Anyone on Alendronate?

I am new to the Mayo Support groups and was very excited to see a post titled "ALENDRONATE." I was diagnosed with osteoporosis (doc said I am in the bottom .5%) July 2022. I had a TKR replacement scheduled for the end of August 2022, so I was instructed to wait until at least 6 months post op to begin any treatment. The surgeon who did my knee replacement replacement said my bones were mush and crumbling, indicating if I had another waited another 2 weeks, the part in my knee would have come through my shin. I had no idea osteoporosis was so dibilating. I have had so many health issues since recovering from late stage 3 breast cancer 10 years ago, now I see they can be attributed to osteo.
But back to the Alendonate. I began the medication first week of February this year. I got so sick I was bedridden. It was just like having Chemo again. I felt like I was dying. I called my Internal Medicine doctor who gave me the RX, and he said to take it for a month to get acclimated to it. Horrible. I was in bed for 5 weeks. Not until the 6th week was I able to get up and about and join the living. I'm still getting my strength back. I've been wanting to post here, but for some reason have hesitated. I am hoping to hear if anyone else has had this type of allergic reaction to Alendronate.
I understand this doesn't help you and doesn't anwer your question about Alendronate, sorry.
FYI I am a 65 year old female breast cancer survivor, a recovering alcoholic (16 years!), an ex-smoker with an assortment of health problems. Thanks for listening to anyone reading.

hrd, I am sorry you had such a bad experience while on alendronate. Fortunately I have never had any problems with it. It was just recently that I read about the possibility it can affect your esophagus or I would have discussed it with my doctor sooner. Now that I think about it, I wonder why the gastroenterologist who did my endoscopies never said anything, as all doctors ask for a list of medications their patients are on.
As we all know, there is the possibility of side effects with any medication we take - be it prescription or otc. I hope you can find something else that won't have such terrible side effects.

I take one 70 mg Alendronate tablet per week on Sunday. Is it okay to take one 250 mg tablet of Aleve on Tuesday and one 250 mg tablet of Aleve on Thursday ? I always take it with plenty of water and some food in my stomach. It's the only thing that reduces my inflammatory arthritis. I can barely walk or move without taking Aleve. I take as little as possible just so I have 2 or 3 days a week that I'm able to walk a bit and get things done.

@plunky, that is a good question to ask your pharmacist. They are most knowledgeable about possible drug interactions and very accessible to ask questions.

@12jo, I added your discussion to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group. You may also be interested in this related discussion started by @artscaping
- Need an osteoporosis drug vacation? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-an-osteoporosis-drug-vacation/

I have asked a pharmacist - she gave me good information, but mentioned to discuss with my doctor (which I always do) My doctor wants me to continue on fosamax at least into 2024 and maybe 2025 . May 2024 will be 7 years.
Thank you for adding my discussion to the other group.

I have been taking it for four years and I am unimpressed. I never felt it was actually doing me any good . At best it may have kept some of bones from dissolving into fine dust but lately I have had a couple of negative things even though I am careful and follow the instructions religiously. I read a pamphlet published by Terry naturals that said osteoporosis medications frequently cause pressure fractured more often than they help you avoid them and I too want either a different treatment or long vacation from this potential harmful drug. The literature itself said this drug does not actually build bone or increase density only helps things big deteriorate. That anc osteonecrosis does not fill me with hope. There's GOT to be something better

I was placed on Alendronate by my Physician due to a Bone Density scan that showed high risk for hip fractures, and within about 3 months, I felt really terrible. So nauseated, could not eat, and lost about ten pounds. Then appetite improved some, but I developed severe pain in my joints. I actually felt like my legs were not attached to my spine, and I was going to fall when I got up to walk. So I went from biking, and running on my treadmill, to severe joint pain. and loss of mobilization. I quit the drug, as it was horrible side effects for me. So now she wants to start me on prolia injections every 6 mo. Guess what-side effects are listed about the same. I am thinking of taking my chances with no drug, but I am afraid she will think I am a non-compliant Pt. Anyone have bad side effects as this?

I'd recommend getting a referral to an endocrinologist or rheumatologist to discuss your options. Prolia comes with a savage rebound effect where if you stop the medication you begin to lose bone very quickly. It must be followed up with another bisphosphonate and if you can't tolerate alendronate you'll have to have Reclast infusions (zolendronic acid) regularly and even those can't completely stop the bone loss that comes with Prolia rebound.

This recently published study discusses the outcome of using zolendronate after Prolia: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825942

I had a bad first reaction to Fosamax too. But it got better. I was so afraid of the newer drugs. I endured only because I had too due to my insurance.Insurance said I had to try a bisphosphonate BEFORE they would allow me to take Tymlos or Forteo!A bone builder. After talking to Mccormick, and educating myself on the class of bone meds. I stopped taking it after 4, 6,months. I filled the prescription. But did not take it because I knew I was going to eventually take Forteo, or Tymlos. I felt comfortable knowing g Fosamax that I did take stopped my bone loss.(ctx test after 3 month) And a drug holiday was recommended before starting a new class of bone builders. I would not try the Prolia personly as stated above. Please note this is my personal journey. My overall health is good. My priorities were growing good bone so I could have back surgery . I Don't mean to tell you to stop taking your meds, just find a path that is good for you and fight for it.
Many Blessings.

Hi, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis several years ago and tried all the more natural approaches. In my late sixties and very active and healthy. I finally agreed to do Evenity which I have posted about earlier as I had terrible adverse effects. I went from active and zero aches/pains to after 6-7 months on Evenity felt like I had arthritis and was painful to move especially in the morning. I pushed through for 11 mos then quit as I was done dealing with pain but had excellent gains in my spine. I will be two years out from Evenity in February and most of muscle/bone/joint pain has resolved. However, I was put on Fosomax within a month or two of completion of Evenity and pain got really bad again. Switched to monthly Risedronate and have minimal pain but for me these drugs affect my muscles/joints. I won't have another DEXA scan until September 2025 so not even sure how much it is working but am walking/biking (stopped running) and doing some weight training. My best to you and you know your body best so listen to the medical professionals but don't let them tell you that no one has pain from these drugs or make you feel like you are the first one to have adverse reactions.