I’d love to hear from those who are taking the oral version of a Bisphosphonate and who haven’t had any major mouth, nausea, fever, side effects that seem to be associated with this class of drug.
Apparently, my GP is considering either alendronate or risedronate for me. I have read that the former is more effective.
I am 4 years post-treatment, but my latest Dexa Scan showed a significant deterioration in the left neck of my femur and suggested I discuss starting a bisphosphonate with my GP.
I’ve spoken to my GP this AM, and he has requested blood tests and a dental check before he can prescribe.
I’d like to know which Bisphosphonate you’re on, how you are finding it, and whether you have any side effects.
I’ve ‘done’ Letrozole for 5 years but the SE’s of the Bisphosphonates seem to be concerning me more.
I’m due my third dose of zolodrenic acid soon. However mine are via infusion. I can’t help with your query but wish you well. I had flu type symptoms after my first dose. No issues after my second dose.
I’m having infusions of Zolendronic acid 6 monthly for 3 years, I’ve had 2 so far. I have flu like aches and pains for 4/5 days and need to keep on top of dental hygiene. Getting an NHS dental appointment is like getting blood out of a stone but at least I still have one.
I notice you asked about oral bisphosphonates such as Ibandronic acid, if you click on the search symbol at the top of the page and type the drug in you will get some other posts to read ( if you haven’t already). I do know someone who is on this drug and manages ok except for having to stay upright for 30 minutes after taking it, which she says is a pain.
I’m sure some others will post here at some point.
You could also contact the BCN nurses for help
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Thank you naughty! I hear you re-NHS dentist appointments.
I appreciate the recommendation of searching Ibandronic. I just Google’d it but can’t tell if this is the same as Alendronate? And I just realised I made a typo in my original post. I need to change it now:).
I’ve been on weekly Alendronic acid tablets for about 5 years now and am continuing to take them even though I have recently finished 10 years on Letrozole.
The only side effect I’ve had is some acid reflux, particularly for up to 48 hours after
I’ve taken the tablet, but this is not severe and can be controlled with Esomeprazole tablets. These are available quite cheaply without prescription.
I had a thorough dental check before starting on bisphosphonates. Both my hygienist and dentist are aware that I take this medication but, so far, it has not caused any dental issues.
I hope that you will have a trouble-free experience will these drugs and wish you well.
Oh WAC-your reply is exactly what I needed to read. I’m so pleased that you are doing well on the tablets. Interestingly, I finished Letrozole in 2023 and there hadn’t been any talk about a Bisphosphonate for me, until my recent Dexa Bone Scan.
I hope you don’t mind me asking-how often do you need to get blood work done (I understand that our bloods need monitoring when on this tablet).
xx
Glad my reply was useful. I was interested to read your comments about blood tests as I have never been offered one in connection with alendronic acid. I feel that I should be asking my GP about this now! Has it been explained to you why these are necessary?
Hi Wendy-it’s my understanding that the blood tests are to see if the medication is having any adverse effects on kidney function, renal function, etc. but I could be wrong. I read somewhere that it’s to see if the medication is working, but I would have thought a Dexa Bone Scan would be the best way to monitor their effectiveness. I think the blood tests are more for kidney/renal function but do check this with your GP. Under the heading “What should I watch for while using this medication”? on this page: Alendronate: Uses & Side Effects
Hi Tricia-I’ve just Google’d Zelodric but nothing comes up…are you sure you’re not on Zoledronic? And if so, I read that Zoledronic only comes as an infusion and not tablets. I’m only asking because it seems from the research that Zoledronic is better tolerated by many patients than Alendronate and I would want to discuss with my GP the possibility of taking the one that is more easily tolerated.
Could you please let me know what you are taking (is it Zelodric-cause I can’t find it mentioned online)? and is it an actual tablet, or an infusion? Thanks a million!
xxx
The only problem I had was waking up at stupid o’clock to take the tablets as you have to stay upright for an hour after. I’d be in the swimming pool at 7am. Like a kid at Christmas, I was waking up at 3am in readiness to take it at 6am
I said to my Onc consultant how the tablets were affecting my lifestyle and she changed me to 6-monthly infusions. Had the last one last week
I was prescribed Ibandronic Acid tablets daily for 3 years. My last tablet is in two weeks time. Yippee!
As others have said, the main inconvenience is the staying upright for an hour and not eating/drinking or taking other medication until at least half an hour after taking the tablet. In my case I then have to take a thyroid tablet which means a further 40 mins before I can eat!
I haven’t consciously noticed any side effects. I was warned it increased the risk of bone necrosis in the jaw ( even after stopping the tablets) so was advised to have 3 monthly dental check ups and be extremely careful with dental care. My dentist fortunately is very aware and understanding.
Thanks for the explanation. This has never been mentioned to me and, interestingly, the NHS website only suggests that you may not be able to take alendronic acid if you have already experienced kidney problems.
I began taking it after I’d fractured my kneecap a couple of years after starting to take Letrozole. I was then referred for a DEXA scan which indicated I have osteopenia. Subsequent scans suggest this hasn’t worsened significantly. Happy to keep taking it as long as it helps to strengthen my bones!
I was on Alendronic acid tablets but was taken off them due to SE . Bleeding gums,loose teeth gastric problems. Muscle and joint pain. I got the lot it seems.
It’s not necessarily going to be the same for you so worth trying. I do worry about my bone health deteriorating. I fractured my wrist 18 months ago but they won’t do a follow up Dexa as I no longer take the tablet.
All the best
Wendy-I’m really pleased to hear that your bone health has remained stable, despite the osteopenia.
I recall when I had my first Bone Dexa Scan-one month after I started Letrozole-it showed signs of osteopenia, but my oncologist had said to me that given I had only been on Letrozole one month-my osteopenia was simply down to being a woman of a certain age. He didn’t word it that way, but that’s what he meant…he said something like “this is what we’d expect to see for someone your age”…in other words, some bone health deterioration is down to age, too. But it’s always difficult to know how much is down to the meds, and how much it is down to the normal ageing process, which is why they like doing Dexa scans before we start our treatments. xxx
at the top of the page and type the drug in you will get some other posts to read ( if you haven’t already). I do know someone who is on this drug and manages ok except for having to stay upright for 30 minutes after taking it, which she says is a pain.
. Depending on the brand it’s sometimes called Bondronat and sometimes just Ibandronic Acid.