Alendronic Acid

[ethandron]

I've been taking this for the last five years but after a medication review today, I'm being granted a 'holiday' from it for at least one year, maybe two.
Any of you ladies take it, how do you feel about taking it? Must admit I've never liked taking it and have on occasions missed a few so I'm very glad to be having a break from it.

[bednobs]

i came off it earlier this year = didnt make much difference to me as i rarely took it anyway

[ethandron]

Ha ha bednobs, I know what you mean. Did you take yourself off it, permanently, or on the doctors advice?

[bednobs]

dr. I think there's research to show 5 years is optimum dose

[NoMercy]

Alendronic Acid is usually taken for 5 years, followed by a 2-year drug holiday. The cycle is then repeated, with 2-yearly bone densitometry scans to monitor your bone mineral density.

However, if you are over 75 and severely osteoporotic, you are recommended to just carry on taking it without any breaks.

I know a lot of people struggle to take it due to epigastric upset.

[ethandron]

Yes, I knew about the five year thing. I was actually contemplating asking about the infusion of something you can have instead of taking the tablets once a week. I don't need to now.
The tablets don't upset my stomach, I just don't like the way you have to take them..all that water and then being upright for 30 minutes, not to mention potential nasty side effects...and refer to it as my poison.
My GP has told me if I need to go back on steroids then I may need to start taking the blooming stuff again.
I'm just curious really, as to what other ladies feel about having to take it.
Thanks for your answers.

[NoMercy]

You can have something called Denosumab which is given 6-monthly as a subcutaneous injection but to be eligible for this there would have to be a specific contraindication to oral bisphosphonates or the bisphosphonates would need to be proven to be inefficacious with a DEXA scan.

[chrissa1]

I took it but can't remember for how long. It was, years. I was advised to come off it by my dentist because I developed osteonecrosis. When I had a tooth out, part of my upper jaw, (a very small part) snapped off and had to be pulled out by my dentist.

The alendronic acid was, blamed.

I'm just taking calcium tablets now.

[NoMercy]

Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked recently, Chrissa?

[trt]

I have been taking them for years, plus two calcium tablets for 6 days. (Male)
Never been told to stop them, or had a check, to see if I need them anymore.

They have never bothered me, and I have my coffee after 15 minutes of taking them.

[chrissa1]

I haven't, NM. The docs and dentist told me that the alendronic acid had done all it was meant to do and that to continue it would be, pointless.

[ethandron]

That's awful Chrissa, worst nightmare. Apart from stopping the alendronic acid, did you have any treatment for it?
trt, how did you discover you had osteoporosis? It's a bit more unusual in men isn't it?
I still take the two huge calcium with Vit D bombs every day.

[trt]

# trt, how did you discover you had osteoporosis? It's a bit more unusual in men isn't it? #

Etha, I think its when I had an accident and crushed two vertebrae's many years ago, and after x-rays etc at Addenbrookes, I was prescribed them.

I stopped taking them, my decision as couldn't see the point, then about 5 years ago, my doctor said, why dont you order them anymore, and put me back on them, and I still dont know why I take them, as I dont seem to have any probs with my bones.

[chrissa1]

I was referred to the dental hospital and they took an x-ray and confirmed that the piece of bone had indeed broken off. They wanted me to go every six months for another x-ray but I rang them and said I thought it was a waste of their resources, and my time.
I've had no reoccurrence so will just be aware the next time I need a tooth out.

Keep Calm And Carry On. Nil Desperandum!!