Can Alendronate Side Effects Emerge Slowly Over Time?

Posted by aacatsaregreat @aacatsaregreat, Jan 26 1:25pm

I've been taking Alendronate (70 mg weekly) for about seven months now. I had negligible side effects the first week I took it -- was very sore for one day and had one dizzy spell. That was it (other than gas).

Over time though, especially over the past month, I've experienced upper back discomfort (can't really call it pain), as well as tenderness in the upper portions of my ribs on each side, on-again off-again pain in one knee, muscle pain, some slight dizziness on occasion.

None of this interferes with quality of life (so far!), but I'm curious if others have experienced the same situation of late emerging side effects when taking Alendronate.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

I found drinking Califa almond milk before bed was somewhat helpful to acid reflux, but probably not enough if GERD has already taken hold.

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

Dear Shirley74, please don’t let me scare you off Fosamax. I’ve just had a evening chat with my best friend Noeline, X-nurse and my age. She finished Fosamax after 7 years on it shortly before I started. She swears by it… She’s ‘still’ tall and has a straight back. I’m a bit of an invalid. So if you like me have osteoporosis Fosamax will definitely help you. As I said earlier, I cannot remember I had problems with pain when I started it’s the last year my back doesn’t want to be kind to me even though my Dexa scan has dramatically improved and only shows a little bit of osteopenia. Nothing to worry about at my/our age. You will notice a big gain at your next Dexa scan, guaranteed. Gain against pain, if any. Xx

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No worries.....you have actually encouraged me to keep going with the Fosamax. You are the best! Thank you so much. I see my doctor next week and I hope he has good answers for my questions!

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Profile picture for drummergirl @drummergirl

I am your age and Dr is recommending Evenity. This drug will not work for me, but I have taken Fosomax in the past without side effects, except for GERD.
Can you give your scores at the start and after 3 years?

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Good morning drummergirl, I have available my latest scan from February this year so sending a copy of it. You’ll have to zoom in I assume to read. Going from Red to Yellow in three years make me satisfied and am thinking of stopping it in November on my start date 2022. Enough improvement for me at my age.

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Oops, the photo of my scan goes with the conversation with drummergirl 5 minutes ago.

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

Good morning drummergirl, I have available my latest scan from February this year so sending a copy of it. You’ll have to zoom in I assume to read. Going from Red to Yellow in three years make me satisfied and am thinking of stopping it in November on my start date 2022. Enough improvement for me at my age.

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Obviously have to send text with photo. Remember that T-score is the comparison with a healthy 40-year old woman. Z-score is comparison with a woman of same age. But the drug companies and doctors? want us to compare us with 30 year old creatures, hahaha. Selling more drugs? Xx

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Profile picture for drummergirl @drummergirl

I am your age and Dr is recommending Evenity. This drug will not work for me, but I have taken Fosomax in the past without side effects, except for GERD.
Can you give your scores at the start and after 3 years?

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I’ve tried to send you my copy of my latest scan but it doesn’t go through and I have to rush away now.
Try again when I get back home.

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

I’ve tried to send you my copy of my latest scan but it doesn’t go through and I have to rush away now.
Try again when I get back home.

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Thank you Virgo-
I would just be interested in your beginning DEXA at the start of Fosomax and at the end of taking it and for how many years. May not be able to get the attachment. Thanks for trying😊

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I will send you the figures when we get back but why can’t I sent you a photo??
Will sort everything out on Tuesday when back from Auckland NZ. Maybe have to do it on my laptop not my iPhone. Sorry….

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

I will send you the figures when we get back but why can’t I sent you a photo??
Will sort everything out on Tuesday when back from Auckland NZ. Maybe have to do it on my laptop not my iPhone. Sorry….

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12 midnight but not giving up. Scan results from Febrary this year try o drummergirl. Here we go again… xxx

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

Oh no! No poster child? for me! I was so against Fosamax when it was suggested to me, that I blankly refused. The America FDA changed the recommended time limit for use from 10 years+ to 5 years maximum I believe, as the ‘maker’ Mercs? had so many lawsuits regarding side effects, especially ONJ. This was about 2012-2015 after recovering from chemotherapy and I’d read about ONJ, when the jaw collapses… so I was so against it. However, I ended up, quite fast, with a crooked spine and very bad Dexa scan result. So,
at the end, a bit too late,
I started Fosamax and as I’ve said my Dexa scan is good. I won’t do the 5 years though, 3 years are enough, especially because of my age, 77.
Thinking about it now…
I do have terrible back pain due to my crooked back. Don’t say it’s because of Fosamax? I do take 10 mg of m-Eslon SR
daily (morphine sulfate) twice daily.
Can’t remember I had problems when I started though.
Maybe I’ll stop taking it right now to find out if my pain disappears in a couple of months……???

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You are such a positive person to deal with the conditions you suffer with. I wish you all the luck in the world that your meds and intense research will keep you making good decisions regarding your health. I am now on a research mission on fighting muscle mass loss. I can't walk in a straight line without weaving from side to side.....like I don't have control of my leg movements anymore. I walk every day between 10,000 and 15,000 steps. It is not easy sometimes. I do 3 lb weight lifting which has made my arms feel a little stronger, I am striving to eat more protein each day for the muscles. Seems like every day has a new challenge! Thanks for listening.

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