Osteoporosis

[ethandron]

Do any of you ladies here suffer from this? If so, how did you find out? Did you have any symptoms or unexpected broken bones? Are you on any medication (I imagine you are if you have a diagnosis)? Do you experience any side effects from the medication? Has it affected your lifestyle significantly, or not at all?
Thanks in advance from a recently diagnosed and slightly shocked eth.

[ethandron]

Ratters, it's about staying upright, sitting or standing, and not lying down, so that the meds go right down into the stomach rather than hang around in the oesophagus potentially causing problems there. Seems its quite potent stuff.

[jamesnan]

I take my alendronic acid sitting up in bed reading, large glass of water, and just sit there for the full 30 minutes, before my wonderful husband brings my breakfast to me in bed. I used to have to take a tablet every day, but now it is just once a week.

[chrissa1]

The word "acid" is a bit of a giveaway. As Jamesnan said, you just have to stay away from the horizontal.

[LoftyLottie]

I would confirm that it's about your upper body being upright, not about standing. And a large amount of water. I believe I was told that it was to do with the alendrolic acid remaining in your oesophagus (I can't spell it) for any length of time. It has to be diluted and get down to your stomach quickly.

Important for your residents Ratter. I was never told not to take the calcium and to avoid dairy, neither by my GP or the hospital.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry Ethandron I have just repeated what you have said!! I am half asleep!!

[Brinjal]

It can soften bones in some people hence jaw problems you must inform your dentist if you are taking this drug. It binds calcium so you don't want it to bind the calcium before it is absorbed in the bone and is still in the blood. All calcium supplements must have vitamin d in them to help quick absorption.

[RATTER15]

LL, I was wondering how the standing made a difference to sitting, I know about the calcium problem, the ones on Alendronic have their calcium one hour later, this was directions from GP.

So those having Alendronic should also avoid cereal for breakfast?

It maybe that these ladies are so old that any effect from dairy would take so long to manifest that it would not be worth worrying about? I will look into it, I dont do morning meds as I only work lates, these meds are only given out on morning shift.

[missprim]

Didn't see this on Saturday but just wanted to add that I also have this and have been on Calichew-D3 Forte chewable Tablets for many years but my recent bone density scan showed I needed more so I was prescribed Alendronic acid but would not take them, so my Rheumatologist has sent me for a blood test to measure calcium levels and has spoken to me about having an 'infusion' once a year.
I too have lost one and a half inches in height over time.
Haven't had broken bones though, so early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

[johnny37]

Does upright mean fully upright? My sitting in bed is less than upright! About the tablet sticking - I seem to have a lo of mucus in my throat on waking which stops the tablet going down. I think what I need to do is take more water and spread it over half an hour. Otherwise I have been given no instuctions about diet.