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@aacatsaregreat, I have been taking alendronate since October 2020. The various possible side effects you describe are not those typically seen with alendronate, to my knowledge. I have not had any side effects at all. The most common side effect that prevents people from continuing use is GERD. Your doctor may be waiting to see how well you are tolerating the med in that respect before prescribing more.
I have not had any special bloodwork or tests outside of my usual yearly comprehensive blood panel and I don't think that's necessary with alendronate. I've only had one other DEXA scan (in February of this year) since the initial one in October 2020. Most people get them every 2 years. I simply was unaware (my PCP at the time didn't suggest one) or I would have had it done sooner. My DEXA scores were unchanged. I still have severe osteoporosis of the spine (-3.9) and just barely osteoporotic in my hips. While in a way that is kind of a win (at least I'm no worse off than before), I am trying to get on a different type of drug that actually builds bone. I don't know if you know that there are two different categories of bone meds: anti-resorptive and anabolic. Only the latter build new bone; the anti-resorptives, of which alendronate is one, try to stop the loss of old bone. Because I had/have severe osteoporosis, I think I should have been on an anabolic from the get-go but I didn't know anything about them at the time. It seems most docs prescribe alendronate or another anti-resorptive rather routinely and don't discuss or even tell you there may be other options for you. Even if you and/or your doc would prefer a different drug, insurance companies often/usually require you to "fail" one of the lesser-tier i.e less expensive drugs and/or be at high risk of fracture before they will approve one of the anabolics.
It may be that alendronate will work perfectly well for you. Many people's DEXA scores do improve with it. If you have mild or maybe even moderate osteoporosis and can tolerate it well, it could be the best choice for you at this time.
What are your DEXA scores? Did you doctor tell you about or discuss other potential options?
Replies to "@aacatsaregreat, I have been taking alendronate since October 2020. The various possible side effects you describe..."
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Thanks you your response!
The information that came with my alendronate prescription didn't mention tiredness or dizziness among the possible side effects, but the alendronate pages on several medication websites I've looked at do indicate dizziness, lightheadedness, unusual tiredness or weakness on their lists as "incidence not known". So I guess they've been reported but may not be common? I'm guessing they're associated with the med as both began right after I began taking it, but not to the extent that they interfere with my life! Hopefully both will eventually go away.
I, too, was unaware of any possibility that I had osteoporosis, and I'd never been offered a scan prior to starting on Medicare last November. I've never had a fracture of any type. According to my scan my femur necks and spine are involved.
My doctor mentioned numbers but at the time I was so surprised that I didn't listen very well. I do remember that I was very slightly below the "below average" line on the results. I'll get more information when I see her again, or I may be able to go online and get the results. I'm aware of the different categories of meds, but don't know the details. My doctor did mention a yearly infusion if the alendronate isn't helpful. But that sounds kind of scary!