I am not a very happy bunny today......

Oh dear, katek. I'm just in from shopping and saw your post. No advice, but I do hooe you can find something that helps the creaking gates

I'm sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed with a precursor to osteoporosis, osteopenia, after I broke my leg in two places, three years ago. It was a shock to me even though I half expected it.

Since then, I have been on a weekly tablet of alendronate acid and daily calcium supplements. I was a bit scared of the alendronate because of the stories about it but I've been fine with it. I did have the option of managing my condition by dietary means but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that so opted for medication.

My bone density issues did improve after three years of alendronic acid. It messed up my stomach though. I have taken to using codliver oil to keep up my vitamin D needs and will add calcium. I am a vegetarian as well.

Thanks bags-have just booked my train for December C........ lunch as a bit of a pick me up.

I've been prescribed Fosamax but as I already have a hiatus hernia I'm not too sure about taking this. (See what I mean about creaking gate!) Is there anything less upsetting to the innards? I'm also a vegetarian nelliem, but most soya products are fortified with calcium. Oh hang on....got to factor in the current ferritin deficiency as well, bring on the kale!

Yes, the drugs can be hard on the stomach. Take them exactly as prescribed. I know someone who just swallowed hers down - I'm amazed she didn't rot a hole in her stomach!

I have osteoporosis and so does my mother-she is 94. She now has injections every six months because she wasn't taking her medication properly. I can't remember what it is called but it is an implant under the skin and she seems to have adapted well to it. I suspect it is more expensive than most of the treatments but if you have other conditions perhaps it would be more suitable. Weight bearing exercise is helpful. You need someone to help you decide what exercise will help you, perhaps see a physiotherapist. I do Tai Chi with a very understanding teacher who teaches it for health and not as a martial art. It is very good for bone density. I would go back to your GP and ask for more help or for referral to a specialist.

As I am on steroids I was prescribed Alenronic Acid to be taken once a week before food. I have it with a whole glass of water and sit up straight in bed, as suggested, for half an hour. I then have my morning cuppa.

I have had no side effects, neither has my friend who is also on them.

That's reassuring to hear, I'm always very wary about side effects of any new drugs.

Drug makers have to list all the possible, known about side effects. That doesn't mean everyone using the drugs will get all, or any, of the side effects. I prefer not to read about side effects until I have some unusual symptoms; then I check to see if those are listed. No point worrying about something that might never happen.

I ]'m with you thatbags..I know I would immediately develop some of the side effects simply by knowing they exist. If I don't know I can't imagine them, if they do happen I will look them up!

The way my luck is going I'll probably get all of f them!!

Now then! ??

I was on alendronic acid for 5 years as the post cancer hormone therapy drugs I was on were likely to make my early stage osteoporosis (detected through a routine DXA scan) worse. It certainly did the job of stabilising the problem, but gradually I developed bouts of terrible vomiting, which in the last year produced 'coffee ground' vomit. Sorry to be so graphic. I didn't at the time connect this with the AA, but since I stopped taking it, the bouts of vomiting have never recurred.

So....it was effective, but for me it was at a cost. It contributed to my feeling horrible for 5 years.

I was on strontium ranelate for many years and then it went out of favour and could no longer be prescribed. Since then I have just taken calcium and Vit D. I was offered the 6 monthly injection but one of the potential side effects is to inhibit your immune system - as I had not long had a hip replacement I thought this did not sound ideal. I must ask for another DEXA soon.

Alendronic acid was contra-indicated because of my reflux.