Discouraged by Prolia & Alendronate side effects

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In reply to @hmbrglr I have IBS and I too have intestinal issues with Alendronate. I finished Evenity treatment and then went on to Alendronate. But all of these other osteoporosis drugs have some side effects and some much worse than loose stools. I took a bad fall last week but thankfully no bones were broken. I may not like my side effects but can see how effective the drugs are. I read about Reclast and how bad those side effects can be. At my age, I will not chance that. I have not read any comments that praise any osteoporosis medications so I guess it is a choice of which side effects you can tolerate,

@susanew glad you didn’t break a bone. I took a hard bump against my breastbone in a car last week and it’s very sore but not broken. We can only hope and pray that we will get through our lives without catastrophe.

@gravity3
I have osteopenia but on the brink of osteoporosis with a high fracture rate of 10% risk of hip fracture in 10 years. I am 74. I am wondering if I should wait to get a diagnosis of osteoporosis before starting medication such as alendronate.
My doctor would like me to start medication but is not pushing it. Any thoughts?

I saw ab endocrinologist recently. He said there are 2 for osteoporosis. Fosamax and Reclast. Which did I want. He then pointed to a door and said, That is the way to the infusion room. It is conv

@lynne07

Hello. What are your current dexa scores?
Alendronate has been commonly prescribed as a first osteoporosis medication for some time now. However, the current thinking is to start with an anabolic/bone builder. Sequencing matters.

@lynne07 I wouldn’t take any osteoporosis medications until it was required. Make sure you get plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Weight-bearing exercise is important! Get a good endocrinologist or rheumatologist to guide you through the process. All the bone medications have side effects and should be chosen carefully, based upon your health history, current medications, etc.

@ou14mejc

I don't believe anyone would or could require a patient to take osteoporosis meds. Physicians might be very concerned about those with severe loss not trying meds.
It is important to remind folks that all medications have side effects and it only becomes an issue if you get any of the named side effects.
It is much less common for those experiencing no side effects to report them here. They are too busy living.
I will share my positives:
No noticeable side effects from
Fosomax 5yr.
Forteo 2 yr
Evenity 1 year ( best gains)
Prolia 2 yr.

@gravity3 agree…. I guess require maybe isn’t the correct wording….no doctor can make a patient take a drug. By “require” I meant a bone condition that warranted treatment. I need both shoulders replaced, both knees, spine surgery and cervical surgery. My osteoporosis was so bad before Forteo, no surgeon would touch me. I am now scheduled for spine surgery next month because Forteo improved my spine enough to move me from severe osteoporosis to osteopenia. My doctor told me my hips were so bad, a fall could kill me. That was enough to get my attention and start medication. Thanks for sharing your positive results.

Wishing you the best in your surgery! Consider getting a Ferritin test before surgery, which is not included in pre surgery labs. Hemoglobin is included, but Ferritin is a much better indicator of iron stores. My Hemoglobin was fine, but my Ferritin (which was tested for a different reason by a different doctor about a month before my surgery) was only 13 going into my hip replacement surgery. I didn’t even know what Ferritin was and the low level was never brought to my attention because it was “within range” but already at iron deficiency. So I went into hip replacement surgery iron deficient. Had terrible heart palpitations for a couple weeks after until I saw my primary care and found out I was anemic. Ferritin is the best indicator of iron stores. Wish I’d known that earlier.