Àlendronic acid

I have recently started taking Alendronic Acid tablets following hormone treatment after breast cancer surgery and now Radiotherapy. I haven't taken it for long, but have had no side effects so far. It has to be taken once a week with a full glass of water, first thing in the morning while remaining sitting or standing upright for 30 minutes before any food, drink or other medication.
Some people find this very inconvenient, but I take a walk first thing every morning so it is no problem once a week to use the opportunity to stay upright. a friend uses the time to check her emails or social media.
I hope you get your gut problems sorted soon.

The search process has actually worked for once, so here are the previous results:
www.gransnet.com/info/search?q=alendronic+acid

Thank you shysal. That link is really helpful. I have read several of the posts and gsined s lot of information.
My doctor was helpful on the telephone appt this morning, but comments from GNs actually taking it are brilliant.
I am due a dental check up this winter so will book that and talk to him as well.
I havent had any fractures so had I not asked for a DEXA I would not be any wiser.

I have osteoporosis at varying readings of level in different parts of my spine and hips.

I have been taking alendronic acid for the last 18 months without ill effect.

I am showing no visible signs of osteoporosis. It was only found because I am part of the UK Biobank sample, and I was asked to come in for a baseline survey, including a dexascan and that found it.

I took Alendronic acid for nearly five years with no problems, I always got the ironing done during my stand up time. It improved my Dexa reading.
I stopped after five years as advised by my GP.

I’ve been taking Alendronic acid tablets for 3 years now, with no noticeable side effects. I’m not sure when I should have another Dexa scan, one GP said after 3 years, another one said after 5 years. I’ll ring and check.
I had the first Dexa scan after having 2 spinal fractures and paying for a private X-ray.

I ve been told by the dentist that my jawbone is crumbling it feels quite normal to me but now I ve read it can be a rare side effect of alendronic acid which I ve been having in infusion form no idea if this is anything to do with the infection I ve had in my jawbone recently I m a bit bemused by it all no one seems sure of anything seen a doctor and two dentists

I've been taking alendronic acid since July when I was prescribed a high doseage of steroids - I've also got osteopenia, picked up after I broke my wrist.
Only frustration is having to wait half an hour for my morning cup of tea once a week!

I had to take it during two years of PMR and steroids. I HATED having to wait half an hour for my first coffee in the morning.
This was during Covid so I never saw a doctor and have no idea whether the steroids have given me osteoporosis.

I was prescribed it when on high dose steroids for vasculitis
Couldn’t get on with it
Even tried sitting on static bike so no pressure on stomach
Still got horrendous heart burn that lasted for three or four days
During Covid and although I told them I couldn’t tolerate and stopped it was not given alternative
I was lucky dex scan as came of steroids OK and only one little filling in a very old one
Hope it works out for you

I will be starting the infusion of Alendronic Acid in a week as I have stomach etc issues and cannot take the tablets.
My VitD level is 90 now.
I am on 5mg Prednisolone reducing monthly after PMR. I have had osteoporosis for a couple of years and only now having treatment as Vit.D not high enough. I am not looking forward to this at all. Any advice please?

I was prescribed Alendronic Acid following a bone scan showing that I had osteopaenia having fractured my ankle in a stupid gardening accident. I had to give it up after 6 months due to my feet feeling as if made of concrete and severe gastritis even though also took Omeprazole to counteract the gastric irritation. Was changed onto Risendronate and have taken it happily for the past 18months showing that for me there is an alternative if Alendronic acid has unwanted side effects. Still have the 30 mins upright or sitting before I can then take my thyroid tablet then another 30 mins before can have a cup of tea!!

I take it; I was diagnosed with Osteopenia 6 years ago after I fell and broke my wrist. 1.7 on scale so halfway to osteoporosis. 3 years on from starting on Alendronic I was down to 1.3, so not only is it containing the condition, it has started to reverse it. They put me on it for a further 3 years, due another review soon. Did have some initial fatigue but other than that no issues

I started taking Alendronic Acid after breast cancer and being diagnosis with ostoarthritis and osteoporosis. The pain in my joints was dreadful, I lasted 3 weeks and then stopped. But to me at my age I would prefer to take my chances and live a life that may be shorter but with a better quality.

Hello everyone. I was taking Alendronic Acid due to my osteoporosis but my consultant reminded my GP to take me off them after a certain period. I think it was 5 years. I don’t recall having to wait 30 minutes for my first coffee though - and I would have remembered that!!

I think I may need to go back in again as it’s been over 2 years since I came off them but will speak with my GP and I’m waiting for a DEXA scan now. Hope that helps?

I have been taking alendronic acid for two years after being diagnosed with osteoporosis after a fall when I broke my wrist. Seems to be the same route others have taken. No side effects at all other than that annoying wait once a week before I can have a coffee. I really don't like Mondays as the song goes. It's also a bind on holiday when I have to remember to take the bloomin thing, not lie down, and keep stomach empty for said amount of time.

I took Alendronic Acid for about 8 years (only supposed to be on it for 5 apparently....) BUT you must ensure any dental work is done before you start. Private dentists' insurance companies don't like it at all and any major work has to be done on NHS - and I had to sign a disclaimer for my extractions. Luckily had no side effects from neither the drug nor the dental work.

I had a bone scan 3 years ago, as I have had to take oestrogen blockers following breast cancer, and I was prescribed calcium & vit D tablets. I had a recent follow up scan and my bone density had deteriorated significantly. As I am also taking Omeprazole as I was recently diagnosed with stomach ulcers and oesophagitis, it was decided I couldn't have the tablets, so I am having an infusion at the hospital next week. The GP made a referral in December and marked it urgent - I then got an appt for September! Since then, however, the appt has been cancelled and I got a new appt for January! Not sure how that came about! I was interested in the comments about biobank, as I had a dexa scan with them in August, but never heard from them, so it seems they never picked up the problem!

I’m supposed to have it but I’m taking it once a month as it makes me so tired and I have very fragile teeth and jaw. Yes waiting for my treasured morning tea.

I was recommended to take Alendronic Acid after a DEXA scan and did so for a couple of months. Having read about the side effects and had a discussion with my dentist, who I trusted, I decided to stop and look for alternatives. I got really useful advice through my daughter who has access to some very knowledgeable people and I have been taking a recommended Bone supplement instead.
The same people also recommended that I take an alternative to the Calcium supplement that the GP prescribed. Apparently, Calcium Carbonate isn't soluble so much harder to absorb so I now take a supplement which includes Calcium Citrate. I am fortunate to have scientists and elite athletes in my family.

I recommend everybody diagnosed checks the Save our Bones website - lots of useful tips re nutrition/ strengthening exs and science concerning osteoporosis medications/current approaches.

I was on Alendronic acid for some years without any problems. My consultant said my bones were now saturated with it, and it would be best to change to something else. I am now on Denosomab, an injection every 6 months. No problems. There is a rare dental side effect with AA, so if you need an extraction see your dentist first and ask what he/she advises.

Thank you for all your replies.

Bluebelle. On the Royal Osteoporosis Society website there is a video of a discussion about osteonecrosis of the jaw between a high level dentist and a Osteoporosis consultant. Very very interesting.
The occurrence of ONJ after dental extractions and dental implants is between about 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000. So very rare. Pre existing conditions and other illnesses can affect the likelihood. Lots of very good information.