Alendronic Acid treatment - yes or no?

Hi

I'm on Zoledronic acid. It would be worth asking about that. I believe it has really helped me under chemo and before that Enzalutamide. I haven't had any side effects However trying to keep active i probably the best thing you can do for bones.      

Thanks for your thoughts, they're much appreciated.

I must say that Zoledronic acid seems to much less of a risk to take compared to Alendronic acid but even so, some of the side-effects are shown to be pretty nasty.  Things such as major kidney problems, high blood pressure (which I already suffer from) and osteonecrosis of the jaw.  Of course, one might not even get those side-effects but they'd still be kind of hanging there like Damocles sword.

Then again, you had chemo whereas I've had radiotherapy so the follow up treatment is probably somewhat different so Zolendronic acid might not be suitable for me.

I'm guessing that the best thing I can do is to have a good talk with my doctor - whom I hope would speak as a neutral observer rather than anything else.  The downside to that is that the earliest appointment I could get was in three weeks time.

I suppose that I might be getting myself worried over nothing - for all I know I might not get any of the side-effects but even so, is that a risk that I want to take so regardless of your help, I really think that I need an informed opinion preferably from a prostate cancer specialist.

Oh - one comment about your comment - keeping active is indeed one of the best things you can do and I'm certainly doing my best to do that.  I'm actually having a day or two off while this chilly northerly wind blows but once that's over it'll be back to shed-building!  Better do that quickly though before my old bones crack up!  LOL

Cheers and best wishes to you,

Chris

Hi Chris/Souwesterly,  I received a call a few months ago from my oncology pharmacist telling me she was going to start me on Alendronic Acid and AdCal-D3 chewable tablets (not unpleasant at all). She explained to me it was prescribed for my calcium levels in my bones, she also sent out an information leaflet explaining the medication.  I have no side effects whatsoever and did not have a problem starting them as my cancer care has been excellent. I take the Alendronic acid once a week every Monday morning at 7:30 am. Have a look at my profile and see where I am at the minute.

Take care, Tom.

Hello Tom,

Ouch - reading your profile is a painful tale that makes me feel remarkably fortunate.  And congratulations to you for still sounding as positive as you do. 

In many ways I'm almost sorry to hear from you simply because of what I've read about Alendronic acid.  The fact that you've avoided side-effects is amazing, to be honest, but I'm not sure if that cheers me up or not!  I'm definitely not eager to get started on it and if only the doctors could promise me no side-effects then I'd be happy.  But obviously it's all down to how your body behaves - and mine is bound to be very different to yours.  But will mine let side-effects trouble it?  That's the real question that no-one can answer.

Fair enough - I've sailed through radiotherapy and associated medication but that doesn't mean that I'll do the same with Alendronic acid, does it?

Nevertheless, your comments are great and at least give me some reassurance that it is possible to take it and not get worse.  However, I feel good right now and I really, really don't want to feel any worse, especially if I can avoid doing so.

My internal jury is still out.

Wishing you all the best,

Chris

Hi, I have Zoledronic acid infusions every 28 days, I am sometimes rough for a day or so afterwards but other than not nothing else. Can you not be given Zoledronic acid instead of Alendronic acid with your concerns ?  

I can but ask, can't I?

It's early stages as yet - I've just had my jaw checked over (the jury is still out on that) and haven't started on it yet but my doctor is pushing me.  But, after all this, it'll be down to the condition of my jaw...and if I remember correctly, some 3 years ago when I was preparing for heart surgery (aortic valve replacement) my dentist turned me down for implants.  He said then that my jawbone 'wasn't up to it' so perhaps I'll fail at the first hurdle anyway.

Zoledronic acid sounds to be a 'nicer' option and I'll defintely check it over with my oncologist before I start taking anything. Also, I don't mind feeling rough for a short period but some of the potential side-effects of both Alendronic and Zoledronic acid are sheer scary.

As I've implied before, it's not like me to get worked up over anything but this stuff is nasty enough to make anyone lose sleep, I reckon.

Thanks Paul - I very much appreciate your words.

Best wishes,

Chris

No problem Chris, yes that's all we can do is ask questions of our consultants, research treatments best we can and make decisions that are best for ourselves. I have just had a month off from my infusion as I turned 40 and my wife had booked a holiday which fell while my 28 day appointment was, I am there next week for my blood tests and infusion. I wish you well mate.

I have to be honest and hadn't even noticed your age - you're less than half my age! 

I daren't ask what on earth brought your cancer on when you're so young but that's totally nasty, in my opinion.  Ye gods - I was only half way through my second marriage at that age and no way would I have been mentally able to cope.  Then again, it's amazing what the human mind can take in and still remain capable of 'normal' living and now I actually feel proud to be talking to (well writing to) someone as strong as you.

But its that very feeling of healthiness (however transient) that makes me reluctant to take this new treatment on.  I actually feel fine right now, one week after my 20 radiotherapy sessions and I'm just scared of not feeling as good if I go onto Alendronic acid.

Also I almost feel that even if my life was to end fairly soon just because I didn't take my medicine then at least I've already had a decently long innings.  Of course, there's no way I aim to stop living now - I'm enjoying life too much in a new house to want to give it all up - so they'd better come up with some damn good stories to get me to take that stuff or find something else I can take instead.    (Some strange ramblings there, I reckon - but I'll let my thoughts stand)

Wishing you well, young man,

Chris

Yes Chris, after my spinal op being diagnosed at 38 years of age with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer after surviving Iraq and Afghanistan was not what I had planned but life is shit sometimes and all we can do is roll with the punches. My journey is on my profile, quite long winded though. With my young wife and family I am at the mercy of medicines and my consultant as are many of us. Take care and thank you for your kind words