Are there adverse reactions in taking Fosamax/Actonel with Prednisone, Levoyl, Triam HCTZ, & Prosed
I am a 56 year old African American woman who has been taking steroids for several years due to a chronic disease in my lungs called sarcoidosis. This condition involves a myriad of symptoms including joint and muscle pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and migraines. My health condition was compounded with other chronic diseases i.e. fibromyalgia, thyroid, acid reflux intermittently, steroid inducing high eye pressure, and chronic cystitis. Moveover, I am also chemical sensitive in that the usual dosages of medications are cut in half to manage my conditions. My recent dexa scan revealed that my osteopenia has worsened since the last annual exam due primarily to steroids. Currently my BMD measures at Femur Neck 0.776 g/cm(sq) with a T-score of -1.9 and the L1 region of my spine with a T-score of -1.3. Because of my chemical sensitivity and chronic conditions, I have been taking "mild" dosages (<15mg) of different steroids. I am now taking only 5mg of prednisone, but it may decrease or increase depending on God's healing power. I have read Fosamax may cause gastro problems, but one study reported it showed better results than Actonel. Although, another study showed Actonel works faster. With my daily regimen of other medications (Levoyl, Prosed, Triam HCTZ, Travatan Z), 1200mg of Calcium with Vitamin D, Multivitamin, 500mg Vitamin C) as well as with my aforementioned chronic illnesses, is Actonel or Fosamax a better match for me and are there adverse reactions in either with my existing medications? Your insight and medical advice are greatly appreciated.
Hi Dar: This is a great and complex question that should be answered by the Dr that is prescribing these meds. It sounds like you've done a good job researching these meds and their possible interaction, so take this knowledge and your wonderful insight to your physician and ask which might be better, Actonel or Fosamax, for your given medical situation.
Both Actonel and Fosamax *may* cause GI problems so you need a educated answer from someone that understands this possibility, and the most likely place to get that would be your Dr as well as a trusted and knowledgeable Pharmacist.
It must be difficult to deal with all of these challenges, but it also sounds like that's exactly what you are doing. Continue to educate yourself, it will help in making these decisions and advocating for yourself.
If you are seeing an Endocrinologist for the Levoyl and prednisone, this Dr should be able to tell you if these med are contraindicated with osteo meds. If you aren't seeing an Endo, that's ok too, the Dr prescibing these meds plus your pharmacist should be able to look all of this up to see if any of these treatments interact with one another. Long term prednisone use *may* cause osteoporosis, but if you are taking this for a condition that must be treated, like chronic lung problems, you have to understand the importance of that, since you have to be able to breath.
Good luck with your decision and all your medical issues, I wish you the best. Keep up the good work on your research of these matters.
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