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Original poster

Anyone take Alendronic acid for Osteoporosis.

27 replies

BestIsWest · 10/02/2015 19:58

Had a call from the hospital today today after a bone scan to say I am borderline for osteoporosis and they want to start me on Alendronic acid. They are writing to my GP for her to prescribe it.

It sounds pretty grim. Has anyone any experience to share?

OP posts:
Kundry · 10/02/2015 21:30

Not one person I've ever met has liked Alendronate. It's a nuisance to take and you need to follow the instructions to the letter or it will give you indigestion.

On the other hand it works. It's much better than broken bones.

dot91 · 10/02/2015 21:36

My mum used to take it for her osteoporosis she took it once a week on a Sunday morn I think on an empty stomach an hour or so before food she had to sit up as well after taking it if I remember right . She never complained about it so as far as I know it was ok.

Mylittlepotofjoy · 10/02/2015 22:16

I take it and have never had any problems !! Admittedly it's one of many tablets I have to take but I've never notice any problems . I just take it once a week in the morning with other meds and that's it.

noddyholder · 10/02/2015 22:18

I was borderline and started it but it gave me really bad acid not normal indigestion much worse I just couldn't tolerate it. That was 8 yrs ago and I was switched to alfacalcidol which is vit d and no probs since and no deterioration in bone density

orangina · 10/02/2015 22:20

(marking my place, as osteopenic atm....)

maggiso · 10/02/2015 22:44

I took it for a while due to being on other medication (high dose corticosteroids), but I developed quite severe gastritis and was unable to eat, so had to give up on it. I followed the instructions to the letter, but already had stomach difficulties, (as well as being in very poor health at the time) so I guess that was the reason.

TopazRocks · 11/02/2015 03:35

I've just recently been taken off it. I hated it, but it was okay really . You had to get into a habit with taking it. At first I altered the day I took it - usually it's a weekly dose; a few take it daily - to find the day that suited best. It was - for me - a case of finding a day when I had time to potter around, but not need to stoop, to the washing machine for example, but had time to eat breakfast once I could. So not a day when you were rushing out. And you really do need to eat once you have had your hour or whatever of fasting. Sometimes I went for a walk, and then came back for breakfast. I did get acid reflux, and it got worse as time went on. Luckily for me, my bone density scan was 'normal' and I'm getting my steroids dose down, so now I'm on Adcal-D3 instead. And it's a relief to not have to take it. But if you need it you need it. A friend has just had a fractured pelvis from a very minor fall and that has scared me. If I had to take it again, I would.

Original poster
BestIsWest · 11/02/2015 09:31

I will be on the once a week 70 mg. Lots of answers, thanks all. I have been osteopaenic for a few years but I have a condition that means I can't take vit D. I have also had stomach problems so that worries me slightly. On the other hand I've already had my fair share of broken bones so I really don't want any more. Lots to think about.

I've also read it can give you bone pain, anyone get this? Also, did anyone gain weight with it?

OP posts:
Mrsmorton · 11/02/2015 15:34

You should see your dentist before you start taking it. It is strongly linked to a condition called bisphosphonate related osteo necrosis of the jaw if you require any dental treatment while you take it. Fillings etc are fine but anything more invasive can be really very difficult to manage it. Your dentist will have heard of it and will ensure that you have any treatment done before you start. This includes extraction of any teeth with doubtful prognosis.

There is some info on patient.co.uk which I looked at by just googling the drug and "dental".

Original poster
BestIsWest · 11/02/2015 16:22

Hmm, I think I am due a dental check up any way so will give my dentist a ring. ThanksMrsmorton.

OP posts:
ITrulyMoustache · 11/02/2015 16:39

My mother has really severe and suddenly onsetting osteoporosis. She doesn't really like alendronic acid, but her life is improved now she's on it. She also has stomach problems meaning she can't take a lot of things.

A great aunt says has't got anything bad to say about alendronic either. Nor anything positive, but...

pinkfrocks · 11/02/2015 19:29

I was offered it for osteopenia and decided not to after reading all the research. I was told it is for full blown osteoporosis. I made lifestyle and diet changes, got myself a personal trainer to do bone building exercise.

How old are you?

Have you made a really big, huge effort to build your bone density through diet and exercise, AND work out why you have low bone density now? Do you have risk factors? Do you smoke? Are you underweight? Have you taken steroids for any length of time? Did you have an early menopause or irregular periods?

HRT is still licensed for osteoporosis in women who are peri or post menopause and who cannot take bisphosphonates.

Have you looked at the NOS website for advice and support?

pinkfrocks · 11/02/2015 19:51

This is useful for you

www.nos.org.uk/document.doc?id=823

pinkfrocks · 11/02/2015 19:55

and another one for you

www.thebms.org.uk/newsitem.php?newsid=54

Inarecentsurvey · 11/02/2015 21:39

My mother was on it for a number of years due to osteoporosis. She experienced ongoing strong ache in her thigh and a couple of years ago her leg "gave way" when she was hanging up some clothes in her wardrobe. Her surgeon (she had to have a plate fitted) told her to stop alendronic acid tablet straight away as there had been some recent research (I didn't ask where) that linked it to making bones too brittle. There is no proof that this is why her femur broke but you may want to ask your GP for extra info about the risks to bones.

Rivercam · 11/02/2015 21:45

I've been on it for nearly two years due to borderline osteoporosis. I never had any stomach problems with it. However, the tablets i was given were quite large, so I swopped to a monthly form, which, ironically are smaller.

The weekly tablets are also a nuisance because you have to wait for half an hour sitting or standing after taking them, to prevent the indigestion. The monthly tablets you have to wait for an hour - annoying but at least it's only once a month.

pinkfrocks · 11/02/2015 21:46

I think most GPs are not exactly up to date with all the treatments.
A friend of mine is on Raloxifene - prescribed her her rheumatologist as she couldn't use standard HRT due to large fibroids.

OP you need to find out exactly what your scan showed and where your bones were thinner. Ask for your results and look at you T-score and Z score. If it's your spine, Raloxifene is licensed for treatment for low bone density in the spine.

High impact/ weight bearing exercises will help if you have low density in your hips but it will take a couple of years to see any improvement.

Bisphosphonates work by slowing down and preventing bone loss/ turnover. This has the negative effect of meaning your bones are made of dead cells - not new ones which replace old cells. This means that sometimes as the PP said, the bone becomes brittle - full of compacted old bone cells- and can break just as much as a thin porous bone could.

In your case I'd be asking for a referral to a specialist as you are presumably young to be diagnosed.

Original poster
BestIsWest · 12/02/2015 06:07

I'm 51. The cause of my low density is primary Hyperparathyroidism which causes calcium to be leached from the bones. Normally this is treatable by an operation to remove the adenoma which causes it but in my case they can't find it on the scans so won't operate. I had my first DEXA scan 2 years ago and that indicated osteopenia so I made lifestyle changes then. I need to find out how much it's worsened since then.

It's the endocrinologists who have recommended this. I do know that it's not in my spine. I must admit I am becoming more and more dubious the more I read.

I will be seeing my GP to discus, I suppose it will depend on how much worse these results are.

OP posts:
Lagoonablue · 22/05/2015 22:47

I know this thread is a bit old now but wondered how you were getting on with the AA OP? I have just found out I have osteoporosis too and am 50. I am scared of the side effects.

Original poster
BestIsWest · 22/05/2015 22:52

Hi Lagoon, I have the prescription but haven't taken it yet. There was a bit of a mix up with between the GP and the hospital so I didn't get the prescription until a few weeks ago and I'm still worried about the side effects. I go back to the hospital in a fortnight so I want to discuss a few things with them first.

Do you know what the cause of yours is?

OP posts:
Lagoonablue · 23/05/2015 06:34

Thanks for reply. I have recently diagnosed Coeliacs which has caused it. I have the tablets and was going to take one this morning but forgot and had a cup of tea! So will do it to tomorrow. Am dreading it.

Kittykat7 · 23/05/2015 07:53

I can't tolerate any of the meds & the only other option is an injection called Prolia. Fosamax is also available as an injection. I am in Australia & have to get Prolia on a private prescription as it's not a available due to my age as you have to menopausal & have had fractures to qualify for the reduced cost. It's going to cost me $300 every 6 months.

Lagoonablue · 23/05/2015 13:20

I am so fed up though. All I got was a letter to say I had it, no info about where exactly but it did say I was at risk of fractures. I went to GP in the hope there might be other options than AA but he scared me, saying my spine could crumble and that AA was my best option.

So gutted am only 50 and my kids are still young (had them late). I am scared about my future.Hmm

Original poster
BestIsWest · 23/05/2015 15:07

Same here Lagoon. I only had a letter and my GP still hasn't had my results so I don't know how much my condition has changed since my last bone scan as the Endo hasn't sent them on which is why I've held off taking them. And like you, I keep forgetting. My mind is only programmed to think of breakfast and tea first thing In the morning.

There is a forum on the Osteoporosis Society website, it might be worth you going on there and asking how others have coped with it.

It is a bummer isn't it. My youngest is 17 now but I am still gutted that I'll never risk doing things I'm still young enough to do because I'm afraid of fracturing something. Skiing for example. Not that I've ever skied but I could have. I broke a toe falling over a sheepskin slipper the other day.

OP posts:
Psippsina · 23/05/2015 15:14

I was prescribed it about 15 years ago due to mild osteoporosis after having anorexia for several years and no periods.

I took it for a couple of weeks and found it very worrying to take, they said it didn't matter, so I stopped...my periods came back when I put on weight and I was told that my bones would recover.

Glad I stopped reading this as I have had a lot of dental work so it could have caused awful problems.

Horrid stuff, sorry to those who are taking it.