Hi everyone.I am new to this forum.I started taking Alendronic acid for the first time yesterday.I have had a bone density scan which shows i have oesteoporosis.I am 59 years old,considered myself quite fit until last June,I have read the side effects of these tablets and what other people have put about them.I am quite scared about taking anymore.I felt fine yesterday after taking mu first tablet,but today I feel lousy.Everywhere aches,just dont feel right.Has anyone else experienced side effects after just one tablet.look forward to anyones comments.
I took alendronic acid for less than 6 months, I hated it so much! I didn't actually get side effects but I just didn't trust a drug that you have to wash down with so much water and then stay upright for 30 mins in case it burns your oesophagus. And then there's the worry about necrosis of the jaw with invasive dental work... I know it's rare but I have to have loads of dental treatment and didn't want to take the risk. I have read loads of negative comments about this drug... so in the end I just stopped taking it and my GP put me on Protelos (strontium ranelate) which works in a different way to help you build bone. Unfortunately it's very expensive so the NHS isn't keen, and recently there's a scare about slightly raised risk of heart attack on it (which I'm happy to take). I do sympathise with you – at the moment it doesn't seem there's an ideal drug out there for something that affects probably 60%+ of women – and some men, too.
Hi Sue
Thankyou for sharing your comments about alendronic acid.If it can have such an effect by just taking one tablet,dont think I will be taking anymore.I havent heard one positive comment about this drug.I will going back to my GP.For the last two days I have felt absolutely shattered,its not like me to feel so tired.Im usually on the go all the time.I thought about just getting some multivitamins or cod liver oil,I have been told that is good for your joints.Thanks once again. Denise.
Go and have a look at the national osteoporosis society's website. They have a forum where this sort of thing is discussed. I think you should revisit your GP because what you also need is calcium and vitamin d3 for your bones. Most GPs prescribe calcichew which combines the two. Some GPs, alas, are not very well informed about osteoporosis so we need to educate ourselves! Good luck. It is very shocking when you're first diagnosed.
Hi Sue,
Thankyou for your advice,its very much appreciated.
Denise
Hi I have recently been told I have signs of osteoporosis and have now taken alendronic acid tablets for 6 weeks. My GP warned me that some people don't get on with the tablets but so far not too bad - just a metallic taste but that's got to be better than crumbling bones. I remember my grandmother's suffering and that makes me want to take something to prevent it. I am 62 and she lived to be 90 so I am glad to have been diagnosed early as a result of a visit to an osteopath. I have never broken any bones but suffer with back pain and he suggested a dexa scan
Hi all. Does any one know about jaw bone scans, to see if using Alendronic Acid (AA) over time has affected the quality / density of the jaw bone? (This isn't the same as having an x-ray).
I have been using AA for eight years and in the last 1-2 years I have been having numerous dental problems: Fillings needed, teeth removal (none removed before the first one this year) and general poor gum / teeth probs...
I could be going through a 'bad patch', but I looked into the side effects of using AA and dental issues are flagged up frequently, even in the drug leaflets that come with the prescription.
Personally, having read up now on numerous serious side effects, I've decided to stop using AA.. But I'd still like to know if a bone density scan is possible for the jaw.. Since any tooth removal can be apparently be very risky, if the jaw has deteriorated due to AA... I saw a reference about this issue, on one of the several AA forum discussions here, but there were no details I believe.
My dentist and several GPs know nothing of this jaw test, and they didn't seem particularly concerned either, unfortunately!
Thanks if anyone can advise.
Hi there.i haven't heard about the jaw test either.i only took alendronic acid for about a month and decided to stop because i was having chronic indigestion and pains in my joints.since stopping taking them i have had no more of these problems.i hope someone can give you some more information about the jaw test.
Hi Denise
Thanks a lot for your reply.
If you're happy to say, I wonder if you're using any other medication, now you've stopped AA, like I have?
Just trying again:
Does anyone know of any ‘jaw bone scan’ that can be done to check bone density in jaw bone, after using Alendronic Acid for many years? Thanks a lot if you do and can advise…
I have a GP appt next week and want to discuss this with her, as although I’ve decided to come off AA, after reading up on it a lot and being shocked by side effects, I have been having many dental problems in the last couple of years, and am a bit concerned about the possible health of my jaw bone.
My dentist knows nothing about a scan for the density / quality. Only about ordinary X-rays that will just show the height of the jaw bone (which shrinks down with age, naturally.
Thanks all.
I think you are confusing things here. The issue with AA and dental problems is that a very rare condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), when an area of jaw bone dies off, can result after invasive dental treatment if you are taking AA. Some dentists will not treat you (for instance carry out an extraction) if you have been taking AA, others think the risk is so tiny they don't worry. It's partly up to you if you take the risk. AA will not affect your jaw bone on a long-term basis so there's no point in monitoring the density even if you could. I have always had dental problems no matter how I try to look after my teeth, nothing to do with AA (which incidentally I do not take any more because I don't like it).
Be aware that if you stop taking AA, the better alternative, Protelos, or strontium ranelate, may be about to be taken off the prescribable drug list in the UK because they've just decided it has a minute risk of increasing heart attacks. Just when I was getting used to it...
Thanks a lot Sue... This is reassuring.
However, my reading around AA (including warnings in some of the drug packets themselves) seems to give a strong suggestion that using AA long term, has a high risk of affecting the quality of the jaw bone and dental health in general...that can in extreme cases, lead to Osteonecrosis of the jaw.. I may be wrong and I hope I am, for the sake of the huge number who have been prescribed AA!!
And of course, all of us are different and some bodies react differently, and some have better teeth due to luckier genetics etc! ... But I have understood that AA can possibly affect the blood supply to the jaw, so leading to weakening in general in that area and small amounts of teeth loosening being more likely to occur around the base of teeth. (You only need a tiny amount of loosening to invite infection and therefore disease, of course)..
I've been using AA for nine years. And I'm pretty unhappy that the specialist in a top teaching hospital only suggested coming off only this year, as I've read that it's now suggested to come off after five years.
I only looked into side effects of AA following my excessive dental problems recently. But came off it a month ago, not only because of the teeth issue, but because of all the other dreadful side effects, and because I reckoned I had been left on it far too long anyway! But in the last couple of years, I have had numerous fillings and several extractions after never having had a tooth out before. And my jaw / mouth often just doesn't feel that healthy. My dentist reckons I care for my teeth and gums very well and I have a pretty good diet.
If I could afford it, I would go to a medial herbalist and use herbs to strengthen the bone.
Thanks also for the heads up about strontium ranelate, as I had considered that. I was going to research side effects for that too, before accepting...
Hi everyone I am new to this forum, in November I had a fall and had severe back pain, x-rays showed no problem then I had an MRI which confirmed I had osteoporosis with compression fracture of t4, my GP put me on Alendronic acid 70mg once a week. Problems started after first dose, aching joints, second dose symptoms started in the middle of the night waking me from sleep. When it came to week three symptoms started the day before medication was due, severe joint and muscle pains, three days later and no change. I called my GP and told her the response I got was " I have not heard of this before, I will have to call an osteoporosis specialist ". I work for the NHS and they have been very supportive, I had to take three months off because of pain and I am now on phase return. I did six hours today but my symptoms just got worse as the day progressed so much o that I have had to call in sick for tomorrow. I work as a housekeeper in intensive care unit this is a very physically demanding job for which I am now in fear of losing because of medication that is supposed to help. Do these symptoms go after you stop taking the medication ?
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.