Side Effects

Hello Cambrian 

Welcome back - I do remember your previous posts and am so sorry to read of your present situation. I hope it's not stopped you from making those cracking model ships.

I think you are like me - you have been on Hormone Therapy and it's taken it's toll. It causes fatigue and to be honest I can't walk as far as I would like. I am only 69 years of age but the HT had slowed me down - I have now completed 3 years and I am trying to walk/get out more and it's starting to work. 

I do get back ache standing up for long periods without moving (washing up!!) but yes - I would blame the HT and Old age .Have you had a word with your GP about this?

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello again Brian - I am afraid model ships are out now, the glue fumes make me cough.    The GP hasn't come up with anything - so I think I am just stuck with it.   I was generally OK until last May, when it came on literally overnight.   I just wondered if anyone else had the same.    They have kept suggesting radiotherapy, but when I asked if I would be able to stop Prostap if I had it, they seemed doubtful, but I don't want to add radiotherapy side effects to what I already have - I suppose I was lucky to get to my 79th year in pretty good health.   I am certainly not fighting any of this, I haven't the energy, but am just trying to adapt to  a new lifestyle.  

Good morning Cambrian 

That's a shame about the glue - I thought your models were great (but I do have an interest in transport too)

I have had 20 fractions of Radiotherapy - during the latter fractions I had increased frequency to use the toilet but once I completed the course I was back to normal. Is it not worth risking Radiotherapy and any potential side effects over a cure to your issues? After all you will never know if you don't try it.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Cambrian , very sorry to hear that your quality of life is not good at present.  I was intrigued when you mentioned 

‘I was put on those horrible alendronic acid pills, that seem to have made me worse.  ‘

What happened when you started to take the alendronic acid?  
As for having RT, I am with Brian (Millibob ), what have you got to lose?  I had no problem during my 37 sessions of RT apart from fatigue.  David

Thanks for reply.   No, it isn't worth the risk to me.   At the age of almost 81, I have had a good life.   The only reason that I would want to stay alive at the moment, is that I am sole carer for my wife, who can't get around much because of a bad hip and chronic fatigue.   At the moment, I can work for maybe 15 minutes and then have to rest, but when resting, no pain or anything like that.     I am also being treated for macular degeneration in left eye, and have no wish to outlive my eyesight.    I am NOT depressed, and can amuse myself with technical drawing, and assistance with housework by getting someone in to do it.    I know someone who has been on Prostap for teens of years and is still OK    If I were ten years younger, I may feel different, but I am no fan of the 21st century.   At the moment, I am battling with my first Smartphone which I think must have been designed for 6-year-old computer geeks, as it is so simple, it hasn't even got a manual.   But after over 30 years in  the technical marine communications field, I still can't figure out how to use it properly -  

Two of my teeth started to hurt, and generally, I became heavy and slow moving.   When I stopped taking them, I began to improve on both these things.  Alendronic acid can, in some cases, cause bone death in the jaw, and extractions can become a hospital job.   When I asked that if Alendronic acid was good for my bones, why could it damage my jaw and teeth.     I did not get a straight answer, and the GP confessed that he did not know   I have been referred to a reumatologist and will see what he has to say.  

Good Morning Cambrian 

I know the feeling with modern technology - I am 69 and struggle with "stuff" - it's only through becoming a "Champion" with Macmillan that my computer skills have increased.

Life is good at the moment and like you I find things to do and don't have any free time - family and friends see to that although I am so sorry to see you are the carer for your wife.

Keep doing what you do and you know where we are if you need any help or just a chat.

Best wishes- Brian.

 Cambrian,dentists seem to be very concerned between a risk of extraction or drilling into bone, for patients on alendronic acid because of a reported very slight increase in osteonecrosis (which generally results in hospital admission).  My dentist wouldn’t extract although he has indicated that I should have a tooth removed.  The alendronic acid helps you to absorb calcium into your bones but does come with a list of potential side effects and I think you have been the beneficiary of some of these.  If I were in your position, I would have a serious conversation with the team about the benefits of alendronic acid over your perceived problems.  Perhaps there are other routes to achieving calcium absorption by increasing calcium intake (I am not medically trained!) and stopping the alendronic acid.  David

Thanks  for reply - I  was not even told that Alendronic acide helps with the absorbtion of calcium, rather than builds up bones    I will look into increasing my calcium by diet, I an already on the D3 calcium pills.   Without Alendronic acid for 9 days now, I do feel different.   I walked down the road to re-deliver a wrongly posted letter, and managed better than usual, if it had not been so cold, I would have done even better.   As soon as I see the reumatolgist, I may get some alternative advice, but so far, I go the impression that the GP did not know much about it, but the fact that Alendronic simply aids the calcium distribution explains why it may damage jaws.   At the same time, if it can cause damage to jaws, it can cause damage to the rest of my bones that have never actually troubled me in 81 years.  

 Cambrian , I am really glad you are feeling better already.  Obviously any changes to meds and diet should be talked through with your medical team, but it does sound promising that this change is helping you.  David