Gransnet forums

Health

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Alendronate / Fosamax

(6 Posts)
Add comment | Report
pen50 Mon 10-Jan-22 11:50:56

I took my first dose of Alendronate yesterday (Sunday 9th) and followed the instructions properly (I have previous secondhand experience; my late husband took it for years). Today, I am having a dreadful time with diarrhoea and various joint and muscle pains. I'm having to use the loo every half hour and things are very uncomfortable sad.

Has anyone else experienced these side effects? Can I expect them to resolve, and will they recur next week? I have a full time job with loads of deadlines looming so I'm loathe to take time off for this sort of problem.

I should add that I'm recovering from a knee replacement in November and am still taking a cocktail of painkillers including Naproxen, Gabapentin, and Paracetamol. I stopped taking codeine a few days ago but I'm not noticing any addiction problem (the constipation side effect would be jolly useful at the moment...) The knee surgeon okayed the Alendronate.

Add comment | Report
BlueBelle Mon 10-Jan-22 12:50:53

I have the annual infusion (well I did have before lockdown) so not sure about the medication BUT you say your late husband took it for years well you are not supposed to take it for years it is supposed to be monitored and only a few years
( not sure if it’s 3) and then have a rest period

Add comment | Report
pen50 Mon 10-Jan-22 13:07:39

Well, he took it for about 7 years to my memory. It was the once a month version - Boniva / Boniva. He died in 2016 - maybe guidance changed? We lived in Spain at the time so perhaps things are different there.

Add comment | Report
Jane43 Tue 11-Jan-22 04:04:18

Is the Naproxen something you have recently started taking? My son was recently prescribed it but it gave him terrible diarrhoea.

Add comment | Report
luluaugust Tue 11-Jan-22 14:54:41

I took Alendronate for the standard five years, I assume you have had osteoporosis diagnosed, if one pill has caused such havoc I think you should speak to whoever prescribed it - if you can at present. As you are getting over an op and taking a lot of painkillers maybe that has interfered in some way.

Add comment | Report
Ladyleftfieldlover Tue 11-Jan-22 15:03:54

I take a weekly tablet of alendronic acid and will hopefully stop this summer after five years. As far as I can tell, I have suffered no side effects. My OH takes gabopentin (sp) but for Restless Legs Syndrome. He is pretty well zombyfied until lunch time.

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise