 Posted 14/07/2010 11:55:04
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Hi, I have posted on the site but I didn't introduce myself as a new member, so I probably did things the wrong way round! Like many people I'm confused about osteoporosis and shocked at the lack of support within the NHS. I went to my GP about 5 years ago and explained that I had a strong family history of osteoporosis of the spine and wondered if she would refer or a DEXA scan. She said –no. In January I broke my wrist from a bad fall on to a stone floor. It was a high impact fracture but again I thought it may be a way to get a scan. My new GP referred me on my request- the hospital had noted -no follow up needed, as bones looked fine on the x ray. My scores were 3.1 in Spine (apparently between -2.2 and -4.2) and -1.5 and -1.9 in my 2 hips. He prescribed Adendronic acid. However on reading about the treatment I’m reluctant to take it because of reduced bone turnover makes me wonder how long it is safe to take. As I’m only 57 it may be a long time? My vitamin D levels were ‘low’ but I don’t know how low. I now take vitamin D and Calcium tablets and there has been a lot of sun, so hopefully that has incresed. I exercise regularly, although I didn't for 5 months after I broke my wrist. My worry is that my GP knows absolutely nothing – initially quoting my z score as my t score, which was -1.9 and -1.1. The NHS therefore didn’t want to scan me- does at my request – then immediately puts me on Alendronate acid- in some ways I wish I didn’t now know my scores now!! Any comments welcome. Best Wishes H
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Posted 14/07/2010 14:39:35
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| Quite a few of us on this forum are not fans of Alendronic acid and have found that we have done just as well if not better on taking good quality calcium with vitamins K2 and D3 and/or strontium. See the "AlgaeCal 'natural' treatment" thread if you are interested in one of the options. Good luck, John.
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Posted 14/07/2010 16:03:10
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| Hi Alendronic Acid was originally made by Proctor And Gamble. And we all know what they make. So its no wonder many of us have bad painful and upsetting reactions to it. You could risk it and try 1 dose and see what happens. Then if you get a bad reaction , you will be able to go back to your GP and tell him and ask for something else. The reason it is prescribed so much these days (Ifeel) is because it only costs 2p a tablet and all the other Osteoporosis drugs cost considerably more. I dont take any prescribed Osteoporosis Drugs now as I've had bad reactions to 4 of them and it takes ages to recover and get the chemicals out of my system. But everyone reacts differently. I just take the Adcal ( Calcium with Vit D3.)
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Posted 17/07/2010 07:59:31
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Hi,
Thanks so much for replying. I’m still really confused and can’t talk to a medical professional about my worries.
I decided to give Adendronic acid a go and I seem to be fine with no side effects.
I read with interest about AlgaeCal 'natural' treatment. However going down that route will but be v. expensive.
I would really rather not take adendronic acid but my doctor will not prescribe anything else. Has anyone been on adendronic acid and had no side effects and increased their bone density? How long have people been on this drug?? Many Thanks H
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Posted 17/07/2010 11:18:00
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| I took Alendronic Acid for several years, both the daily & once a week version, & had no problems with either. But, having taken it for about 6 years, my Consultant was concerned at the long term effectiveness & so I haven't been taking any drugs for about, I think , 4 or 5 years. My T-scores had shown an improvement when taking Alendronate, but to be honest they weren't too bad in the first place. Having said all this, when I next see my consultant at the end of this year, I won't know what to do if he suggests alendronate again. The whole business of drug treatment is very confusing, & I am just trying to eat properly (not always with sucess) & exercise (again, this varies a lot). All I know is, I much preferred alendronate to the HRT I was initially told to take.
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Posted 17/07/2010 15:20:40
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| Thanks Karen, Could you give me a rough idea of your age and t scores? Many thanks H
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Posted 17/07/2010 21:53:28
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| I am now 53 (almost 54), diagnosed when I was 37 - I had a premature menopause when I was 14. After a year on HRT was told there had been a very large increase in bone thicknes in my spine & hip, though I have no idea of my T scores from that time.Took HRT until 2000, when I took DidronelPMO, then went onto Alendronate in 2002. Bone scan 2004 showed T score spine of -1.4, & femoral neck -1.2. Stopped Alendronate in 2005, no drugs since. My last scan in December 2007 showed lumbar spine T score -1.0 & I think the same for femoral neck. Anyway, it had improved enough for my consultant to classify me as borderline osteopaenia/normal. I think I have been very lucky that my bones are not much worse, considering my very early menopause, & also I have in the past taken high doses of a steroid tablet for another condition for a long time.
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Posted 24/10/2010 12:32:46
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| Hello, I also have this dilemma and I have been asked to alendronic acic and my score is -3.1 and is bad according to them. Have been offered Adcal D3 to take before but decided to take my own calacium which did not have, sugar etc in it. I have been told they will wash their hads of me if I don't go their route and will not be able to have another scan! Any thought son where to go from here would be most helpful. Anon.
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Posted 25/10/2010 10:41:32
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| To Anon........ Why dont you try thr alendronic acid. (showing willing) then decide /report back suits or not suits you. Then you may get option of something else to try.
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Posted 25/10/2010 10:49:14
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| Just one point - you can always pay for your own scan - I can't see why any reasonable consultant or GP would refuse to refer you. If they do refuse then I would change doctors.
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