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Need an osteoporosis drug vacation?
Good morning, I have noticed quite a few questions about the availability of "drug vacations" for those of us on Osteoporosis medications. I definitely had no response to share with you. So, I asked my Mayo Endocrinologist how Mayo Clinic handled requests for drug vacations. There is a Mayo policy and Dr. Wermers was willing to share it on Connect.
"We will often suggest a drug holiday in lower-risk individuals after 5 years on alendronate or 3 years on Reclast. In high-risk individuals, we use alendronate for up to 10 years and Reclast up to 6 years before a drug holiday. Drug holidays only apply to bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid) and not other osteoporosis medication classes."
Dr. Robert A. Wermers, M.D.
May you all have happiness and joy.
Chris
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thank you so much for that information.
After 3 yearly infusions of Aclasta (Reclast) my doctor suggested a vacation from it due to concern over bone overgrowth.
I would like to hear from anyone who has had Reclast Infusion. I had mine on Feb. 28,2023.
I am still experiencing very debilitating side effects. I will have a good day and then 3 bad days. I believe at this point I have experienced most of the side effects listed. I have so much pain in my joints such that I cannot sleep. Is this going to go on for a year??? Any info would be helpful.
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2 ReactionsI have been on many different medications for 30 years, with no side effectsl but recently I have developed MGUS and the Hematologist suggested I stop the Ibandornate.
Gina5009
Is there any information on how long a 'vacation', one at high risk, can safely take from alendronate ?
Good evening @12jo ........Your own specialist or endocrinologist should be able to tell you if you are high or low risk. Everyone is different as we all know. There are a lot of factors to consider in making that determination.
Chris
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2 ReactionsIs it worth taking these drugs if they literaly destroy your ability to perform your routines of daily living. If you persavere, will the side effects eventually go away??---Ever?
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1 ReactionWhat are you taking?
I took Fosamax for just over 5 years and had zero side effects. However, I fractured my T8 vertebra at one month past the 5 year mark. I guess you could call that a side effect and a bad one at that because the bone in my spine didn't get remodeled for five years? DEXA scans were all good and in the osteopenia range. Go figure. Nobody informs you of what the risk might be of your bone remodeling just getting shut down for 5 to 10 years or more.
Recently I was on Tymlos for five months. I was on for four then off one month then back on for one month. During that last month I had the worst constipation I've ever had in my life. It was present in the first four months but I chalked it up to something else and not the medication. When I restarted and it came back I put two and two together. I eat plenty of fiber due to a family history of colon cancer and a personal history of precancerous polyps. I'm off it now waiting to get on teriparatide but I told my rheumatologist that if I had the same side effect I'd wouldn't be taking it.
For me, no drug is worth taking if it destroys your ability to live your life routinely. I suppose I might think differently if the disease might kill me and I could be saved by the medication.
It's such a tough decision - I feel for you and I hope things get better for you.
@rosemaryhow,
take the drugs that can literally destroy your ability to perform even the routines, and the pleasures of daily living.
or avoid the drugs that might prevent the fractures that literally destroy the routines, and pleasures of daily living.
Unhappy choice.
Bless yours with luck