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Can Alendronate Side Effects Emerge Slowly Over Time?
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.
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Possibly. I’ve been on it for 3 years and I ache a bunch. Not sure if it’s related or if it’s something else. But I find what you say very interesting
Thank you so much for your reply!
I find that I have different aches from day to day. My upper back can be fine one day, the next day not so much. Sometimes I feel an ache in one leg, the next day it might be the other. For the past week or so I've had minor pain in my left scapula and tenderness in the high ribs on both sides, but today they feel much better. I have slight dizziness on occasion. I had a short episode of vertigo the week I began taking the med but not another one until a week or so ago. Gas is also a continuous side effect. These are all problems that I either didn't have before taking Alendronate, or that have increased since I began the medication.
I've decided to track the effects following each dose from now on, to see whether there's a continuing increase, more for my mental state of mind (!) so that I know I'm not imagining things. I can so far function normally with the effects. I just want to know what's going on and if it's normal for effects to increase or appear spontaneously after taking the med for a while after initially not having any problems.
Thanks again for your input. It's very much appreciated.
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3 ReactionsWow. That’s unfortunate to have side effects. I believe some of mine could be from it as well. I have all of what you’ve said here also. I can’t say the vertigo though, although I do and have always had motion sickness issues
Yes. I developed sudden severe acid reflux after being on Fosamax for 9 months.
Wow! Thanks for the information. As I posted earlier, none of my side-effects have affected my daily routines. But I'm concerned that they may increase or become worse in the future. Or maybe I'm just neurotic... 🙂
Looking back over the past month, all of what I consider side effects have come on suddenly, as you mentioned your reflux did. Did you speak with your doctor about the reflux? I have an appointment in two weeks and plan to talk with my doctor about what's been happening with me. Mainly to set my mind at ease.
I saw PCP about a week after the reflux started as it was unusual for me. She started me on Famotadine and acid reducer and when it had little effect she had me stop the Fosamax which helped a lot after several months. She referred me to a GI for an endoscopy which was benign, took biopsies. I'm still on meds for the reflux, as I still get flares up and I'll have another endoscopy in May.
I have read that side effects from Fosamax can occur at any time during treatment. I had a Reclast infusion 9/2024 which bypasses the GI tract and so far no side effects.
I did have gains with the Fosamax and would have kept taking it if not for the reflux. I did follow the directions exactly in terms of taking the Fosamax, but still had the side effects 9 months in.
Good to talk with your doctor about your side effects. So much to learn about osteoporosis! I was not expecting the diagnosis. In addition to meds I found a great exercise class for osteoporosis using weights and weight bearing exercise with members who are all very positive and fun to be in the same boat with.
That's my story so far.