Hi
My oncologist has prescribed alendronic acid tablets which have to be taken once per week. I’m already taking calceos with vitamin D because I’m on anastrozole. I picked up my prescription yesterday and haven’t started taking them yet. I’ve just read the side effects which sound a bit scary and wondered if anyone else has been prescribed these and what effects, if any, you’ve experienced. Just to add that my bone scan showed my bones are a little thin but no osteoporosis.
Regards
Kathy
Hi Kathy. I was started on these a few months ago because my bone scan showed osteopenia, like you, and the oncologists (and I) wanted to avoid osteoporosis. Also like you, I was aware of significant side effect potential, so read around. I found a really useful section on this group of drugs on the National Osteoporosis Society website; nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=264
In fact though, I’ve found little problem with them. You must take them with water on an empty stomach, stay upright and eat nothing (not even your other tablets) for half an hour, then carry on as normal. And even that’s not as bad as it sounds. I get up, swallow the tablet, then shower and dress. By the time I’ve frigged about with that the half hour is up and I can have breakfast and start the day proper. The staying upright is because they can cause reflux, but I had that already and it’s not been made worse.
I came to the conclusion that it was worth doing. I’m 60, and I don’t want to end up with fractured hips if I can help it. Once the bone has gone, it’s almost impossible to build it back, so I chose to do what I could to keep it.
Hope that helps. You may get more replies if you cross-post in the hormone treatment section.
Jane
So glad to have been of use. I take mine on Saturday mornings too, so we’ll be in unison! Saturdays are usually less rushed too, so it works well. By the way, taking it a day early or a day late some weeks doesn’t matter!
Hello, Kathy. I have been on Letrozole for two years so far. I was sent for a DEXA scan last year, which showed thinning of the femur, and my Onc decided that taking Alendronic acid would be a prudent measure, in view of the increased risk of developing osteoporosis that Letrozole can bring [I am 55]
Like you, I was really wary of the side effects of Alendronic acid, and was in a terrible state about taking it, because the Letrozole causes me enough SE as it is!!
Anyway, I have been taking it for eight weeks, and like the other ladies who have posted- Saturday is also the day I take it.
I drink it with at least half a pint of water, as soon as I get up, then get on with the hoovering and other chores which require standing up. I put the egg timer on for 50 minutes, just to make sure it has well and truly gone down the gullet!! Then I take my other meds and breakfast. So far, so good. My friend who has taken it for a few years, reinforced the importance of drinking plenty of water, hence the half a pint, rather than the ‘large glass’ written on my instructions from the pharmacist.
As long as you follow the instructions carefully, I really think you should be fine, so I hope these posts make you feel a little better about starting it.