form of roughly how much calcium I take in per day, that I only need to take one of the calcium tabs instead of two.

I have learned that one should not be on Alendronic for more than 5 years before a break of at least 2 years. GP told me this and I had also read it. This drug stays in the body for 10 - 12 years after stopping taking it. I read this. I do not like the fact that the femur can break because of taking this drug. My mothers has broken twice and she was admitted to hospital two days ago with the second femur break and had the op yesterday. So this does not sit comfortably with me. Mind you she has never had a break from the AA and has not been checked up on at all whilst taking it. She says she has been taking it for 20 years but I do not think it is quite as long as that. She is 89 now. I do not like the idea that dental care can be tricky when taking AA especially with extractions. I need a crown and am going on Friday to start treatment as the tooth broke two weeks ago. Coincidence I know or bad luck, one of the two, nothing to do with starting Alendronic. I was adamant this morning I would not take my 4th pill tomorrow but am going to now. Since starting AA I am having sharp pains in my eyes and my left calf has odd sensations in it but this has only happened twice. I may be imagining these anomalies because I really do not wish to take this drug but I am not usually a person that imagines symptoms.

I would much prefer to try strontium ranelate but this costs much more than the £4 a week for the AA so I doubt that will happen.

Anyway, I shall take the AA tomorrow and hopefully all will be well. :roll: I am due to have another dexa scan in three years so hopefully I can then come of this drug, that is if I can persevere with it that long.

Elna x

salamander

Elna, good luck with it though maybe your side effects would support a change to a monthly/yearly dose.......? Worth exploring if things don't improve. Hope the guts don't continue that way. I don't recall having any side effects but it was a while ago and there was so much going on I hardly know what was causing what!

elnafinn

Aw, thank you Salamander. I shall be back to the gp if, on taking the tablet tomorrow, symptoms do not improve.

Hugs
Elna x

elnafinn

This morning I very nearly did not take the AA because of continuing bowel problems . Now I really regret taking it. Have swallowed three immodium tabs and can now start to think about going out this afternoon.

I hate this drug or rather what it is appears to be doing to ME.

I hope that AA and I can part company and I can perhaps be put on something else that hopefully agrees with me better.

Elna x

stickywicket

I don't know if this will be of any help, Elna, but, on the purely practical front of being able to get out and about....

A friend of ours was in a similar position with his bowels immediately after an operation for rectal cancer. He was given a card which he could show in any shop, bus/rail station etc to be shown to the nearest loo ie for employees or private. It meant he didn't have to go searching for one. Thankfully, he no longer needs it but it was very useful at the time.

elnafinn

Aw, Sticky. Thank you. Yes I have heard about this but yesterday and today I could not have got ANYWHERE in time. :oops: I have had a warning of only about 3 seconds :oops: Today was much worse, hence the immodium. Yesterday's explosion was only the once.

I now feel confident to go into town after the three immodium.

Elna x

dachshund

Hello Elna
i've been on AA i didnot like them i have a problem swollowing tabs. i had to go for a endoscopy that foud i had a build up of acid in my throat so i was taken off them and nowi'm on the daily tab as they are much gentler you have a tab for a fortnight and then you have a effervescent tab you put in water.
i'm on lansoprazole.
good luck
joan xx

elnafinn

Hi Joan

I remember well that you posted some time ago that you were having problems with this drug. You are the second person that I have heard who has had to come off AA.

May I ask how long you were taking the tabs for, when you realised you were having problems with it?

I hope you are okay-ish today and feel much better now you are no longer on the AA.

Hugs
Elna x

barbara12

Oh Elna this sounds awful, its a nightmare when you cant get the the toilet and so cant go out.
Im sorry but I dont know anything about this drug, but I am now going to google it and the other one you mentioned..this OA dose not know when to stop..I know you hardly ever ask for help so things must be bad.
I do hope that things ease up very soon for you..and let us know what you decide to do and how you are feeling , and I am sorry to hear about you poor mum...bless her....here's some hugs for both of you ((((())) xx

elnafinn

Thank you Barbara, returning gentle hugs to you too. The Alendronic Acid is for osteoporosis and it appears this med is prescribed first because it is by far the cheapest.

Immodium is very good and I have been out for a walk this afternoon but I have nausea. I prefer that - easier to manage, if you know what I mean.

Yes, having mum in hospital and not living local is not good at all. The hospital staff tell you very little when you can actually get through to them.

Love
Elna x

dachshund

Hello Elna
i was on those for about a year. i've been so worried about taking them because of the size the doctor sent me for an endascopy and they found i had acid build up in my throat that
was stopping me swollowing things.
take care
joan xx

salamander

Sounds as if you are a good candidate for the more expensive drug
Hope the gut clears up soon.
xx

ironic

Hi Elna, sorry I can’t help you with Alendronic Acid, but I can sympathise with the nausea. I know how miserable it can be. This nightmare is going to have to stop, I really hope you can get an alternative soon.

Take care, I x

elnafinn

Thank you Joan, Salamander and Ironic,

A visit to the gp is in order because I am not going to take another one of these pills next Thursday.

Elna x

lupin15

salamander wrote:

Hi Elna, I took this for a year and didn't like what I read about it so came off. Bone scan showed osteopenia so I take 2 x calcium tabs a day. Am also on steroids and lansoprazole and last blood test show high levels of calcium in my blood so not sure about the latter preventing absorption....

I thought there was a yearly drug one could take for osteoporosis. Might be worth checking to see if I am correct.

I also have osteopenia.. was given the drug which i only took for a few weeks due to how it was making me feel. I talked with my GP and decided to come off.. had another bone dens scan done two years later and it had not dropped any more.. hospital were and are still not happy that i do not take the drug but i am only slightly more liable to break a bone .... i have no intention of doing any high risk sports like rock climbing Skydiving or Parachuting. I think it is a decision that each person has to make for themselves.. way up the prose and cons.. There maybe a time when i may have to bit the bullet and take the meds.. for not for now. Have a chat with your GP and see what they say. Also chcek out and see if any new meds have hit the market. I know that my GP said there was some... worth asking.

elnafinn

Thanks Lupin, it was my gp who wrote to the rheumi who did the report on my dexa scan saying words to the effect of was it really necessary for me to go on AA. The gp had looked at the report of my scan and worked it out that it was unlikely that I would get a fracture in the next 10 years. The reply from the rheumi was that I should be on it because L2 showed signs of osteoporosis and it was for this reason that I had the dexa as my consultant said looking at my MRI that L2 looked "suspicious".

I shall be going back to my gp as I do not feel able to continue with AA when it is making me feel more unwell than I do on a normal scale.

There are other kinder drugs I could be offered but they are more expensive.

Elna x

kellerman

Elna....Its a postcode lottery whether you get the more expensive one. My GP told me there wasn't a doctor in the area that would prescribe them. Specialist did so now the GP has to.
I think you have to try 2 of the others first and then they have no choice.
I would definately try pushing for them. I've been on them for nearly 2 years now with no problems.

lupin15

elnafinn wrote:

Thanks Lupin, it was my gp who wrote to the rheumi who did the report on my dexa scan saying words to the effect of was it really necessary for me to go on AA. The gp had looked at the report of my scan and worked it out that it was unlikely that I would get a fracture in the next 10 years. The reply from the rheumi was that I should be on it because L2 showed signs of osteoporosis and it was for this reason that I had the dexa as my consultant said looking at my MRI that L2 looked "suspicious".

I shall be going back to my gp as I do not feel able to continue with AA when it is making me feel more unwell than I do on a normal scale.

There are other kinder drugs I could be offered but they are more expensive.

Elna x

If you have a good gp he may give you the more expensive drug.. i know mine will once all the test have come back.. he has to able to give reason to the practise which i understand. The term "suspicious" to me states they are unsure and are covering their bottoms . You need to balance up what your quality of life is with and without the drug .... You could always say no and say you want another bone scan in 2 years and see whether there is any difference.. a gamble ummm i'm not sure. There seems to be such a difference on how people get treated across the country. If they are saying you need the drug they should be giving you the one that your body can cope with...this should not be dependant on cost. Sorry now climbing off my soap box. :shock: :x

elnafinn

Hi Lupin,

I am most definitely not going to swallow another one of those particular AA's. After this mornings episodes, no way. I felt so unwell and was popping immodium like there was no tomorrow. I was out at the time as well - thank goodness for the local loos near Sainsbury's, my bicycle, immodium and a bottle of water.

I shall lay the cards on the table when I have made this GP's appointment I would like you say, prefer not to take any meds for OP and have a dexa in two years. But if he thinks I should as the rehumy most definitely did, then another one will have to be prescribed. Life is difficult enough, with our symptoms, let alone adding more symptoms when there are alternatives one can try. :roll:

Thank you Lupin

Hugs,
Elna x