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Anyone on Alendronate?
I have been on Alendronate since May 2017. If I don't have osteoporosis, but some osteopenia, how long is it safe to take a 'vacation' from the drug? Does it do any good to take it every other week? My internist wants me to switch to Prolia, which I will not do. I don't know if I would have any side effects from it and it is not a drug that can be stopped w/o possible problems. I am 78 years old and my only health condition is RA, which is under control and has not affected my day-to-day life. I have read that alendronate can affect your esophagus and occasionally, over the years, I have had times where I feel like food gets stuck and it takes anywhere from 3 - 30 minutes for this uncomfortable feeling to go away. I have had my esophagus stretched via an endoscopy several times.
Re Prolia, I have read : People with weakened immune systems are advised not to use to denosumab because it can lead to serious infections that require hospitalization (such as heart infections). It can also cause disintegration of the jaw, called osteonecrosis, and atypical femur fractures. Recent studies have shown that people who stop taking denosumab experience bone loss within the first year if they do not start taking a new osteoporosis treatment. In clinical trials, results also suggest that people who stop taking denosumab and did not start another treatment experienced more vertebral fractures (fractures in your spine) in the 10 months after treatment than people who had been taking a placebo.
I am interested in hearing thoughts about 'vacationing' from alendronate.
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I want to thank you all re. the Alendronate. And from what I have read, they can all have terrible side effects. The question is is it worth spending the rest of my life immobile, nauseated, and in pain, or is it better to take my chances without. It seems that some people can take a drug, and have no S.E. where others are subject to suffering, and a decision to make. I may try the prolia, as she suggests, but I can tell you right now, if it is as bad as the alendronate, I will surely quit. Just an FYI, my mother had osteoporosis, and back then, there were no drugs for it. As far as I know, she never fx. a bone. But to be fair, she was never as active as I try to be. Your comments have helped me to be more assertive with my decisions. THANKYOU.
I am recovering from two atypical femur fracture surgeries. This was caused by fosamax (alendronate) which I was on for 2 1/2 years recently.
My daughter has had excellent Dena scan results from using AlgaeCal and AlgaeCal Boost.
What does the Mayo Clinic think about these supplements as alternative to combating osteoporosis?
Both of those supplements are expensive versions of calcium and strontium supplements that can be purchased elsewhere for less.
Strontium can result in higher T-scores on DEXA because it has a higher atomic weight than calcium and makes the bones appear denser on scan. The results need to be adjusted down by 10% to include this effect. Even the AlgaeCal site notes this.
Make sure that your daughter informs the doctor or radiologist that she is taking strontium supplements so they can take this into account.
There is a version of strontium that has been used in Europe to combat osteoporosis with positive results. It has not been approved for use in the US due to concerns about cardiac risk. AlgaeCal does not contain this type of strontium.
Supplements can be helpful and those sold by AlgaeCal are fine, just costlier than other sources.
I’m sorry to hear about your fractures after only 2.5 years on Fosamax. I also fractured on Fosamax but I was on it for over 5 years. My fracture was in my spine despite having a T-score of -1.8.
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for responding to my message,
My daughter was given her prescription for AlgaeCal and AlgaeCal Boost by her physician. What are the cheaper versions of the AlgaeCal and AlgaeCal Boost?
Something like Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate 2:1 with D3 and K2 is similar. The cost of the Solaray is one-fifth that of AlgaeCal Plus on Amazon.
As I said, AlgaeCal is fine and if your daughter’s doctor prescribed it she may not want to switch.