Ibandronic Acid treatment options

[Sue C]

Hi

How strange, when monthly ibandronic acid is available? Or, alendronic acid can be taken weekly. Taking one every day will be aright pain! Might be worth talking to your gp!

Best of luck xx

[GR2]

Hi,

Many thanks for your message, it's so helpful to hear about other's experiences.

I met with my oncologist last week and he was very clear that the only option open to me is the daily dose of IB. I have not started taking it yet as I said that I would like to find out what side effects I'm going to get with Anastrozole first.  I started that on Saturday and so far so good!

I'm still not really sure whether the benefits of IB (2% in my case) are worth the potential problems of taking it. My only option other than the daily dose is to go privately to have the infusion.

Your experience with IB sounds horrible. I hope that you don't experience any problems with the infusion and all works out well for you.  I would be very grateful if you could let me know. 

[Janbabs]

Hi

I was on Ibandronic Acid for 3 weeks in May. I found the method of administration difficult, and I too wish to go back to work so getting up an hour earlier to take this tablet didn’t fill me full of joy. Unfortunately I suffered nausea every morning which sometimes went on until lunchtime. At 3 weeks I developed painful inflammation in my left eye and was prescribed prednisolone which thankfully worked quickly. I was advised to stop the treatment and my oncologist has now arranged for me to have Zolendronic Acid IV once every 6 months for 3 years. I have my first infusion on Saturday this week and am hoping the side effects are minimal, I am trying not to think about it just hoping I don’t have too many side effects as I want to take every opportunity to stop cancer recurring.

[GR2]

Thank you so much Sue, I will talk to my doctor.  That seems much more manageable.

[Sue C]

Hi

I take Ibandronic  acid and had the same thoughts as you!

There is a dose that you can take monthly, which I do, and seems to be ok. Ask your gp.

Sue xx

[GR2]

Hi

Following chemo, surgery and radiotherapy, I have spoken to my oncologist about future treatments.  He has informed me that I will need to take Anastrozole and a daily dose of Ibrandronic Acid. When I researched the side effects and method of taking Ibandronic Acid it put me into a bit of a gloom as I felt that I was coming to the end of the serious treatment and would be just taking a couple of tablets for a few years!  I can't at the moment imagine following the strict regime of taking IA daily as I am not a morning person and will be returning to full time work. Reading other threads on the forum it seems that bisphonates can be administered as an infusion which I think would suit me much better.  However, I have been informed that this is not on offer in my NHS Trust.  I have a face to face appointment booked to see the oncologist (I have only spoken to him on the phone before) and feel I need to be armed with some facts.  Has anyone else had a similar experience and managed to agree a different, preferable treatment regime?